5th grader and 7th grader in CTC?

[rodandmegs]

Okay, this is the 4th post I've written in less than a week! Forgive me, I am super excited and have so many questions!

I was almost 100% sure I was going to use Christian Light with my 5th and 7th grader. The main reasons were:
1.) they could do most of their work independently, which would be so helpful because I am using Bigger with a 2nd grader and Little Hearts with a Kinder...
2.) they don't want to "do school together" as we always have in the past - I'm not sure of the reason?
3.) my 7th grader wants to be able to do it all "by herself" without my interference (except of course when she needs me which is way more than she thinks, lol)

So....now I have been looking at CTC again. I cannot do 4 guides. I just can't. I was wondering if I could combine my 5th grader (a 10 year old boy who is super smart, quick learner, bores easily) with my 2nd grader in Bigger...would he get bored? Or should I combine my two oldest in CTC even though my 7th grade girl doesn't want to? She hasn't expressed it too much, just asked could they please not do it together?

HELP! I want to start the first of August. So I need to place my order soon!!

[Jennymommy]

If your dd is willing, HOD is easy to be more independent with...you shouldn't need to do too much hand-holding after a couple weeks for her, and that could let you put your ds into the level he really places in best. CTC is written to become more independent as the year progresses, so ds also would be moving into a less intensive phase. I read one post from Carrie (I think) about having dc bring completed work to the same place every day to be checked by you, as well as having them look through their guide each night in order to set out the needed books, etc. for the next day. I plan to implement both ideas this year to help streamline our day

[rodandmegs]

Thank you for your quick reply!

We have been talking the past hour or two. My daughter asked if my son could do Bigger with my 2nd grader, and she could do CLE independently. I really want to take her suggestions and ideas into serious consideration, because I trust her judgment and I value her input. I also want her to feel valued. I do not want her to be miserable. My son said he would be happy doing anything! (Wish they were all that willing lol)

So, do you think Bigger would not be challenging enough even if I ordered the extension package? I also am not really sure how the extension package works...and I'm not sure which math and language arts he would be doing? I'm sorry for so many questions!

[Jennymommy]

Have you looked at Preparing? It is a fantastic guide, and some of the extension books were related to the regular package..all three of my boys loved them. I know it would be a separate guide for him, but a good guide for him to gain independance and love for school The extensions would not be necessary, so he could just read them for fun. If you do Bigger, I would think you would want the extensions, as well as the level 4 or 5 English book, and whatever math he places into, as well as DITHOR for his level.

[Jennymommy]

BTW, my 7grade ds really excelled doing RevtoRev on his own this past year. I didn't know it meant so much to him to do his own thing

[Jennymommy]

What has ds done for math and grammar so far? Is he a young 5th grader? Can he do some independent work? I'm home now, and I'd love to help. I understand the desire to not run too many guides, but I have found that it is actually easier than I thought it would be.

[my3sons]

If you look at the placement chart, where do each of them place individually? If you can share about each of them in regard especially to reading, writing, grammar, and math, that would really help! Also, what have they done previously? Have they read their own history/science, etc.? How long are they used to doing school each day, and how independent are each of them? How good at following directions? Thanks!!

In Christ,
Julie

[rodandmegs]

Hi, Julie. Thanks for answering. Now to answer your questions!

My 10 year old (barely 10) is a very smart boy. He has a very mathematical mind and is a problem solver. He is an excellent reader, and loves to read books such as the Percy Jackson series, Goosebumps, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, etc. He has never narrated formally. He has very messy handwriting, and he hates to write. He complains that it hurts his hand. I homeschooled him 1-3 grades, and he went to public school for 4th grade. His learning slowed down so much last year in ps! They did not do much grammar, and they never diagrammed a sentence. They did not have history; they had "social studies". Their science was super boring, and I doubt he retained any of it. At PS, they did not do one single science experiment or project. He places between Bigger and Preparing the placement chart. I ordered him Singapore 5a ad 5b, and Rod and Staff 5. I think I should do the R&S half-pace, so it will last two years, but I'm not sure how to do that. Will he do it twice a week or just a page a day? He looked at the Bigger guide and got really excited. The hands-on activities are right up his alley. I've caught him peeking at the Stories of Great Americans book already this morning. He loves to learn about American History, and we watch lots of documentaries from the library, so I know he will love the history portion! I also ordered the Exploring Planet Earth to give him additional science. I think the history readings in Bigger will be enough for him, and we visit the library often, so I'm sure he'll pick up more books there.

So, do you agree that he should be in Bigger? And how should I pace the Rod and Staff?

[rodandmegs]

Jennymom, thanks for being willing to help me.

He placed in between Bigger and Preparing on the placement chart. He is a young 5th grader. He hates writing, and has never narrated. He loves to read and is pretty independent. He follows directions fairly well. I can pretty much say that the year he and his sisters had last year in public school was a waste. They didn't learn anything they didn't already know, and their science was so dry and boring that I'm sure they don't remember any of it.

I think he will be just fine in Bigger. He has looked at my guide and it really appeals to his creative side. What do you think?

[Jennymommy]

Sounds good A happy boy is easier to school The grammar you can do two days a week to spread it out. Are you doingd DITHOR? I did the level 4/5 this year with my 10yo ds who sounds much like yours...I didn't want to overwhelm him with the writing. He really enjoyed it, though the books I chose were too easy, and he needed to really dig for appropriate answers sometimes. Also, we made great use of the whiteboard with colored markers for many of his grammar and storytime assignments....it did help with the hand "fatigue"

[rodandmegs]

We also use a marker board for a lot of his writing! Why is it much more fun to use a dry erase marker than a pencil? Lol!! I have not ordered DITHOR. It looks like a lot of extra work for him, but I could be totally wrong! I have book report forms for him to fill out, and I am choosing books from the genre list HOD uses. Do you suggest DITHOR?

[Jennymommy]

I also used printed book report forms, but after a while it just was a burden. He responded much better to having his own book to fill in, as well as the extra "authority" that book conveyed

[Mommamo]

We've been using DITHOR for several years now and I love it. I feel like my oldest (the only one who has used it so far) has learned so much from it. I think it really helps in thinking and really understanding literature without being overly heavy-handed on analysis.

[Carrie]

rodandmegs,

The ladies are doing a great job of helping you talk through your options. Based on what you've shared thus far, and about your desire not to do too many guides, I do think your son could be placed in Bigger Hearts with Extensions. I would recommend that he do Rod and Staff English 4, instead of English 5, and do a lesson daily 4 days a week. I would also recommend that he do DITHR Level 4/5 Student Book (with the Teacher's Guide for you) along with the 4/5 Boy Set linked here: http://www.heartofdakota.com/DITHOR45-boys-pack.php You could do DITHR 3 times weekly in order to lighten your load.

As far as math goes, it would be wise to give him the Singapore Placement Test U.S. Edition linked here: http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_Test_s/86.htm

Begin with the test for 3A and see if he passes. Make sure not to aid, help, or explain in any way, or the results will not be accurate. It would not be uncommon for a 5th grader who is new to Singapore to have to start back somewhere between 3A and 4B, simply due to the differing scope and sequence. I wouldn't start a 5th grader who is new to Singapore in 5A/5B as it will assume that he has had the Singapore method and foundation laid in 3B on up to guide and help him.

You can return your English 5 and Singapore 5A/5B to Heart of Dakota and exchange them for the texts you need instead. We want to be sure that you have what you need to have a successful school year!

As far as your older daughter goes, if my experience with kiddos her age is correct, she is deeply desiring independence due to her age and increasing maturity level. She probably feels that CLE for her specific grade level will insure that she will not be combined with her younger sibling. If she felt sure that doing Creation to Christ also meant she would not be combined, she would likely be on board with that as well. I would be interested to hear where she places on the first page only of the placement chart when you consider her all by herself (no combining scenarios in mind). It is possible that she may fit in Resurrection to Reformation instead. If you get a chance to share a bit more about her reading, math, grammar, writing, independence level, and ability to read her own materials that would be great! Link: http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Blessings,
Carrie

[rodandmegs]

Hi Carrie! Thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions.

My daughter placed between Res-Ref and Rev-Rev. She is a voracious reader and writer. She loves to draw and is very talented. Her weakness is math, which is why I ordered Key To...series for her. We are starting with fractions, and will move to decimals next. She needs this mastery approach. Too much spiral is confusing for her. I am going to have her check out Res-Ref and Rev-Rev. The idea of her being "above" CTC may appeal to her

We have done Rod and Staff grammar before, so I am sure my son will do fine in R&S 5. He also did Common Core math last year at school, and while a lot of people have trouble with it, he excelled at it. I didn't even understand some of the abstract ways of finding answers, and he could do it without thinking. I am going to have him take the placement test for Singapore, but I looked at sample pages from 5A and 5B, and it looks challenging enough for him without being too advanced. Like I said, he has a very mathematical mind and is great at teaching himself. {He enjoys problem-solving.}

Thank you again for your help and encouragement!

I will let you know what the Singapore placement test lets me know.