Comparing PHFHG and CtC

[EMM]

Hello!
I am seeking advice on placement for my (as of fall 2020) 9 yr ds 4th grade and 11 yr dd 5th grade. I will have my oldest in MtMM and my youngest starting Beyond so I would like to combine my 9 and 11 yr old on one guide since they are so close in age. My ds (4th gr) works well independently but does not like to write or use a pencil for anything other than math. My dd (5th gr) does not like to work independently and prefers me to do all reading, she lacks confidence in her work and frequently seeks reassurance for answers and is very much a hands on kinesthetic learner. She can read well but just does not like to.
I really want to jump into CtC however, I am worried the writing will be too much for my ds and the independent reading might overwhelm my dd. I feel that they are academically capable and maybe I have held their hand too long . So these are the questions I have running through my head...

Could CtC be the push they need for writing and independence?
Would it be better to ease into independent work by starting in PHFHG?
Does anyone have an example of what CtC looks like at half speed?
Thinking ahead....
What would HS look like if I combine them, do they graduate at the same time?
If I start PHFHG or half speed CtC would my dd be behind in HS,or does she just not do USII?

Side note: It will be my first year with all of my dc in a HOD guide. I started my oldest ds in Res2Ref so I do not have experience with PHFHG or CtC.

[StephanieU]

Most 4th graders do Preparing, so I personally would combine them in Preparing. You can increase the independence as the year goes. I was able to find one of the history books as audio (Child's History of the World), so for the last few units, I had my son do history independently (I started by sitting next to him, and then moved farther away as the units went on).

Also, if they have never done narrations before, Preparing can be VERY helpful in learning the art of written narrrations.

[EMM]

Stephanie,
Thanks so much for your reply. It sounds like Preparing will be the best fit for us next year. I like your idea of using an audiobook!

[Carrie]

Hello,

I agree that Preparing Hearts sounds like a great fit for your 4th and 5th graders. If desired, as the year goes on you can move toward having your older child (or even both children) read the history readings silently. Charlotte Mason advocated that kiddos aged 9 on up who can read their material independently should. So that would be a direction in which you could definitely move as the year advances. I must admit that I loved the history readings for Preparing Hearts, so you might not want to miss them as it is your last year to read the history readings to your kiddos.

I would also be sure to have your 4th and 5th graders both do the "Independent History Study" box of plans along with its corresponding books, as this builds independence. Be sure they read their science on their own too, as planned in Preparing Hearts.

Since you also have a child in Beyond, you could potentially consider having your 4th and 5th graders do their own read-alouds for Preparing Hearts. Or, if you have someone else at home that could do one of the read-alouds (either from Beyond or Preparing) at bedtime that would work too to save you time.

Just a few thoughts! Preparing Hearts is a wonderful guide! We pray you will enjoy it.

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

Hi there! Sounds like know where you are headed with this decision now, which is great! In case this is still helpful, I'll include a previous post below with details on this topic...

Comparing PHFHG to CTC in Skills:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/board3/vie ... 658#p90658

In Christ,
Julie

[EMM]

Thank you Carrie and Julie for your replies. Julie, the in depth comparison of PHFHG and CtC was a big help! I will definitely be doing PHFHG next year. I think it will be a good stepping stone for written narrations and independent work. Considering that my ds just asked today if he could do "oral dictation", where he would just tell me how to spell every word including capital letters and punctuation, I don't want to overwhelm him with using a pencil too much

[my3sons]

Thank you Carrie and Julie for your replies. Julie, the in depth comparison of PHFHG and CtC was a big help! I will definitely be doing PHFHG next year. I think it will be a good stepping stone for written narrations and independent work. Considering that my ds just asked today if he could do "oral dictation", where he would just tell me how to spell every word including capital letters and punctuation, I don't want to overwhelm him with using a pencil too much

You are welcome, EMM! Glad to have helped! I had a little chuckle at your son's 'oral dictation' suggestion. I could totally have seen one of my sons saying that a few years' back! Actually, it was kind of impressive to me that your son put the words 'oral' and 'dictation' together in his own way that sort of makes sense - a kid right after Charlotte Mason's heart. He even understands her terminology and how to mesh it together in new ways that actually do kind of make sense for what the words mean! I hope you enjoy PHFHG as much as we did - God bless!

In Christ,
Julie