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How could I beef up Preparing for a 7th grader?

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:50 am
by coconuts
My daughter is going into 7th in the Fall. I was searching for a program for her and can't decide. I want to keep her on schedule with our private school becaus I plan to put her in for 9th-12th grade. She's done World history in 6th(A BEKA) and the school does it again in 7th, so since Preparing does world history I thought I could just do that (since she would be learning history more from reading books and it wouldn't be coming from a textbook again) and stick with all one company(my other children will be doing HOD too.)
This would make three Hod programs for me, but I assume she could do most of Preparing on her own.

If this does not sound like it would work, do you have any other suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:46 pm
by jsusgrl
Hi There:-)
I;m new here but I thought I would try and answer based on what i've read on the site and in the catalog. You can add Drawn into the Heart of Reading level 6-7 and 8 and that should be sufficient for reading lang. arts., I think. But hopefully some of the more expereinced ladies on the HOD board can give you tips as well. They have been amazingly helpful with me:-) I am actually considering using DITHR for my highschooler but having him read highschool lit. but we will see, as the Lord leads.
Love In Christ,
Angie

Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:53 pm
by Carrie
coconuts,

There are some past threads on the board that may help here:

http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=361

http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=765

Blessings,
Carrie

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:59 am
by Carrie
coconuts,

I did want to stop back in and answer this thread better now that I have a little more time.

As far as beefing up Preparing for a 7th grader goes, the two older threads I linked you to are very helpful in thinking through whether beefing up Preparing.. would suit your philosophy.

I have a few more suggestions in this area now that the Preparing guide is getting close to being done.

By adding either Rod and Staff English 5, 6, or 7 to Preparing... you would be right on track in the English and writing department for a 7th grader. If you choose to use a different English program than Rod and Staff, you would need to add a separate writing component. We carry Igniting Your Writing I and II, which would fill that need. :wink:

You would also want to add Drawn into the Heart of Reading Level 6/7/8 to be at the correct literature study level. Next, you would want to add a higher level of math, either through Singapore or through another option of your choice. This would make your language arts and math choices on grade level and correct in the level of rigor needed for a 7th grader.

Next, as far as Preparing... goes for the rest. Since I already linked you to the post on philosophy, I'll just say that being a Charlotte-Mason style educator, I have a different overall focus in history and science for my 7th grader, then those who are more classical or traditional in their philosophy. So, from a Charlotte-Mason perspective, the plans laid out on the left side of the Preparing... guide are enough with the use of the Extension Pack schedule along with it for an older student. :wink:

You could easily add "Short Lessons in World History" along with anything else you want to the history, depending on how much you desire to "beef up" the content. Some possible suggestions to help in that area include going more traditional by adding a BJU World History text to it. Another more CM-style option would be to add in Augustus Ceasar's World by Foster for the Roman times, Famous Men of the Middle Ages (by Memoria Press to get the full color paintings) for that period, Famous Men of the Renaissance and Reformation for the next period (written by Rob Shearer at Greenleaf Press), and Famous Men of Modern Times for the final chunk (which Memoria Press has just come out with). The Modern Times book matches especially well with the last 7 weeks of Preparing.

I would also beef up the science by adding one of the following options: :D
1. Add any of the elementary-aged Apologia text of your child's choice and interest to do on Day 5 of each week
2. Or add in John Hudson Tiner's "Exploring Planet Earth" and "Exploring the World of Chemistry" to read one chapter and answer the questions on Day 5 each week.
3. Or if you have a very science-minded child, you could begin with the full-blown Apologia General Science or Physical Science course.
4. Or do the first year of Rainbow Science.
5. Or, do something in between a full-blown science, but still high in content and hands-on like Exploration Education's physical science with online tutorial and kit.
6. Or, add in something like Biology 101 DVD and notes on Day 5 each week to add in higher content that way.

I would have your child do the rest of what is written in the Preparing guide as scheduled. I would teach the lessons as written and just add on any of the things I mentioned that you feel suit your philosophy and level of rigor. :wink:

I hope this helps!

Blessings,
Carrie

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:43 am
by kayrenee
Thank you for this thread and for your detailed reply, Carrie. I just came to the board looking for this exact information. How timely! :D

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:57 pm
by Carrie
Glad to help! I did just want to pop-in and mention that I am not recommending an additional resource for Old Testament times, as the content and coverage in Preparing... is very solid in that department. That is why I'm beginning the additional history suggestions with the time period of Augustus Ceasar's World. There is some content in Augustus Ceasar's World to watch out for, but I still find it an interesting read for grades 7 on up.

If your child likes to sketch, you may also want to add the Draw and Write Through History to your Extension Package. It is scheduled in our Deluxe Package but is well-suited for older students who enjoy drawing.

Blessings,
Carrie

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:50 pm
by coconuts
Carrie, thank you for adding on to your previous posting. It has really helped. I just assumed I had to beef it up because of the ages quoted for use. I knew the math and English would need to be specific to her age/ability, but I didn't understand about history and science.

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:02 pm
by water2wine
Yeah! More info for us too. We can't wait to use Preparing for 7th! One more thread for the book marks! :D Thanks!

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:46 pm
by naturegirl
Thank you Carrie for that very thorough post. We will be using Preparing for 7th grade too. You have given us a lot of wonderful options. I looked at some sample pages for the Short Lessons in World History and it looks great! :D Kimber

Re: How could I beef up Preparing for a 7th grader?

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:06 am
by Marsha
Would the Synge books or The Story of Mankind be good to add to this instead?

Re: How could I beef up Preparing for a 7th grader?

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:36 pm
by Carrie
Marsha,

While both the Synge books and The Story of Mankind are living books, they both contain content and wording with which I'm not particularly comfortable. I personally wouldn't recommend either of those books to be read by students independently for extending Preparing Hearts. However, your opinion may differ from mine, so you may easily add whatever you feel is appropriate for your older student to read. :wink:

Blessings,
Carrie