preparing or creation? Julie and others advice plz

This is where new posts begin. All questions or discussions about any of Heart of Dakota's curriculums start here. If you wish to share a one-time post about your family's experience with our curriculum, you may post under the specific curriculum title (found beneath this "Main Board" heading).
Post Reply
TNT
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:22 am

preparing or creation? Julie and others advice plz

Post by TNT » Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:37 am

We did our first year of homeschooling last year- it went pretty well. My biggest lesson I learned is that I have to say no to others to be the best teacher for my kids! (and that is hard- especially when it's ministry related)


My question is about my dd who is 9 (birthday in April) and is going into 4th grade.She did fine with Bigger last year, definitely needed extension packs, also did 4th grade english (as a 3rd grader) and needed harder dictation ( I looked up harder levels online) , she is on grade level when it comes to math, she is a very independent worker but does enjoy me working with her at times (not always the case though!)

I just wondered if we should skip preparing and go on to creation based on this information?? I would love some advice and input!

Thanks in advanced!

Gearing up for year 2 with my 4 kiddos,
Carrie

LynnH
Posts: 1846
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:41 pm
Location: OH
Contact:

Re: preparing or creation? Julie and others advice plz

Post by LynnH » Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:37 am

The jump from Preparing to CTC is big, I can't imagine going from Bigger to CTC. Did your dd do written narrations with the extensions in Bigger? How are her writing skills? Preparing just seems like such a key guide to me. It is the base for all the upper level guides. It teaches the skills of written narration, they take over the science readings, and begin more formal writing instruction. It also is the guide that seems to lay the foundation for much of the history study that follows. My ds still draws on things he learned in Preparing as he moves up in the guides and studies things more in depth.
Mom to:
dd 22 college graduate and employed as an Intervention Specialist
ds 18 US2, Loved Preparing, CTC , RTR , Rev to Rev, MTMM ,WG, WH and US1
http://www.graceandfur.blogspot.com/

Mumkins
Posts: 792
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 8:45 pm
Location: Ontario
Contact:

Re: preparing or creation? Julie and others advice plz

Post by Mumkins » Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:10 pm

I would definitely say no. I have an academically advanced son who did Preparing last year as a 3rd grader. While he *can* do the work in CTC this year, I am half speeding him to give him another year. Even though that means uncombining my children. Although he can do the work, now that I've looked on CTC having received my order, I can definitely say he'll get more out of it next year. Preparing is really great too! You don't want to miss it. :D
7 awesome kids!

2 graduated
2 at highschool
3 coming home to homeschool in the fall💕
DD5 LHFHG
DS9 Preparing
DS12 RTR

We’ve enjoyed LHTH, LHFHG, Beyond, Preparing, CTC, WG

Melena
Posts: 25
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:48 pm

Re: preparing or creation? Julie and others advice plz

Post by Melena » Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:07 pm

Definitely don't skip Preparing. It is awesome! If your daughter is advanced, supplement. :D

pjdobro
Posts: 1491
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:45 pm

Re: preparing or creation? Julie and others advice plz

Post by pjdobro » Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:15 pm

I would encourage you to do Preparing also. It was a wonderful year and really helped my dc learn a lot of independence in their work as well as get a marvelous overview of history. I think they now have a wonderful framework to go back and fill in the details of history over the next 4 years. The step by step instruction in how to do written narrations was fantastic also. The step up in work load from Bigger to Preparing is really large. We haven't started CTC yet so I can't say what the step up is there yet, but I'm sure it is going to be much more challenging and more work than Preparing was. So I think the jump from BIgger to CTC would be really huge. It might be a bit overwhelming for your dd to go from Bigger to CTC. If you feel you do need to up the workload at all, I would highly recommend the extension readings. They are wonderful books! My dc enjoyed reading quite a few of those. They really complement the history. I personally really enjoyed Preparing and learned so much. I wouldn't have wanted to miss it! :D
Patty in NC

b/g twins '02 Rev2Rev 2014/15
previously enjoyed LHFHG, BLHFHG, Bigger, Preparing, CTC, RTR
******
Nisi Dominus Frusta (Without God, frustration)
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1

mom23
Posts: 532
Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:10 am

Re: preparing or creation? Julie and others advice plz

Post by mom23 » Sat Aug 04, 2012 10:01 am

Another vote for Preparing :D . It's a great 4th grade year. You could use extensions again, if you need to add those in as you go, but I think it's plenty for a 4th grader.
Becky, married to my preacher-man and raising:
DD 12-7th grade public school
DS 10-Preparing
DS 8-Beyond
DS 3-Just doin' his thing

TNT
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:22 am

Re: preparing or creation? Julie and others advice plz

Post by TNT » Sat Aug 04, 2012 10:35 am

Thank you everyone! I appreciate your quick responses! Looking forward to Preparing!

Carrie :D

my3sons
Posts: 10698
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: preparing or creation? Julie and others advice plz

Post by my3sons » Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:24 am

I am so sorry to just be seeing this TNT - I don't know how I missed it! But, the ladies gave sound advice here that I will second. I think PHFHG is such an amazing guide, I'd not want you and your dd to miss it. It is just key in training dc for success for the independence in CTC. I will say, you could always school 5 days a week and finish PHFHG early, then beginning CTC after that, if you are wanting to start CTC at some point this school year. But, there really is no need for that push, as dd fits in the age range for PHFHG, and the areas you mentioned she is advanced in can be easily accommodated. HTH - I think you will thoroughly enjoy PHFHG! :D

In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

Post Reply