My son places strongly in CTC but hasn't used Preparing

[abrightmom]

What would you do?

I am going in circles. I have tested him, queried him, evaluated him, prayerfully considered his placement, read threads, etc.

He is 10y2m, English 4, Dictation 4, DITHR 4/5, has mastered cursive, etc. He has excellent reading and comprehension skills. He handles Guerber just fine. He hasn't written narrations but I am confident he will ease into it. Write With the Best looks very good for where he is at in writing and what he is ready for. He does NOT need me to read CHOW to him and I believe that CTC science is a better fit.

I think he would enjoy Preparing and wow I just love the guide. It makes me sad that he may have outgrown it while we have struggled these past months. But, I want my son placed well where he is at now and for the guide to be appropriately challenging.

What will Preparing do for him that would compel me to stay with it rather than move up to CTC? Things I am considering are the poetry box with corresponding writing, written narrations (admittedly, these are a bit on the easy side for him but perhaps I would ask a little more in terms of length?), varied narration and thinking skills in storytime box, following directions for projects, and time management with the guide. While I believe he'd enjoy the work I am NOT convinced he is placed well. I think he will outgrow the guide pretty quickly. Is this a silly concern?

Any ideas on how to maximize Preparing? He can read extensions and add a written narration each week. He can also enjoy an Igniting Your Writing lesson once a week although I am concerned this is too similar to WWtB skill wise. Thoughts? If I am trying to hard to beef up then perhaps is is a good indicator that I should move up a guide.

If he studies Preparing I am concerned he will always be a guide lower than he should be. He will always be at extension range based upon his maturity and comprehension which I suppose is a good thing. But, I am using HOD for all skills including writing, reading, etc. I don't want to tread water in too many skill areas.

[LynnH]

Reading your post I honestly think you should put him in CTC. It sounds like it fits him perfectly and the few things that you might have to slowly work him up to are not that many. It seems much easier to do that than everything you would have to tweak to have him in Preparing. I love Preparing, but it will loose some of it's beauty if he isn't properly placed and everything is too easy for him.

[3sweeties]

Sounds to me like he places in CTC also. What if you start with CTC, but do it at half-speed and see how he responds to it? If he's chomping at the bit for more, go full-speed by all means. We slowed Bigger half-speed (did it over 1.5 years rather than 1) when I saw my oldest DS (in 2nd at the time) was struggling and getting frustrated with it -- BEST decision for him! He has kept his love of learning and the guides have stretched him right where he needed to be challenged, but not overwhelmed him. Yes, it does mean we start a new guide in January rather than the start of the school year, but it really hasn't been that big of a deal.

HTH!!! Feel free to ask any more questions!

[my3sons]

From what you've shared, I think CTC sounds like the right placement! I cannot remember, but were you thinking to combine him with your next younger child in PHFHG at some point in the future? I just checked out your tag and wondered if that would help you overall with the number of guides you would be teaching? Placement is important, but other things are important too - like how you feel about teaching a certain number of guides. I just want this to be a super year, all things considered! If that is not a consideration, sounds like CTC is a good fit to me.

In Christ,
Julie