Half-speed MtMM for a 6th grader

[Homeschooln2qts]

Do any of you use MtMM at half-speed with a 6th grader and if so, what does that look like?

[Homeschooln2qts]

Actually, if someone could just tell me what "half-speed" looks like for MtMM (not necessarily for a 6th grader) or point me to where I can find out, I'd appreciated it! I hear so much about doing guides at half-speed, but I'm not sure how that works with math and language arts. Thanks in advance!

[StephanieU]

I think it depends on why you are going half speed. If you are going half speed to get started on the year, because you have other things going on (like a baby coming), etc, then half speed is normally half of the boxes one day and half the other day. You would only be doing each subject every other day. This is if half speed is temporary and you know you are only doing half of the work. Now, if you plan on doing half speed or some speed other than full speed for a longer period of time, then you often would do the 3Rs daily. So, you would do grammar, spelling/dictation, math, literature, and copywork as often as they are scheduled for full speed in the guide. Then you do half of the other boxes one day, and the other half the second day.
One thing about how the HOD guides are written - doing a lower guide full speed is more than doing the next guide half speed.
Can I ask why you are considering MTMM and half speed?

[Homeschooln2qts]

My 6th grade dd just seems really bored with CtC. I don't think she feels challenged which actually makes her take a long time to complete school. She's more than capable, but she just gets so distracted. Since my ds is doing MtMM this year, I wondered if I might try her in that guide since we already have it and just do it at half pace. I figured that would put her doing 2 yrs MtMM possibly 2 years WG, also at half pace, and after that go full speed for the last 3 high school guides. We did a trial day today with the left side of the guide and Math/Lang/WWTB Vol 1 and she flew through it before lunch and said she loved it! I could tell she really had an understanding of the material too bc honestly her oral narration after reading Story of the World was the best oral narration I've ever heard from her! I think that because the subject matter was so interesting and deep, she just really resonated with it. It honestly blows my mind lol. I am almost thinking she could prob do full speed, but don't want to push that yet as she ended this day feeling so accomplished and happy -for a change!

[StephanieU]

Have you looked at the placement guide with fresh eyes? Most families use CtC for the "average" 5th grader, so for an average to advanced 6th grader, CtC would probably be too simple. But, RtR or Rev2Rev might be a great fit. And then she could go full speed, which would be more work than MtMM half speed (even RtR full speed woudl be more than MtMM half speed I am guessing). I would think the fear would be doing 4 years at half speed, that when you went full speed with WH, it would be a HUGE jump in work. WH is more than WG, and WG would be done half speed...

[LynnH]

I would be very hesitant to put a 6th grader in MTMM for several reasons. The first one is that Carrie chose the books for an older audience and the guide deals with some pretty tough time periods in history. Story of the World is the easiest read in the guide. Some of the other books are much more challenging. One used in science is definitely at an adult reading level. The writing also really ramps up. The last reason is that from MTMM to the WG guide is a big jump in terms of time and writing and the amount of reading. The only way to not get to this guide too soon is to do MTMM half speed for 2 years and I would think you would then deal with the boredom again. That is a really long time to spend in one guide especially if you then spend 2 years in the WG guide. Also this doesn't truly prepare them for the next guide because they aren't getting used to managing a full day's work in one day.

If you think CTC is too easy then I would do what others have said and bump her up to RTR. Then she is right on target to get to the WG guide in 9th grade.

[Rice]

You can also add Extensions, a second language or another interest of hers to learn on top of the regular work if she's bored. . .

[Homeschooln2qts]

Ok, ladies. Thank you so much for your thoughts. So, wow.. is this common to think you have your child placed in just the right guide for several years and then suddenly ..BAM... they're needing way more challenging work? Lol I had almost the same thing happen with my 14 yr old ds. He was placed solidly through 3 guides and then after a lot of hesitation, I finally decided to have him skip a guide to have him on track for high school and to my surprise, he is SOARING through it wonderfully.

So, say I place her in Rev to Rev. What would happen once she gets to 12th grade, but has already completed all of the guides? The age range for Rev to Rev says 11-13, so I'm assuming some people end up encountering this?? Thank you all again so much for taking the time to help me with this.

[StephanieU]

I think one of three things happen. First, you just finish early and graduate your daughter a year early. People even do this in public schools, so it isn't a huge deal. Second, you don't graduate her, but instead do one more year at home, doing classes at a local community college or College + as well as maybe something of interest. You can also "fill" some of that year doing service projects, short term mission trips, etc. And then finally, you do some of the guides at half speed or only 3 days a week, filling in with more electives, community service, etc. All three are great options, and it just depends on what you have available, what she is interested in, etc.

[Nealewill]

Everything Stephanie said is also is also what I have heard. For me, my oldest and youngest are both on track to graduate early. For us - once my kids each finish all of the HOD guides, then my husband and I have decided to just let them be done with High School. I feel like they will be more than prepared. So my plan is to give them their wings and let them fly.

[sahervey]

I have a few things.... Why would you skip Res to Ref (normal 6th grade year) and put her in Rev to Rev (7th grade year)? Did I miss where you addressed that? Also, if you do skip Res to Ref, be aware that Rev to Rev is a lot more work. My 7th grade son was taking from 8 am to 4pm to do his work the first several weeks. That may be too big of a jump for your daughter right off the bat. Now, he is doing much better, but I was really worried about him becoming discouraged with his workload. His sister in MtMM was ending her day earlier than him...

[Homeschooln2qts]

Amy- I guess the reason I was thinking possibly Rev to Rev was bc when she did a trial day at half speed with MtMM yesterday and today, she just did SO well. I thought maybe that meant she could do the guide before MtMM at full speed bc of that. Honestly, I think I'm making myself more and more confused the more I try to figure this out Lol I think I will sleep on this, and give the placement chart another look over tomorrow. Res to Ref may be the way to go. Thanks again, ladies.

[my3sons]

The jump from CTC to MTMM is massive. Many dc on this board are doing it very successfully for high school credit. Although it may be tempting to jump her from CTC to MTMM so she can join her older sibling, it might be a good idea to revisit the placement chart with dd's abilities in mind, and see where she places with fresh eyes. It is certainly exciting dd has had a growth spurt, which most definitely is to be celebrated! But, I would not say skipping multiple guides is common nor advised as each guide builds upon itself incrementally. CTC was fascinating, and for many of us moms even, the way it approaches the ancients time period with integrating Biblical history with world history is a new meshing of knowledge that broadens understanding not only of the time period, but of the Bible. I'd never term it 'boring,' nor would my sons. That guide, in particular, is so focused on Scripture and the Bible - it is integral to education of not only the mind, but also the heart and the soul IMHO. That being said, if your dd is placed skillwise inaccurately, than perhaps she needs more than that portion of CTC. My sixth grade student, who is a strong student who has done HOD from the start, is completing RTR this year, and it is a year I'd not want him to miss. The faith-building and growing from boy to man type discussions we are having in RTR are as essential to his 'education' as history, science, etc. are. I guess if I were you, I'd look at RTR and make that switch. It sounds like academically it would be a good move. I'd certainly never go higher than RevtoRev. Just be in prayer about it - the Lord will make clear the direction best to take!

In Christ,
Julie

[Homeschooln2qts]

Thank you so much for your response and advice, Julie. After praying and thinking on it, I think I am finally at a place of peace with just moving her up 1 level to Res to Ref. If I do that, is it ok to skip WWTB 1 and let her use Medieval Writing Lessons, or will she need WWTB Vol 1 first in order to do Vol 2 in MtMM 2 years later?

*edited to add:
Oh, and I wanted to just clarify that I never meant to imply that CtC was boring. On the contrary; I did CtC with my son and we both thought it was the most amazing and interesting year! CtC and so far, MtMM have been his favorite guides, but he was also placed perfectly in CtC at the time too. Part of the reason I think my daughter starts getting bored is because she doesn't feel challenged; but definitely not because of content.

[MomtoJGJE]

I can't answer about WWB 2, but my oldest just could not do the WWB in CTC. I mean, it was tears for both of us every single time we tried... we took several breaks and came back to it, and it was awful.

She LOVES the writing in RtR... has absolutely no trouble with it at all. She actually looks forward to doing it.