Extensions

[StephanieU]

I have a question about extensions - grade and ages. If you look at CtC, it is written for 9-11yo. That would be 4th-6th grade. Then it says extensions for 12-13yos. I would assume that would be 7th-18th grades. But then it lists extensions for 6th and 7th grades. So would an 11yo 6th grader doing CtC do extensions or not? I assume this "overlap" occurs in all of the guides.

[LovingJesus]

In the catalogue under CTC extension package it says:

"Due to the more mature content of the books within the ancient time period - both in the violence that was prevalent during this period and the depravity of the worship of pagan gods - this extension package is best suited for mature 6th and 7th graders who are strong, independent readers. Books are mid-6th to upper 7th grade reading level."

My oldest did CTC from November of 5th - December of 6th with summer off. He is at the oldest end of the grade so he was 12 the last few months of it. His reading level could have read the extensions at any point in CTC. I personally waited though until he turned 12 before purchasing them, and as Carrie indicates they do have violence and are an advanced reading level for the age. He liked most of them as a very avid, advanced, mature reader.

I hope that helps.

[StephanieU]

Yes, I understand that is what it says. My question is with grades and ages not lining up. I always thought the guides were written to cover about 3 grade levels. So for CtC, that would be 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. The "average" child would probably use it for 5th or 6th. The advances for 4th or 5th, and those with learning challenges for 6th. Then extensions for 7th and 8th. That was based on the ages listed. A child that is 9 is normally going into 4th grade, 10 for 5th grade, and 11 for 6th grade. So if the guide is written for 11yos and extended for 12-13yos, wouldn't that mean the extensions are for advanced 6th graders (that place in higher guides), 7th graders, and 8th graders?

[daybreaking]

The main page for CTC says, "This guide is geared for students ages 9-11 with extensions provided for 6th and 7th graders." Likewise, the main page for the previous guide, Preparing, says, "This guide is geared for students ages 8-10 with extensions provided for 5th and 6th graders." and the one for the subsequent guide, RTR, says, "This guide is geared for students ages 10-12 with extensions provided for 7th and 8th graders."

I think the variance with what you are thinking of for grade levels and the guides might come from how it is not uncommon for homeschoolers not to fit" the normal age for a grade. For example, my son turned 11 the month before he started 5th grade. Other parents might start their children earlier than their same-age school peers. The other factor playing a role is that many folks finish one guide and start a new guide mid-year.

For your question, "So would an 11yo 6th grader doing CtC do extensions or not? I assume this "overlap" occurs in all of the guides," I've always heard if a child fits in the age range of the guide, just do the guide as written without the extensions. Of course, some folks with children in the age range of the guide still like to use the extensions as read alouds or summer reading. (That's what we've done.)

[LovingJesus]

I agree with daybreak.

Perhaps, the guide is implying age 12 is 6th and 13 7th? It seems possible to me.

Where I live the new cut off in many school districts is June 15th. This means from June 16th - June 15th the following year 6th graders are turning 12 before the September start and after. Thus, 6th is 11 turning 12. Does that help?

I was right after the cut-off so I do think of 6th as 12 and 5th as 11. For me, the catalogue makes sense. Many though think of 6th as 11 turning 12.

Ultimately, I would look at your kids. Some kids are ready for things much later or sooner than others.

The extensions though are for older students who either need or could do the extra work. I ended up giving them to my oldest because CTC wasn't enough challenge for his reading abilities. If a child is struggling to get CTC done or the reading is too much I wouldn't consider the extensions even for 6th or 7th. I think abilities vary widely between kids (I taught for 8 years), and focusing on what they can do is a great blessing of homeschooling. I never had two students of the same age in the exact same place. I think those extensions are for students, like my son, who needed extra challenge at the older end of the guide (age 11 and then 12 at the very end). This though is only an opinion.

I would encourage you to do what you think is best and according to what they can handle. I see the ages and grades as a guideline.

[Rice]

I'm looking forward to hearing Carrie's take/explanation.

My DD is 13 (Feb B-day) and in Rev2Rev this coming year. By age, she does not need to do Extensions. However, she will be in 9th, so in order to get the hours in to count as 9th grade credit, she will do the Extensions, or as many as she is capable of, since the reason she's only in Rev2Rev, not MTMM or WG is because she learned to read so late (age 11) and continues to be (I think) below grade level in reading abilities. Even if she can't read them all, the hours she puts into the ones she does read will likely have her in the time range for full credit.

I also, interestingly enough, have an 11yo (Sept B-day) in Rev2Rev this past school year, and he reads some of the Extensions just for fun! Oh, how different they all are!

Good question, Stephanie, I've always been mildly curious about that seeming discrepancy, too, but just haven't had one where it made a difference to my decision as to whether or not to use them.

FWIW, although my 9yo (Nov B-day) is in 3rd, many of his peers are in 4th, here. The B-day cut-off is Dec. 31 here, so only about 3/4 of a class is 11 at the start of 6th; there are up to 3 months of kids who could still be 11 (while there are others, like my son, who are "held back" to be almost 13 by the time they start 6th!).

Blessings,

[LovingJesus]

I thought this might help too. It seems more age based rather than grade based:

Web-site main page:
Creation to Christ
(Ages 9-11 ext. 12-13)

[StephanieU]

I thought this might help too. It seems more age based rather than grade based:

Web-site main page:
Creation to Christ
(Ages 9-11 ext. 12-13)

But if you click on CtC, this is on the description (and is also in the catalog):
This guide is geared for students ages 9-11 with extensions provided for 6th and 7th graders.

[LynnH]

If you look at how many guide you have before you get to the high school guides then CTC is technically the 5th grade guide, which is why it says extensions for 6th and 7th. As far as using extensions for an 11 year old 6th grader that is totally up to you and how challenged you think your child will be in CTC. If they are new to HOD then my recommendation would be to start without using them and then if in a few months your child doesn't seem challenged enough you could add them. My son was 11 when he did CTC and we did not do extensions. It was challenging enough as is and I didn't want his school day going too long.