Should I try this for Bible Study? re: Christian Studies 1 and Explorer's

[Alana in Canada]

I dragged out our Memoria Press, Christian Studies I material and started it this week with ds, 10 and dd, 7. It is challenging but not beyond the abilities of the ten year old--and I'm afraid I'm going to lose the 7 year old completely.

I had thought I would do Bible study with each separately this year--but it just isn't realistic.

I'm wondering if I should put the MP materials back on the shelf until dd is ready and do the Explorer's Bible Study together with them both--using the Discovery level?

I'm afraid that if I wait until dd is ready, it won't challenging enough to ds and drive him to distraction--I really think it's great, and it would work well for him, on the cusp of the "logic" stage as he is. As well, I want to do the whole shebang 1, 2 and 3--so I don't want to push it too far into the future, kwim?)

What do you think?

[Debra in CO]

Alana,

How 10 is your son? My 10 year old son is just about 11, so that is my reference point.

ds10 is working through CS III right now. He started CS I in 3rd grade, and we've done one a year. It has been a terrific fit for him. He is able to read the story independently, and we work on the lesson part orally. This has led to some terrific discussions, and I have really loved it.

Now, for my next two (they turned 9 and 7 back in November), I decided not to start the third grader with CS I this year. I've debated it back and forth and back and forth and.... anyway, my conclusion was that having the two of them do this together would be a terrific plan. So, I *think* we are going to start probably midway through next year. The older one would be about 10.25, and the younger about 8.25. I will probably have to read the story aloud, as I don't think ds#3 will be up to reading on his own. If I'm doing it for two, though, I'm not so concerned about me having to read.

All of that to say.... I think Christian Studies can be used without modification up through middle school. I use the program mostly orally - though if I were starting this with a 5th or 6th grader, I'd probably pick a question out of every couple of lessons for them to write about a one-page paper on.

If I were starting this with a 1st or 2nd grader (uhh, *when* I start this with my 2nd grader!), I probably won't have them do the tests, and I'll figure out some way to do the review lessons (I know none of *my* boys would be capable of the review lessons as written.)

So - I think your plan sounds terrific. In fact, I may borrow it. :) Based on the previous thread, and your question, I'm very seriously looking at using Explorer's with my 1st and 3rd graders this year... and maybe we'll plan to work through a couple books of it before we start CS I. I'm going to go peruse my samples Beginnings II and Discovery - and see if I can decide what to do.

I'm leaning towards Beginnings II, as then I could get my preschoolers going on Beginnings I (we own both of those).

hmmm...

Thanks for making me think!

Debra
Mom of five, ages 1-10

[Alana in Canada]

Well, I'm glad I've helped you out!

I just ran off Lesson 1 of Discovery--and it is a better fit for the 7 year old than the material in Beginnings2.

(By the way--is there any way to access the material mentioned on p. vi?) I've got the free downloads which doesn't include that material. All of Day 5 of the first lesson refers to it.)

My 10 year old was ten in October. He had all sorts of interesting and thoughtful things to say when doing the picture review of the reading.

I think it's looking as though I need to do them separately.

Part of my reason for picking CS for my son was to start developing his budding logic stage skills....and nothing has changed that!