Placing a delayed reader in Preparing

[Mumkins]

My daughter is just finishing up Bigger. She's mastered the skills in Bigger, except still working on cursive. She's completed the ER set. We've decided to have her read through the level 2 book pack now and through summer and start DITHOR in the fall with level 3.

We've begun with Pioneer Kitten. I can see this book is really stretching her. The last two books of the ER set did too. It's hard for her to read out loud. She often lowers her voice and mumbles.

She's done well with Bigger, so, no need to repeat. Preparing is several months away, so maybe it'll be ok. But, she does have auditory processing and visual perception issues. Even if she can read the books in the fall, I'm not sure if allowing her to read independently is wise.

Any advice?

[Gwenny]

I'm pretty sure that the only independent reading in Preparing is the science and the Independent History box. I think you will be able to tell her comprehension of it based on the follow-up activities they do. DITHR is her reading aloud to you.

[Nealewill]

I think she will be fine. If you find that the reading is really stretching her, just go half speed. My son, until recently, was in the same situation as your dd. Only in the past month or so did his phonic just explode. I am now no longer concerned about Preparing at all. I think if you just go at her pace, you will be fine. I remember last year with Preparing that the beginning of the year was easier to read through than the end. I do remember there was time when I was working through the guide with her, she was on week 12 or so and I was looking ahead to week 16. I literally almost had a panic attack because the reading increased. And come week 16.....she did great. Last year was my first year with HOD though so I didn't realize how okay it truly is to go at your kids pace. No more panic attacks here But if she needs a little bit of extra time because of the reading, then just enjoy that time. Preparing was wonderful because it really solidified and expanded my dd's reading.

[Mumkins]

Thanks ladies. She has been steadily making progress. I'm going to keep her reading over the summer. Praying Preparing goes ok.

[Nealewill]

I will pray for you too I definitely know how difficult it is with kids who are delayed in reading. My oldest and middle child had tons of trouble. But they are doing so well now. I have found that I just have them read, read, and read some more. I break it up during the day if need be. But I did make them read at least 30 min a day at age 8 because they just needed to read. I also got to the point that I would make my kids read along with me when I read. I would use my finger to track where I was in a book. And I think they followed along with me enough.

[MomtoJGJE]

If she completed Bigger as written she should be fine in Preparing. You might have to go half speed for a while, or not start DITHOR for the first little bit just to hold down the amount of reading some. But then again, you have a whole summer between now and then! Who KNOWS what will happen in that time.

I would try and see how she does not reading aloud. Maybe have her read to you for the first couple of days, just to make sure she knows what she's doing. After that, try and see how she does reading to herself. It's a different set of skills.

[crlacey]

I would think that if she's done Bigger as written, she should be ok to do Preparing next.
My daughter is dyslexic, so reading is very difficult for her. We often do a tag team reading for those things that are tough for her. So for science, she'll read some then I'll finish it for her. This insures she is getting the content. Maybe you can start the year off like that if it is needed as slowly hand over the independent boxes if she's ready.