extension packages

[roseannvj]

I will be doing Preparing this fall for my 4th grade son and 5th grade daughter. Last year they used Bigger and my daughter did the extension packages with it. It worked really well, both my children were pretty happy with it and enjoyed the year. Occasionally, however, my daughter did feel a little bogged down and at times bored because when we were reading together about a topic, she had often already read about it in her extension work. I am wondering if students who use the extension books, also are to be included with the basic books. How do you guys utilize the extension packs? Thanks.

[Rice]

I have one doing Extensions, and yes, he does both the Storytime books and the Extensions. If two books cover the same topic, it's always from a different perspective. I think the most overlap comes near the beginning of the year when they are dealing with less actual info (ancient history) so the information is similar in the different books. As you continue through the year into the historical novels they end up having more description and a more unique perspective.

I'm trying to pre-read the Extension books (and the independent history) so I have a clue whether their narrations are on track or completely made up, lol, and I've really enjoyed every one of them so far. (I'm done Preparing and 1/2 way through CTC for Ext.)

I think you're on the right track. Hope that helps a bit.
Blessings,

[Jennymommy]

We really enjoyed the extensions in Preparing They really added to/coordinated with the storytime titles. We did them just for fun. I don't remember if there were activities to go along, however. I do know that older guides include narration and written work alongside the extensions.

[roseannvj]

thank you both!

[Rice]

There are narration suggestions for Extension books for all levels; whether you follow them depends on the age/skill level of the child and your reason for assigning Extensions, of course. They are found in the "Optional Schedule for the Extension Package", after the book descriptions, under the title Extension Package Schedule but before the actual schedule starts.

For Preparing it reads:
[*]orally retell what they've read (suggested once during each unit...)
[*]write a two to three paragraph summary of the reading (suggested twice during each unit...)
[*]draw a picture about the reading and write a one paragraph summary about what you read that goes along with your picture (suggested once during each unit)

I, personally, assigned the written narration on a "lighter" writing day (not Day 4 with the written narration, for sure - that day I assigned the oral narration), and split the two written ones with the notebooking (pic & paragraph) one in between.

Blessings,