Reading aloud

[MommyMc]

For the DITHOR readings, my kids are supposed to read some of them out loud to me. We do this sometimes, but other times, if I am busy with one of my littler ones, my kids would like to do the reading themselves and move on.

I read aloud to them at least some daily. (So they get good reading modeled.)

They read aloud daily to their younger siblings at naptime/quiet time (usually chapter books). I am usually just a few feet from where everyone else is in my room at the end of the hallway, folding laundry or tending to the baby who shares a room with us still, and listen in. They read clearly, expressively, at a good pace. All of the "check points" in DITHOR.

Is there anything that I am missing if I don't listen to them for DITHOR every day?

My son (who will be 10 tomorrow) started reading well at age 3 (mostly from watching me teach his older sister). I probably listened to him read EVERY day until he was at least 7 or 8. My daughter (who will be 12 in April) started reading at age 4 and was reading emerging readers type books well before she was 5. I also listened to her reading every day until she was in the 7 to 9 range and occasionally after that.

By the way, my daughter was reading a book called Stephen of Philadelphia from A Beka to my 4 yo son today. When they came to a part about William Penn and the Jumping game, he was SO excited to have learned about that while participating in our history lessons for Bigger. (He listens to the readings, learns the Bible verses and hymns, and does any activities that are appropriate for him.) She told me how much he remembered from the Eggleston books when she came out from reading to him before naptime.

Thanks Carrie for lessons that are both age-appropriate, but where something can be gleaned for everyone (and where things that are learned can easily continue to be built upon)!

[Kathleen]

Anita,

I'm thinking that it's most important to listen to your kids read-aloud until the 7-9 yo range you mentioned. I know that I listen to my son read 2 or 3 pages from his DITHOR book to me when it's assigned for me to listen. He's 10, too. I'm thinking that you're on the right track with listening occasionally. Which level of DITHOR are you using? I know the 2/3 level says for the parent to listen most days. I think that goes away as the kids grow up, but haven't actually looked at the other levels yet.

Kathleen

[MommyMc]

Since we had never done DITHOR, or even a similar "formal" reading program, my 10 yo son (grade 4) is using the level 2/3 but reading books from the levels 4/5 and 6/7/8 (mostly 4/5). My daughter is using level 4/5 and reading books from 6/7/8 and she is 11 and in grade 6. I had read somewhere that if they had never used the program it is best to step back a level from their grade and even their true reading level. On any "reading" test they have ever taken both score late high school or higher as far as reading level. However, that is very different than analyzing literature.

By the way Kathleen, my third-born is named Garrett!

[Kathleen]

I'm using the 2/3 level with my 10 yo, but having him read 4/5 books, too. We used DITHOR last year, but he wasn't ready to add more writing in this year. It sounds like you've got them right where they need to be. And, I don't think you need to listen to him read aloud every day. Maybe you could listen to a couple pages as he begins or after he's done you could have him pick a spot to start reading for you. That's what I do. I still do the lesson with him every day. (Well I guess it's 3 times a week in Preparing.)

Kathleen

[my3sons]

I think you have placed your dc just perfectly in DITHOR! It sounds like it's going very well. I agree that you probably don't need to listen to your ds read aloud every day. I do think it's a good idea to still have dc read even 1 page aloud to you from the book they are reading for DITHOR as the DITHOR book is a more difficult book than what they'd be reading aloud to a younger sibling. I have my ds doing Level 4/5 just read a page to me right at the start of his reading, and even though he's an excellent reader, it has been good as he sometimes is mispronouncing things or needs to be reminded how to read well orally for an audience again (instead of rushing and not using the best expression ). In CTC, DITHOR is only scheduled 3 times a week though. So, I guess what I am saying, is for your ds who is doing the 2/3 plans but a great 4/5 level reader, I'd just glance at the 4/5 plans and when they tell you to have the student read aloud a few pages to you, maybe just have him read 1-2 pages right at the start. This reminder only comes up about half of the time in the 4/5 DITHOR plans anyway. Doing the 1-2 pages has only taken us about a minute or two and is a good way for me to know what's happening in his book as well, which helps me better lead our discussions and lessons anyway, as I don't always get his book skimmed. Those are just my thoughts on it. You'll know best!

In Christ,
Julie

[MommyMc]

Thank you Julie! I missed your reply. My 10 year old had his birthday on February 13. So, I guess I didn't check back and then later I missed it. Your ideas are great and set my mind at ease.

Today my 10 year old was reading Howard Pyle's Robin Hood to my almost 5 year old at nap time! It is SO fun to listen to them enjoying great books together!

My kids are also enjoying the great selections that HOD has to offer! They have always been voracious readers. So, the only problem is they are constantly wanting to read MORE! But that is a good problem to have!