DITHOR and struggling reader

[rockridgegal]

Good Morning All!!!!

I was wondering about using DITHOR with a struggling reader . My son is 9 and are in Bigger Unit 16 day 3 and he is a struggling reader still . He is unable to read the assigned books in HOD at this point so we are repeating some books. I have the DITHOR and scared about starting it due to the struggle we already have . Any help would be appreciated

Kim in NC

[CrystalM]

Have you had him read through the Emerging Reader set yet? That set is designed to move from the end of phonics/reading lessons and build confidence and proficiency. When finished with Emerging Readers you move on to DITHOR. If the Emerging readers are too difficult you may want to step back further and work on the phonics rules a bit more.

Crystal

[rockridgegal]

Crystal he read up to Prairie School and found that to be a little difficult and uninteresting . Up to this point his reading is very slow and choppy and then I make him go back and read it again. I guess based on what you are suggesting maybe wait til start Preparing.... I felt like it was too soon for him to start DITHOR . We are going back to build Phonics a little as well with Reading Eggs and he enjoys that . He enjoys reading as long as I cover EVERYTHING on the the page except the exact sentence he is to be reading . :

KIm

[psreit]

Hi. My dd is 9 and in Bigger and is in the same situation. We ran into the same problem when we reached Prairie School. I had her reading Pathway readers for a while and we recently started back in the ER's. Her reading is inconsistent. Some days she can read through fairly quickly and other times it is slow and choppy. I believe it is because of her vision. She wears special glasses because of problems with her eyes. She has problems with eye teaming and tracking. We are doing Bigger half speed and will just continue to work through the ER's. We probably won't get into Preparing until the middle of next school year. It will probably be about that time we get into DITHOR. I think you are on the right track just building on the phonics and letting him use other readers for a while. If he is enjoying reading when most words are covered, you may want to make sure his eye tracking is okay. That would make a difference in his reading. HTH

[rockridgegal]

Thanks so much .... that makes me feel better and I will get his eye tracking checked ... You gals are so awesome !!!

[kvest]

Hi, just thought I'd jump in here:)! We are first time homeschoolers. My 10 yo twins will begin Preparing in July. Between now & then, we're focusing in language arts & math. My question is, how do I know what level to start them at with DITHOR? Is there some kind if reading comprehension test they can do? Thanks for your help!

Kim

[psreit]

Kim,
From what I can tell, in DITHOR 2/3 the child reads to you. In DITHOR 4/5 the reading becomes more independent. It is stated that if the level of books in 4/5 are too difficult, you can use level 2 & 3 books with the 4/5 guide. So, it sounds like it has more to do with independence. My dd9 will begin DITHOR next year sometime, but because of her struggles, I will use the 2/3 guide. It will be a while before she is reading well independently.

[kvest]

Oh ok. I guess what I'll do is order 4/5 book pack & have them read some to me. I really think they'll be ok, but sometimes it's hard to tell since they've been in public school up to now. Right now, they read books from the library & have to complete a book template. My son does not enjoy reading & gives short answers. He also mumbles when he reads aloud. I hope there's not a bigger issue.

Thanks for your input & good luck to you!

[my3sons]

rockridgegal - I just wanted to mention that the supplemental titles listed each week for the Emerging Reader's Set give some great options for extending the ERS! Many of the books are easy to find, and you could go back to earlier units and use the supplemental books listed there to easily lengthen the ERS. I'd not start DITHOR 2/3 until ds is able to complete the close of the ERS. Another thing that helped review phonics with our dc was the Explode the Code workbooks. We just had them do Books 1-3, somewhere between a page to 3 pages or so a day, based on what they wanted to do. Your ds is doing pretty well if he can read up to Prairie School. He probably just needs to slow it down and practice with some easier books for awhile. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[my3sons]

Hi, just thought I'd jump in here:)! We are first time homeschoolers. My 10 yo twins will begin Preparing in July. Between now & then, we're focusing in language arts & math. My question is, how do I know what level to start them at with DITHOR? Is there some kind if reading comprehension test they can do? Thanks for your help!

Kim

Hi Kim! Presit did a good job of explaining that any level of book package can be used with any level of DITHOR Student Books. The reading levels of each the books included in the DITHOR packages are listed behind the books on the website here, so that is very helpful in choosing book packs. Also, you can get one of the books from each of the book packs you are choosing between (from the library if possible) and have dc read them aloud to you. Put up a finger for each mistake or word they must work to sound out, and if you count 5, the book is too hard. If you could share a few books each of your dc have read recently quite easily, we could make a recommendation as well. Either way, I'd probably have them do 1 year in the Level 2/3 Workbook, no matter what books you choose. This will give them a solid foundation before moving on to 4/5. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[2girls2boysnme]

I'm so glad I happened on to this question before ordering Bigger for my daughter's third grade year. She is a struggling reader, and I wasn't sure if I should start with DITHOR. I will definitely start with the Emerging Readers

[kvest]

Thanks Julie! That helps A LOT!

[rockridgegal]

Thanks so much Julie !!!1 I love you gals !!!!!