What To Do Between Emerging Readers and DITHOR

[momof3kids]

Thanks ladies for explaining this a little further. I can see why you add to the ER, I try to give my son other stuff to read as well....I may start looking at other suggestions as you mentioned. It's nice to have some guidance as to what books to choose for him. I had read also how Julie started DITHOR a little slower, and wringing for dc, I like this suggestion and may try this when we start in the fall.

[MelInKansas]

Just to chime in here with what I did.

I started DITHOR when my DD was almost 8 and she could not do the worksheets on her own. So we did them together. This did make it more work for me, but she was able to answer the questions and it really has helped her think about the story elements, character traits, etc. Now, when we finish up this round of DITHOR we are probably going to do 2/3 level again with higher reading level books, because I think this time she could do them on her own. And because we started it on the early side, that would mean then probably one round through 4/5 and one round through 6/7/8 (or two).

We are now one genre from finishing DITHOR. She can now do the worksheets mostly on her own, asking for help with spelling words and things like that.

[Molly]

Just to chime in here with what I did.

I started DITHOR when my DD was almost 8 and she could not do the worksheets on her own. So we did them together. This did make it more work for me, but she was able to answer the questions and it really has helped her think about the story elements, character traits, etc. Now, when we finish up this round of DITHOR we are probably going to do 2/3 level again with higher reading level books, because I think this time she could do them on her own. And because we started it on the early side, that would mean then probably one round through 4/5 and one round through 6/7/8 (or two).

We are now one genre from finishing DITHOR. She can now do the worksheets mostly on her own, asking for help with spelling words and things like that.

We did something like this to start with. I know when my next blossom gets to DITHOR I will be doing this again, but I feel the discussion is the more important issue here rather than the writing down of things.

[my3sons]

Great suggestions here already! Our 2 oldest sons went right from completing the ERS to DITHOR 2/3. For one of them, I did go half-speed with DITHOR 2/3. For example, if typically he'd read 8 pages of the book each day, I had him read 4 pages one day and not do the DITHOR teaching lesson, and then the next day I'd have him read the next 4 pages and do the DITHOR 2/3 teaching lesson. He dictated his answers for his student book, and I wrote them. I eased him into taking the writing over by writing all, then half, then none - but using the whiteboard to write his dictated answers so he could do them as copywork and not worry about spelling/usage. For my other ds, he did DITHOR 2/3 full-speed as is at 7 yo with great success (he both read and wrote well early). If I were you, I'd either right now go to alternating an ERS title and a supplemental title to stretch out the ERS (and pattern your oral comprehension questions on the supplemental book day after the ERS questions), or I'd start DITHOR 2/3 half-speed upon complete of ERS. Keeping up the comprehension skill building will be important prep for DITHOR 2/3, better prep than just reading books. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[MomtoJGJE]

why don't you have her only read 2-3 days per week? Books for fun in between, but the ER books just a few times per week. If you are schooling 4 days per week, she could read 2 of them, but if you are schooling 5 days per week she could read 3. That would spread it out some.

Or you could have her read through a book and then take a week or two off from the ERs which would accomplish about the same thing... obviously reading still in between, but not the ER list. You'd go through it a little faster than only reading 2-3 days per week, but not much.

As far as DITHOR. From my experience they can go straight to Level 2 DITHOR readers right after the ERs. However mine generally can't write as well as is needed. So we will do it orally for a while and I'll write their answers. If it's a one word answer or a list of characters or something I'll have them do it. And I have them draw any pictures. by then end of the first time through the 2/3 workbook they are able to write most if not all of what they have to do.

We also spread DITHOR out from the beginning and basically get through all 9 genres in two years. But my kids hate reading

[StephanieU]

Lora Beth - We school 5 days a week, and year round. My plan was to only have her read 2-3 days a week, but she wants to read the Bible (Beginner's Bible) every day. I have a feeling that when we get to a book, she won't want to stop the book either. I can limit the amount she reads each day, but I don't want to tell her she can't read a book she wants to read. So, my current plan is to add in at least one "extra" book after each scheduled ER book. Hopefully that will spread it out some.