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I just wondered if anyone knows how to test your child for reading level for the book packs. When I look at the Level 2 books, each book has a 3.0, 3.1 etc. How do I know what my daughter's reading level is and where to place her with these books? I certainly wouldn't want to get books that are too difficult, but want them to be challenging as well. Is there a test somewhere I can find to determine what her reading level would be?

We have enjoyed DITHOR for many years - I think you'll enjoy it as well! In regard to your question, I liked Carrie's thoughts on this in another post. I copied and pasted the portion related to your question here...

...DITHR is different from other programs in that placement in the program is not based on reading level. This is because all of the levels of DITHR work with any book that you choose. So intead, placement is based more on how much your child likes to write, how independent your child is able to be, and how much previous literature study your child has had.

DITHR Level 4/5 includes a one Student Book page to be completed daily. In contrast, Level 2/3 has Student Book assignments on about 1/3 of the days.

DITHR Level 4/5 has the child scheduled to be with you one day and then more independent the next day. DITHR Level 2/3 has the child meeting with you daily for his/her lessons.

DITHR Level 4/5 assumes your child has heard the literary terms (such as character, plot, setting, mood, etc.) and can apply them. DITHR Level 2/3 walks the child carefully through a first introduction to these terms and applies them through discussion with the parent.

Hopefully, by reading the comparison that I gave you above, you'll see where your particular child fits best. After choosing a DITHR Student Book level, then you can head into deciding which books to have your child read. Any book will truly work. You can choose off of our booklist or use one of our ready made book packs if you prefer that for ease of use. The book pack level that you choose does not need to match the Student Book level that you selected for DITHR.

A good, quick way to tell if a book is too hard for your child is to give it the 5 finger test. Have your child read aloud one page from the book to you. For each mistake your child makes, count one finger. If your child makes 5 or more errors on the page, the book is too hard.

Blessings,
Carrie

We've used the 5 finger test and found that to be a good gauge of whether a book is a good fit or not. Other considerations that AR doesn't really take into account when leveling a book are the font size (bigger = easier), total length of the book (shorter = easier), number of pictures (more = easier), and of course things like how much a student already knows about the given topic, how familiar the style of language is to the student, and how interested the student is in the book. How old is your dd, and what are a few book titles she has read and comprehended well independently lately? I can try to give a suggestion of a DITHOR level then if that would be helpful. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie