heartofdakota.com

Hi,
I am wondering if the emerging readers will be appropriate for my 6 yr. old son next year. I'm a little concerned they will not be challenging enough for him. A bit about him:

He will soon finish All About Reading level 2. if youre not familiar with that program, he is reading most level 2 easy readers. He is almost done with Explode the Code book 3, and since it is easy for him, should probably be in 4. I anticipate getting through at least 4 before the end of this year. He's not a genius by any means, but reading does seem to come naturally for him. he can read many words although he has not received the specific phonics instruction for it.

So...my original plan was to stretch AAR 2 out this semester, and start the EMS in August. However, I don't like stretching AAR out when he clearly is ready for a lesson a day. We have just 20 lessons left so could be done by March! I don't just want to stop reading instruction, but am not great about gathering my own resources every day. I also don't have access to the Beyond manual or EM until May.

My questions are...bases on his ability, will the ER's be too easy, challenging, or about at his level?
What should I do when we finish AAR? (The 3rd level will not be out until late summer)? Can anyone suggest any fillers?

Thanks!
Amy

I don't do phonics so I don't know how to tell you from that perspective.

I do know that my kids could read easy readers (level 2 and down) for a while before they were able to read and answer the questions in the ERs. The first few (after the Bibles, I don't know the reading level on those) are level 2 books, but after that it gets harder fairly quickly.

The biggest thing about the ERs is not necessarily learning how to read, but learning how to comprehend and think about what you've read. I definitely would not think that they are too easy. In fact, you somewhat want them to be able to read it fairly easily so that they aren't concentrating so much on the actual words, but can concentrate on the story.

It sounds like from your description that the ER set will be perfect for your dc.

Go ahead and start with the ERs by starting with the Early Reader's Bible. That takes 11 or 12 weeks, I think, and the comprehension questions are at the end of each chapter/story. Just do one story each day. That's about the way it is scheduled in the ERs. Then in May when you get the Beyond guide, you could do the other Bible option or just start with the next book in the ERs. The ERs sound like a great fit for your ds and will really move along his reading comprehension. I think doing both Bible options is a great way to extend the ERs and both are great. So for you starting with the easier one that already has the comprehension questions built in could be a great way to go.

I also use AAR. I think what I would do is skip the Beginners Bible portion of the Emerging Readers Set (which is quite a chunk...time wise) and dive in to book 1.

I was wondering if any of your children have finished the emerging readers earlier than expected? I'm just not sure what to do to bridge the gap between ERS and DITHOR. I cannot see starting my 1st grader with DITHOR but am not sure what to do in the meantime.

To me, one of the best parts of HSing is the ability to meet them where they are. I think it might drive me nuts (as it already is) not having reading instruction right at his level. What are my options?

Thanks!

If you have the Beyond guide, there are supplemental reading suggestions listed along with each unit. There aren't any questions listed, but the reading level is comparable. We use that along with SL level 2 & 3 grade readers which include several of the supplemental titles listed in Beyond. I had to set a few of the SL ones aside for later due to content, but have plenty of readers to slow things down.

My dd(5) is about to finish TRL and will be official K age next fall. This is her reading plan:

1. Finish TRL (Pre K)
2. Finish SL Grade 1 readers (Pre K)
3. Early Readers Bible and sets 4 & 5 bob books (K)
4. ER set with Beginners Bible adding in supplemental title suggestions (K)
5. Finish misc. SL grade 2 & 3 readers (1st)
6. Start DITHR (can be done orally where I write answers if necessary) (1st)

This is the progression my son is following except I did not get the Early Readers bible for him. I did not need to stretch things out for him as much since he started reading later. He will finish ER's with supplements this summer and be ready to start DITHR this fall for 2nd grade. HTH

You can fill in with the supplemental titles that are suggested. That is what I'm doing with my dd. I have her rotate between a supplemental title(or a few other books we own), and one of the Er readers. Also many people have there kids just read the level 2 and/or 3 readers and then start DITHR with the level 3 or 4/5 books.

This is such a great point...

MomtoJGJE wrote:...The biggest thing about the ERs is not necessarily learning how to read, but learning how to comprehend and think about what you've read. I definitely would not think that they are too easy. In fact, you somewhat want them to be able to read it fairly easily so that they aren't concentrating so much on the actual words, but can concentrate on the story.

We found this to be true for all of our sons. Though they have all been early readers, it was the questions in the ERS that are based on Bloom's Taxonomy, as well as on CM's oral narrations skills, that taught them so very much. As pjdobro wisely suggested, we enjoyed with all of our sons using both of the Bibles suggested. We first read "The Early Reader's Bible", and then we moved onto "The Beginner's Bible." This adds a few months to the schedule. The books at the middle and end of the ERS move dc very nicely upward in reading level, closing with Level 4 books. The supplemental titles extend the set in a nice way as well. If you get to DITHOR early, just get the Level 2 books (which are actually reading levels 3.0 - 4.1, third grade through fourth grade first month). Spread out the reading, and do the writing for dc in the 2/3 Student Book until they are ready to gradually take it over. Worked great for our dc! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Thank you to all who have posted suggestions. I am no longer feeling stressed and have a plan! Thanks God for this HOD board and the opportunity to ask even the smallest of questions.

Amy