what to order?

[absessoms]

I'm trying to decide on everything I have to order. My kids are 8 (almost 9), and 10.5. This year was my first year homeschooling them. I caught my daughter (who is a little advanced) up with my son, and they both did 4th grade. However, next school year, I'm homeschooling a friend's daughter who is also almost 9. She was told she had to repeat 3rd grade, so she is a little behind her grade level. I have decided to do Preparing with them, with the extension pack for my children. Should I buy two extension packs since these are read independently? I'm also confused by the DITHOR packs. What packs do I need? Since I have a boy and a girl, do I need to order both the girl package and the boy package? I want to make sure I have enough of everything, but also not too much. I'm going to use all of the HOD recommendations, except for maybe math. I guess what I'm asking is, what do I need? I think I'm confusing myself more than I need to. Are spelling and vocabulary worked into the day as well? Another question, is it a whole lot of reading? I'm kind of worried that it will be reading overload for my boy who doesn't really enjoy reading all that much, unless it's Ripley's or Guinness World Records. Sorry for all the questions, just wondering if someone who has experience with all of this could walk me through ordering. Thank you so much in advance!

[StephanieU]

First, spelling (dictation) and vocabulary are included in the guide. There is nothing added for those. As for the extensions, I think it depends on how you plan on setting up the day. You could do it with just one set, and have one student doing maybe math while the other is doing extensions and then switch. But if you want to do the same thing at the same time with each of the older two, then having two books would be nice.

As for DITHOR, normally the recommendation is to start with the 2/3 student book unless you have done literature studies before with the kids. You would pick books that are just below their reading level (so they aren't struggling to read the actual book and can study it more). If you buy the student book and teacher book together, it comes with a book list. Most libraries will have at least one book for each genre at each level at the library. The only reason I would see wanting to own the books is if going to the library isn't easy. Our library is less than a mile away, so I plan on using the library for DITHOR. You will want 1 student book per child doing DITHOR, so buy 1 package and then two books. As for Boy/Girl, it is more just what the stories are about. Girls are normally interest in stories centering around girls, while boys like stories centered around boys. You will probably will want to have each child reading a different book, as it often makes it easier. Plus they can each pick a book they woudl like ot read.

Does that make some sense?

[absessoms]

Yes, it does make sense, thank you. Should I get the deluxe pack and do the extension packs, or is that too much?

[StephanieU]

Bigger only takes about 2-3 hours a day, and extensions won't add TOO much (less than 30 minutes). So, I would get each package. The 3rd grader definitely would use them, and then your children can decide if they want to read them or not. I would think the Drawn and Write through History all would benefit from.