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We are preparing to order our materials for next year. It will be our second year homeschooling. Our eldest will be in fourth grade (planning to do the right side of preparing/DITHOR 3 and the left side of bigger) and our twins will be in second grade (doing bigger with DITHOR 2). This year they have done the emerging readers; I had them read two pages out loud, then had the next child read the next two pages. I listened and then they split the comprehension questions. I am worried as we move into DITHOR, will each child actually only reading half of the assigned pages be enough? If it isn't where can I get books that have almost identical reading levels in each genre without spending hours doing research? I do plan to buy two workbooks and have them each do that work independently. Thanks for any guidance!

If you order the worksbooks and the teacher's guide together, you will get a book list with a lot of options. I bet with that and your library, you will be able to find books that will work just fine.

Are they really at identical reading levels? I know you can't go back and do it over, but you could've used the supplemental titles in ER (or still could go back and do some of those if you don't know about starting DITHOR quite yet) and you could also use the level 2 and level 3 book lists (again depending on whether your kids could handle the level 3 or not). Another thing I have done recently is I am having my oldest, who is going into level 4/5 of DITHOR, use some of the read-alouds from Beyond as her DITHOR books - the genre is already there and I already have the books so I can look them over and see what reading level (note I have not read these books aloud to her, I have just been collecting all of the books on the lists because I have loved their selections so much so I look for them at used book sales and things). There is a website out there somewhere that tells you the reading levels and I think is the same level as what is listed in the HOD book packs. Now that I have done DITHOR once I feel like I can pick out the right level and even how many days to read the book. I would have them read it separately though. Another thing you could do is have them both read the same books, just not allow the other to be with you when one of them is reading. Schedule totally separate times and allow the other one to do something like quick computer games or something to keep them from listening in. I think that's what I would do if I had two kids at the same level in DITHOR, as you said, less book hunting to do that way. Plus then you could still maybe do some activities or the discussion together if you like.

I would have them each doing the whole reading.

I appreciate the help. I think I will plan to have them read the same book, just at different times during the school day!

Good idea!