StephanieU wrote: ↑Wed May 06, 2020 9:38 am
My son is 10 and in CtC. I have recorded the readings for history and science or found them as audio. With that modification, he is having no problems completing CtC. I think he is in Unit 17. The only changes to the guide we have made are math (we use Horizons, and he is in Grade 6), Dithor (discussed below), and Bible quiet time (doing Awana instead). Everything else is completed easily in a day.
For Dithor, he is reading the Level 3 books aloud to me. And they aren't ready for him at all! He makes it through with a basic understanding of the story, but I know he wouldn't be able to do the literary analysis because the reading is stretching him already. But I don't want to move down to lower level books because he needs to continue to work on his reading. I suspect he is dyslexic, as my sister and I have shown signs of it, my nephew is severely dyslexic, and a brother in law is also dyslexic.
So I am trying to figure out how to handle Dithor in the future. I know there may come a time when his reading soars, but I don't know when that will happen. I didn't start to have any interest in reading until I was 22 and had about a week where I had nothing else to do - stuck somewhere with no electronics and nothing else to do. But at some point, he needs to learn some literary analysis before high school. Should I consider doing Dithor with audiobooks whole he continues to read aloud the Dithor books to me? It is there another option?
…He has read the Level 2 books, and my 3rd is just starting them. So I don't think having him go back to those will work.
He can handle the writing. That isn't an issue at all (his spelling isn't great, but it is normally phonetic enough I can decipher it easily, and it is improving with dictation). It is just reading and analyzing the same book that I think it going to be a challenge. That is why I am considering audio books - with him following along in the book while he listens. It will add to his day a little, which is one concern though.
Thanks for sharing these details about your son's reading and writing - that helps so much as we give advice! It is encouraging that he is doing well with writing - that will definitely help when doing the DITHOR Student Book's work.
As far as the reading, I think it will be very important for him to read the DITHOR books, as he won't be reading the other books for CTC's history and science. It is encouraging that he read the Level 2 DITHOR books last year, and we want to keep him progressing in this skill of reading independently.
A slower pace of reading, as Robbi suggested, is a great idea! In CTC, DITHOR is only scheduled 3 days a week, so only 4-5 genres are covered. I would choose the genres with the easier reading levels in the Level 3 book pack (the reading levels are noted on the Optional Book Recommendations sheet as well as online). In looking at those now (as well as the books on our HOD warehouse shelves), I think you could lessen the amount of reading to an enjoyable and a manageable amount for your son by doing only one of the books instead of both books assigned, for some genres.
For example, Biography has easier reading levels of 3.8 and 3.9. So, I'd definitely do Biography as one of the 4 genres this year. For Biography, I'd also consider only doing Alexander Hamilton and spreading it out over 15 days instead of 10 days of reading (or, if you happen to own another book in the series of Catwings, you could use that book and Catwings, spending 7 days on one of them and spending 8 days on the other).
Likewise, I'd choose A Mouse Called Wolf for Fantasy, and spread it out over 15 days instead of 10 days of reading.
For Folk Tales, A Penny's Worth of Character can be spread out over 15 days instead of 10 days.
Finally, either The Mystery of Pelican Cove for the genre Mystery, or OSS Tropical Rain Forest for the genre Nonfiction (whichever seems easier for him) could round out the 4 genres for the year.
Choosing these genres with easier reading levels and choosing one book to spread out over 15 days will help the level and the pace be doable. As only one book needs to be analyzed/comprehended instead of two for each genre, your son will be better able to follow the storyline and plot/character development.
I'd also give your son some time to preread or practice reading the book before reading it aloud to you. This builds confidence and helps kiddos feel more ready to read. I'd also have him read a portion of it in his head, rather than all aloud if possible. When reading aloud, students must concentrate on so many things - pacing, expression, pitch, tone, etc. Once children begin DITHOR, they read silently - in their head - at least a portion of the time. Carrie's plans in DITHOR note when students are to read out loud and how much (i.e. all, part, none). Reading silently is less work than reading aloud, and it allows for better comprehension, so I think this may help your son.
If the reading of DITHOR with this slower pace adds too much time to the day, I'd consider slowing CTC down to half-speed. It will be important your son begins to take on reading for history/science if possible as he progresses through the upcoming guides as well, and a half-speed pace may help in this goal as well.
Often times, kiddos just need some time to mature and grow into their reading. A certain book, author, or genre can turn them on to reading, or even just having a time where there is nothing else to do but read, as you shared happened for you one day! I know this will happen for your son too, in his own time!!! Hope some of these ideas can help, Stephanie, but keep doing the wonderful job you are of homeschooling your son with HOD!
In Christ,
Julie
