Help me understand the Extension Package

[John'smom]

I don't even need this info now, but I will for next year. I had automatically planned on using the Extension Package with Bigger next year for my ds. I guess my confusion comes from a post where I believe I saw Carrie talking about the Extension Package and I thought she said the poster would not need it since her dd would still be 9. I thought it was said that the extension pack was for 10 and older. So my confusion comes from what I'm seeing on the website. It says it's for grades 4-5. Next year my ds will be in 4th grade, but he would have just turned 9 in June, basically 2 months before his 4th grade year and he won't turn ten until that year of school is over. Again all this is for next year and I hope I'm not confusing anyone.

My questions are:
1. Should I use the Extension Package or not with ds?
2. How long does it add to the day? If I remember I asked this before and it was about 15 min/day.
3. Can you please describe the activities that go along with these books? Narration, etc...
Seems like I had another question, but I can't remember right now.

[Mom2Monkeys]

My dd will be 9 in June as well, and entering 4th grade and doing Bigger

I've asked this same question. I gather, it totally depends on the child. If he/she is 9, that is within the age range. Bigger is FULL. I promise you it is. We've gotten to week 13 or so and it has been plenty. I will likely add in the extensions but only b/c she likes to read and she's in 4th grade, and we won't be adding history or science texts- just the literature. However, I will NOT require the extended assignments to go with them. If she'd like to tell me about what she's read, then great...but I won't make her narrate orally or written. HTH!!

[John'smom]

Tamara,
Thanks so much for the reply. It helped me remember my forgotten question as well. I appreciate knowing that Bigger is full.

[Carrie]

John's mom,

Here's a link that more fully describes the Extension pack suggested assignments and how we did them at our house. Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3930

As far as a 9 year old goes, you'll find that age can either do the extensions or not depending on how strong of a reader that child is. I say this because the extension pack is meant to be done on the child's own, except for having the parent listen to the follow-up oral narrations and checking the written narrations.

Most 9 year olds find that there is plenty in the Bigger core guide on its own, but you will know your child best.

With reading and follow up assignment time included, I'd add 25-30 min. of time for the extension pack each day.

Blessings,
Carrie

[John'smom]

Carrie,
Thanks so much for the response. Now I have my brain wrapped around it all which is a HUGE help. Thanks again. I know you're very busy and I appreciate the time you took.