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I've been absent for a week...my keyboard is going kaput and not all the letters work and it makes me...ARRGH!!! so I've just avoided it...

So, Ben (7) and Jesse (12) want to do Jamie's (9) schoolwork!! (I just bought him Bigger) I think it was the painting (I'm embarrassed to say we NEVER do art ) and the "easy" language arts. (I bought the Queen stuff instead of R&S) It's not exactly easy; but it's fun for them so they don't realize the learning they are doing!

So I think I'll get another Queen book for Jesse (12) but the higher level one, and also change the spelling words for him to match his grade (he's finishing 6th grade) We will keep our current math and he's been doing DITHOR since he could read, so he's used to the "HOD way"

I am thinking of making the read-alouds his reading assignments. His comprehension is poor when he reads, but when he hears (i.e. I read to him) he can almost parrot back word for word! We do a lot of his DITHOR that way. I've been looking for books for Jamie (9) that kind of match where we are historically for his reading assignments, and I've gone through his books (esp. Pedro's Journal-GREAT book!!) to get his spelling words. I didn't buy the optional pack for that.
I think technically Jesse's ready for "Preparing" but my problem with that is #1. I want it NOW and #2. my goal is to combine as much as I can. Greyson (4) is also doing a lot of listening and activity participation, too! That's never happened before with any other stuff we've used.
(ever want to kick yourself for being too stubborn? I knew how wonderful HOD was for years and still insisted on doing my own thing...blasted German heritage, anyway! ROFL!!)

Mary-I LOVED your idea of the post-it notes so much I had to go buy a pack of the little ones to put all over my TG! I also took pics of my teacher's guide already marked up (does that make me an Olive or a Betty?? I can't remember!! ) but they are on my camera with the pics of box day and the DEAD BATTERIES!!! another ARRGH!! I will get them posted soon!

so whatta ya think? good plan? where's the holes?

If I'm understanding correctly, you want to combine them all in Bigger? You can add the Extension Pack for your oldest-I'm not sure what else?

newbie here- whats the queen book?
Ok, nevermind, figured it out! LOL

I wanted to comment that if your son has comprehenshion issues (mine does too!) that alot of the books are available on tape!

yes, I'd like to combine them all into bigger, but I am not sure it's enough for my 12 year old. The 9 year old loves it; and I modified it down a bit for my 7 year old (only because I'm spending more time with him teaching him to read) I think my problem is the 9 year old is already doing the extension pack for older kids; I'm afraid the 12 year old would be insulted if I gave him the same books...kwim?
I think I'm more thinking out loud then anything!

cool about the tapes!! I'll have to look for that-I was going to try itunes, too, but those aren't free!

Ah-maybe Carrie will come on before the weekend is over and give some ideas for other books that could fit the need

I am going to be using Bigger with a 10.5 and 8 yo beginning mid-summer. We will be using the extension pack for the older one. I bought the book list for $5.00 on the site...maybe you could use that for book suggestions for your 12 yo? I don't know, it might work....

Darci,

I do think you could combine them in "Bigger..." since your 7 and 9 year old fit the target age range and your oldest son has some struggles with reading. As far as extending it for your 12 year old, I did mention some books previously that will help up the level of "Bigger..." but all of those require a strong reader. So, they're probably not the best fit for your oldest.

I do think you can use some of the read-alouds from "Beyond..." (boy, girl, and classic pack) for your oldest son along with "Drawn into the Heart of Reading". Rather than doing the reading for him out loud, I would alternate reading by paragraph with him to help him keep the meaning in what he reads (yet give him reading practice which he needs to become a stronger reader). I would keep the reading sessions short (about 15 min. in length) to keep his attention, and not exhaust your patience too

I think as far as the Extension Pack books go.... you have 3 choices. Choice 1: Since your 9 year old can read the Extension Pack books you could have your 9 year old read those independently according to the schedule in the Appendix. Then, you would need to find separate books for your 12 year old to read that generally went with the time period.

Choice 2: You could have your 12 year old read the scheduled books in the Appendix following the schedule (only if he can actually read them independently, as you don't need another reading assignment for you).
Then, you could just skip having your 9 year old read them, as he doesn't really have to have an extension for "Bigger...".

Choice 3: If you really love to read aloud, you could read aloud the Extension Pack books to your older 2 (with anyone else listening in that you'd like), so everyone gets the extension.

I hope that is clearer than mud! Let us know what you're thinking!

Blessings,
Carrie

I think that's exactly what I'll do!
I did order for him the cursive book, the queen language arts book, and I also needed the higher grade level DITHOR book for my oldest, so I got that, too.
I'm wishing I would have gotten the Little Hands book-I have one I'm using, but I loaned it out and I think instead of waiting for it I will gift it to the person who borrowed it, kwim?

My 9 yr old is a more advanced reader, and my 12 yr old is more a struggling reader, so they end up on the same level. My 12 yr old can blow just about everyone out of the water with his math comprehension, though, so we all have our strengths!

thank you for the input, everyone-I appreciate it.