heartofdakota.com

My dd, who just turned 7 in October, is starting to struggle with the Emerging Reader set. She has already completed 2 phonics programs. She got glasses about 2 months ago and I saw great improvement with the glasses. She read the Early Readers Bible instead of the Beginner's Bible. It started off very hard for her, but after she got her glasses she did really well with the Early Readers Bible. Owl and Home went ok, she only struggled a little. Frog and Toad is causing more trouble.

I was wondering if it would be better to go back and read the Beginners Bible and then read the alternative books listed in the reading list till we get back to Frog and Toad. Or should I have her read the alternative book for Owl at Home than start Frog and Toad.

Or would it be better to have her read the same story for 2 days in a row?

It there any value in rereading a story?

I don't mind stretching the Emerging Reader list to last 2 years by doing both book recommended.

Would that be a good idea?

Anyone ever stretched the Emerging Reader over a 2 year period by doing all the recommended books?

I think I would probably back up and do the other Bible. I also might add the alternate books too, at least for right now. All kids develop in different areas at ddifferent times. I know my dd just all of a sudden took off with reading but I'm still taking it really slowly, because this is an area that I really want her to enjoy. So since your dd is struggling, I say just take it slowly and back up some, that way she has fun with it. I'd much rather it be too easy than a struggle.

I think that having her read the Beginner's Bible would be a good option. I have read on the board that many of the moms have their children read through both Bibles. When my daughter first began the Beginner's Bible it was slow going but by the time she got to the middle her reading took off. Now she has such great confidence in reading and desires to read more since it's not such a struggle. Her ability has now surpassed her placement in the Emerging Readers but we are still going through each book, one lesson at a time. I let her read whatever she wants to outside of "school" time. Giving your dd that extra time may be exactly what she needs. I don't think it's helpful to continually push them because it doesn't give them the chance to build confidence in their ability. When they have confidence then they'll really enjoy it as well.

But you could just read through the optional books if you wanted too instead. I have done this with my nephew that I homeschool along with my own. He is adopted from Thailand so English is his second language. This has really helped him. Otherwise, the level of reading in the ER's was moving along faster than he was. This has given him more time to improve and helped him feel more confident in his reading. He wasn't really enjoying reading time or understanding what he was reading and now he looks forward to it each day.

HTH,
Stephanie

I think I would have her read the Beginner's Bible and then re-evaluate. It could be after that, she will be ready to take off and continue on with Frog and Toad. If that does still seem like a struggle then I would consider trying some of the alternate books. You might be really surprised how and when her reading takes off. With my ds, it was almost like a light bulb went off and it really clicked. That could happen at any time with your dd. I think it is great that you are so observant and willing to take the time to let her skills develop.

I noticed my dd hit a wall when we hit the lvl 4's, So I have her read though each book once. Working on all the pieces that she is struggling with. Then I let her read it again and ask the questions. She gains so much from that first reading. The second time though is not a hardship. I think giving the kiddos more time and a lower reading lvl is always a good thing. (but she has read all the stuff under lvl 4 that are not school books)

I did both the Bibles with my middle ds, and that worked out great! I'd do the Beginner's Bible and then at that point reconsider what to do next. She may be ready for Frog and Toad by then. One other thing that helped my ds was to have him practice it on his own without me once. Then, he read it all to me after that. This gave him the chance to sound out unknown words before reading it to me. He did very well with this! I think your dd will do well with going through The Beginner's Bible - it really helps that they are familiar with the stories.

In Christ,
Julie