heartofdakota.com

My son will be 10yo when we start Preparing in August. We've never used HOD before, and we are a bit "behind" in language arts areas. He is slower in these areas, and I haven't pushed as hard or been as disciplined as I should have.

He is almost an independent reader. He could really use some remedial phonics work, though, which we're beginning to work on.

I have two questions:

1. Where should I place him in DITHOR? 2/3 or 4/5?

2. We purchased R&S English 3 this year, and are only a third of the way through. Should we drop it for now, work on his reading, and then use it again next year? OR Should we push through it and then order English 4 next year?

Thanks.

Hi MJ, (((Waving)))

I am the mom of four boys as well..., 16, 12, 8 & 5! (smile)

What type of books is your oldest reading? (warm smile) Is he reading books such as those in the emerging reader set or beyond that?

If your child is reading beyond the emerging reader set I think it would be PERFECT to do DITHOR 2/3.

HTH,
Mary

I would use the level 3/4 for his reading, like Mary said-if he's ready to go past the emerging readers, go with 3/4! I have one who's just learning to read and he's just shy of 8. I think he'll be ready for the emerging readers next year, but we'll see. The beauty of DITHOR is you can pick the book-so if he's ready for a more formal reading curriculum but not reading past the level of the emerging readers, you can pick a book that's an easier read and still use it for DITHOR.
I can't say about the R&S; we use the Queen language arts.

And hi from another boy mom!!

MotherJoy,

I would see if the emerging reader set is too easy for him. If not, I would do that first according to the schedule in the Appendix of "Bigger...". Here's the link to that set:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/emerging-reader.php

If he is beyond the Emerging Reader Set, I would look at using DITHR Level 2/3, either with books of your own choosing to stimulate his interest, or with the Level 2 book pack. Here's that link:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into-optional2.php

As far as Rod and Staff goes, I do think you could set it aside until next year and just focus hard on reading instead. Then, pick it back up next year. Reading is more important than the grammar at this stage!

Blessings,
Carrie

He is definately beyond the emerging reader set. Right now, he's reading books like:

Winter at Valley Forge
Sarah Witcher's Story
The Matchlock Gun
The Courage of Sarah Noble

BUT...i don't think he comprehends everything he reads. I ask him to narrate, and he does, but the details go over his head. For example...in The Matchlock Gun the word 'dutchman' was used to describe someone. I asked him where a certain character was from and he said "France" because the French-Indian war was mentioned. Does that make sense. ?

I thinks he's reading on a solid late 3rd/early 4th level.

Yes, that does make sense. The subtle connections (and sometimes not so subtle ) often go over kiddos heads at that stage of reading. As they strengthen their reading ability, and we point out the things that they need to pay attention to (through "Drawn into the Heart..."), they become more focused readers.

So, I'd say you can do either level 2/3 or level 4/5 of DITHR. If you haven't had very much literature study, or your son balks at written work, or he isn't very independent yet, it would be better to go with level 2/3.

However, if you have had some literature study, and your son doesn't mind written work, and he is fairly independent. Then, level 4/5 would be the better fit.

Let us know if you have other questions!

Blessings,
Carrie