Not really an emerging reader anymore... what to do?

[pollo_la]

At the start of this school year my dd was very much an emerging reader. She was testing at a beginning 3rd grade reading level and comfortably reading books such as "Little Bear," but much more then that was overwhelming to her. So, we began the emerging readers in mid September. We are almost finished with the Bible now.

Here is my situation though, we use a different program all together to actually learn the skills of reading and spelling (it goes through a college level, so it will be YEARS before we complete this particular program). So, we are not using the emerging readers to advance her reading level, mostly just to give her some great books to read, and also to give me some questions to ask to ensure that her comprehension is where it should be. I have noticed lately that she is really flying through these stories and comprehending well. She also pretty much reads everything in sight. Yesterday I decided to test her reading level again. She tested at a beginning 4th grade level. Then, I sat down with her and read her the first chapter from the Boxcar Children. I asked her to continue on and read aloud the second chapter. She read the entire 2nd chapter aloud to me with ease, and only made a couple small errors on each page. So, clearly she is beyond the emerging reader stage now.

Anyway, the root of my question is this... should I continue on with the emerging readers anyway? My dd has only just turned 5 this past August, and I LOVE the books and topics selected for the emerging readers. I am hesitant to move to DITHOR at this point, because I wonder if she still needs more time to mature into some of these bigger books (for some of the topics and vocabulary covered). However, at the same time, I can't stop her from reading everything is sight, which is really what she wants to do, so she will no doubt be reading chapter books anyway. I guess I feel that since I am using the other program to work on her reading skills (and it's working EXTREMELY well), the emerging readers are more just a fun add on anyway??? Maybe I should double up on the emerging readers and do two stories a day? Should I just stick with the schedule? OR... should I move on to the first level of DITHOR?

[3sweeties]

Hmmm...I can only tell you what we have experienced with my 2nd grade DS (7.5 yo), who I would consider an advanced reader. I decided to do DITHR 2/3 with the Level 2 books this year, and while the books have been easy, easy, easy for him to read, the content of DITHR has been challenging for him. There is a decent amount of writing in the workbook and even the concepts we talk about are challenging at times for him. For example, "How does the character show or not show fear of the Lord?" (answering this after reading some verses about and discussing what fear of the Lord means, etc.), discussing and writing about cause and effect with examples, or a Personal Points page where they have to list the important people in the book and then write four things they have learned about the main character, etc. All this to say, Level 2 has been VERY meaty for us and I will go through it again next year with Level 3 books and honestly think he will get much more out of it. I love the program and how in-depth it is, but it was almost too much for my DS.

It's your call, but maybe just provide library books on the level she is reading at and then strengthen her confidence in reading and comprehension by finishing up the emerging readers at a pace you are both comfortable with? Just some thoughts! Hope I helped a little and didn't confuse you!

[pollo_la]

Thank you! That does help me a lot. I think I will definitely continue on with the emerging readers then. We'll just work at a gentle pace, and start DITHOR at a relaxed pace next fall.

[Carrie]

polla_la,

3sweeties gave you wonderful advice. I'd definitely lean toward waiting with DITHR until next year too. Just enjoy the pace of the Emerging Readers and the steady practice your daughter gets from the comprehension and narration questions. Then, in your daughter's free time let her devour books! That is exactly what you want to happen and is what happens at our house too.

My kiddos steadily move through their DITHR or Emerging Reader books at a measured pace and devour everything in sight during their free-time! (And this from my 8th, 5th, and 1st graders). In this way your daughter will have practice in two very different types of reading. For more on the two types of reading, you may enjoy this past post of mine:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=508

Blessings,
Carrie