DITHOR with Bigger next year?

[Kristen]

I am trying to figure out exactly what to do next year with my two boys - ages 7 and 9 - and I keep thinking I've got it figured out and then I have questions. I realized I should just ask you ladies since everyone is so insightful.
We're just finishing up Beyond this year (took us 2 years just b/c of circumstances) and I thought I would keep the boys together for Bigger. Although I think the oldest would do o.k. with Preparing. But I don't think I could do two programs (also with a soon-to-be 2 y.o. underfoot ) and then I wondered what the following year? The more I looked at it, I realized Bigger for both would be best. Well, my question is that I was looking in the catalog at the DITHOR stuff and it says that the R&S language arts are "additional" choices. So, do some people just do DITHOR? Or just the R&S? Does it depend on the child?
My younger is still an emerging reader while the 9 y.o., when he first started to read devoured books, now won't read much for pleasure anymore. He can't find anything he likes. Not sure what the deal is. The only thing he likes to read are adult books on model railroading - his latest passion. He's building a beautiful set in the basement. So, I don't think the issue is the "how-to" of reading, but maybe the choices. I thought DITHOR would give him something enjoyable that was more challenging? Since I'm probably going to do Bigger with both I thought I should bump up his lang. arts/reading and math to be more his speed. Of course, budget matters and I'm planning on getting the read-alouds from the library so that helps. (I already checked what's available.) But I don't think I could buy all the DITHOR books. I had originally looked at the extension package, (I don't totally understand how that works either) and I can't get all those books right now and only a couple are at the library. Help!! The more I look at the catalog my head spins.
Thank you!
Kristen

[Carrie]

Kirstin,

You would need to do both Rod and Staff English (as it covers grammar and some writing) and do DITHR (as it covers literature study and some vocabulary skills).

It's sounding like your younger son would be an emerging reader, following the Emerging Reader's Schedule in the Appendix of Bigger Hearts. You would most likely use either Level 2/3 or Level 4/5 of DITHR for your 9 year old, choosing your own books to spark his interest (or using one of our ready made book packs). Level 4/5 requires a good deal more writing and independence than Level 2/3 so that is something to consider.

Since your 9 year old is right on the edge between needing the extension pack and not needing it, you really could go either way there. If your son is a good reader, and you would like him to have an upped level of history study and science study, then you'd want to add the Extension Pack. It does take a strong reader. If you feel you would end up doing a battle with your son over getting him to do the Extension Pack, then you could choose not to use it (since your son fits in the target range for Bigger without extensions, which is ages 7-9).

Blessings,
Carrie