Question about extensions?

[Tracee]

We will be starting Bigger in January when ds is 8 1/2, and praise to God, it looks like he will be reading or close to reading the Emerging Reader set by that time. I'm so thankful. DS has dyslexia, and although I was scared, I felt this pull in my heart to switch reading programs with ds, and now he is cruising. God is so good.
My plan was to keep him in Bigger for a year and a half. If we do that, he will be ready to start Preparing as written, but he will be 10 and in 5th grade, so should I do the extensions for Preparing? I'm not exactly sure how the age range works. If they guide says 8-10, does that mean when they turn 10 extensions should be used, or does it mean until they turn 11. Maybe I'm splitting hairs here, but if ds is technically a 5th grader doing Preparing shouldn't he do the extensions even though I think he might still fit in the age range?

Thanks,
Tracy

[frankesense]

I would wait and see where he's at when he completes Bigger. Preparing is a full program when used for the recommended age range, 8-10 yo. In the catalog it says that the extensions are intended for 11-12 yo. And especially if your dc has dyslexia, adding extensions may become too frustrating. Keep working with him and see how he does going through the Emerging Readers. When he completes that and Bigger, you'll have a better idea of what he'll be able to do when he gets to Preparing.

Blessings,
Stephanie

[LynnH]

I wouldn't plan on doing extensions. I know some people use them for younger kids, but really they are meant for 11-12 year olds. The reading level is much higher. I don't see any reason to stress your ds out with harder reading when it isn't necessary, especially given the dyslexia.

[water2wine]

I would wait and see where he's at when he completes Bigger. Preparing is a full program when used for the recommended age range, 8-10 yo. In the catalog it says that the extensions are intended for 11-12 yo. And especially if your dc has dyslexia, adding extensions may become too frustrating. Keep working with him and see how he does going through the Emerging Readers. When he completes that and Bigger, you'll have a better idea of what he'll be able to do when he gets to Preparing.

Blessings,
Stephanie

I really second Stephanie on this. I have a dd with CP and she probably is dyslexic a bit as well. She is 14 but reading just at the 5th grade level. She is not real fluent though. From that experience I just want to say if I had her reading the upper level extension I think it would throw her over the edge. She reads the set for the newly independent readers and really gets quite a bit from those. So I would really wait until you get there especially with a child that has learning differences. And throw all those should's because it says an age out the window. Just hit them with their level that does not stress but still progresses them. Also one other thing to sort of tuck away in all that is that there is a huge difference between being able to say the words and being able to read silently to yourself and extract information. So sometimes that skill of comprehension is easier to build on a lower reading level. On the other hand your child may progress in leaps and bounds between now and then.

I think as parents of children who have struggles we get that pressure to do "enough" but to me it sounds like you are doing wonderful with your child really putting them at their personal needs. I would continue that and when you get there I think you will know which is best for your child. Just don't let the age label force you one way or the other.

[Heart_Mom]

My son just turned 11 and he is in 5th grade. (We started our school year in June because we have a baby due in September.)

I opted to not have him do the extensions, because I think the program is full enough for him without them. It really depends on the individual child, I think. I do sometimes let him read the extension books for fun in his free time, though.

I would start Preparing with your son as written as see how it goes. You could always add them in after a while if it seems like he needs more.

[Tracee]

Thank you ladies. That makes me feel so much better. I didn't realize that they had to read the extensions themselves. That would be way too much. Water2wine, I do feel pressure, because he's always been behind. I will just keep plugging along on our current path. Right now, he is enjoying everything and improving in every area. What more could I ask for?


Thanks again,
Tracy

[my3sons]

Great advice here already, I just wanted to say that I have been thinking of you and your ds, and hoping things were going well! This was so nice to read...

...praise to God, it looks like he will be reading or close to reading the Emerging Reader set by that time. I'm so thankful. DS has dyslexia, and although I was scared, I felt this pull in my heart to switch reading programs with ds, and now he is cruising. God is so good...

Tracee, I am celebrating this with you today! You are doing such a good job teaching your ds - so attentive and loving and God honoring - be sure to celebrate these gains! They are worthy of celebration.

In Christ,
Julie