Struggling with Bigger extensions

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Motherjoy
Posts: 376
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:52 pm

Struggling with Bigger extensions

Post by Motherjoy » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:49 am

I have my three middles doing Bigger. My 9yo just turned 9, as in two days ago. He is a young 4th grader, but I really feel like the extensions are within his grasp. I just think he may need some time to get used to the idea of working harder. He w reading independently last year, and finished the emerging readers. I then added some other books for him to read on his own. I idont listen to him read as often as I should have, so I might have have missed some fluency issues.

I'm wondering about continuing the extensions. I think we should stick it out for a few more weeks, and see if he can get the hang of it, maybe even going at a slower pace.

He struggled with reading "was" for "has" and other small words. He had no problems reading words like "general" or ther longer words.
MJ, mom to 8
2015-2016 plan
*17yo is dual-enrolled after using HOD for 7 years
*11yo, 10yo, 9yo, and 7yo - CTC with modifications
*5yo, 4yo - LHTH
*3yo - playschool

Accomplished: LHTH, LHFHG, BHFHG, Beyond, PHFHG, RTR, Rev to Rev, MTMM, WG, WH

LynnH
Posts: 1846
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:41 pm
Location: OH
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Re: Struggling with Bigger extensions

Post by LynnH » Mon Aug 12, 2013 12:53 pm

The extensions are really only for those in the extended age which for Bigger is 10-11. The reading level for many of those books is 5.8-6.5 grade level. I really think it is asking a lot to expect a just turned 9 year old to handle them. Bigger is a big enough jump up from Beyond so why frustrate him? I would just drop them now and let him enjoy Bigger as written.
Mom to:
dd 22 college graduate and employed as an Intervention Specialist
ds 18 US2, Loved Preparing, CTC , RTR , Rev to Rev, MTMM ,WG, WH and US1
http://www.graceandfur.blogspot.com/

Motherjoy
Posts: 376
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:52 pm

Re: Struggling with Bigger extensions

Post by Motherjoy » Mon Aug 12, 2013 1:05 pm

Okay. Thanks. I read that the extensions were for 4th and 5th grade, so I was a bit confused. Since we have the books, I think I will read them to the kids.
MJ, mom to 8
2015-2016 plan
*17yo is dual-enrolled after using HOD for 7 years
*11yo, 10yo, 9yo, and 7yo - CTC with modifications
*5yo, 4yo - LHTH
*3yo - playschool

Accomplished: LHTH, LHFHG, BHFHG, Beyond, PHFHG, RTR, Rev to Rev, MTMM, WG, WH

twoxcell
Posts: 358
Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:49 pm

Re: Struggling with Bigger extensions

Post by twoxcell » Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:51 pm

If he just finished the ER's I would think that the extensions would be too hard for him. If he is struggling I would not use them.
ds 12 RevtoRev
dd 9 Preparing
dd 7 Beyond
ds 5 Little Hearts
dd due September 20th

chillin'inandover
Posts: 151
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:05 am

Re: Struggling with Bigger extensions

Post by chillin'inandover » Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:37 pm

If your son has finished ER he can begin DITHOR-Drawn into the Heart of Reading. Level 2/3 has student reading sections out loud so that fluency improves. There are many purposes for this program including comprehension of reading and beginning to gain deeper insight of book in regards to setting, character, mood, and conflict. The child also compares character to Bible character and compares/contrast Biblical trait like Honesty. I am not sure if you are already using this. I wouldn't think that the extensions are necessary, but to extend learning if you have multiple children in a guide and they are past the upper age. The reading level is mid fourth -upper sixth. DITHOR reading level 2 is 3.0-4.1, you don't want to challenge too much so that they can comprehend and infer more of what they read.
Tammy
Wife of 32 years
Mom to 4
DD 29 Technical Manager FA, Playwright, Producer, Lighting Designer
DD 28 Master in TESL, Lead ELL teacher 3rd grade
DD 19 AAS welding
DD 16 , WH
Home Educator since 2000 HOD LHTH-US2

lucsch
Posts: 70
Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2011 6:46 pm

Re: Struggling with Bigger extensions

Post by lucsch » Tue Aug 13, 2013 2:23 pm

My 3rd grader had no issues using the extensions; however, she had been through book pack 2 with DITHOR the previous school year and had been finished with the emerging readers for over a year. If it were me, I would not add them for any child who is not a strong reader. Instead of adding depth and enriching the histoty, it would be sheer frustration.
Lucinda
Wife to Gary for 31 years
Mom to ds26, ds21, ds19, and dd11
Grandma 4yo, 1yo, newborn
dd11: CTC
Finished BLHFHG, BHFHG, Preparing & DITHOR 3x

Motherjoy
Posts: 376
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:52 pm

Re: Struggling with Bigger extensions

Post by Motherjoy » Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:10 am

Alrighty, after a few more days experience, I think we will continue using the extensions, but at a slowe pace. He is reading at a 4th grade level, and finished the Emerging readers about a year ago. I can't quite remembers but I'm pretty sure. ;) :roll: I do think he's not quite up to the amount of extra work, but we are going to build up to it.
MJ, mom to 8
2015-2016 plan
*17yo is dual-enrolled after using HOD for 7 years
*11yo, 10yo, 9yo, and 7yo - CTC with modifications
*5yo, 4yo - LHTH
*3yo - playschool

Accomplished: LHTH, LHFHG, BHFHG, Beyond, PHFHG, RTR, Rev to Rev, MTMM, WG, WH

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