Dear Carrie
Is the Extension Package just an extra set of books, or does it include skills that are pertinent to students being older?
Dear Carrie,
I used Heart of Dakota and loved it! We then put our daughters in public school due to health problems. But, I’m excited to be returning! I looked at the placement chart. My daughters place best in Preparing Hearts for His Glory. My daughter, who is in 4th grade this year, is a very slow reader. On the contrary, my daughter in 5th grade is a very advanced reader. However, due to the writing, both of them are not ready for Creation to Christ. So, I have placed them in Preparing Hearts for His Glory. My question is about the Extension Package. Is the Extension Package just a set of more books? If so, I probably will just let her choose other books on her own. Or, does the Extension Package include reading and assignments that are pertinent to her being a 5th grader?
Sincerely,
“Ms. Please Help Explain the Extension Package”
Dear “Ms. Please Help Explain the Extension Package,”
The Extension Packages are so much more than just extra books to read. I’m glad you asked! If you have a child in the extension range, they are actually a needed part of the program. This is because I chose the books to show a different part of history or a different point of view than what is being covered elsewhere in the history study. The books are designed to deepen the study in this manner.
Older students in the extension package age range need to be reading their own history at a higher reading level.
The books are also intended for the student to be reading on his/her own in order to raise the reading level of the history material being studied by the older child. This is necessary in Preparing, because if you are still reading aloud the history as scheduled in the guide, an older child should also be reading his/her own history material.
Follow-up assignments are designed to address higher level skills for older students.
The oral narrations, written narrations, and notebook assignments are designed to address skills that an older student should be practicing and showing progress in due to their age level. These assignments aren’t meant to be optional for an older student. So, if you choose to forego the extension books for a child in the extension range of a program, you are missing the part of the program that makes it extend for that age level.
Extension package book are interesting, engaging, and enjoyable.
Finally, the extension books are also very interesting and engaging, and kiddos who do the extension books do truly enjoy them! If you have a child in the extension range, you should plan for these books to be a daily part of Preparing Hearts as intended. Drawn into the Heart of Reading is the place to allow your daughter to read books of her own choosing. DITHR works with any books you choose and will work well in that capacity for your older daughter.
Blessings,
Carrie
P. S. To read more about Heart of Dakota, click here!
