LisaNY Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 We are just finishing week 28. My dd just turned 13, and she is at the Dialectic level. One of the books we used for in-depth was "Everyday Things in American Life 1607-1776". My dd found it to be a difficult read, so I substituted it w/Tunis' "Colonial Life". My dd gets discouraged when she encounters a difficult book. She thinks something is wrong with her. IMO, some of the books *are* difficult. "Everyday Things" is a YA or adult-level book, IMO. Next week, the literature selection is "Benjamin Franklin, an Autobiography". I've flipped through it, and I can see my dd will be hard-pressed to complete it in a week. It's excellent literature, so I'd really, really like her to read it, but by the same token, I don't want to overwhelm and discourage her. Has anyone switched some of their assigned readings to the UG level, or to a less-intense alternative for their Dialectic children? I could sure use some advice from those who have been there. :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karenciavo Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 We are just finishing week 28. My dd just turned 13, and she is at the Dialectic level. One of the books we used for in-depth was "Everyday Things in American Life 1607-1776". My dd found it to be a difficult read, so I substituted it w/Tunis' "Colonial Life". My dd gets discouraged when she encounters a difficult book. She thinks something is wrong with her. IMO, some of the books *are* difficult. "Everyday Things" is a YA or adult-level book, IMO. Next week, the literature selection is "Benjamin Franklin, an Autobiography". I've flipped through it, and I can see my dd will be hard-pressed to complete it in a week. It's excellent literature, so I'd really, really like her to read it, but by the same token, I don't want to overwhelm and discourage her. Has anyone switched some of their assigned readings to the UG level, or to a less-intense alternative for their Dialectic children? I could sure use some advice from those who have been there. :rolleyes: I used Classic last time through. "Benjamin Franklin, an Autobiography" should not be a dialectic level book, in fact in Redesign it is an alternate for rhetoric level reading. I'd have no problem switching it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 I can't remember what I had them read-something from the library. As soon as I saw that book, I knew they would not like it, so I substituted. Because I have read so much about how TOG is topic based, I didn't give it a second thought. They get plenty of exposure to good literature, so if I skip one of TOG's recommendations, it really doesn't bother me. On the other hand, there have been times when TOG says to choose one and I make them read both:) because I know they will get alot out of them. So, yes, I substitute and cross levels readily at this point. Ds will be in the rhetoric level next year-I'll probably try to adhere to the choices more for that stage. I did chuckle at the difference btw. your dd and my ds. Ds would never admit a book is too difficult for him. He would give me a dozen reasons why the book was a bad choice, but his ability to read it (or lack thereof) would not be one of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaNY Posted February 16, 2008 Author Share Posted February 16, 2008 I used Classic last time through. "Benjamin Franklin, an Autobiography" should not be a dialectic level book, in fact in Redesign it is an alternate for rhetoric level reading. I'd have no problem switching it. That's good to know - I think. :rolleyes: Maybe when I come across selections that I think might prove problematic for my dd, I can hop over here and ask. Thanks for the info., Karen - and my dd thanks you, too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaNY Posted February 16, 2008 Author Share Posted February 16, 2008 I can't remember what I had them read-something from the library.As soon as I saw that book, I knew they would not like it, so I substituted. Because I have read so much about how TOG is topic based, I didn't give it a second thought. They get plenty of exposure to good literature, so if I skip one of TOG's recommendations, it really doesn't bother me. On the other hand, there have been times when TOG says to choose one and I make them read both:) because I know they will get alot out of them. So, yes, I substitute and cross levels readily at this point. Ds will be in the rhetoric level next year-I'll probably try to adhere to the choices more for that stage. I did chuckle at the difference btw. your dd and my ds. Ds would never admit a book is too difficult for him. He would give me a dozen reasons why the book was a bad choice, but his ability to read it (or lack thereof) would not be one of them! Yes - that is one of the nice things about TOG. I was just having such a nice time letting them do the picking for me. It was a nice break after doing all my own legwork w/WTM. I guess I am going to have to be more proactive here. Thank you for your help. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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