Using DITHOR in a school?

[Amey]

Those of you who use DITHOR; would it be possible to use this to teach eighth and ninth graders together? Does it go that high? How much writing is involved? I am teaching a Reading/Writing workshop class here on our missionary base for two eighth and two ninth graders. Right now I am using an archaic Houghton Mifflin curriculum that is very dry and I am having to use two levels although I have only 45 minutes to teach both grades. I am also reading Huck Finn out loud and having them do written narration and murals. I would really love to put the two grades together and take a more creative, less technical approach to writing..and instill a love of good literature. I have permission to teach the class as my heart desires from the lady who directs the school and she is very CM minded as well. I am just wondering if DITHOR would be what I need? Can anyone help me out and give me an idea how it's used for older grades? Thanks!

[mamas4bugs]

OK, if my stuff would EVER arrive at my house (we shipped our things in May and they are still not here), then I could be more helpful. Unfortunately, my DITHOR books are still on the boat and therefore not in front of me, but I will do my best to remember. (Do you get the sense that I'm starting to lose patience with the moving company? )

My kids absolutely love DITHOR. We used it last year while my daughter was in 9th grade and had a wonderful year. The oldest book I believe is designed for 6-8 grades. There are a few samples on the main HOD website. The activities are very good for the purpose of analyzing the book, comprehension, and adding in Godly character studies. I think it might be lighter on the writing component than you might want for a writing-specific course. There are writing ideas at the end of each unit, but the units run for 20+ days. I don't honestly remember very much writing on a weekly basis--someone correct me if I'm wrong. I have definitely lost some brain cells since my stuff left in boxes 4 months ago.

If you wanted to, you could certainly use DITHOR for the reading component, and then continue the journaling and add in creative writing assignments along with that. I have to say that this is definitely a reading curriculum that you can use with multi-ages. My now 10 year old (a very avid reader) ran through traditional readers with workbooks at a rate of two levels per year easily. My oldest daughter was at the other end of the spectrum--very behind in reading (diagnosed with a nonspecific reading disability--how very helpful ). She was reading on a 6th grade reading level when we started last year. I started her on DITHOR along with my son, and we worked our way up to harder and harder books using the genre worksheets in DITHOR, so that she is now on a 9th grade reading level. I had been trying for years using all sorts of reading recovery programs to get results even half that good.

I hope all my rambling has been at least a little bit helpful.

[Amey]

Thanks Mamas4bugs! That does help. I think it would benefit even the ninth graders based on what you say! Thanks for your insight

[Kathleen]

I've only just started using it this year with my 8 yo, but we LOVE it!! And, I'd definitely think you could use it in a group setting like what you described (as long as the books were on the appropriate levels for the readers). We love the discussions and the projects at the end of the genre...and I'm guessing that I'll get to contiue enjoying that for many more years as my kids grow!

I think last spring MamaMary was planning something that she was teaching at her co-op using DITHOR...can't remember for sure. Maybe you could search for it here on the board (or I will later if I have a chance ).

Kathleen

[Carrie]

Amey,

My older sister was a high school literature and grammar teacher. She said that if her freshmen knew what was in DITHR level 6/7/8 by the time they were done with Freshmen lit., she would have been thrilled!

We have been told many times that high school freshmen could easily receive credit for lit. for going through level 6/7/8 in a year.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Amey]

Thanks so much ladies! That's exactly what I needed to know and I think it will make this class so much more enjoyable both for myself as well as the students I'm teaching! It will also be nice to discover how the program works since I'll be using it for my own kiddos in the next year or two. Thanks for all your help!

[Kathleen]

Amey,

Have fun! You'll have to let us know how it goes!

Kathleen