DITTHOR/not understanding the reading schedule

[familygirl]

I'm reading the CM Companion and she talks about really becoming involved in the book your reading and it made me think that maybe I should implement this program instead of just having my ds read. So as I was looking at the sample for the student book level 4/5 I noticed that there are three options for the reading schedule. I'm not sure I understand so I would like someone to clarify if you could. You can read the book over a period of 5 days, 10 days, or 15 days, right? How many activity sheets are there 5, 10, or 15? I think I'm misunderstanding but I've read and reread that schedule and just can't make sense of it. I'm sure there are better instructions in the manual, can someone please help?
Thanks so very much!

[Mom2Monkeys]

You decide how many days to use the book based on the number of pages and your child's ability. You might use 1 book for 15 days. Or you might use 2 books- 1 for 10 and 1 for 5. Or I guess you could also use 3 books-- each for 5 days of plans. This gives you the freedom to pick and choose your own books. Or if you want that already decided for you, you could get one of the level 4/5 book packs for DITHOR and Carrie says to use it for 5 or 10 days.

Not every day has a worksheet...sometimes there are discussions or activities. But there are the same total number of days spent on each genre. Each genre has 3 options for projects at the end of the 15 reading days.

It's a wonderful program that will make much more sense once you have it in your hands!

[my3sons]

Tamara did an awesome job of explaining this - ditto to what she said! Once you have the DITHOR manual in hand, you'll understand this all better. Here is a link to DITHOR's Introduction, and if you arrow down to the "Program Structure" section, that may be helpful as well:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/drawn- ... -intro.pdf

Just remember you have 15 days of reading for each genre, and 5 days of a final project for each genre, which together equals 20 days of plans for each genre.

That is why the reading calendar has 15 days of reading you write down pages for at the beginning of each genre. The reason you choose from the below options is because there are "prereading" activities in the DITHOR plans, which make it a nice place to begin a new book if you choose more than 1 book:
1. read 1 book for the whole 15 days
2. read 2 books, spending 5 days on one of them and spending 10 days on another
3. read 3 books, spending 5 days on each book

We have split up 2 books more evenly before, reading 1 of the books 7 days and the other book for 8 days to = the total 15 days, and it has not been a problem. I view the "prereading" days as either prereading a new book, or prereading for the next part of the book you are in the middle of - then it works out fine.

Still, the point of the 1- 3 books and 15 days of reading + 5 days of final project is that books are meant to be enjoyed, savored, given adequate time to - not rushed through. We've found sticking to the 1-3 books to be a wonderful way to linger with reading great books - it is why our dc remember their DITHOR books more fondly and with more clarity than any other books. HTH! Just wait until you get the DITHOR manual, student book, and sample book ideas list - it will all make sense - and if it doesn't, just keep asking away here!

In Christ,
Julie

[familygirl]

OHHH! I thought it meant you did that particular genre in 5-15 days. If I understand correctly, you have the option of using 1-3 books under the same genre. Makes sense now! Thank you both!!

[my3sons]

OHHH! I thought it meant you did that particular genre in 5-15 days. If I understand correctly, you have the option of using 1-3 books under the same genre. Makes sense now! Thank you both!!

You got it - now I get what you meant! I'm so glad you asked and glad Tamara and I could help!

In Christ,
Julie