Talk me into using DITHOR! (update in 1st post)

[sharonb]

UPDATE: I read all of your replies plus looked at samples again, I decided to go ahead and get DITHOR for my rising 3rd grader! I'm excited to see it in person and decide which genre to do first. dd is in Unit 29 of the Emerging Readers schedule, so when she finishes that we'll start DITHOR, probably 2-3 days per week at first, and see how it goes! Thanks for all of your help on this decision.


I have heard (on other boards) that DITHOR can be difficult to implement, time consuming, etc. But as I ponder what to do for reading for next year, DITHOR does have some things I am looking for (examining character traits in light of the Bible, for example). My plan had been just to have dd read books and discuss them with me, maybe write a short summary and keep a vocabulary notebook. Then I wondered if I should use a "real curriculum" with workbooks and such. But I don't want to give her busywork either! I am planning on having my rising 2nd grader read the Emerging Readers. So, I just need to figure out what to do with my rising 3rd grader. Does DITHOR level 2/3 require me to listen to every word of the book, or can she do some silently? My main concern is having enough time to do everything we need to do each day! I have a 5 year old who needs to learn to read. My rising 2nd grader struggles a bit with reading (though he has been doing SO much better lately), so the Emerging Readers will be perfect for him. Anyway, we have a lot going on here, and I'm trying to make wise decisions on our curriculum for next year (which actually starts in May for us!).

Anyway, please tell me why you love DITHOR!!!

[my3sons]

DITHOR is such a good reading program. I've used it for more than 7 years now, first in tutoring with both struggling and gifted readers, and then in teaching my own dc. It has worked so well for all. I'll link you to a past post where I already poured my heart out about DITHOR, but I'll just say that it is very flexible. So, while yes, it is important to hear your Level 2/3 child read, YOU can decide how much. With some dc, it was really important they read a LOT to me, but with other dc just a page or two sufficed. The idea is to continue to improving oral reading technique and continue teaching the habit of careful reading and proper pronunciation. So, you will know how much to have your child read to you, and as long as it's at least some each day and they're doing well, they'll be fine. In Level 4/5, 6/7/8, the reading aloud reminders in DITHOR get less and less.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4372&p=32131#p32131

Also, this link will give you some posts to read about DITHOR as well:
viewforum.php?f=1

Oh, and I think the time flies by with DITHOR. It is not time consuming if you read the Introduction and follow it.

In Christ,
Julie

[kvmck]

We have just recently started with DITHOR and we really are enjoying it. My 8 and 9 year olds both have to read out loud to me, but I only have them each read for about 5 minutes (they have gained a new appreciation for my reading out loud skills and now understand better when I say, "no more chapters, my mouth is tired ). We have not found it difficult at all. In fact, I kept procrastinating in not reading the teacher manual so one day I just said, "we're starting today" and was able to very quickly figure it out without planning ahead (although I don't really recommend that!). I love that it is a very simple and planned out way to teach my kids (and me!) about different aspects of literature and godly character. I wouldn't have a clue how to do this without DITHOR, and other materials I had looked at were very dull looking and always seemed to use the same format to teach different things which makes me bored so I think it would bore my kids as well. I feel like the skills they learn using DITHOR are things that will serve them well all their lives because we are a family that loves to read and hope our children will continue in that.

[moedertje]

DITHOR always looked very overwhelming to me prior to actually using it. We started Bigger in February at 1/2 pace and I did not start DITHOR till mid-end March. I absolutely love it and enjoy my son reading to me now. He is a great reader so I have him usually read 2 pages to me and have him do the rest on his own, unless I really want to hear what is going on! He is the child that can take off and read all afternoon so it's good for me to hear how he deals with the difficult words.
I think it is important to start out using a book that most interests them and like many of the ladies have suggested to do it 3 times a week instead of 5 times a week.
I help him write some of the activities for now since writing is not his most favorite thing to do and we have a busy day with lots of other writing to do. Once he gets stronger I will have him do more and more of his own writing. The activities and suggestions in the appendix are wonderful and I am learning lots myself.

[christina101902]

I was thinking of using DITHOR as a summer reading program, has anyone else done this?

[3sweeties]

I think DITHOR really helps with critical and analytical skills in regards to reading/literature. It has helped my DS learn more about the different components of a story - such as characters, setting, plot, etc., along with the addition of biblical character traits. I love how it intertwines the two and helps him think about the story within a christian worldview. It has also been a great way to encourage him to read books he normally wouldn't choose to read! I don't think it's that time-consuming. He has definitely gotten faster at it as the school year has progressed and I only listen to him read about 2 pages of the total 6-8 he has to read in that period. We usually have our own discussion time together, but it doesn't take more than 10 min. or so. We just do it 3 days a week also. The fourth day I have him do his own independent reading of a book approved by me. Definitely worth it, IMO!

[sharonb]

Thanks to all of you for your replies. They were very helpful! (See update in post 1)

[my3sons]

I'm so glad DITHOR is making it's way to your house! I think you will love it. So many reading curriculums kill the love of reading, not so with DITHOR. It just encourages more love for reading while continuing necessary reading instruction for dc too! Enjoy it - it's a gem.

In Christ,
Julie