Beyond and dithor

[Mercy]

I am sort of confused on the language arts part of beyond and bigger...
It seems like you are doing dithor type activities in these plus you are supposed to be doing dithor as well? I understand most will be using the ers instead of dithor in beyond still...I'm just trying to get a feel for how it all works. Are you able to combine dithor and story time books? If so, which is a better option.

Thanks again for any help!
Mercy

[FiveLittlePeaches]

Hi Mercy,

I am sort of confused on the language arts part of beyond and bigger...

It seems like you are doing dithor type activities in these plus you are supposed to be doing dithor as well? I understand most will be using the ers instead of dithor in beyond still...

I will attempt to answer your question. There is a box in both Beyond and Bigger called "Storytime". This is where the parent reads aloud a book from a particular genre. You choose the book, and HOD offers three different packages to choose from (classic, boys, or girls). After the chapter is read, the child is required to answer question regarding the reading, do a narration, or whatever assignment is given for that day.

Then there is a box called "Language arts". This is where the child does his own reading at his particular reading level. Depending on the child's age and reading ability you would either do the Emerging Readers or DITHOR. If you are doing the Emerging readers, then you have your child answer the assigned questions in the appendix of the manuel. DITHOR is a separate program that has a teachers manuel and a student workbook, plus there is a book pack available.

Are you able to combine dithor and story time books? If so, which is a better option.

I just use my storytime books for story time, and use DITHOR books for DITHOR. I believe they were intended to be kept separate.

[pjdobro]

The storytime boxes in Beyond and Bigger do cover some of the same story elements and character traits that you will find in DITHR. The difference though is DITHR is a reading instruction program. So it is for your dc to read themselves and help them improve their reading fluency and comphension as well as help them begin literature analysis. Storytime is read aloud by you to your dc. You wouldn't want to skip either or combine them. I wish I were better at finding links. I know there was a thread a while back where a lot of detail was given about the different reasons behind storytime and how it is different than DITHR. Perhaps someone who is better at searching the boards will be able to find it or hopefully someone can elaborate more.

[Mercy]

Sorry, I did mean story time...
Thank you for the helpful replies. I was wondering if it was sort of a transition into using dithor or something? I am still easing into using it w my 11yo in preparing. Ok, I haven't started yet. I am really starting to settle into a rhythm finally here so I am hoping to add dithor soon. I got my phfhg child going first, we are still working through some of those dynamics. Lhfhg has really been a breeze for me to add in. (my daughter is doing better every day! Praise God!) now I am adding in my 3yo to lhth half speed since he is begging me to do his! Lol! I am just so nervous to add in even more!

Many mommies have walked before me and done this, so surely with the Lords help...I can do this too!!
Thanks again for your help,
Mercy

[my3sons]

DITHOR and Storytime use separate books from each other, and they have separate goals from each other too. Each have an important role in teaching skills.

Storytime academic goals differ from one another, and largely are chosen based on what is best for the overall guide's academic goals when looking at the entire day of plans. For example, here are the Storytime academic goals for Beyond... and Bigger Hearts...
*Day 1: introduce and study different types of literature
*Day 2: model narration to foster comprehension
*Day 3: identify and analyze a different story element for each genre
*Day 4: relate personally to one Godly character trait, compare
Biblical and book characters, and select one area to improve
*Day 5: practice narration by retelling the story in a variety of ways

As you can see, in these younger guides, it is very important to lay the groundwork for genre study, beginning oral narration skills, basic comprehension skills, and relating personally to Godly character traits.

Here are the Storytime academic skills for PHFHG...
*Day 1: personal connections are shared that relate to the story
*Day 2: differences between the characters’ lives and the students’
lives are identified based upon the historical time period of
the story
*Day 3: the main character’s faith is evaluated for its impact on the
character’s life and the story
*Day 4: oral narration is practiced by retelling the story

And for CTC...
Day 1: give a detailed oral narration
Day 2: rotate through the following 4 narration activities: an outline sketch, a short skit, a question and answer session, and an advertisement speech for the book
Day 3: give a summary narration
Day 4: make connections between the story and Proverbs

And for RTR...
The following activities rotate through the “Storytime” box of plans and coordinate
with the read-aloud assignments: orally narrating, finding vivid descriptions,
locating new vocabulary, identifying plot twists, recognizing strong moods, copying
great lines, and watching for life lessons. Students will record their answers on
index cards.

So, you can see how important it is to DO the Storytime follow-ups through the years!!! They include needed academic skills, but HOD makes them easy to do in bite-sized amounts within each guide, while still incrementally moving dc along in important LA skills..

Drawn into the Heart of Reading, on the other hand, provides reading instruction for students, and is their reading program, so they are doing the reading. DITHOR incrementally moves dc along in reading skills from year to year. Here are the general Program Goals for DITHOR:
PROGRAM GOALS
The goals for students who participate in Drawn into the Heart of Reading
are as follows:
• To make connections within the text and raise questions
prior to reading, creating a purpose for reading as students
seek answers to their questions.
•To develop higher-order thinking skills through analyzing
the key elements that make a story work.
• To participate in literature discussions with people of
various ages, in order to gain a deeper appreciation for
the text.
•To weigh book characters and philosophical issues raised
in the text using a Christian standard that focuses on Godly
qualities and values.
•To apply various vocabulary strategies in order to know
how to discover the meanings of unfamiliar words in the
text.
•To create a variety of projects that emphasize visual,
auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles and demonstrate
what was learned in the unit.
•To foster an appreciation for a variety of literary styles and
inspire an enthusiasm for reading.

Of course, these are general goals, and there are many "subcategory" goals that fall within these general goals as well.

So, both Storytime and DITHOR provide important LA learning for our dc. In the younger years there is a minimal overlap of skills, which is intended as these skills are so new at those ages. As dc progress through HOD's Storytime and DITHOR over the years, their academic skills will ever be increasing, while their passion for reading is ever steady. This is the beauty of using HOD! Steady progression in short segments that incrementally moves dc through necessary LA skills, increasing their knowledge from year to year, while still keeping their love of learning and books going strong. I can see with you starting 3 HOD guides for the first time at the same time that you wanted to get into a good routine with those first. But now, why not jump in and start DITHOR and get to enjoying the growth you see in your dc as you do! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[Mercy]

Thank you so much Julie for your response. I was still having a bit of a battle wrapping my brain around the why and your explanation helped a lot. I can see how in the younger years it is overlapping and I think that is what was bugging me, but I can see now how it is two very different things. Language arts/english/literature studies have never been my strong point and I am so glad I am using hod to guide us!