DITHOR: Why 5 and 10 instead of 7 and 8?

[rgrindle]

This may be a stupid question, but here goes! I'm looking at my books for DITHOR 2, and some (most) are not long enough to cover the full 15 days. If I have two books that are both 80 pages, do I really need to divide them into 5 and 10 days, or can I be more equitable and go 7 and 8 days? Why the multiples of five?

[beverett]

I am doing 7 and 8 days myself and it seems to be working just fine. I think I am doing it that way because in my HOD catalog under DITHOR pkgs it says next to some of the book titles in perenthesis the number of days (some say 7 and to do each (if there are two books listed for a genre). Hope this makes since, I am sure someone much more experienced will come along though!

[3ringcircus]

I think it's because days 6 and 11 include prereading activities for starting a new book, but can be used with a current book. It usually involves studying the cover, illustrations, synopsis, or table of contents and answering questions. These are 'all levels together' days. You could just move the order and do day 6 on day 8 instead. The program is very flexible.

[my3sons]

I think it's because days 6 and 11 include prereading activities for starting a new book, but can be used with a current book...

This is correct! Due to the prereading activities, beginning books on days 6 and 11 works well. However, if a student is reading 1 book for 15 days, then the plans say just to do the prereading activity with the portion of the book yet to come. We have found this works just fine. 5 days would be the minimum amount of time to spend on a book, as character and plot development, etc. really cannot be studied well in less time. Adhering to CM's style of "savoring" a book - the slowing down pace of DITHOR is intentional, and it helps dc better develop reading comprehension skills. It also helps them better remember what they've read - when I ask my dc what their all-time favorite books are - they always say books they've read within DITHOR. This is quite telling, as they've read a kazillion other books at breakneck pace on their own time. This "savoring business" works!

In Christ,
Julie