Using DITHOR orally?

[abrightmom]

Is this possible? I don't have a DITHOR manual at this time although I am considering buying one. I have planned that we won't use DITHOR for now, partly due to my son having a "therapy schedule" this school year that adds a lot to his plate. The recommendation is that we pare down a bit on his schooling if possible. He will be using Preparing which is going to challenge him! He LOVES reading to me and discussing what he is reading. If we want to "test out" DITHOR without adding written work does the manual work as an oral discussion guide? Would I need to use both the manual and the workbook simultaneously? I'm really not sure if this would work since I don't have the materials here to look through. It may be best to forego DITHOR this year and fold it in to next year's plans.

Thoughts? I'm ready to place one last HOD order to seal the deal on Preparing and I'm waffling on the student workbook....

[krismoose]

I just started dabbling with DITHOR, doing some of it orally with my ds (he's reading level 2 books right now). There are several days' instructions in the manual that refer directly to the student book, though it seems to differ depending on which level you're doing. For example, we're reading a folk tale, and I counted 4 of 15 days where you need to refer to the info in the student book. I'm content to just use it lightly and orally for now, and there's definitely plenty for later You could certainly do that, but if he's got therapy that needs to happen for this season, I think I'd lean towards just letting him read for now, and maybe add it in next year.

[holdinon]

For each of mine that have started Dithor, we have started out orally.
I don't think I came up with this on my own--I think I got this progression from ideas on this board. But here is what we do...

First starting--We do all the work orally, but I write the answers in their books for them. We do that for a couple of genres (depending on the kiddo and how well they are progressing with writing). Then we move to where I am still writing the answers, but writing it on a white board (instead of in their books). Then they copy the answers into their own books. That goes on for a while, and then they are ready to actually do all the work themselves. My two oldest dds were writing their own well before they got out of 2/3, but my son is probably going to be still copying at the end of that book, and probably start doing the writing when he starts 4/5.

The general idea, is that doing it this way, they can learn how to do it without the actual physical aspect of writing on top of the analytical/thinking skills.

But I would get the teacher book and the student book. Even in the 2/3 level, the workbook is needed to see what they need to be getting.

Angie

[abrightmom]

Ladies,

Thanks for sharing your ideas. I am leaning toward shelving it for now to make room for the therapy stuff....but, it looks good . And he's reading the books anyway.

Angie, what is the purpose of writing his answers in the book if you're discussing it orally? Are you modeling this for your child as a first step in getting ready to write the answers down on their own? My guy doesn't have a problem writing the answers. I'm more concerned about the time it will take. I'm toying with the oral work, thinking it will shorten the time spent but still give us some of the benefit of the lit. analysis/discussion/DITHOR loveliness. Thanks for affirming the need for DITHOR and the student book. That does make sense.

Still pondering...

[chillin'inandover]

Shelving it for later sounds like a good plan. Preparing is a "meaty" program. As a therapist (OTR) and mommy to children who receive therapy (Speech), doing therapy homework is an excellent use of school time. DITHOR develops analytical thinking about what you have read. Questions aren't like "where did Eric meet Sandy" type of questions. Therapy will give the mind the ability to do analytical thinking and it requires a lot of brain power. I say it is like primeing the pump. Preparing has a lot of analytical thinking throughout without DITHOR. When your dc is/are (depends on number of dc) ready you can add DITHOR. Tammy