heartofdakota.com

Ok, this will not really affect me for about 5 or 6 more months, but I'm trying to get my ducks lined up...

We have done DITHOR at our own pace... Which means that we've done about half in a year. She has I believe 4 more genres left, which will take about 5 months.

She is currently reading level two books, and doing the 2/3 workbook. I'd say the book levels are pretty well on... She's mid 3rd grade right now, and has just started Preparing (unit 3) I feel like she should be moving forward though. The books are fairly easy for her to read.... which I think for her is good... she has a few areas that she struggles with, but not many. My question is, she'll be mostly through Preparing and in 4th grade when we finish this. I imagine it will take us two years to do the next 9 genres as well.

So should I get level 3 readers and do level 2/3 work again? Should i get level 3 books and do 4/5? Should I get level 4 books and level 4/5? My thoughts are that I should get half level 3 readers (the higher level ones) and half level 4 readers (lower level ones) and do level 4/5. Will that be "good" to do?

She hates reading, so I don't want to get books for DITHOR that are too challenging for her to read... she also hates DITHOR she doesn't really, it's just "more work" to her. But I'd rather her library books be harder levels so that she'll actually be able to comprehend the DITHOR books better. That's why I don't really feel comfortable moving all the way to level 4 books right off.

I've been thinking about your question alot since I'm in a similar place with my DD. We haven't started DITHOR yet, just finishing up the ER but her reading ability I think is surpassed the Level 2 books (which I already bought). Anyway I wanted to point out to you that while there is a LEVEL 2 and a separate LEVEL 3 bookpacks there is technically only 1 for LEVEL 4/5, there are 2 lists because they are boy/girl. So you could use some of LEVEL 3 books and some of the 4/5 and use the 2/3 workbook and the 4/5 the next year. I think in my case I will use the LEVEL 2 I have and then skip to 4/5 books but maybe do 2/3 workbook another year, I'm sure the writing will be tougher for my DD. Hope that helps you think through it some more!!

I have had a hard time using each book in the book packs for this very reason. I move up a level when we finish a level. I choose books based on where I know ds is reading right now. He is reading A Mouse Called Wolf and working in the level 4/5 book (we just moved up to this level last week)right now. He is 8 (Sept birthday), finishing Bigger Hearts, and will start 4th grade in April if that means anything. I make my book selections about a week before he starts the next genre...and I look at the book packs to see which books interest him at the time, which ones I think he could read, etc. I also have a book list from HOD that gives other examples of books in the different genres from which I can choose.

DITHOR provides many challenges in skill-based areas like story elements, reading comprehension, higher level discussion questions, analyzing and applying Godly character traits, reading and understanding a variety of genres, etc. Add to this the challenge of reading materials and writing abilities, and there is much to consider. In lieu of all of these wonderful things that are taught, I am one to choose lower reading levels than my dc are reading in their free time, and lesser writing amounts than they could do well with on their "best" day. I think this has helped my dc to focus on learning all there is to learn within DITHOR, while still enjoying it immensely. The continuity of completing all of Level 2/3, moving on to do all of Level 4/5, and then moving on to do all of Level 6/7/8 has helped keep our dc moving along step-by-step.

So, I would consider dd's reading, dd's writing, as well as the fact that she doesn't enjoy reading instruction. Putting together what I can from what you've shared so far, I think I'd do Level 3 books with her with Level 2/3 Student Book through the close of PHFHG. Once dd is in CTC, I'd switch to Level 4/5 Student Books, and either finish out the Level 3 books or use half the Level 4 books, whichever genres she didn't do the year before. Those are just a few thoughts - HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Yeah, I didn't notice that there weren't separate book lists for 4 and 5 until after it was pointed out

Julie - I think we can make it work where we finish up the 2/3 book right about the same time we finish Preparing. I don't think it'll be a stretch. So your suggestion would be to then move on to the 4/5 workbook? Would you suggest I have her read the level 3 books or level 4/5 books. She CAN read the level 4/5 books, she just doesn't really LIKE it. But she's not going to like reading the level 3 books any more.

We do DITHOR at our own pace, taking breaks when she needs them even if we aren't taking a break from HOD. Doing that makes us, even at the lower levels, get through half the genres in the same amount of time we finish a TM. Just a little more information if that helps.