restarting DITHR

[Gwenny]

So, I'm starting DITHR again with my daughter who is doing Preparing. It's the first thing to go in our schedule. I think part of that is that I'm not convinced it is that important. I have read many things on it and it all sounds good, just not sure.

I'm doing it because I so admire and love what Carrie does and her opinion on things, not because I'm convinced yet. Just trying to take the advice of someone wise. Wondering if anyone has thoughts on it for me.

Blessings!

[StillJulie]

We find it worthwhile. I think it's an excellent, solid program.

I will say that I did let my oldest take a year off from it her seventh grade year. She'd been using it since third grade, and I'd (probably foolishly) always required it EVERY day, rather than as scheduled. We both got burned out. This year, we're doing it as scheduled... much better!

I do think it is important to do the analysis of character, plot, conflict, climax, etc. And I especially love the godly character days... thought provoking and good Biblical character analysis (love the Scripture reading/tie ins). There are things not covered in Rod & Staff or other areas that I think are important to be covered during the elementary years.

My will be third grader will start it next year. I've been disappointed to have not started it with my current fourth grader yet, but we're still plugging away at phonics and basic reading comprehension. He just isn't there yet. Maybe next year for him too...

[StillJulie]

I'm also going to mention that the book selection has been great and challenging. When I looked at Just David, I almost skipped it, thinking it wouldn't keep my sixth grade son's interest, and it would be too hard. But, I assigned it. He read it and enjoyed it. Yay! I was pleasantly surprised by what he was capable of.

[MelInKansas]

My daughter in Preparing has been doing it, we started it sometime in Bigger and now we are almost done with 2/3, one genre left!

While there is some repeat of discussion from Storytime, my DD has always struggled with remembering the character traits so I want her to repeat those. There is a LOT more than the storytime discussion, plus the children compose and write their own answers (if they are able to do so). I see this as a beginning of writing. Also since she reads a lot of her reading to me I can check her comprehension and help her with words that are difficult, thereby helping her solidify her reading. She reads a lot of things where I know she skips over words that are hard for her. That will not help her grow. Then, she LOVES the book projects at the end and they are helping her begin learning presentation skills as well. As far as I know thus far in HOD this is the only place she is doing that (I guess oral narrations could be like presentations, but we aren't quite that formal with them in terms of her standing up in front of me and speaking - for her book project presentations she presents them to the whole family).

Finally, the skill of reading aloud is another thing she is practicing in DITHR that she does not practice in any other part of school. I know as you move up to 4/5 level they will read the books to themselves more often. I think we are going to repeat DITHR 2/3 with the 4/5 book selections and see how that goes.

I had to do the same as you, there was a period of time that DITHR was not getting done because I had left it to the end of the school day. I moved it to the beginning and that helped a lot, though sometimes it would be long and I would be frustrated about that. I am so much better at finishing up read alouds or science if they run past our usual school time, because we both really like those. I hope it goes well for you!

[Gwenny]

Thanks for the encouragement! Those are some good reasons I was really overlooking. I think in some ways I trying to justify not having to have more "teacher time" with her because I'm so busy with all of the others!

Good point about putting it first--it's very easy to finish the other stuff that we both enjoy more. She keeps asking to do it, so...I guess I better.

[my3sons]

I'll just add that DITHOR did an excellent job of preparing Wyatt for high school literature! Reading the classics and doing BJU Fundamentals of Literature would be incredibly difficult had he not done DITHOR all of those years previously. He was totally prepared for it, and it is because of DITHOR.

In Christ,
Julie

[Nealewill]

We also have been doing it and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I find it to be quick and becomes more independent as my kids get older. I never afraid to use the emergency lesson plans in the back. I use them about once per week. I find the workbook has been a huge blessing. I love the fact that when I give my dd the assignment, she may not know all the answer right away and it actually causes her to think!

The one thing my oldest told me is that she wished she didn't do it alone because she felt sad that no one other than me and dad got to see her end of the book project. So next year I am going to be teaching it at my co-op. I picked 6 genres to read with both a boy and a girl interest book from each genre that is written to a 5th or 6th grade reading level. And I am having the students get the Level 4/5 student book. My dd is very excited that there will be other students participating as well.

As my other kids get older, they will also participate with big sis and I plan to have the kids all read the same genre at the same time if I can. That way it cuts down a little bit on my teaching time hopefully.