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Is there a placement test to know what level to place your child??

You would use the teacher guide for both children and could do them at the same time. The older one would use the 6/7/8 guide and you could use either the 2/3 book or the 4/5 book for your younger one. Don't let the number throw you. You can look at the samples of the books on the website. It depends on how much your younger one can/likes to write. She has time to use each book for a year. If you'd like to keep the writing to a minimal as you make a change in your home school that would be fine.

As for the level of books, that depends on their reading ability. You want the books to be on the easier side for them. You don't want the reading to be challenging at all, you want them to be able to "work with" the book and analyze and think about and interact with it. That's the purpose.

Hope that helps a little.

There is no placement test for DITHOR. You can look at the samples of the student books to see the differences between the different levels and choose the one that you child can complete easily. Basically, you can go with grade level or slightly lower than grade level. I've seen Carrie recommend the 6/7/8 level for 9th graders who haven't done a lot of literary analysis.

Thank you ladies. So encouraging to me to get advice from those of you who know HOD!!!!!
may try 4/5 and 6/7/8

Placement in DITHOR depends on previous reading instruction, as well as on reading and writing ability. It depends on if your dc have had formal literature study within genres (i.e. nonfiction, fantasy, adventure, mystery, historical fiction, biography, etc.). It also depends on if they have had formal literature study within story elements (i.e. plot, theme, character, setting, rising action, etc.). Likewise, it depends on what reading level they are reading. Finally, it depends on how much they are used to writing.

So, for example, for 5th grade dc who are new to DITHOR and have had ample formal literature study of genres and story elements, and who are reading at or above grade level, and who are used to writing each day or at least several times a week in regard to reading instruction, DITHOR 4/5 with either 4/5 or 5/6 Level Book Pack books would work well.

But, for 4th grade students who fit the above description, and who have not done DITHOR before, we'd probably recommend doing DITHOR 2/3 Student Book with 4/5 Book Pack books, as getting a baseline would be good.

For 6th grade students new to DITHOR, we'd probably recommend DITHOR 4/5, but with high level book packs (i.e 5/6 Book Pack or 6/7 Book Pack). Unless the 6th grader has a strong background in formal literature study and is a strong reader - then, we'd probably recommend DITHOR 6/7/8 with 6/7 Book Pack.

For 7th/8th grade students, we'd probably recommend DITHOR 6/7/8, as it is necessary prep for high school.

The level of book packs you choose does not need to match the level of DITHOR Teacher's Guide Instruction/Workbook Level. So, for a strong reader that is a weaker writer, we'd place them in a lower level DITHOR Student Book and a higher level DITHOR Book Pack.

We have enjoyed using DITHOR for many, many years, and it is amazing! HTH - but ask more questions as needed!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks my3sons.