I LOVE Bigger Hearts! ...... (and a question)

Allison TX · Post by **Allison TX** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:40 pm

Just wanted to say that I received the Bigger Teacher Guide book on Friday and have been reading it all weekend. I absolutely love this curriculum!

There is sooooo much in the guide, and it is so well laid out and thought out......I am so pleased

I can't wait to get started!

My first question is about the emerging reader pack. My 8 yr old has read the book selections for the first 13 weeks of the emerging reader set already this year. Could I start with the book from week 13 of the list on week 1? Or should I just start him in DITHR with his brother, and use some of the Emerging Reader titles?

Second question.....I am trying to use some of the books we already have on our shelf for DITHR. I see that some genres have 2 books scheduled. Is it possible to use DITHR if one of the books has 10 days of reading instead of 15, or do I need to add another book for 5 days? I hope I'm being clear.

Thank you!

Allison

my3sons · Post by **my3sons** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:54 pm

I'm so excited for you to begin, Allison! We just got done with "Bigger..." today, and the boys are still "playing out" their history activity. This happens often!

In response to your questions, you said...
My 8 yr old has read the book selections for the first 13 weeks of the emerging reader set already this year. Could I start with the book from week 13 of the list on week 1? Or should I just start him in DITHR with his brother, and use some of the Emerging Reader titles?

I would just start your 8 yo with week 13 of the Emerging Reader's Set. The questions are great for this, and I really think it would make the transition to DITHOR an easy one if you finished that out first. We did something very similar with that. Then, whenever you finish the Emerging Reader's Set, you can have your 8 yo jump in with your older child in DITHOR.

Your Second question....
I am trying to use some of the books we already have on our shelf for DITHR. I see that some genres have 2 books scheduled. Is it possible to use DITHR if one of the books has 10 days of reading instead of 15, or do I need to add another book for 5 days?

You can totally use whatever books you have on hand, as long as they fit the genre. However you do it though, it is best to read a genre for 15 days. Otherwise, if you read less, like just for 10 days, you'll miss 5 days worth of DITHOR's plans. The plans build upon each other, so that by the time children get to the project at the end of the genre, the children are ready to do the project. So, if you have a 10 day book, you could either stretch it out to 15 days, or find a short book that fits that genre to read for 5 days. We have done all sorts of combinations to equal the 15 days of genre instruction: like 7 days for one, 8 days for another book. Does that make sense? Hope that helps!

Allison TX · Post by **Allison TX** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:04 pm

Thank you my3sons! That is exactly what I needed to know.

Allison

Tansy · Post by **Tansy** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:13 pm

I agree with my3sons

I have a set of books from my child hood Collier junior classics. when I run into a book i want to use but found out it was taking her way longer too read though it than i had anticipated. So say a 7 day book takes her 11 days to read. Instead of trying to rush the second book I would grab those old favorites off the shelf. Cause this set of books has every Genre in it and the stories typically are excerpts from larger stories or short stories, I can use em in a pinch as filler.

my3sons · Post by **my3sons** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:17 pm

So glad it helped, Allison! Good idea, Tansy! Have a great day ladies!

Post by **Carrie** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:36 pm

Allison,

I'm so glad that you are excited with "Bigger...".

It is an answer to our prayers that our curriculum might be a blessing to other families.

The ladies on the board are so great about answering questions aren't they! They have a joy in encouraging others. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

Blessings,
Carrie