DITHOR orally...

[Dorla]

Have you done this? Instead of filling out the workbook, just complete the assignment orally? and at the end of the literature unit, skip the project?
Will we miss too much?
Will it no longer be DITHOR?
I have already experimented writing the answers on the board and then he copies them - should I keep trying? It makes our reading time longer and then it is like pulling teeth.
If this question has already been posted, then please share the link with me. I could not narrow it down!
Dorla

[Carrie]

Dorla,

I'm thinking that Samuel is only 7, so correct me if I'm wrong. If he is 7, then that is the youngest age that we recommend starting DITHR (and at that age only if your child is a very strong reader and writer). So, if Samuel's 7 and is done with the Emerging Reader's Set, it would be alright to go through DITHR in the manner you suggested without having him do the writing until he is in third grade. You could just do all of the writing for him this year, or just discuss what's on the pages orally instead.

Once he's in third grade, I'd recommend doing DITHR 3 times a week and writing on the markerboard, so he can copy the answers at the end of the session (or even as you go). You could do the beginning part of the writing for him each session, working up to having him do more of the writing as his third grade year progresses. Think of it this as a skill he'll grow into over time with the goal of DITHR being to engage in meaningful discussion, dig deeper into the stories he's reading, and gain some moral discernment.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Dorla]

Carrie,
Samuel is 7 ( will turn 8 in May) and finished the emerging reader's last summer. He has been able to read the scheduled books for level 2 very well, but the amount of pages to be read in order to stay with the DITHOR schedule is too advanced. So maybe we will continue DITHOR orally, assigning less pages per day to be read and not cover the 9 genres. In a year I suspect we will still be in Bigger and it would give us enough time to increase the work slowly.
Thanks for all you do and for caring about our children! It is great of you to remind us of the goals of HOD and how we can easily make it work for our families.
Dorla

[Carrie]

Dorla,

I think your plan sounds good! It sounds like Samuel is doing a great job with his reading, and it's good to take a moment and celebrate that! Way to go, Samuel (and momma too)!

I'd make it a goal to do 4 genres of DITHR one year and 5 the next. In that way you'll cover all 9 in 2 years time, which will give you excellent coverage of the genres at a reasonable pace. It is the pacing we recommend in the upper guides from Preparing on up.

If you happen to find that Samuel is ready to move up to the Level 3 DITHR books next year (instead of the Level 2), he could always read any remaining DITHR books from Level 2 over the summer just for fun and begin the Level 3 books next year.

On the other hand, if he still seems correctly placed at Level 2 next year, then just save any remaining DITHR books for next year.

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

...finished the emerging reader's last summer. He has been able to read the scheduled books for level 2 very well, but the amount of pages to be read in order to stay with the DITHOR schedule is too advanced. So maybe we will continue DITHOR orally, assigning less pages per day to be read and not cover the 9 genres. In a year I suspect we will still be in Bigger and it would give us enough time to increase the work slowly.

Dorla,
I have this same exact situation with Riley, my middle ds, and we are doing the same thing. We've just begun Level 2's Book Pack and are reading less pages each day to ease into DITHOR since he's on the young side. He usually orally reads 2 pages to me, and then reads 2 more on his own. I plan to increase the work slowly as well, but for now we'll just take it slow. It's going well! I think Samuel will enjoy this pace and certainly increase his work load (probably on his own, little go-getter that he is ) over time.

In Christ ,
Julie