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I am planning to start this program with my 3rd grader this summer. She is currently an average 2nd grade reader. I am hoping to go with one of the recommended packages for DITHR and wonder if she falls in the Level 2 or the Level 3 books? I'm somewhat confused with the numbers. For example, does 3.4 indicate 3rd grade 4th month? It looks like the Level 2 books range from 3.0 to 4.1. So I think this would be beginning 3rd grade and then by the time they are almost finished with 3rd grade they will be reading some 4th grade level books. Am I looking at this correctly? The Level 3 books go all the up to 5.? That sounds just too hard but maybe the 5 does not stand for 5th grade? Someone please straighten me out!

Thanks,
Teresa

You're right Teresa. 3.4 would mean 3rd grade, 4th month reading level. I think if I were you, I'd for sure start with the Level 2 book pack. And, you might want to pick one of the easiest books to start with, too. You can do the genres in DITHOR in any order that you want to. So, even though Biography is the 1st genre in the manual, you don't have to begin using DITHOR with your Biography. Does that make sense? You'll just want to keep the checklist that's suggested in the Getting Started part so that you can remember which genres you complete each year.

When we first started with DITHOR, I pulled out some of the easiest books in that pack and let Grant pick one to start with. He chose The Littles, so we started with Fantasy.

Have fun! We have LOVED our experience with DITHOR!!

Kathleen

We LOVE DITHOR! I just started using it with my first grader, and have been using it for a year and a half with my oldest. I didn't buy the recommended books, because my dd is far above her grade in reading level. Therefore, I found it easier to pick our own. We choose a Genre, I pick the first book and schedule it out. Then, I let her pick the second. Sometimes I have 3 or 4 books for her to pick from, sometimes I take her to the library and let her pick. With my youngest, I'm doing the program very lightly. We don't do the worksheets, I just include her in the discussions for the genre.

If you're not sure where to place her, try buying the TG and Student book, and start with using books from the library. Maybe pick books that she's interested in. You'll get a feel for the program and find what works best for you. You can always pick up the recommendations later.

Blessings!
Dorinda

We've enjoyed DITHOR for many, many years! We've picked our books, and we've used HOD's book packs. Personally, I've come to prefer HOD's book choices as my dc get older, and I haven't preread all of the books they'll be using. HOD's book selections have proven to be all-time favorites of our dc, and are the pick of the litter that I don't have time to search for myself. However, the wonderful thing about DITHOR is you can pick your books if you want to, or you can enjoy the HOD book packs! If I were you, I'd probably go with Book Pack Level 2 as well. Who wants to miss those wonderful books? But, you'll know what you'd like to do the most!

In Christ,
Julie