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DS is in 3rd grade and we have 6 weeks left of Bigger. I had planned on getting DITHOR half way through this year but never did.

It looks like there's already independent reading in Preparing. My ds loves to read, fiction mysteries and non-fiction too. Is DITHOR something that's a bonus or highly recommended?

I remember when I was in 4th grade that was the year we did lots of book reports (which I now realize was written narration ).

Tell me more about it please. We're already going to up our school time going to the next level and I'll be adding in a kindergartener, I don't want to add more time.

Katherine
ds 8 Bigger
dd 5
dd 2

I am wondering about DITHOR too... how is it different than the read aloud/storytime activities? How would my student benefit by doing both?

Our family has not used DITHOR yet, so I cannot offer my personal experiences, but here is a link you may find helpful:
viewforum.php?f=1

We are about to complete DITHOR level 2 for the year. I think it is different from the Storytime for sure. The storytime is a read-aloud of the various genres with discussion questions/narration/etc. DITHOR is much more of an analytical reading/literature program that has encouraged my DS to think about books in ways he wouldn't have otherwise. For example, in the student book it has assignments where they have to think about and analyze the setting, the characters, or the plot, etc. They also compare the story/characters with Biblical characters and character traits and complete a big project at the end of the genre (like a diorama, character tube puppet, etc.). It also gives him an opportunity to read the books on his own, rather than me just reading to him. His reading skills have grown even more this year! I think the analytical nature of the program challenges him and encourages him to think about literature on the next level than if he were just reading the books and answering questions about them. I have an English degree and LOVE that the program covers different genres and components of literature for kids 7/8 and up! Also, we have only done it 3x a week instead of everyday and I think that has made it not so overwhelming to me or him.

My DS is going to do DITHOR with level 3/4 books next year (still 3x a week) and then also the independent reading in Preparing. He LOVES to read, so I don't think this will be a problem!

I won't be getting it for next year... Phonics Road already has literature and reading. I will re-evaluate for 4th grade.

Thank you 3sweeties, your description was helpful.

Sounds like I should get it, but for the sake of spreading out money, i think I'll plan on getting in in Oct. or Nov.

We'll be doing Preparing for my ds for 4th grade next year. Do you think i sould get level 4/5 or start with level 2/3? He's pretty much on track for his grade level, I do back off a bit on writing because he hates it though.

Thanks,
Katherine

Hmmm...I guess it would depend on how strong of a reader and writer he is. Since he has never done DITHOR, you might want to start with level 2/3 student book and use level 3 and 4 books for him to read. It looks like there is more writing/independent work in the level 4/5 student book. My DS will be doing level 3 in the student book (which is the same as level 2 that he did this year-we will just buy a new student book), but use level 3 and level 4 books for each genre. Even though he will be repeating the same workbook pages, the subject matter in the books will be more challenging for him. I think he will get a lot more out of the program next year than he did this year also (he was on the younger side for DITHOR). HTH!

3sweeties did an awesome job of answering your questions already, so I'll just pop in to say that DITHOR is your reading instruction for your dc once they are reading well. Storytime will give an exposure to genres and to story elements in some of the guides, as well as teach CM LA skills, but it doesn't replace needed reading instruction for dc. DITHOR works on teaching specific needed reading skills - i.e. doing pre-reading activities to create a purpose for reading the text, giving guided literature discussions to help students gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the text, giving vocabulary activities that teach different strategies to help discover the meanings of unfamiliar words in the text, teaching the story elements, teaching Godly character traits and how to analyze books with those in mind, doing creative projects to show what has been learned - anyway, you get the picture.

When I first began homeschooling, I was appalled to see how many homeschooling curriculums skip reading instruction once dc are reading well. It's almost as if they think once a child is reading well, there's nothing more to be learned! Believe me, reading is more than just sounding good when you read aloud, and it's more than just blowing through a pile of books for free reading time on your own. I've been looking ahead at high school lit and comp lately - I can see why DITHOR won the award of being in Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks - it does an awesome job of teaching reading instruction and preparing our dc for all that is ahead of them. I'm so glad we're not going to be in for a shock when our dc get older - DITHOR will totally have prepared them for it, which means I'll be able to keep homeschooling happily - gotta love that.

In Christ,
Julie

Katharine,

I'll also pop-in to say that the ultimate goal for DITHR is for kiddos to be able to read with moral discernment (as through DITHR they are taught to use the Godly character traits to weigh a character's actions and decisions in light of the Bible). This is such an important part of reading and is not one that comes naturally. Digging deeper beneath the surface of a book and knowing what to look for within each genre is another important skill that is necessary for true comprehension and discernment.

Beyond and Bigger Hearts have a mini-DITHR built into the Storytime part of the plans, but by Preparing Hearts we are assuming that you are using DITHR to cover the state standards in literature (which are very comprehensive and well-laid out for each state). Literature study is one area that has lifelong ramifications. As Charlie Tremendous Jones would say, "The only difference years from now in your life will be the people you meet and the books you read". With that in mind, it's important to ask what we're feeding our kiddos in the way of literature and what they are doing with that information? Especially, if we're not guiding them in this important endeavor!

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you Carrie. That explanation is really helping me as I try to plan our Bigger year.