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My DD (9) is in DITHOR 4/5 and using the extensions in Bigger. How often should we be doing DITHOR? In Bigger it is planned 5 days a week, but I understand that in Preparing for DITHOR 4/5 it is done less often. I know she can keep up, but I don't want to drown her in a lot of extra work.

Christine,

You're right that DITHR is scheduled 3 times weekly in Preparing Hearts. Since your daughter is 9 and doing the Extensions in Bigger Hearts as well, it would be fine for her to do DITHR 3 times a week in Bigger Hearts instead of daily. We don't recommend dipping below the 3 times a week schedule for DITHR in order to have steady progress forward and not lose the thread of the story though.

For kiddos doing Level 2/3 of DITHR with Bigger, it's good to stay at the daily pace or 4 times a week pace (if possible) as the lessons are shorter at that level and the readings are shorter too. Plus, the kiddos are often solidifying their phonics and reading skills, so daily progress forward in bite-sized chunks is desirable with Level 2/3. Your situation is different than that, making it perfectly fine to do Level 4/5 of DITHR at a 3 times a week pace!

Hope that helps!

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you for your confirmation, Carrie. Even though she loves books, cutting DITHOR to 3 times a week will make it easier for her to complete her extension assignments. (She doesn't care to do the extension assignments at the end of the day, since her brother is already done with all his lessons.)

Thanks again,

Christine,

I agree that balance and not too long of a school day are very important! You can rest assured that your daughter will be getting what she needs with the 3 days a week of DITHR plus the Extensions.

Blessings,
Carrie