heartofdakota.com

DD may be doing bigger hearts this fall, 3rd grade, 8-9 years during the school year. She is an excellent reader, loves to read, and can read chapter books.

2. Can you help me understand how the progression goes? How do I know when to move up to the next level of books.

3. Do we "need" the student book, book projects book, and optional book packs?

Thank you!!!

I have not begun Bigger yet, but plan to start in July with my children. Here's what I know about DITHOR:
The lesson plans allude to the Student Notebook and activities/worksheets to fill out. The Book Projects to Take Home is not necessary. It's used as ONE option for their Book Project. Their Book Project is kind of like a book report (loosely). They don't really write a paper about their book, but it is a project that wraps up what they've learned from the book. You can choose whatever books you want for DITHOR. The lessons do not allude to any book title, so you're safe there.

I do recommend that you get the student book because I think it would be tough not to have it.

Now as far as where your child places, I had the same question this morning and got no answers. So, I read the beginning of the manual and the appendix. It says that the level 2/3 is for grades 2/3; level 4/5 is for grades 4 and 5, etc. It also says that children NEW to DITHOR should begin at level 2/3.

Hope that helps. Looking forward to going on this Hod BHFHG journey with you!

I'm not for sure how to tell for sure that you are ready to move up to the next level. In the TM it says to use each level for 2 years. I think moving up in levels is more about when a dc is able to handle the writing and more in depth thinking in the higher guide and when they are reading aloud well enough that you feel that reading aloud to you less and assuming more independence in their work is appropriate. I have been debating about whether to move my dc up to level 4/5 this year after doing a complete year of level 2/3. I'm on the fence because I'm not for sure if they are ready for a deeper study and more writing. We have been using books at their reading level (which is above the 2/3 level) this year anyway. I think which level of student book to use is somewhat subjective. You can choose the appropriate reading level no matter which level of student book you choose.

As far as what you need, you absolutely need the teacher's manual and the student book. The projects book is optional but fun. At the end of each unit, the dc will do a project. There are 3 choices listed in the teacher's guide. One of the choices comes from the book projects book so if you want to do that project, you will need the projects book. The teacher guide will give you the instructions for what you are to teach each day. The student book will have the worksheets/activities that your dc does. I hope that helps a little.

Melissa,
I think you responded to one of my posts b/c I have 3 dds same ages as yours and a ds who will be 2 next week
I will also be using Bigger with dd 8 (she'll be 9 in Nov.) and dd6 (will be 7 in Aug). My dd 8 is also a more advanced reader and reads on the 4/5 level. I didn't look for the post and I'm not sure how, but it was suggested to me that I use the 4/5 readers and the 2/3 student book. We'll have to keep each other posted on how our journeys are coming along
Blessings,
Stephanie

DITHOR is the HOD teacher's guide I have taught the longest, and I still love it! I'm so glad your dc will get to enjoy it just as mine have and are. I thought I'd just give a nutshell of the typical advice HOD gives regarding placement in DITHOR. Typically, if dc are in grades 2-3, we'd suggest they do Student Level 2/3 Student Book and DITHOR plans. If dc are in grade 4 and have not had exposure to the genres, the story elements, and a literature study, we'd still suggest they do Level 2/3. We would typically suggest a 5th grader do Level 4/5. Likewise, if 6th graders have not had exposure to the genres, story elements, and a literature study, we'd suggest they do Level 4/5, and then bump up to 6/7/8 the following year. We would typically suggest 7th and 8th graders do Level 6/7/8 - 9th graders can also do Level 6/7/8, only with appropriate challenging high school book selections. Of course, if dc are unable to write well, have special needs, or have other placement considerations to take into account, that can result in different placement than is typical. The Student Book level that is chosen matches that level in the DITHOR Teacher's Guide plans, but it is important to note that any book may be used with DITHOR. Therefore, even though a sixth grade student who has not had exposure to genres/story elements/lit. studies may place best in Level 4/5 Student Book, books at the 6/7 grade level may be chosen to be read (i.e the Level 6/7 DITHOR Book Pack, or your own titles of choice at that upper reading level).

I would highly suggest the "Book Projects to Send Home" books. They are definitely optional, as you have 3 options for genre projects, and the "Book Projects to Send Home" are just one of the 3 options. However, they give dc a very creative way to respond to what they have read, and to show they have understood what they have learned. I did not have them the first year I did DITHOR, and I wish I had. They are such fun! They have stretched my dc in many ways, and been a neat option to have each time. Here are some pics of Book Projects things my dc have done with DITHOR over the years (they are favorite memories of ours)...
Buried Treasure for Adventure...


Re-enactment of a Scene from "A Penny's Worth of Character" for Folk Tale...


Bar Graph of Rising Events...


Buffalo Bill Mobile Character with Riddle to Solve...


Accordian Book Events with Nonfiction...


Tales of Dust River Gulch - J.T. Character...


Short Skit of Scene from Realistic Fiction book (The Secret School)...


Travel Brochure and Short Advertisement to tempt tourists to come to the setting in book...



You can see how varied these projects are, and how much FUN they are! And these are just the ones I managed to snap pictures of. I definitely recommend the "Book Projects to Take Home" books. They are inexpensive, not consumable, and full of amazing projects that make books come to life! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Julie, thank you for taking the time to give such a wonderful response to my question

Julie ~ So, the first year, would I need to buy both level 2 and level 3 book packs? Or would I move on to level 3 book packs in "4th" grade?

Melissa,

I would lean toward either the Level 3 Book Pack or the Level 4/5 Girl Interest Pack. If you could share the titles of a few books your 8 turning 9 year old is reading now, then we could advise you even better between the two sets. The reading level for each book is noted in the description. For example, a RL 3.8 means "reading level third grade, eighth month".

Link Level 3 Pack: http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into-optional3.php
Link Level 4/5 Girl Pack: http://www.heartofdakota.com/DITHOR45-girls-pack.php

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie wrote:Melissa,

I would lean toward either the Level 3 Book Pack or the Level 4/5 Girl Interest Pack. If you could share the titles of a few books your 8 turning 9 year old is reading now, then we could advise you even better between the two sets. The reading level for each book is noted in the description. For example, a RL 3.8 means "reading level third grade, eighth month".

Link Level 3 Pack: http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into-optional3.php
Link Level 4/5 Girl Pack: http://www.heartofdakota.com/DITHOR45-girls-pack.php

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you! I was trying to look online for how to figure out which reading level she is at, but I couldn't find anything?

She has read the cul-de-sac kids books from Beverly Lewis. She loves the magic school bus books.

Thanks! That helps so much! I'd lean toward either the Level 2 or Level 3 Book Pack then. If it is for the fall, I'd probably do Level 3. If it is for now, I'd do Level 2.

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie wrote:Thanks! That helps so much! I'd lean toward either the Level 2 or Level 3 Book Pack then. If it is for the fall, I'd probably do Level 3. If it is for now, I'd do Level 2.

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you! We are planning on fall. Can I bother you Carrie for one more question? If my oldest finishes the last set RTR in *6th* grade and 12 years old. What do we expect after that?

Also, if I combine two of my children...then will they always be on the same guide? In my mind it seems easier to just do different guides so I can keep all their things easy and straight, but I know I'm probably a weird one on that topic

Hi Melissa! After "Resurrection to Reformation", there are more great HOD guides to come! They are..."Revival to Revolution" (which will be completed this August), the Modern Times guide, the Geography guide, and 3 more guides will be written to follow that. So, your ds will be set with HOD in the years to come. As far as combining or not combining, it really depends on what each of your dc need skillwise. The placement chart is a huge help in determining whether combining is best for each of the dc involved or not. It helps us take into account each of our dc and make sure they each are getting what they need. Dc within smaller age ranges can often be combined very successfully with HOD, as it is written to teach the skills needed for both the younger and older dc within the core guide, and the extensions beef up the skills nicely for the older dc. This helps us as parents take into account what each member of the family needs, and make the best decision overall based on that information. I love that HOD personally takes into account each child's needs, and then offers flexibility in combining, so when combining is a good fit for all the dc involved, families can do that, and when combining is not a good fit for all the dc, then doing separate guides is very manageable. This promotes a family feel to learning no matter whether combining dc or separating dc, as each family member's needs are valued and accounted for. So, when your little ones begin to grow and mature and enter the HOD world, we can all help you talk through what will be the best fit for your dc with HOD. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie