Getting *myself* used to DITHOR...

[Lynnw]

We started Preparing this week and I was going to start DITHOR as well, but ultimately decided to hold off until we're in the flow of things with Preparing. Until now, I basically have given my ds a shelf of books I've picked and said he could chose what he wanted and he had to read 30-45 min./ day - but we haven't done analysis or projects with the books. His reading and comprehension always tests well, so I'm not worried about that... but I'm wondering for my own sake would it be okay if we started DITHOR reading the books aloud together? I don't feel comfortable enough with what we're doing with it to send him off on his own and I thought a "learn together" approach might work well? (He will still have some "mom approved" free reading each day as well). (On the other hand, it might set a dangerous precedent ).

I welcome any thoughts on starting DITHOR with an older child (10.5) as well as how you got your hands around it as a Mom.

Thanks!
Lynn

P.S. I don't mean to imply that DITHOR is difficult to implement.... just that I'm feeling inadequate .

[FiveLittlePeaches]

Lynnw,

I wanted to use the program with my daughter this past year, but as soon as I looked at the manuel, I realized it was going to require more effort on my part. I guess my thoughts were I would have to read the books first, to make sure my daughter is getting the correct information out of the book. (right???)

I plan on using it this upcoming school year, but I think I'll need to spend some time reviewing the set up over the summer. Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. I'm sure it's doable, and it really does look fantastic and enjoyable.

I just wanted to let you know I think I know what you mean. Maybe someone out there who has used the program will chime in.

Blessings,

Joy

[Carrie]

Ladies,

I'm smiling along with you! I know that DITHR doesn't have the same "ease of use" look to it as our other guides, so I can understand your thoughts. I want to encourage you that it is actually an easier program to implement than it looks!

I honestly don't plan ahead for DITHR, except to choose the books and the genres that we will do for the year. We even wait to choose the project until we get to that day in the plans. For the kick-off, I usually either just pick something off the list and do it right away that day, or I glance at it on the scheduled day and let my kiddos know I need a day to gather a couple of things and we'll do it the next scheduled DITHR day. DITHR is very forgiving that way!

One wonderful component of DITHR is that it will teach you how to have a good literary discussion with your kiddos. It will give you wonderful guided questions and easy ways to dig a little deeper beneath the surface of what the kiddos are reading. It is a different way of looking at reading, with the ultimate goal being for kiddos to learn to read with discernment.

With that being said, I do think it's best to begin by having kiddos read their own books for DITHR. Due to the design of the program, it will work far better that way. There's no need to read the kiddos books ahead of time or even as they're reading them (unless you hate to miss out), because the design of the questions in DITHR lead kiddos to delve into what they're reading and find the answers for themselves. The questions do not require one right answer, but instead require deeper thinking. So, there's usually not "wrong" answers, just "better" ones. And, as kiddos go through the program, their answers will automatically get "better" as they think more deeply.

I'd encourage you to just pick a genre, pick a book, and jump into doing DITHR 3 times a week. You'll be surprised that it is easier than it looks.

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

I agree - jump in! I just started a new genre today. I skimmed the kickoffs, picked 1 I could easily do that I knew the boys would love. I got out the book I'd picked for that genre, divided the pages by 15, filled in the reading chart and started. All within about 15 minutes! I don't read the books ahead of time. I still have my ds read 1-2 pages out loud to me - mainly because he had speech difficulties as a young child, and I want to make sure he's pronouncing things correctly. Then, I skim a bit as he's answering questions (and I mean SKIM) - it works just fine. I also tend to use books HOD suggests in the book packs, because I trust the content and the length is often right. Just don't make the mistake of assignment LONG books with TOO MANY pages having to be read each day. DITHOR is about savoring the books, enjoying each one to the hilt.

Also, don't worry about making every kickoff or project be just perfect - they're not meant to take forever. Our kickoff today was for fantasy, and we picked the one that had us choose a book to act out a scene. One of the DITHOR suggestions was a Frog and Toad book, which I had in our Emerging Reader's Set anyway, so I grabbed that. Gave it to my oldest told him to pick a chapter and pick whether he was going to be Toad or Frog, have his little brother be the other one, and they had 15 minutes to get it together to act out for me while I was putting baby Emmett to bed. Their performance lasted about 5 minutes, and they did a good job - we had a lot of laughs (ever read Ice Cream in Frog and Toad? ), and a good discussion about what made it a fantasy. Just don't think everything has to be "all that" - if the kickoff takes you hours, or the wrap-up project takes more than the 5 alloted days - you're making it too hard. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie