DITHOR Questions before purchasing...

[Busymomma1]

Just a couple of quick questions -- I know the "Book Projects to Take Home" selection is optional, but how highly would any of you recommend it? What kind of projects are in it?
Also, do you think it would be appropriate to start with Level 3 books if we've never done the program before? My dd will be in 2nd grade this fall when we start DITHOR. She completed the Emerging Readers selections in her K year. This year we're in 1st grade, and I'm just selecting books for her to read. Just wanted to take a year for her to enjoy her reading without too much demands placed on her. She can independently read just about anything. The most challenging may have been "Misty of Chincoteague". So... I think she can read the Level 3 just fine, but wondered if we should start there or with Level 2, given that this will be our 1st time going "deeper" than just discussion and narrations.

Thanks... about to make the purchase, but want to know about this 1st.

[Kathleen]

I've really liked the Book Projects to Take Home this year. It has some hands-on projects that are based on the book you read. Your DITHOR guide will also have project choices that are based on the character quality you've studied and a "group" option. (We've done the group option a couple of times, but our family has to be the group for it to work.) Usually the book-based project for the genre comes from that extra book.

Here are a couple of the projects we've done from it this year.
A cylinder sequence lit-kit. Grant decorated the outside with pictures that portray main parts of the book, and then put in objects that he could use to retell the story.


Here is a character from our historical fiction book. I interviewed him as "Duffy" from the book he had read.


I'm not sure on your question of the book packs. I think maybe I'd lean towards the level 2 pack. Misty would be the same reading level of several from that pack. Most of the ones in the level 3 pack will be more difficult than that. I think DITHOR is easier to use if you're not reading books that are the hardest ones your child can read.

Kathleen

[Busymomma1]

Thanks for the reply, Kathleen! Pictures are always a great help! Those look like fun projects! My dd is a "project kid", so I think it would be good to go that route, after seeing the things you did. Thanks for sharing!

As for selection, I was reviewing the book packs for Level 2 and Level 3 again. My dd has read many of the Level 2's already (Capyboppy, The Littles, Jeremy, etc) and they seem to be quite easy for her. I was thinking Misty was a "step up" from these, and more on a 4th to 5th grade level.

Anyone else have insight or opinions? I'd appreciate it! I'm anxious to purchase! I was just a the Midwest HS convention in Cincinnati and have bought most of our "stuff" for next fall... so I've got the "buying bug"! ha!

Thanks!

[Carrie]

Busymomma1,

My boys have really loved the Book Projects to Send Home projects. They have fond memories of both the books they read and the projects. My boys enjoy all things artsy though.

In looking at the Level 2 books, if your little honey has already read quite a few of those titles, then she would most likely be fine with the level 3 books. Or, you could mix and match between the two sets finishing out the Level 2 titles that she hasn't read and then utilizing the rest of the Level 3 books you need to finish out your year.

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

My non-artsy son has actually really enjoyed the Book Projects and has picked them more often than not. They are just plain fun! That little book is well worth the money. I've also noticed my ds doing similar projects on his own for free time, that he never would have had the ideas to do had he not done them in DITHOR.

It sounds like you could mix and match Level 2 and Level 3 DITHOR book pack choices, or just use Level 3 book pack as is. They are all great books - you can't go wrong there. Enjoy!

In Christ,
Julie