considering DITHOR - questions

[razorbackmama]

Hi, I'm Kirstin, and I'm thinking about using DITHOR next year. I have some questions though.

First a little background. Next year I will have 7th, 5th, 4th, 1st, and K to teach. I'll also have a 2.5yo, and come January, a newborn. So "streamline" is the key word for our school LOL.

In the past we have used BJU reading with HomeSat and then CLE reading. I decided I wanted to use living books rather than readers, because so far only one of my kids halfway enjoys reading, and I was hoping to "hook" them on chapter books. So I started having them read a chapter a day and then narrate to me. That's going *OK* but not great, and my kids (especially my anti-readers) seem to need a bit more structure than that. It is NOT uncommon for me to say, "Have you finished all your schoolwork?" (they have a list of assignments), them say, "Yes," me say "Did you read a chapter?" and them say "No." It's like it doesn't dawn on them that it's school or something. But I HAVE to include it in their assignments, otherwise they'd never read at all!

SO ANYWAY!!!!! What I see of DITHOR appeals to me because it uses living books yet it provides some structure. I looked at the samples online, and I'm trying to picture how it would actually work with my crew (I'd have one 6/7/8 and 2 4/5 next year), and how it would fit into our day. I see that the days are purposefully scheduled so that the teacher-intensive stuff isn't scheduled all at the same time for the the kids, and that helps! But I'm curious as to how much time it would take for ME everyday (I'd eventually end up with 2 6/7/8, 1 4/5, and 1 2/3), how do I handle the discussions and such when I've got 2 doing the same level, etc. I understand that on kickoff days we'd all be together, but what about the rest of the time? Would I schedule reading time all at the same time? How would I move between them if they needed me at the same time, etc.?

Thanks so much!

Kirstin <><

[Carrie]

Kirstin,

I would recommend scheduling your crew to all do reading in DITHR at the same time in order to be able to have them come together easily for the "All Levels Together" day. Typically, I'd start with your Level 4/5 kiddos having them on the couch with you one snuggled on either side. Then, I'd do the lesson as written. The 6/7/8 child can be very independent and will only need you on alternate days from the 4/5 kiddos, so you should be fine with your teacher time there.

Eventually, you'll have all the levels going which actually works quite painlessly. You'd start with the Level 2/3 child and have the Level 4/5 child doing his reading alone during that time. Then, he/she would come to you for any needed help with the lesson, by which time the 2/3 kiddos are moving toward being done or finishing the last bit on their own. The Level 6/7/8 child will continue to alternate with 4/5 as far as needing you goes. The "All Levels Together" days are great for getting the kiddos together to discuss a common topic. It often feels like a round table type discussion, which I love.

There's no need to have your kiddos read the same book, as it often adds excitement to the discussion to have books on more than one topic, however if desired you could easily start out with your 4/5 kiddos reading the same book.

Happy reading!

Blessings,
Carrie

[razorbackmama]

Thanks, Carrie! That helps!

If I don't have the 4/5 kids reading the same book, what would my time with them together look like? Or would I have one come over and then the other?

About how much time total would it take daily?

Kirstin <><

[Carrie]

Kirstin,

Level 2/3 takes about 20-25 minutes a day, including time spent reading aloud to you. The overall time, of course, is dependent on how many pages you assign the kiddos to read for the day.

Level 4/5 takes 30 minutes or so, including time spent on reading independently (as long as the readings are kept short).

If you have the two kiddos within Level 4/5 read different books, you could meet with them separately or together. Either way would work.

Blessings,
Carrie

[mariaw]

Hi Kirstin,

I recognize you from THSL! We'll be using DITHOR for the first time next year, too. I'll only have one in level 3, though. Welcome!

Maria

[my3sons]

Hi Kirstin, and welcome to the HOD Board! I have used DITHOR for about 7 years now - 4 years tutoring dc of various ages, and 3 years homeschooling my own dc. While tutoring, I used DITHOR with multiple levels of dc, and we finished it in 45 minutes (had to, it was our scheduled tutoring time ). We enjoyed the variety of different books being brought to the All Levels Together days, and there were actually more of these all together days than you'd think. The kickoff is done all together, 1 day a week is all together, and the 5 days project at the end can be together too (if you choose Option #3 ). We enjoyed these times together, and we also liked our days when we were separate. It helped me enjoy each child's discussion time, and also for me to work on necessary skill areas with each. I cannot wait for my middle ds to join my older ds next year in DITHOR! Once you get your calendars filled out, and each child has their book(s), it goes so smoothly. I would suggest trying to have the books picked before you start the school year, just because it makes is super easy to transition from genre to genre. It's also been helpful for me to assign fewer pages rather than a whole bunch of pages each day. We usually go through 1 or 2 books per genre, very rarely 3. This nice pace has allowed for my dc to really linger with books, and enjoy them fully, while also being able to concentrate on learning each new DITHOR reading skill. I think you will find DITHOR is a great fit for your family!

In Christ,
Julie

[razorbackmama]

Thanks, Julie! How did your time "look" when it wasn't a together day?

[my3sons]

Thanks, Julie! How did your time "look" when it wasn't a together day?

I usually started with the 2/3 level and heard that child read to me first, while Level 4/5 and Level 6/7/8 read independently or started their workbooks if it was a prereading activity. Then, I'd either ask the Level 2/3 child the discussion questions or get them started on their student notebook. Then, I'd hear the Level 4/5 read a few pages to me, do the discussion with them, and get them started on their student notebook. Finally, I'd meet with Level 6/7/8, skim their book and do the discussion, and help them along with finishing their student book if they needed assistance. This worked very well on most days, and streamlined our time while still meeting everyone's needs - I hope that helps! You'll settle into a nice routine after a bit, and then it will be time to to just enjoy how it unfolds.

In Christ,
Julie

[Mom2Monkeys]

You've gotten lots of answers to your questions, so I just have a quick post for you. Taking notice of the razorback portion of your name, are you still in AR?! I've just moved from Razorback country down to LR.

[razorbackmama]

Hi Tamara! No, we don't live in AR anymore. My dh and I both grew up there though, and most of our family still lives there - in the LR area, in fact!

[MommyInTraining]

Hi Kirsten,

I have nothing to add to the DITHOR discussion, but I did want to congratulate you on your new little one! We just found out that #6 is due Jan. 4th!

I still have to tell you about that cleaning the floors comment some day!

Blessings,

Terri

[razorbackmama]

Terri, that is my due date too!

[Mom2Monkeys]

Too bad you aren't around here anymore! I'd love to find some other HODies near me

That's neat that you two have the same due date! Netpea and I are both due just one month before the two of you-- both on Dec. 6th. So we're all right there together!