Hi All!
I recently found HOD, and bought Little Hands for my 3 year old. I LOVE LOVE LOVE what I see in the TM, SO now I am looking at other HOD programs for my ds!! He is 5, 6 in Oct.
My biggest question is about DITHOR. I *thought* I saw a post that this could be used with an emerging reader / the emerging reader books. Is that right?
My son is a strong emerging reader / moving quickly into independent reading! He has picked up reading very quickly, and almost seems like a natural reader. I have been amazed at his ability / desire for reading!
So, I know that we will use this program at some point, but I am wondering if I would be able to use it now! (???)
Thanks for any input!
Another newbie here!!
-
mom2boys030507
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 2:05 pm
- Location: Cottage Grove, MN
- Contact:
Welcome to the HOD family.
My understanding and plan is to use DITHOR after my son reads all the books on the emerging reader list. I am doing this for two reasons - 1 is that he is a young reader(just turned 5) and I don't want to overwhelm our school day 2- my understanding is that DITHOR is geared for 2-8 grades and I would rather have him work through the book reading more difficult books then jump in reading at a lower level - especailly because he is young.
My understanding and plan is to use DITHOR after my son reads all the books on the emerging reader list. I am doing this for two reasons - 1 is that he is a young reader(just turned 5) and I don't want to overwhelm our school day 2- my understanding is that DITHOR is geared for 2-8 grades and I would rather have him work through the book reading more difficult books then jump in reading at a lower level - especailly because he is young.
Karen - mom to Bryce 02/03, Micah 03/05, and Matthew 05/07
Welcome to the HOD boards!
I plan on doing the same thing also. We will go through all of the Emerging Readers, then start into DITHOR when we are finished. I am working with a 7 y/o, and I think the maturity level will be there by that time to work with DITHOR.
If you are doing Beyond, or will do Beyond, you will find that there are kind of mini-lessons that seem to follow along with DITHOR built into the program. You could use these ideas to prepare your child now with some of the books he's reading, and then he would be ready to make the transition to DITHOR. Then again, as well as he's reading, he may be ready to start now.
I should also say that I have the Book Projects book on hand, and that might give you a gentle start into working with the different genres. It looks fun to work with, and this might jump start his interest in doing DITHOR.
I plan on doing the same thing also. We will go through all of the Emerging Readers, then start into DITHOR when we are finished. I am working with a 7 y/o, and I think the maturity level will be there by that time to work with DITHOR.
If you are doing Beyond, or will do Beyond, you will find that there are kind of mini-lessons that seem to follow along with DITHOR built into the program. You could use these ideas to prepare your child now with some of the books he's reading, and then he would be ready to make the transition to DITHOR. Then again, as well as he's reading, he may be ready to start now.
I should also say that I have the Book Projects book on hand, and that might give you a gentle start into working with the different genres. It looks fun to work with, and this might jump start his interest in doing DITHOR.
Moving along at our own pace, and very happy with it!
Hi! Welcome to the board, and how wonderful that your ds is doing so well in reading! I agree with what's been said here already. My oldest ds read very early as well, but the writing and the discussion parts of DITHOR really make it fit better after the Emerging Reader's Set is completed. The Beyond... guide and the Bigger... guide have discussion questions that really prepare the child for DITHOR. That would be a great way to begin laying the foundation for DITHOR and still be teaching story elements and story analysis. You can always move through the Emerging Reader's Set more quickly if you want to, but it's also nice to savor the books and celebrate reading each one. HTH
Julie
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
-
blessedmomof4
- Posts: 1138
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:34 pm
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Re: Another newbie here!!
2greatkids wrote:Hi All!
I recently found HOD, and bought Little Hands for my 3 year old. I LOVE LOVE LOVE what I see in the TM, SO now I am looking at other HOD programs for my ds!! He is 5, 6 in Oct.
My biggest question is about DITHOR. I *thought* I saw a post that this could be used with an emerging reader / the emerging reader books. Is that right?
My son is a strong emerging reader / moving quickly into independent reading! He has picked up reading very quickly, and almost seems like a natural reader. I have been amazed at his ability / desire for reading!
So, I know that we will use this program at some point, but I am wondering if I would be able to use it now! (???)
Thanks for any input!
Because of his age, I agree you might just want to start with the Emerging Readers-they range in reading level from 2.0 (beginning 2nd grade) to 3.4 (4th month, 3rd grade). These books are for your child to read aloud to you, according to the daily schedule. The Beyond and Bigger guides have a reading schedule and discussion questions for use with the Emerging Readers. Even if your child can read them fast, for reading instruction, keep to the schedule so he can develop the habit of slow, steady, thoughtful reading. Then, on his own, he could read as many other books as he likes from the library, on his leisure time.
The Beyond and Bigger guides feature daily Storytime lessons, for which you are to read the books aloud to the child. A list of suggested titles is in the appendix of Beyond and Bigger. These lessons focus on the 9 genres that DITHOR goes through, and provide discussion questions and brief activities that will prepare your child for using DITHOR. Your child will probably be not ready for the written assignments in DITHOR for a little while yet, but with the Beyond or Bigger guide, he won't be missing anything!
By the way, is he done with phonics? DITHOR is written for the child who is pretty much done with phonics and beyond the emerging reader stage. Hope that helps.
Lourdes
Wife to Danforth
2 grads 9/19/92,7/8/95
2 in charter school 1/31/98, 9/19/99
3 in Heaven 8/11/06, 8/18/10, 9/13/13
Future HODie is here! 9/14/12
Wife to Danforth
2 grads 9/19/92,7/8/95
2 in charter school 1/31/98, 9/19/99
3 in Heaven 8/11/06, 8/18/10, 9/13/13
Future HODie is here! 9/14/12
-
2greatkids
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:59 pm
- Location: NY
Re: Another newbie here!!
THANKS!!
This is JUST the info I was looking for!!
So, it looks like Beyond would give me what I am looking for! He can read all of the books on the emerging reader list. I guess my question was does DITHOR cover, in its lessons, the books on the emerging reader list? So, it looks like Beyond... it is!
The Beyond and Bigger guides feature daily Storytime lessons, for which you are to read the books aloud to the child. A list of suggested titles is in the appendix of Beyond and Bigger. These lessons focus on the 9 genres that DITHOR goes through, and provide discussion questions and brief activities that will prepare your child for using DITHOR. Your child will probably be not ready for the written assignments in DITHOR for a little while yet, but with the Beyond or Bigger guide, he won't be missing anything!
He will be officially finshed with phonics by July.
By the way, is he done with phonics? DITHOR is written for the child who is pretty much done with phonics and beyond the emerging reader stage. Hope that helps.[/quote]
Thanks again, to everyone who replied!!
This is JUST the info I was looking for!!
So, it looks like Beyond would give me what I am looking for! He can read all of the books on the emerging reader list. I guess my question was does DITHOR cover, in its lessons, the books on the emerging reader list? So, it looks like Beyond... it is!The Beyond and Bigger guides feature daily Storytime lessons, for which you are to read the books aloud to the child. A list of suggested titles is in the appendix of Beyond and Bigger. These lessons focus on the 9 genres that DITHOR goes through, and provide discussion questions and brief activities that will prepare your child for using DITHOR. Your child will probably be not ready for the written assignments in DITHOR for a little while yet, but with the Beyond or Bigger guide, he won't be missing anything!
He will be officially finshed with phonics by July.
By the way, is he done with phonics? DITHOR is written for the child who is pretty much done with phonics and beyond the emerging reader stage. Hope that helps.[/quote]
Thanks again, to everyone who replied!!
-
water2wine
- Posts: 2743
- Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:24 pm
- Location: GA
I see that you got some awesome advice but just wanted to say Welcome! And you are going to love Heart of Dakota! No matter which one fits your family they are all wonderful! So welcome and looking forward to hear how you love the program.
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13
~Six lovies from God~4 by blessing of adoption
-MTMM (HS), Rev to Rev, CTC, DITHR
We LOVED LHFHG/Beyond/Bigger/Preparing/CTC/RTR/Rev to Rev (HS)
~Six lovies from God~4 by blessing of adoption
-MTMM (HS), Rev to Rev, CTC, DITHR
We LOVED LHFHG/Beyond/Bigger/Preparing/CTC/RTR/Rev to Rev (HS)
I just wanted to welcome you...Hi!
You already got the information you needed, but I just wanted to claify one thing. Besides the storytime in the Beyond and Bigger guides, there is also a reading schedule and discussion questions for the emerging readers there. It's in the appendix.
Kathleen
You already got the information you needed, but I just wanted to claify one thing. Besides the storytime in the Beyond and Bigger guides, there is also a reading schedule and discussion questions for the emerging readers there. It's in the appendix.
Kathleen
Homeschooling mom to 6:
Grant - 19 Kansas State University
Allison - 15 World Geography
Garret - 13 Res2Ref
Asa - 8 Bigger
Quinn - 7 Bigger
Halle - 4 LHTH
Grant - 19 Kansas State University
Allison - 15 World Geography
Garret - 13 Res2Ref
Asa - 8 Bigger
Quinn - 7 Bigger
Halle - 4 LHTH
Here goes some of Melanie's unsolicited advice..... 
When I was teaching 1st grade, I always finished the year with a good handful of kiddos who could read on a 4th-6th grade level when tested. BUT (and this is a big but) almost never could any of them comprehend on that level. Comprehension almost always matches age....not reading level. The plot and inferences in these higher level books just goes right over little ones heads.
I tell you this kindly, just to help you with your decisions. Your little guy is 5 going on 6, and he needs to read things that he can understand as well as read. Now I realize that testing for comprehension is very subjective, and only you will know if he is "getting it".
There is plenty of time left in his life to read *deep* books, but you can't ever go back in time and "play" with your 16 yo.....I hope that makes sense.
While he may be past the reading level in Little Hearts, that book is just chock full of wiggly, fun for little boys! Just don't miss out on all the fun....he'll only be a 6 yo little boy once!! Also, just be aware that Beyond does require more "writing" which is something little boys are not famous for! 
Now just feel free to totally ignore!! I promise I won't be offended!
When I was teaching 1st grade, I always finished the year with a good handful of kiddos who could read on a 4th-6th grade level when tested. BUT (and this is a big but) almost never could any of them comprehend on that level. Comprehension almost always matches age....not reading level. The plot and inferences in these higher level books just goes right over little ones heads.
I tell you this kindly, just to help you with your decisions. Your little guy is 5 going on 6, and he needs to read things that he can understand as well as read. Now I realize that testing for comprehension is very subjective, and only you will know if he is "getting it".
There is plenty of time left in his life to read *deep* books, but you can't ever go back in time and "play" with your 16 yo.....I hope that makes sense.
While he may be past the reading level in Little Hearts, that book is just chock full of wiggly, fun for little boys! Just don't miss out on all the fun....he'll only be a 6 yo little boy once!!
Also, just be aware that Beyond does require more "writing" which is something little boys are not famous for! Now just feel free to totally ignore!!
I promise I won't be offended!Using LHFHG with
ds - '00
dd - '00
dd - '02
ds - '00
dd - '00
dd - '02
-
blessedmomof4
- Posts: 1138
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:34 pm
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
I do agree with Melanie-I wasn't clear-I kind of meant just to get the Beyond guide for the Emerging Reader schedule, because I don't think that schedule is in Little Hearts...
Little Hearts would be right on target in the areas of history, science, and fine and gross motor skills. I know many boys lag in the fine motor department for quite a few years (I know MINE did
)
If HOD had been around when my son was your son's age (and he was a HIGHLY advanced reader who learned to read without my help at age 3 1/2 and by age 6 could read and comprehend the Chronicles of Narnia books), I would have used Little Hearts and added reading on the side, to allow his other skills to catch up.
I hope I'm clearer now
Little Hearts would be right on target in the areas of history, science, and fine and gross motor skills. I know many boys lag in the fine motor department for quite a few years (I know MINE did
)If HOD had been around when my son was your son's age (and he was a HIGHLY advanced reader who learned to read without my help at age 3 1/2 and by age 6 could read and comprehend the Chronicles of Narnia books), I would have used Little Hearts and added reading on the side, to allow his other skills to catch up.
I hope I'm clearer now
Lourdes
Wife to Danforth
2 grads 9/19/92,7/8/95
2 in charter school 1/31/98, 9/19/99
3 in Heaven 8/11/06, 8/18/10, 9/13/13
Future HODie is here! 9/14/12
Wife to Danforth
2 grads 9/19/92,7/8/95
2 in charter school 1/31/98, 9/19/99
3 in Heaven 8/11/06, 8/18/10, 9/13/13
Future HODie is here! 9/14/12
Hi There,
It looks like you've already had all your questions answered by these WONDERFUL ladies! I just wanted to say..., WELCOME!
It looks like you've already had all your questions answered by these WONDERFUL ladies! I just wanted to say..., WELCOME!
Mary, Mama to 4 amazing sons and wife to one incredible husband! Come check us out on the blog: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MamaMary/