my3sons and others tell me about Book Projects to Send Home

[water2wine]

Ok didn't want to take the other thread off but...I've looked at them and thought about them and now I have to know about them. Could you tell me about them. How much time do they add and how often do you do them? Is it a end of the book celebration thing? I've got to hear.

Be honest though...is there a ton of stuff to buy and gather or are we talking about something on the easy level of it's somewhere in the house kind of like Bigger science?

[my3sons]

Ok didn't want to take the other thread off but...I've looked at them and thought about them and now I have to know about them. Could you tell me about them. How much time do they add and how often do you do them? Is it a end of the book celebration thing? I've got to hear.

Be honest though...is there a ton of stuff to buy and gather or are we talking about something on the easy level of it's somewhere in the house kind of like Bigger science?

Hi w2w! We're doing one right now, and I haven't had to go out and get anything. They are always able to be completed in 5 days at our house, which is what is allotted in the DITHOR plans. We only do them at the end of the genre. They are always the Option 2, Book-based project, in the DITHOR Teacher's Guide. I will say that my ds doing DITHOR right now is not artistically inclined, but he does often pick the Book-based projects after I've explained the 3 choices.

Each book project usually has a run-off page, directions, and a short easy-to-complete reflection page for at the end.

Here's a few examples of them from the Gr. 2 book used with the Level 2/3 of DITHOR:
character tube puppet:
cardboard tube (i.e. toilet paper or paper towel or wrapping paper tubes)
colored paper, yarn, optional movable eyes

Directions in brief: cover tube with colorful paper and use that as the base for a puppet of the main character from one of the books read; make a puppet out of that by adding "clothing" and details of your choice

fill out pattern page (3 rectangles with 3 lines to be written on each:
Name of Character, Title of Book, He or she is the main character because..., What problem does the character have?, How is it solved?, My favorite thing that this character says is...

cut out and color pattern page statements and mount on cardboard or colored paper, use your puppet to share your information with your family

O.k. That's the one we're on right now. Other projects are: diorama, character mask, main character mobile, accordian book, patchwork of facts, animal research, adventure thank-you note

You can probably tell that these are short projects that have a nice balance of "create-a-little-on-your-own" and "follow these directions though" guidance. It's been great for us!

I will say that I can see it taking a long time if you have a child that LOVES to create and goes on... and on... and on... with it. However, one of my friends who has a child like this sets the timer and give 20-30 minutes for 5 days of school time to work on it, but then allows child to work on it as much as he wants outside of "homeschool" time. It still has to be done by day 5. That works great for her son!

Is that what you were wondering?
In Christ,
Julie

[Kathleen]

Hey, this info has helped me! (I know I didn't ask, but I was wondering about this book, too. And, since I only have about 10 min. here, I'm glad you answered. I was scrambling to try to find the other post w2w was talking about... )

I know I remember reading that the projects in DITHOR are great, too. But I love your example from the project book. It sounds great! I may just add that to my list, too.

Thanks!
Kathleen

[water2wine]

Here's a few examples of them from the Gr. 2 book used with the Level 2/3 of DITHOR:
character tube puppet:
cardboard tube (i.e. toilet paper or paper towel or wrapping paper tubes)
colored paper, yarn, optional movable eyes

Ok I have all that in my house now. I think I could handle that. Sounds like something my kids could maybe do in spare time. My school room constantly has construction paper and who knows what out because they are making something. So maybe this could be a little self guided, but I check it thing. I think my kids would really like it.

Uh but I doubt I can resist ordering it now that you gave that wonderful description. Hehehe! Thank you for giving all the detail you did. Really appreciate it.

Kathleen- the thread was just asking if they should get the project books or not. And it was something that has been nagging me, I have looked at but was I guess afraid we needed to go little by little since we were still finishing up a few things from switching over to HOD. BUT... Who could resist Julies explanation!

[6timeboymom]

I bought the first book the first year we did DITHOR, but then found that my boys liked the book-projects beter, so I didn't buy any of the next levels. I liked that they are easy to do, and they do seem to match well with the book genres, and since they are made to go with a class of kids it's easy-very easy to get together and to do the activity.
HTH!

[water2wine]

Darci that sounds fun! I'm excited. My kids all want to do it. My big problem will be with my littlest girls wanting to do the big kid projects. I will have to maybe do a mini version with them.

[6timeboymom]

oh, do I know THAT dilemma!!

I just bought finger paint for the painting activity we just did so that littles #5 and #6 could paint!

[inHistiming]

All right, ladies, you're making me want to spend more money! I looked at the book project book, had it in my shopping cart, then took it out because it wasn't 'necessary'. I think I'm gonna have to go back and order the level 2 and the 6/7/8 one...I think Carrie said somewhere this could be used with the 4/5 grade levels? My hubby thanks you!!

[inHistiming]

I'm wondering how to find the level 6/7/8 Book Project book on the web site...I am ready to order the one for grade 2, and I think I read that the one for level 4/5 is out of print, and could substitute the next level? Can someone direct me to where I can find it?

[water2wine]

Right under where it says the 4/5 is out of print you can order the 6/7/8 http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into-packages.php Happy shopping!

[inHistiming]

Thanks so much...I went straight there and placed my order!