DITHOR question

[arstephia]

I will be doing Beyond with dd6 next year. She will be 7 and in 2nd grade. I would like to do DITHOR with her, but wondered if at the 2/3 grades are you reading aloud and working through the student book? DD will be reading the emerging readers with Beyond, but I wasn't sure how that worked with DITHOR.

[pjdobro]

I'm not for sure if I understand. Are you thinking your daughter would do the emerging readers and DITHOR at the same time? Generally you would do the emerging readers and then when she is done with those move onto DITHOR level 2/3 typically using the level 2 book set. Then when you start DITHOR many people do help their dc with the writing in the DITHOR book if the dc is fairly young and needs the help. We did the emerging readers beginning in the summer before Beyond and continued while we were doing Beyond. We ended up finishing them before the end of our school year so we started DITHOR at a slower pace and did just one unit before the end of the year. This year when we started Bigger, we picked up DITHOR again and have been doing it at full speed. My dc have been doing ok writing in the student book themselves since they are 8 and 3rd grade. I think if we had done it earlier, I probably would have helped a bit more with the writing in the student book. Does that answer your question? I'm feeling that I've missed your point so if I have please ask again.

[tnahid]

This year, my son was 6 when we started Beyond, and he has now turned 7. We read the Emergent Reader books and do not do DITHOR yet. I plan on doing that next year with him. The DITHOR can be started in 3rd, so unless your 6 year old is more advanced than most, I would do the Emergent Readers and ask the questions in the back of the book that go along with it. Just my thoughts!

[tnahid]

This year, my son was 6 when we started Beyond, and he has now turned 7. We read the Emergent Reader books and do not do DITHOR yet. I plan on doing that next year with him. The DITHOR can be started in 3rd, so unless your 6 year old is more advanced than most, I would do the Emergent Readers and ask the questions in the back of the book that go along with it. Just my thoughts!

[Carrie]

Steph,

At HOD, we think of reading in three main stages. First, is the phonics stage, where kiddos are learning their sounds and learning to put them togegther to read. This stage can last from 1 and 1/2 years up to 2 or more. Next, comes the Emerging Reader's Stage which often lasts a year or so. This is where we schedule the Emerging Reader's Set to gradually increase kiddos' reading level and fluency, while making sure they are comprehending and thinking about what they are reading. After this, kiddos are ready for more independent reading. At HOD, we do this stage through DITHR. Typically, children are in this stage around 2nd or 3rd grade, however it is good to make sure they have been through the Emerging Reader's Set, or its equivalent, prior to heading into DITHR. So, from what you've shared, I'd lean toward having her do the Emerging Reader's Set for a year, following the daily plans for that in the Appendix of Beyond. Then, the following year, I'd move her into DITHR.

Blessings,
Carrie