A couple of DITHOR questions

[abrightmom]

Can I use books from the 4/5 list with the 2/3 student book?

How does a DITHOR "lesson" look with two kids in different levels? I'm trying to figure out how we'd pull that off when they're reading totally different books. Any relevant threads would be lovely. Thanks!

[tnahid]

My sons are in two different levels, and I just spend time with them each separately letting them read and discussing the DITHOR lesson. It's pretty simple to do, actually, with just the one teacher's manual. I just put little post its with their name on them if they get on separate pages.

I guess it would depend on the reading level of your child if you wanted to do a higher reading level. I would say it is possible to do that and just use the lower level workbook. I don't see why that wouldn't work.

Bless you!

[pjdobro]

You can certainly use the level 4/5 reading books with the level 2/3 student workbook. We started out that way from my dd because she was reading at a higher level but her writing skills were still developing. It worked well for us.

I can't really address having two students at different levels from experience because both of my dc are using the same level workbook but I have used the TM enough to postulate how to do it. I would think on the days that say all levels together, you could do the activity as a group, but on the other days, you would need to do the activities separately with your dc. That really shouldn't be too difficult to do since the teaching time is pretty compact on most days especially as you go up in levels. I am noticing that this year with the student book level 4/5 that it is taking less teacher time to do. It really helps too that my dc already have had a full year of level 2/3 under their belt so they are familiar with the flow of the program. I would recommend just going through the TM, reading through the days activities for each level, and playing it through in your mind how it would work. I don't have my TM here in front of me but I know there are several days in each unit that all levels are together and even on the days that they aren't "together", the material covered is similar. So even on those days you might be able to start together and finish up the activity separately. Hopefully someone who actually runs several levels at once can give you more specifics on how they run their day. It took me a while to get onto the flow of DITHOR, but now it runs smoothly for us and my dc absolutely love it!

[abrightmom]

Thanks ladies.

If my boys are in different levels (older reading 4/5 and younger reading 2/3), but we are studying the same genre, do I choose the same project for them?

Hmmmmm. I will have to go back to the DITHOR manual and re-read. We have struggled with it but I am gathering courage to try again. I *think* my older son will do better if we read a chapter a day rather than trying to divide up the pages evenly. It was very hard for him to stop reading in a random place and I finally just let him finish the book he was reading! That completely ruined our first DITHOR unit .

[Carrie]

abrightmom,

You can choose the same project for them if desired, or you can do different projects. I often let my boys choose from among the project options. Sometimes they choose to do the same project, and other times they choose to do a different project. I just have the planning meeting with them on the "first" project day, as laid out in the guide, and then I typically break the task down for them so they know what to do each day for 5 days. I keep the project time each day the same as a typical DITHR lesson, so in that way the project does not take over our day.

One thing I do to keep DITHR going well throughout the year, is on the first day during our scheduled DITHR time, I just sit down with the kiddos and map out the pages they'll be reading in their Student Books and also choose a kick-off. I count that as my first DITHR day. Then, I put the guide away and the next day we do the kick-off. As each day passes I just teach through the guide, one day at a time, and when I get to the project day, we just pick the project and map it out. Then, we put the guide away. The next day we begin the project.

The reason I mention this is that in this way, I don't have to do planning at night ahead of time but can just sit down and do it when it comes up in my DITHR time during the school day. If I need a bit of planning for DITHR in which the kiddos aren't needing to present, I send them to play or to go on to their next subject instead. It sometimes adds a couple of days to DITHR to do it this way, but it keeps us going forward steadily and keeps me from having any planning to do in the evenings. It makes DITHR fit right within the school day, and I'm never caught unprepared.

DITHR truly can be open-and-go most days, as long as you've chosen the books to read. But, if I do come across something I'm not ready for, I just stop and plan it then and there and then do it with the kiddos the next day.

My oldest son really reaped the benefits from DITHR with a seamless transition to high school level literature. His moral discernment fars outweighs what I had book-wise when I was his age too! He actually chooses to read classic novels and enjoys himself in the process. His love of reading was truly encouraged with DITHR, and I am thankful daily for the discussions we had about literature in light of the Bible throughout his elementary and middle school years thanks to DITHR. We'll be glad to help with any other questions you may have, as I'd love you to have a great start to DITHR.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Heart_Mom]

Carrie,

I'm not the original poster, but thank you SO MUCH for that glimpse into how you use DITHR! Your tips are going to make it easier for me to use! (We just started recently, and I'm loving it -- and so is my son!!!)

[LovingJesus]

Thanks ladies.

If my boys are in different levels (older reading 4/5 and younger reading 2/3), but we are studying the same genre, do I choose the same project for them?

Hmmmmm. I will have to go back to the DITHOR manual and re-read. We have struggled with it but I am gathering courage to try again. I *think* my older son will do better if we read a chapter a day rather than trying to divide up the pages evenly. It was very hard for him to stop reading in a random place and I finally just let him finish the book he was reading! That completely ruined our first DITHOR unit .

I am very new to DITHOR, but I wanted to chime in to encourage you to not let your ds way of reading ruin DITHOR for you. I don't know if this goes against HOD expectations, but I have let myself be easy on myself with the transition to DITHOR. We are still getting so much out of the program and it is one of my favorite parts of HOD so far. I wanted you to know though that my ds for the first unit isn't following a certain number of pages per day out-line. I see it as a worthy goal, and I see the reasons behind it. For now though he is used to reading his SL readers, and many books, quickly. So in order to have a successful transition I went easy on both of us when he finished his book the first day. I have just continued forward with the first unit (biography) of DITHOR and I am using the book we choose for all of the assignments. He is doing books that I let him choose from the bookshop. Some are levels 2/3, others 4/5, others read-alouds (His reading is about a Junior High level) and all of this with the 2/3 workbook and 2/3 assignments in the TM. I guess I am saying that I am allowing myself (for the first time in home schooling) to tailor a curriculum to my ds, instead of ending up setting one aside since I can not follow it exactly. In time though my goal is to have him read chapters, instead of a book so quickly, and study it. His reading comprehension though is high enough that he is able to recall the book easily a week later and study it through the program. I hope you find this encouraging. Thank you by the way Katrina for leading me to this wonderful spot of HOD on another board. So far it is a blessing, and the TMs overall are going very very well for our family.

In Christ,
Carin

[my3sons]

Thanks ladies.

If my boys are in different levels (older reading 4/5 and younger reading 2/3), but we are studying the same genre, do I choose the same project for them?

Hmmmmm. I will have to go back to the DITHOR manual and re-read. We have struggled with it but I am gathering courage to try again. I *think* my older son will do better if we read a chapter a day rather than trying to divide up the pages evenly. It was very hard for him to stop reading in a random place and I finally just let him finish the book he was reading! That completely ruined our first DITHOR unit .

My sons are currently in 2/3 and 6/7/8, and we are studying the same genre. I haven't read the other responses, but I'll share what we do. We decided to do DITHOR as it comes up in the plans in my oldest ds's guide (RevtoRev). This is because his guide has more writing in it, and I want to stick that nice balance planned in RevtoRev. We always do the DITHOR kickoff together, and if possible, even our littlest enjoys joining in on the kickoff. On the days they have separate plans, I have one of them read a few pages to me first, while the other one reads his silently. Then, I listen to the other one read a few pages. I like to have my oldest still do this to keep his oral reading skills sharp (he struggled with speech early on), and also as it's a quick way to know what's happening in the book. It usually works out they finish reading at different times. Whoever finishes first, I do the follow-ups I need to (i.e. discussion questions or Student Book directions). For my ds in 6/7/8, much of his work is more independent. On "All Levels Together" days, we meet together for these at the table. As far as the Projects at the end of each unit, I go through each of the options with them and let them pick. Sometimes they choose to do things together, and sometimes they choose to do things separately. This has worked out well and been a lot of fun! So, I guess in a nutshell, we are together on the Kickoff, the "All Levels Together" days, and sometimes the Final Project, but otherwise we are separate. Of course there are many, many options for how you do this, but we have enjoyed this way so far! Oh and as far as the page numbers go for the Reading Calendar, I often count out the chapters, and jot the number of pages each chapter has next to it in the Table of Contents. Then, I fill out the calendar trying to keep chapters intact if possible. So, for example, if there are 12 chapters, and 15 days of reading, I'll choose a few chapters that are the longest to divide out over a few days, but on the other days have them read a chapter. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[abrightmom]

Thanks ladies.

If my boys are in different levels (older reading 4/5 and younger reading 2/3), but we are studying the same genre, do I choose the same project for them?

Hmmmmm. I will have to go back to the DITHOR manual and re-read. We have struggled with it but I am gathering courage to try again. I *think* my older son will do better if we read a chapter a day rather than trying to divide up the pages evenly. It was very hard for him to stop reading in a random place and I finally just let him finish the book he was reading! That completely ruined our first DITHOR unit .

My sons are currently in 2/3 and 6/7/8, and we are studying the same genre. I haven't read the other responses, but I'll share what we do. We decided to do DITHOR as it comes up in the plans in my oldest ds's guide (RevtoRev). This is because his guide has more writing in it, and I want to stick that nice balance planned in RevtoRev. We always do the DITHOR kickoff together, and if possible, even our littlest enjoys joining in on the kickoff. On the days they have separate plans, I have one of them read a few pages to me first, while the other one reads his silently. Then, I listen to the other one read a few pages. I like to have my oldest still do this to keep his oral reading skills sharp (he struggled with speech early on), and also as it's a quick way to know what's happening in the book. It usually works out they finish reading at different times. Whoever finishes first, I do the follow-ups I need to (i.e. discussion questions or Student Book directions). For my ds in 6/7/8, much of his work is more independent. On "All Levels Together" days, we meet together for these at the table. As far as the Projects at the end of each unit, I go through each of the options with them and let them pick. Sometimes they choose to do things together, and sometimes they choose to do things separately. This has worked out well and been a lot of fun! So, I guess in a nutshell, we are together on the Kickoff, the "All Levels Together" days, and sometimes the Final Project, but otherwise we are separate. Of course there are many, many options for how you do this, but we have enjoyed this way so far! Oh and as far as the page numbers go for the Reading Calendar, I often count out the chapters, and jot the number of pages each chapter has next to it in the Table of Contents. Then, I fill out the calendar trying to keep chapters intact if possible. So, for example, if there are 12 chapters, and 15 days of reading, I'll choose a few chapters that are the longest to divide out over a few days, but on the other days have them read a chapter. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks Julie and everyone! Lots of wonderful food for thought.

Julie,
Your explanation raised a question in my mind. Do your boys choose their project once they are finished with the book or do you choose it in advance?

[my3sons]

We choose it the day it comes up in the plans. Sometimes, all we do is go over the project options that day and choose, and sometimes this goes more quickly, and we choose the project and get started on it. It adds a day here or there sometimes, but I like not to feel rushed. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[tnahid]

I have yet to do a project with my sons for their book. Is that bad?? Oops...

Guess I am going to have to do something!