Which levels of DITHOR?

[John'smom]

Some background first:

Ds: 3rd-Did Beyond and DITHOR 2/3. Nothing against DITHOR, but it was a bust here. It was very time consuming and just felet like too much work with a child who struggled with Spelling. I was working extra on his spelling etc.
4th-Did Bigger and just read the suggested books for DITHOR with some narration
5th- Currently finishing up Preparing and has been doing CLE Reading as he didn't want to go back to DITHOR. He has done beautifully with it. We've continued a more teaher intensive spelling program and he is getting better.

With that said, he is going into sixth grade next year (I think a little on the young side as he will turn 11 right before starting). When I ask him if he wants to do DITHOR or CLE, he says that he would rather stay with CLE. Not sure what to do. I am not one to let my kids decide things, but think they should have some say especially if they are using a program that is working for them and they enjoy it. If I did do DITHOR with him, what level of workbooks would I use with him? He reads well, and is very motivated in his independent subjects. I could see that this year in Preparing. He loves his checklist, etc.

DD: 1st-Beyond with Emerging Readers
2nd-Bigger reading the suggested DITHOR books with some narration
3rd-Currently finishing up Preparing and still just reading suggested DITHOR books with some narration

With that said, she is going into fourth grade next year (I think a little onthe young side as she will turn 9 right before starting). I really feel this next year, she needs to start some kind of reading/literature program. She looooooooooves to read. Even in her free time you can find her with a book. She would just rather read than do some kind of program. That's why I started the other thread asking for dc's opinions of DITHOR as she asked me to do so. She reads really well, above grade level, not as good at open-ended questions as ds, but he of course is 2 years older. She too uses her checklist and completes independent things well. In some ways I feel like DITHOR will be better for her than CLE as she is my free spirited one. The subjects that are rule based like Math and English are her struggles. She writes well and spells just about as well as her older brother. So what level workbook of DITHOR should I put her in?

I never pursued DITHOR because the 2/3 level was too teacher intensive for me when teaching the previous guides of Beyond/Bigger plus adding in our teacher intensive Spelling program. I am prayerfully considering another Spelling program this year, so feel like DITHOR will be much more practical to teach this coming year.

Thanks for reading my looooong post.

[my3sons]

Based on what you've shared, I think I'd do Level 4/5 with your ds, and level 2/3 with your dd. You could look at 6/7/8 for your ds if you want - 6/7/8 will be more difficult and have more writing, but more independent if he is ready for the maturity of the skills in it. With him not having done much of DITHOR previously though, I think 4/5 for this year would be a better fit. I am thinking CLE is primarily in a workbook format, and that dc are almost self-taught or quite independent (please correct me if I'm off there)? My ds who is quite independent probably would have earlier on liked a workbook approach that didn't involve me teaching, but that doesn't mean that this is what would have been best for him. Sometimes dc like things because they are easier, because they take less time, because they require less of an investment of deep thought or emotion on their behalf, or because they can work on their own without interacting with their parent (namely, ME ). I have to say DITHOR plain and simple has higher level skills and more meaningful discussions and interactions between parent and child than a workbook type approach ever could. The discussions, interaction, Godly character trait lessons together, and variety in activities (i.e. kickoffs, final projects, graphic organizers all different from each other, etc.) that are all an inherent part of DITHOR are the very things that stretch children and make it the wonderful program that it is!

Reading should not be something to just get done - it should be something to be cherished and remembered. We have years of memories stored up together thanks to DITHOR! Lots of awesome discussions, lots of incredible pictures of the kiddos having a blast with their kickoffs or projects, lots of deep thoughts on index cards about how to improve our character, lots of all-time favorite books we both know well and remember fondly because we talked about them together! Yes, DITHOR probably has more teaching than CLE. However, I have found that by teaching more up front in the 2/3 year, then less in the 4/5 year, that by the 6/7/8 year dc are quite independent - in fact, Wyatt even heads up choosing all of the kickoffs and leads the choosing of the final projects with his brother Riley this year - excellent skills for him to try his hand at prior to high school! Wyatt is finishing his last year of DITHOR and quite sad about it. He even asked if he could do it one more year next year. I know not everyone will love everything I do, but I think DITHOR really, really grows on you - both the teacher and the student, and after putting in some important teaching time earlier on in the levels, you reap the rewards of less teaching time yet still meaningful interaction in the upper levels. Only you can know what to choose for your dc, but our experience with DITHOR is that it is worth every minute spent on it... and then some. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[John'smom]

Julie,
Thanks so much for your response. I sure hope I didn't seem critical of DITHOR. That was not my intention. I was just trying to say that since I was spending 40 min/day teaching spelling, plus the more teacher intensive guides of Beyond and Bigger I was just feeling overwhelmed. This year we are in Preparing and still spending 40 min/day just on Spelling, but they have more independent boxes and I know next year I'll have even less teaching boxes, so even if I keep our Spelling program, then I will have more energy to teach DITHOR.

I do believe DITHOR will work beautifully with my dd. Thanks for helping me pick a level for her. Still prayerfully considering it for my ds.

[my3sons]

Thanks for your response here, Edwena! I agree that 40 minutes is a good deal of time to spend on spelling, especially if it means that reading instruction through DITHOR is getting passed on. Only you can know what to do, but I would say I'd give dictation a try. (You knew I'd say that, right? ) I know you've been considering this from past threads, and I just want to encourage you that it really does work and takes much less time. Through the past decade of doing HOD, one thing I've really come to appreciate is the balance of each guide. When one subject tips the balance, often another subject gets left out. It really is a help to me to have that balance in place, especially as I would tend to spend more time on either the subject areas I loved most or on the areas I thought were weaknesses for my dc. It may seem like a good thing to spend more time on weak areas, and sometimes it is, but often times it is like taking a large portion of their day to work on what they struggle with, which in general, makes dc have the thought that they are not 'good at school.' In areas of math and spelling especially, it seems like time spanning slowly over years and balanced steady, consistent work is our best friend anyway, rather than trying to fast forward progress. Then, when the tougher subject for our dc (whatever that may be for them) is done, they know they get to move on to something that is more 'their thing.' I always try to think how I'd feel if I had to do something I struggled with a large portion of my day (i.e. dissecting in science labs or fixing computer problems come to mind ) - it sure makes me less apt to face the day with a smile and confidence. Anyway, you will know best here -but those were just a few thoughts that came to mind. Have a wonderful Easter!

In Christ,
Julie