I have enjoyed pouring over the samples and reading the joyful posts here at the message board. Thanks for all the wisdom you have shared. It is unfortunate that I spent so much time pondering that I failed to purchase my goodies before this dear family went on vacation...but I can use this waiting time to prepare for the transition. My last decision needs some input from you. How do you implement a total program like Bigger and also add the Drawn Into the Heart of Reading program at the same time? Is this necessary? Is this essential? The book surely looks interesting but I don't know how much extra time and energy it would take to use it, too. Is DITHOR an easy addition to your day? I would welcome any advice/experience you could share with me today. Blessings to you all~Ginger
Yes it is very easy to combine DITHR and HOD actual programs. They are both very user friendly and the author has designed them to be used together. DITHR has a suggested schedule that you can use a few ways. It is very easy to implement. It does require some teacher interaction but of course the reading is independent. You will actually be reminded in your HOD program to do DITHR so they are designed to use together or separately. If you chose not to do DITHR you would need another reading program to use with HOD. I hope that helps and welcome!
Many thanks~
In the daily plans there is "storytime" scheduled as well as "reading choices". Storytime is where you will read to your child. Reading choices (DITHOR would be your reading choice) is where your child reads to you. In the Bigger manual these both use books from the 9 literary genres. You don't have to worry about trying to stay in the same genre for both. 
). So in that way it matches your book by your child's reading level to the program. 
HTH