Using DITHR in a co-op setting...

[Patty7093]

Has anyone tried to use this in a co-op setting and could you explain how you orchestrated it?
Thanks,
Patty in WA

[Carrie]

Patty,

We've actually had quite a few moms tell us at convention that they've used DITHR in a co-op setting, even though DITHR wasn't written with that in mind! I'll just move this post over to the Main Board, so more moms will get a chance to see it. All new posts begin on the Main Board.

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

Not in a co-op, but for tutoring. It worked so well! Having dc be able to choose their own books was a big hit. I wish I had more of the "how-to" do it for a co-op, but I will say it worked very well for tutoring.

In Christ,
Julie

[holyhart]

I was thinking of using this in a co-op setting as well, and would love to hear more from those who have done so!

[Nealewill]

I am teaching it at my co-op this year to 4th - 6th graders and used the level 4/5 student books My co-op meets for 24 weeks. I scheduled 6 books for the year. The parents at my co-op wanted the kids to read quite a bit because their kids aren't reading nearly as much independently as HOD schedules for the kids. I picked 6 boy titles and 6 girl titles. I have a teaching assistant. She is reading all the girl titles and I am reading the boy titles.

Before the first day of co-op, I had my kids read 5 days worth of reading. Then here is my 12 week schedule (we break our co-op into 12 weeks in the fall and 12 weeks in the spring):

*Before co-op - read 5 days worth of DITHOR
*Week 1 - opening genre activity (20-25 min), discuss genre and any topic activities from day 1-5 (10-15 min), typically skip the activity of studying the book for this genre because the kids have already started reading it, if they completed any worksheets we review them (10 min). Homework - they then read the next 5 days worth of pages and I discuss any upcoming worksheets.
*Week 2 - we discuss workbook homework pages in class (10 min), day 5 of the plans usually has a hands on activity and we complete that in class (20-25 min). I will not assign all of the student pages as homework either - I usually complete day 9, which is the bible story and character trait page, in class on this day as well (15 min). Homework - finish the book and discuss upcoming assigned workbook pages.
*Week 3 - finish up unique discussions for this genre. There is usually one or two days with an inneractive skit type of activity. I would complete that during this week of the plans. I would finish up any workbook pages not assigned for homework. I would pass out the book project activity and discuss. For homework, they must complete this activity.
*Week 4 - present their project to the class (20-25 min). We complete the opening activity for the next genre (20-25 min). We complete the first day activity of looking at the book to see what info we will gain by reading it (5 min). I pass out the reading schedule for the next genre and assign the first 5 days of reading to my students along with whatever workbook pages I assign to be completed.
*Week 5 - discuss homework pages. Discuss topics not previously covered. I love this of my plans because discussion and interaction with the kids about this genre is pretty solid. I typically don't assign all the workbook pages as homework and we will do 2 pages in class this day of the plans. For homework though, I do assign 5 more days worth of reading and then a worksheet page or two.
*Week 6 - complete the day 5 hands on activity. We discuss homework. And we may complete more workbook pages in class. I then assign the final 5 days worth of reading as homework and assigned workbook pages.
*Week 7 - complete the inner-active skit in class. Complete discussions. Complete any workbook pages. Pass our project and discuss. Their homework is to complete the project.
*Week 8 - present their project to the class (20-25 min). We complete the opening activity for the next genre (20-25 min). We complete the first day activity of looking at the book to see what info we will gain by reading it (5 min). I pass out the reading schedule for the next genre and assign the first 5 days of reading to my students along with whatever workbook pages I assign to be completed.
*Week 9 - discuss homework pages. Discuss topics not previously covered. On this day I again do a lot of discussion and interaction with the kids about this genre. And again, I typically don't assign all the workbook pages as homework and we will do 2 pages in class this day of the plans. For homework though, I do assign 5 more days worth of reading and then a worksheet page or two.
*Week 10 - complete the day 5 hands on activity. We discuss homework. And we may complete more workbook pages in class. I then assign the final 5 days worth of reading as homework and possibly a few workbook pages.
*Week 11 - complete the inner-active skit in class. Complete discussions. Complete any workbook pages. Pass our book project and discuss. Their homework is to complete the project.
*Week 12 - present their project to the class (20-25 min). Since this is the last day of class, we just party

As for the vocab activities, I pass out 1 of each of the vocabulary activities for the fall semester and then 1 set of each activity for the spring semester. My students aren't always the best about completing homework So if they turn out those 4 sheets at the end of the semester, they get a treat. My kids obviously complete more than this for the year. But many of the parents at the co-op are piece-mealing their curriculum together and so many of them already have a vocab curriculum. They don't like to see too much overlap. With HOD, it isn't overlap but for them, it may feel like it. I try to be flexible so that everyone gains the most benefit but I try to make it a good fit for everyone - if that makes sense.

And this is the same format I use for both semesters. Hope this is helpful.

[holyhart]

Thank you, Daneale! That was quite helpful. Our co-op is quite a bit longer, around 30 weeks so I could probably fit in another genre or two. I enjoyed reading how you broke it up.