Homeschooling6 wrote:
Would I start them both in 2/3 or 4/5?
Is this a complete reading program if you are not using HOD programs? Does it have writing?
In the Fall my kiddos will use either Bob Jones Reading or Rod & Staff (still deciding 
) would it be too much to add in DITHOR too?
Any information will be helpful 
Thank you,
Hi Linda! It's nice to meet you! I've used DITHOR for multiple years, even prior to homeschooling my own children. I've seen the success of it long-term, and I'm 100% confident that it would work well for you. As far as levels, I'd begin both of the children that you mentioned in Level 2/3. If children have not had experience with DITHOR before, it's best not to start with 4/5, even if they're older. I'd do both of them in 2/3 for a year, then keep your younger in 2/3 another year, and bump your older up to 4/5 the next year. Be sure to use different reading books with them though, that fit their reading level. We've used the book packs on this site and loved those; we've also picked our own books using the Sample Book Ideas list and enjoyed that too. (Note: HOD gives families permission to photocopy the Student Books for your family's use as well, so that's a nice option to use.)
You can start with any genre, and it's better to error on the side of picking a book slightly below the child's reading level rather than above it. We do DITHOR 3 x a week now, moving through 1/2 the genres one year, and the other 1/2 of the genres the next year. We did originally do it 5 days a week, moving through all of the genres twice before switching levels, and liked it that was as well. Right now, I prefer the 3 x a week, since I'm busy with our baby and some of his health issues.
It is a complete reading program - teaching so many skills and yet keeping the love of reading alive. Children read from every genre, learn story elements, vocabulary, prereading skills, comprehension skills, analyzing skills, character traits, etc. - and yet it's done in bite-sized pieces in a rotating way, making it easy and enjoyable to complete. DITHOR is not a writing program. HOD has suggestions if you wish to add writing to it at this link:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into ... ations.php
As far as adding it to Bob Jones or R & S next year - I'm not as familiar with those, although we've used R & S English 2 this year scheduled in Bigger Hearts for His Glory and loved that. If that's what you're looking at, that's definitely doable. If you're talking about a full-fledged reading program, I would either stagger it with DITHOR, doing DITHOR 3 days a week and the other program 2 days a week and then switching the next week - or just use DITHOR. If you're talking about a writing program, that would work fine with DITHOR.
HTH! Can't say enough good things about DITHOR - if you have other questions, or this doesn't answer the questions you had, please post again!!! I'm sure others will respond here as well. Glad to meet you - and glad you are here!
In Christ,
Julie
)
It is very easy to copy, but would be easy to use as a write in book if you wanted to. But remeber you can use the smae workbook for several levels, so you might kick yourself if you end up buying the same workbook next year-kwim? I know I would!