Oh wonderful day...not one, but TWO National Geographic Magazines in our mail box today!!!
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Monday, July 8, 2013
Gifts in the Mail
Oh wonderful day...not one, but TWO National Geographic Magazines in our mail box today!!!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
What we're reading these days
I noticed that it has been quite a while since I posted about what we are reading these days, so here is a quick look at what is on our bedside tables:
William:
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room by: Lemony Snicket. This is the first series that William has really gotten into on his own (and the first books, for that matter) where he has not gotten bored part way through. He picked up the entire series at a garage sale this summer and is determined to read each and every one.
Charlie:
Are You My Mother? by: P.D. Eastman
Put Me In The Zoo by: Robert Lopshire. Both of these are older books (first published in the 1960s) that I remember reading as a little girl. They are certainly classics though, and a far cry better than the 'early readers' that are published these days. They have a story that Charlie loves, but are written in simple language with lots of sight words, rather than complex language but with only a sentence or two on each page.
Read Alouds:
Silverwing by: Kenneth Oppel. This is one that I picked up recently when I needed a'guaranteed' good story after finishing the Mysterious Benedict Society Books. It has won about a million prizes, and has make bats Williams new favorite animal (after dogs, of course!)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by: J.K. Rowling. Not that this book needs any extra advertisement but we are on our second round through reading the whole series...
Joanna:
The Night Circus by: Erin Morgenstern is a beautifully written drama / mystery / romance that I am thoroughly enjoying. I know it sounds corny, but I love a book that calls on me to read it with a pencil in hand to underline the parts that I most enjoy...But still, the discontent remains. Even the ground beneath feels unsatisfying to his boots. ( Don't laugh !!)
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk by: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish because I really need to read this book as often as I can.
William:
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room by: Lemony Snicket. This is the first series that William has really gotten into on his own (and the first books, for that matter) where he has not gotten bored part way through. He picked up the entire series at a garage sale this summer and is determined to read each and every one.
Charlie:
Are You My Mother? by: P.D. Eastman
Put Me In The Zoo by: Robert Lopshire. Both of these are older books (first published in the 1960s) that I remember reading as a little girl. They are certainly classics though, and a far cry better than the 'early readers' that are published these days. They have a story that Charlie loves, but are written in simple language with lots of sight words, rather than complex language but with only a sentence or two on each page.
Read Alouds:
Silverwing by: Kenneth Oppel. This is one that I picked up recently when I needed a'guaranteed' good story after finishing the Mysterious Benedict Society Books. It has won about a million prizes, and has make bats Williams new favorite animal (after dogs, of course!)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by: J.K. Rowling. Not that this book needs any extra advertisement but we are on our second round through reading the whole series...
Joanna:
The Night Circus by: Erin Morgenstern is a beautifully written drama / mystery / romance that I am thoroughly enjoying. I know it sounds corny, but I love a book that calls on me to read it with a pencil in hand to underline the parts that I most enjoy...But still, the discontent remains. Even the ground beneath feels unsatisfying to his boots. ( Don't laugh !!)
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk by: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish because I really need to read this book as often as I can.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Literary Carry-Over
I LOVE literary carry-over. You know, those times when kids read about something that the characters in their favorite books are doing, and absolutely have to try it?
When we were reading The Mysterious Benedict Society books, William took to carrying a tool box around with him that was filled with pocket knives, flashlight, string, band aids etc. in deference to one of the characters, Kate, from the book.
Last night he started the second book in the Series of Unfortunate Events series and finished off at:
"Hello hello hello!" a loud voice boomed out, and from behind the door stepped a short, chubby man with a round red face. "I am your Uncle Monty, and this is really perfect timing! I just finished making a coconut cream cake!"
Well, you don't need much more of an invitation than that, do you? William woke up this morning with baking on his mind, and here is the finished product:
With a little bit left sans coconut for his brother, of course...
When we were reading The Mysterious Benedict Society books, William took to carrying a tool box around with him that was filled with pocket knives, flashlight, string, band aids etc. in deference to one of the characters, Kate, from the book.
Last night he started the second book in the Series of Unfortunate Events series and finished off at:
"Hello hello hello!" a loud voice boomed out, and from behind the door stepped a short, chubby man with a round red face. "I am your Uncle Monty, and this is really perfect timing! I just finished making a coconut cream cake!"
Well, you don't need much more of an invitation than that, do you? William woke up this morning with baking on his mind, and here is the finished product:
With a little bit left sans coconut for his brother, of course...
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Reading Lessons for Me
I have been homeschooling long enough that I should know this, but sometimes even moms forget their lessons. Here is what I have (finally!!) remembered today: Homeschooling works so well because you can help kids to learn what, when,and how they learn best. I know this. Really, I do.
Still, I have been getting more and more stressed lately because Charlie is now 7 years old, and no where near reading. He has a few sight words, of course, but his progress has been moving at a much slower pace than my anxiety ( I know, I know - my misplaced issues rather than his errors).
My approach to reading with both boys has always been to focus on encouraging their love for reading first and foremost, rather than pushing them to develop the actual skills and end up becoming good readers who hate to pick up a book. I think that generally I have succeeded - both boys look forward to lots of reading at bedtime and throughout the day, and they have story books lined up one after the other so that we are never at a loss of what to read next. William is now a really good reader (after a slow-by-common-standards-start) who has a book with him almost all of the time, is always happy to share his list of favorites if you are looking for something to read.
But Charlie was struggling. The preparing to read, leveled readers that I had for him (that worked well for William, I might add) were completely uninspiring to him. He was not at all interested in them, and got by with reading as little as he possibly could while still feeling that he was keeping up with his older brother.
Finally, yesterday, my brain somehow clicked on again. I realized (right after he said "Mom, this is how it is") that those readers were excruciatingly boring and infantile for my oh, so grown up son. He wanted a good story. He wanted adventure. Drama even.
So we stared reading The Fire Cat by Esther Averill together (maybe not high drama by adult standards, but not bad to a 7 year old). We sit side by side and read it together. He reads the words that he is able (smaller sight words, names that he can recognize easily, what he can guess from the illustrations or the sentences themselves) and I fill in the rest. And, Viola!! A book that he is bringing to me himself throughout the day to read. A book that has him begging to read just a few more pages at night before we shut out the lights. And a 'real' book, where he recognizes enough of the words that he feels his as 'really' reading. The other important fact being that each time we pick it up together he is reading more and more of the words on his own.
So, there you have it - my lesson for the day: listen to your kids. If something is not working, try something new. There are a million different ways to learn, and what works for one person will not necessarily work for another. The more I remember that, the happier we will all be.
Still, I have been getting more and more stressed lately because Charlie is now 7 years old, and no where near reading. He has a few sight words, of course, but his progress has been moving at a much slower pace than my anxiety ( I know, I know - my misplaced issues rather than his errors).
My approach to reading with both boys has always been to focus on encouraging their love for reading first and foremost, rather than pushing them to develop the actual skills and end up becoming good readers who hate to pick up a book. I think that generally I have succeeded - both boys look forward to lots of reading at bedtime and throughout the day, and they have story books lined up one after the other so that we are never at a loss of what to read next. William is now a really good reader (after a slow-by-common-standards-start) who has a book with him almost all of the time, is always happy to share his list of favorites if you are looking for something to read.
But Charlie was struggling. The preparing to read, leveled readers that I had for him (that worked well for William, I might add) were completely uninspiring to him. He was not at all interested in them, and got by with reading as little as he possibly could while still feeling that he was keeping up with his older brother.
Finally, yesterday, my brain somehow clicked on again. I realized (right after he said "Mom, this is how it is") that those readers were excruciatingly boring and infantile for my oh, so grown up son. He wanted a good story. He wanted adventure. Drama even.
So we stared reading The Fire Cat by Esther Averill together (maybe not high drama by adult standards, but not bad to a 7 year old). We sit side by side and read it together. He reads the words that he is able (smaller sight words, names that he can recognize easily, what he can guess from the illustrations or the sentences themselves) and I fill in the rest. And, Viola!! A book that he is bringing to me himself throughout the day to read. A book that has him begging to read just a few more pages at night before we shut out the lights. And a 'real' book, where he recognizes enough of the words that he feels his as 'really' reading. The other important fact being that each time we pick it up together he is reading more and more of the words on his own.
So, there you have it - my lesson for the day: listen to your kids. If something is not working, try something new. There are a million different ways to learn, and what works for one person will not necessarily work for another. The more I remember that, the happier we will all be.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
The Mysterious Benedict Society
In an effort to share some of the really great books that are out there for families these days, may I introduce to you: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart!!!
The boys and I first found this series last summer when we listened to the third book in the series, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, on our way up to family camp. We all loved it, surely a sign of a great book (as opposed to, say, the Magic Tree House Books that the kids occasionally like but I find excruciating). This series has it all. Intrigue, mystery, great characters, language that tells the story well without being too dumbed down or too hard to follow, and of course, underdog characters who prevail over the bad guys in the end.
We somehow lost track of the books after we got back from camp, but I remembered them in time to get William the first of the 3 books for Christmas this past year. We read through it together, promptly got the second book in the series from the library, and devoured that too. We then, unfortunately, had a bit of a crisis when we remembered that we had already heard the third in the series and where therefore at the end of the story, before coming across the prequel of sorts, The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict.
Since then, we have been reading this last book any chance we get, and I admit that I am as excited to see what comes next as the kids are.
As much as we are enjoying it, there is a bit of a cloud hanging over us all - that sort of sad, uncomfortable feeling that you get when you get to the end of something really great. I am not sure what we will read together next, but it had better be good!!!!!
The boys and I first found this series last summer when we listened to the third book in the series, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, on our way up to family camp. We all loved it, surely a sign of a great book (as opposed to, say, the Magic Tree House Books that the kids occasionally like but I find excruciating). This series has it all. Intrigue, mystery, great characters, language that tells the story well without being too dumbed down or too hard to follow, and of course, underdog characters who prevail over the bad guys in the end.
We somehow lost track of the books after we got back from camp, but I remembered them in time to get William the first of the 3 books for Christmas this past year. We read through it together, promptly got the second book in the series from the library, and devoured that too. We then, unfortunately, had a bit of a crisis when we remembered that we had already heard the third in the series and where therefore at the end of the story, before coming across the prequel of sorts, The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict.
Since then, we have been reading this last book any chance we get, and I admit that I am as excited to see what comes next as the kids are.
As much as we are enjoying it, there is a bit of a cloud hanging over us all - that sort of sad, uncomfortable feeling that you get when you get to the end of something really great. I am not sure what we will read together next, but it had better be good!!!!!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Bookcrossing
William, Charlie and I have been bog fans of Postcrossing for a few years now. It is a great way to trade postcards with other people from around the world, and makes checking the mail box (not to mention learning a bit of geography) a whole lot more fun.
Today we expanded our 'crossing' activities after finding out about Bookcrossing. In a nutshell, you 'release books into the wild' and trust that whoever finds them will read it and release it again, or pass it along to someone else who might enjoy it. You can track where your book travels through postings tied to the tracking number in the book, and read reviews or comments from other people who have picked up and appreciated the book.
It is a really nice way to fight back against the scarcity mindset that can get so overwhelming these days. Not only is there enough of what we all need, but there is plenty left over to share and gift to others.
Today I released my first book - left it on the counter at a local coffee shop, as a matter of fact. It is tagged with a sticker that says "I am not lost!" and some instructions on the inside cover as to how to register the book. I can't wait to see if / where it travels!!
Here is the link to Bookcrossing if you are interested in getting in on the action.
Today we expanded our 'crossing' activities after finding out about Bookcrossing. In a nutshell, you 'release books into the wild' and trust that whoever finds them will read it and release it again, or pass it along to someone else who might enjoy it. You can track where your book travels through postings tied to the tracking number in the book, and read reviews or comments from other people who have picked up and appreciated the book.
It is a really nice way to fight back against the scarcity mindset that can get so overwhelming these days. Not only is there enough of what we all need, but there is plenty left over to share and gift to others.
Today I released my first book - left it on the counter at a local coffee shop, as a matter of fact. It is tagged with a sticker that says "I am not lost!" and some instructions on the inside cover as to how to register the book. I can't wait to see if / where it travels!!
Here is the link to Bookcrossing if you are interested in getting in on the action.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
More books for Kenya
A few months ago, we got an e-mail from a friend, Natalie, who was helping to build a small community library in Kenya. We dug through our shelves and sent over some boxes of books, and then waited to hear any news.
When we heard that the library was built and still in need of more books, we called in the troops - no one has an excess of books if not homeschooling families. So Natalie graciously offered to come out and talk to our kids about the library. She brought photos of the library being built, the community who is making it happen, and of life in Kenya in general.
The kids really enjoyed talking with Natalie about the people that she had met in Kenya, and wrote letters or drew pictures to send along with the books.
But by far, the best part was this - seeing a picture of some of the kids at the new library, reading one of the books that Charlie and William sent over with the first round.
To see more pictures of the library being built, and to get in touch with Natalie if you happen to live close by and have books (or cash) to donate, here is the link to the Tei wa Syana Community Library site.
When we heard that the library was built and still in need of more books, we called in the troops - no one has an excess of books if not homeschooling families. So Natalie graciously offered to come out and talk to our kids about the library. She brought photos of the library being built, the community who is making it happen, and of life in Kenya in general.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Having Faith
Ever since we began homeschooling 'officially', I have struggled every so often to do battle with the type A, controlling and rather up tight aspects of my personality. Especially when it comes to reading and writing. I guess that those things that feel most important to me are the same areas where I most want my boys to feel comfortable. Makes sense, right?
These past few months I have had to fairly consciously shut up that little voice inside my head when it comes to Williams reading. Our focus has been mostly on reading itself - cultivating a love of books, more than the act of reading. Will has been coming along well, knows how to read, and is comfortable picking up an early leveled reader and having a go at it. He has been making progress, but I was still, well, you know.
So I read up on un-schooling. I tried to reaffirm my faith that he will get it when the time is right, in spite of me, not because of me. I journalled about my worries so that I could get it off my chest on paper, and not lay it on William. I took long deep breaths,and focused on long term goals - like keeping him in love with stories.
And then, the other day, as calmly as anything, he reports that he is tired of the 'learning to read' books. He pulls Witches, by Roald Dahl off the shelf, and digs in.
So that is what Will is reading now. Not at a great clip yet, but happily, joyfully, consistently, and without the tiniest hint of frustration. And with no pushing from me.
These past few months I have had to fairly consciously shut up that little voice inside my head when it comes to Williams reading. Our focus has been mostly on reading itself - cultivating a love of books, more than the act of reading. Will has been coming along well, knows how to read, and is comfortable picking up an early leveled reader and having a go at it. He has been making progress, but I was still, well, you know.
So I read up on un-schooling. I tried to reaffirm my faith that he will get it when the time is right, in spite of me, not because of me. I journalled about my worries so that I could get it off my chest on paper, and not lay it on William. I took long deep breaths,and focused on long term goals - like keeping him in love with stories.
And then, the other day, as calmly as anything, he reports that he is tired of the 'learning to read' books. He pulls Witches, by Roald Dahl off the shelf, and digs in.
So that is what Will is reading now. Not at a great clip yet, but happily, joyfully, consistently, and without the tiniest hint of frustration. And with no pushing from me.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Dear Diary...
I have to share with you all my favorite 'writing' exercise. This falls into the homeschooling part of things, but it is really so much more than that. I have always loved journalling. I have diaries that I began keeping while in public school, and that have carried me through high school (when I wrote a lot!!) and into early adulthood. Since having kids it has been harder and harder to find the time, and I have really missed getting my thoughts and feelings down on paper. I lamented not having the time to do this one little thing that used to be such a big part of who I am.
Until Grammy came for a visit, that is. Sometimes it takes someone a little outside of the situation to point out the obvious, doesn't it?
Anyway, upon Grammy's advice, the boys now each have a diary for themselves. They are beautiful hardcover books, the kind of journal that I would be thrilled to write in. And they do write!!
Several times a week the boys and I all search out our diaries from their respective hiding spots and settle in for some journalling - me at the desk, William under the desk, and Charlie behind the futon. There are only 2 rules for this time of day - we must respect other people's privacy and look at their pages only if invited, and it is a quiet time for us to be alone with our thoughts and words (they are still working on that one!!). It is truly lovely. There is never a word of protest when I ask if they want to get their diaries.
William is writing up a storm, knowing that no one will be checking his spelling or grammar. I get some time to take up again the writing that I have sorely missed, and Charlie feels so grown up with a beautiful book just like Mama.
Happy kids, happy Mama.
Until Grammy came for a visit, that is. Sometimes it takes someone a little outside of the situation to point out the obvious, doesn't it?
Anyway, upon Grammy's advice, the boys now each have a diary for themselves. They are beautiful hardcover books, the kind of journal that I would be thrilled to write in. And they do write!!
Several times a week the boys and I all search out our diaries from their respective hiding spots and settle in for some journalling - me at the desk, William under the desk, and Charlie behind the futon. There are only 2 rules for this time of day - we must respect other people's privacy and look at their pages only if invited, and it is a quiet time for us to be alone with our thoughts and words (they are still working on that one!!). It is truly lovely. There is never a word of protest when I ask if they want to get their diaries.
William is writing up a storm, knowing that no one will be checking his spelling or grammar. I get some time to take up again the writing that I have sorely missed, and Charlie feels so grown up with a beautiful book just like Mama.
Happy kids, happy Mama.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
What we are reading today...
I confess that I am not much of a winter person. The boys are eager to get all decked out in 12 layers of clothing and plow through the snow, whereas I hate to be all bundled up, and tend to bring a coat only in case I end up in a ditch somewhere. In my mind, snow is lovely to look at from the warmth of the fireside, curled up with a cup of tea and a good book....I know, it is shameful for a Canadian Woman to feel such things, but there you have it.
Anyway, the snow keeps the kid outside during the day, but the early sunsets draw them inside to my lair for some snuggles and reading before it gets too late. Here is what we are enjoying right now....
William:
Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel (1970). Will loves the Frog and Toad books - perfect for beginning readers. There are enough words on each page, and enough of a story that it feels like a 'real book', but it is easy enough that he doesn't get discouraged. We both get incredibly frustrated with the leveled readers you find in book stores and the local library, for the most part - they are either too complicated for his level right now, or the stories are dull and excruciating for us both to read and listen to.
The Magician's Nephew by C.S.Lewis I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be reading this series (the Narnia books) with the boys. We both felt a bit of a let down after finishing Harry Potter and wanted another series that we could dive into and know that we wouldn't have to come up for air for quite a while. As an added draw, these were the favorite books of my sister and I when we were young. Mom would read through the series with us, and as soon as we finished The Last Battle we would be begging her to start at the beginning again.
Charlie:
Stranger in the Woods by: Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick. If you have never come across this book, it is worth searching out - especially if you have nature / animal lovers in the family. It is a lovely story about woodland animals discovering a snowman in their forest. It is full of photographs rather than illustrations, and they are breathtaking. Deer, chickadees, porcupines and owls fill the pages in beautiful photos that really make the story come alive.
Mummies in the Morning by: Mary Pope Osbourne. Do you have any of these books in the house? Twaddle (isn't that the word that Charlotte Mason uses?)that somehow snuck into the house without your notice, and now the kids don't want to get rid of them? Thank goodness the kids don't ask for these books all that often but Charlie seems to be on a bit of a binge these days. These books are not what I would call stimulating, but at least they are short....
Joanna:
Changing Heaven by Jane Urquhart. I came across this book on my shelf a few days ago, in my pile of 'to read' books that I have picked up at used book stores, garage sales,etc. The authors other book Away is one of my favorites of all time, and although I am just getting started in this one, I am loving it too. Her language is beautiful and is as much of a feast for the senses as you can get from a book. Changing Heaven also floats back and forth between different times and places, which is a trait that I love in books, when it is done well.
Possum Living - How to Live Well Without a Job and With (Almost) No Money by Dolly Freed. This gem was on my Christmas list, and I am so thankful to have family members who went to the trouble of tracking it down. It was written in 1978 by an 18 year old girl with a 7th grade education, and tells how she and her father, "The Old Fool" live outside of normal economic society. You need to, of course, take this tale with a grain of salt, but it paints a wonderful picture of an alternative way of life. This is not one of the back-to-the-land books typical of the time, but definitely the musings of a younger writer whose approach to things is less than completely thought out. None-the-less, a fun read if you are into this sort of thing.
Anyway, the snow keeps the kid outside during the day, but the early sunsets draw them inside to my lair for some snuggles and reading before it gets too late. Here is what we are enjoying right now....
William:
Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel (1970). Will loves the Frog and Toad books - perfect for beginning readers. There are enough words on each page, and enough of a story that it feels like a 'real book', but it is easy enough that he doesn't get discouraged. We both get incredibly frustrated with the leveled readers you find in book stores and the local library, for the most part - they are either too complicated for his level right now, or the stories are dull and excruciating for us both to read and listen to.
The Magician's Nephew by C.S.Lewis I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be reading this series (the Narnia books) with the boys. We both felt a bit of a let down after finishing Harry Potter and wanted another series that we could dive into and know that we wouldn't have to come up for air for quite a while. As an added draw, these were the favorite books of my sister and I when we were young. Mom would read through the series with us, and as soon as we finished The Last Battle we would be begging her to start at the beginning again.
Charlie:
Stranger in the Woods by: Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick. If you have never come across this book, it is worth searching out - especially if you have nature / animal lovers in the family. It is a lovely story about woodland animals discovering a snowman in their forest. It is full of photographs rather than illustrations, and they are breathtaking. Deer, chickadees, porcupines and owls fill the pages in beautiful photos that really make the story come alive.
Mummies in the Morning by: Mary Pope Osbourne. Do you have any of these books in the house? Twaddle (isn't that the word that Charlotte Mason uses?)that somehow snuck into the house without your notice, and now the kids don't want to get rid of them? Thank goodness the kids don't ask for these books all that often but Charlie seems to be on a bit of a binge these days. These books are not what I would call stimulating, but at least they are short....
Joanna:
Changing Heaven by Jane Urquhart. I came across this book on my shelf a few days ago, in my pile of 'to read' books that I have picked up at used book stores, garage sales,etc. The authors other book Away is one of my favorites of all time, and although I am just getting started in this one, I am loving it too. Her language is beautiful and is as much of a feast for the senses as you can get from a book. Changing Heaven also floats back and forth between different times and places, which is a trait that I love in books, when it is done well.
Possum Living - How to Live Well Without a Job and With (Almost) No Money by Dolly Freed. This gem was on my Christmas list, and I am so thankful to have family members who went to the trouble of tracking it down. It was written in 1978 by an 18 year old girl with a 7th grade education, and tells how she and her father, "The Old Fool" live outside of normal economic society. You need to, of course, take this tale with a grain of salt, but it paints a wonderful picture of an alternative way of life. This is not one of the back-to-the-land books typical of the time, but definitely the musings of a younger writer whose approach to things is less than completely thought out. None-the-less, a fun read if you are into this sort of thing.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
For The Love of Reading
I have been thinking a lot about reading lately, and how it figures into our homeschooling routing, and our lives. When I think of adults that I have met, they can be classified fairly cleanly into readers and non-readers. It is not an absolute division, of course, but I find that people either love to read and do it as often as they can, or rarely read at all - not much of a middle ground. Going on the assumption, then, that the goal is (as mine is) to raise kids who become adults who read, both for educational value and entertainment.....the question becomes how?
For us it has meant a fairly relaxed approach to teaching the boys to read. We began exploring phonics when William was about 5 years old, using Explode The Code. I had actually shied away from a reading 'curriculum' for as long as I could, but he was having a hard time making the leap from recognizing letters to putting the sounds together. We used Explode The Code for a short while until he got the hang of things, and then put it aside. We were all thrilled to make the move to 'real' books, and things are moving along well now.
William reads to us all every night before bed, and sometimes a time or two during the day as well. But mostly, our reading is still my reading aloud to the boys. To me, this is the part that will more likely turn them into adult readers. I am less concerned that they can read well on their own at this stage as I am that they continue to love books. I have faith that their own skills will come so long as the love of reading is kept alive.
Over the last year or so, we have all been enjoying the Harry Potter series (with a few words changed now and then in the later books, which get a little dark). About two weeks ago we began Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech, and after finishing it last night William has headed to the shelf to pick the next chapter book. I am happy to oblige. At 7 years old, his interests far surpass his reading abilities. The chapter books which allow us all to really delve into a story, to immerse ourselves in it over time, to curl up in front of the fire together for a whole morning of reading, are still beyond what he can read on his own without frustration. William is getting to be a better reader each day, and Charlie, at 5 years old, is ready to start his journey. They are not skilled readers yet, but they are certainly book lovers - just as I have hoped they will be.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.
~Anna Quindlen, "Enough Bookshelves," New York Times, 7 August 1991
For us it has meant a fairly relaxed approach to teaching the boys to read. We began exploring phonics when William was about 5 years old, using Explode The Code. I had actually shied away from a reading 'curriculum' for as long as I could, but he was having a hard time making the leap from recognizing letters to putting the sounds together. We used Explode The Code for a short while until he got the hang of things, and then put it aside. We were all thrilled to make the move to 'real' books, and things are moving along well now.
William reads to us all every night before bed, and sometimes a time or two during the day as well. But mostly, our reading is still my reading aloud to the boys. To me, this is the part that will more likely turn them into adult readers. I am less concerned that they can read well on their own at this stage as I am that they continue to love books. I have faith that their own skills will come so long as the love of reading is kept alive.
Over the last year or so, we have all been enjoying the Harry Potter series (with a few words changed now and then in the later books, which get a little dark). About two weeks ago we began Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech, and after finishing it last night William has headed to the shelf to pick the next chapter book. I am happy to oblige. At 7 years old, his interests far surpass his reading abilities. The chapter books which allow us all to really delve into a story, to immerse ourselves in it over time, to curl up in front of the fire together for a whole morning of reading, are still beyond what he can read on his own without frustration. William is getting to be a better reader each day, and Charlie, at 5 years old, is ready to start his journey. They are not skilled readers yet, but they are certainly book lovers - just as I have hoped they will be.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.
~Anna Quindlen, "Enough Bookshelves," New York Times, 7 August 1991
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Book Rotation
This is one of those posts that offers a painfully obvious to everyone else but me hint. Still, it is always nice to share.
We have a lot of books in our home. I mean a lot. All of this selection, though, leads to a problem. First of all, it can be difficult when you are trying to find that one special book that the kids really, really want for bedtime tonight, and it doesn't matter that it is already 9:45 and Mama just wants them to sleep!!!!!!!!!! Ahem.
It also leads to a bit of book boredom. They see the same books around all of the time, and they start to loose their appeal. So, a year or so ago it finally dawned on me to rotate the books - especially books themed around holidays or seasons.
Today we cracked open our Halloween box full of decorations, stickers, and (of course) books!! The kids were thrilled to find all of these 'new' books, and we spent the afternoon decorating, planning costumes, and doing a lot of reading.
By the way...don't you love it when big brothers help out reading bedtime stories?? And when younger brothers are patient with beginning readers? I love my boys!!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Telling Tales Festival
Today the boys and I headed over to the second annual Telling Tales Festival - a great (and free!) literacy festival held in a heritage village. The village, which is worth a visit any day, is filled with costumed characters from favorite books, readings, demonstrations, and booksellers. There is even a book 'exchange' where kids can bring in books that no longer hold their interest and receive tokens towards the purchase of new books.
They enjoyed exploring the old coal burning train engine and walking the tracks...
Seeing the costumed characters strolling about...
Visiting the heritage buildings...
Petting the police horses...
And best of all, listening to...
A surprise story telling by Robert Munsch, a favorite author in our house.
Needless to day,. bedtime stories will likely be an extended affair tonight!!
They enjoyed exploring the old coal burning train engine and walking the tracks...
Seeing the costumed characters strolling about...
Visiting the heritage buildings...
Petting the police horses...
And best of all, listening to...
A surprise story telling by Robert Munsch, a favorite author in our house.
Needless to day,. bedtime stories will likely be an extended affair tonight!!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
What we are reading today...
I haven't posted a book list for a while, so here is a glimpse at the books that are on the bedside table (well, to be honest they are in a pile on the floor beside the bed) right now....
Joanna:
Galore By: Michael Crummey - I am really enjoying this novel, set in Newfoundland and filled with a cast of characters both lovable and loathable. It tells a story where, as the cover says, the line between the real and the otherworldly is impossible to distinguish. As an added bonus, it is Canadian, which is always a good thing.
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community By: Robert Putnam - I am only a few pages into this, but I am really looking forward to delving deeper. Much of the work that I do outside the home (and inside it, too!) relates to helping people become more a part of their communities. I will try to post a review when I finish it.
William:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows By: J.K.Rowling (read aloud)- This is, of course, the last in the Harry Potter series that we have been working our way through for most of the past year. I know that some people object to the subject matter, but in my thinking, any story that not only gets a 7 year old boy excited about reading 700 pages, but also puts a smile on Mamas face, is just fine by me.
Animal Antics By Literacy Ladder - William still struggles with any leveled readers. Somehow if he sees any sort of notation that it is at a set level, or says beginning reader or any such thing on it, it is not a 'real book' in his eyes. We have had good luck with some of the kids fiction written in the 1950 - 1970s, but this newer book made it through his screening because of the animal content.
Charlie:
The King At The Door By: Brock Cole - this is a favorite that gets pulled off the shelf every few months and takes the place of honour in bedtime reading for a few days in a row. It is a take on The Boy Who Cried Wolf, but turned around. The boy in this tale tells the truth and is not believed, with hilarious and heartwarming results. (Gee, I could write the cover notes, couldn't I?)
Stanley's Wild Ride By: Linda Bailey - the Stanley books are another favorite of the whole family. They follow the life of Stanley,a family dog, who tends to get into trouble when his people are away. The kids also like Stanley's Party, and Stanley's Beauty Contest.
Joanna:
Galore By: Michael Crummey - I am really enjoying this novel, set in Newfoundland and filled with a cast of characters both lovable and loathable. It tells a story where, as the cover says, the line between the real and the otherworldly is impossible to distinguish. As an added bonus, it is Canadian, which is always a good thing.
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community By: Robert Putnam - I am only a few pages into this, but I am really looking forward to delving deeper. Much of the work that I do outside the home (and inside it, too!) relates to helping people become more a part of their communities. I will try to post a review when I finish it.
William:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows By: J.K.Rowling (read aloud)- This is, of course, the last in the Harry Potter series that we have been working our way through for most of the past year. I know that some people object to the subject matter, but in my thinking, any story that not only gets a 7 year old boy excited about reading 700 pages, but also puts a smile on Mamas face, is just fine by me.
Animal Antics By Literacy Ladder - William still struggles with any leveled readers. Somehow if he sees any sort of notation that it is at a set level, or says beginning reader or any such thing on it, it is not a 'real book' in his eyes. We have had good luck with some of the kids fiction written in the 1950 - 1970s, but this newer book made it through his screening because of the animal content.
Charlie:
The King At The Door By: Brock Cole - this is a favorite that gets pulled off the shelf every few months and takes the place of honour in bedtime reading for a few days in a row. It is a take on The Boy Who Cried Wolf, but turned around. The boy in this tale tells the truth and is not believed, with hilarious and heartwarming results. (Gee, I could write the cover notes, couldn't I?)
Stanley's Wild Ride By: Linda Bailey - the Stanley books are another favorite of the whole family. They follow the life of Stanley,a family dog, who tends to get into trouble when his people are away. The kids also like Stanley's Party, and Stanley's Beauty Contest.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Song My Paddle Sings
I had forgotten how much I love this poem, until our exploration of Aboriginal culture brought it back to memory. Pauline Johnson was a poet born in the early 1800 on the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford, Ontario - the daughter of a Mohawk Chief and a non-native mother. At a time when most young women her age were getting married and raising families, Pauline made a living for herself as a writer and performer.
The Song My Paddle Sings
-E. Pauline Johnson
West wind, blow from your prairie nest
Blow from the mountains, blow from the west.
The sail is idle, the sailor too;
O! wind of the west, we wait for you.
Blow, blow!
I have wooed you so,
But never a favour you bestow.
You rock your cradle the hills between,
But scorn to notice my white lateen.
I stow the sail, unship the mast:
I wooed you long but my wooing's past;
My paddle will lull you into rest.
O! drowsy wind of the drowsy west,
Sleep, sleep,
By your mountain steep,
Or down where the prairie grasses sweep!
Now fold in slumber your laggard wings,
For soft is the song my paddle sings.
August is laughing across the sky,
Laughing while paddle, canoe and I,
Drift, drift,
Where the hills uplift
On either side of the current swift.
The river rolls in its rocky bed;
My paddle is plying its way ahead;
Dip, dip,
While the waters flip
In foam as over their breast we slip.
And oh, the river runs swifter now;
The eddies circle about my bow.
Swirl, swirl!
How the ripples curl
In many a dangerous pool awhirl!
And forward far the rapids roar,
Fretting their margin for evermore.
Dash, dash,
With a mighty crash,
They seethe, and boil, and bound, and splash.
Be strong, O paddle! be brave, canoe!
The reckless waves you must plunge into.
Reel, reel.
On your trembling keel,
But never a fear my craft will feel.
We've raced the rapid, we're far ahead!
The river slips through its silent bed.
Sway, sway,
As the bubbles spray
And fall in tinkling tunes away.
And up on the hills against the sky,
A fir tree rocking its lullaby,
Swings, swings,
Its emerald wings,
Swelling the song that my paddle sings.
The Song My Paddle Sings
-E. Pauline Johnson
West wind, blow from your prairie nest
Blow from the mountains, blow from the west.
The sail is idle, the sailor too;
O! wind of the west, we wait for you.
Blow, blow!
I have wooed you so,
But never a favour you bestow.
You rock your cradle the hills between,
But scorn to notice my white lateen.
I stow the sail, unship the mast:
I wooed you long but my wooing's past;
My paddle will lull you into rest.
O! drowsy wind of the drowsy west,
Sleep, sleep,
By your mountain steep,
Or down where the prairie grasses sweep!
Now fold in slumber your laggard wings,
For soft is the song my paddle sings.
August is laughing across the sky,
Laughing while paddle, canoe and I,
Drift, drift,
Where the hills uplift
On either side of the current swift.
The river rolls in its rocky bed;
My paddle is plying its way ahead;
Dip, dip,
While the waters flip
In foam as over their breast we slip.
And oh, the river runs swifter now;
The eddies circle about my bow.
Swirl, swirl!
How the ripples curl
In many a dangerous pool awhirl!
And forward far the rapids roar,
Fretting their margin for evermore.
Dash, dash,
With a mighty crash,
They seethe, and boil, and bound, and splash.
Be strong, O paddle! be brave, canoe!
The reckless waves you must plunge into.
Reel, reel.
On your trembling keel,
But never a fear my craft will feel.
We've raced the rapid, we're far ahead!
The river slips through its silent bed.
Sway, sway,
As the bubbles spray
And fall in tinkling tunes away.
And up on the hills against the sky,
A fir tree rocking its lullaby,
Swings, swings,
Its emerald wings,
Swelling the song that my paddle sings.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
A Story is a Story
We spend a lot of time in the car most weeks - visiting friends and family, going into town for home school events, field trips, or even just for a change of scenery. And we don't go anywhere without stories on disk. As a homeschooling tool, and just as a really nice way to 'read', I think that audio books are highly underrated and under used - so I thought that I would share some of our favorites.
In the car right now:
The BFG by Roald Dalh from Harper Children's Audio - a great audio book - the language is silly and fun, and it is nice to have someone else stumbling through it. We are all looking forward to hearing the rest of it.
The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop read by the author and a full cast - a perennial favorite that we have listed to many times over.
Black Jack the Pirate Cat by Catherine Kentridge
Ink Heart by Cornelia Funke read by Brandon Frasier
Favorite Series:
Anything by Jim Weiss at Great Hall Productions - Jim is a fabulous story teller, and really brings the stories to life. He creates a full cast of characters with his voice, and sticks to great literature and folk tales - The story of Robin Hood, Egyptian Myths, Classic Fairy Tales, American Classics, Tales from Near and Far, King Arthur and His Knights.....
BBC Radio Collection - another series that does a great job with the classics - Peter Pan, Winnie-the-Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, The Wind in the Willows......
BBC Production of Horrible Histories - a fun way to get into some weird and wonderful bits of history, but I would suggest listening to it yourself first before playing it for younger kids.
The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer read by Jim Weiss - a read-aloud history series (available from Great Hall Productions)
Where to find them:
*Libraries often carry a (small) selection of audio books, but our local one has been great at searching out titles from other branches and bringing them in for us. You can also access them via inter-library loan, or request that your local branch add more to their collection (we brought our wish list in a month or so ago and are waiting to see what they get!)
*Set up a trade circle within a group of friends or homeschoolers for those books that kids like to listen to only once or twice.
*We are always on the look out for audio books at garage sales, thrift stores, and on-line. They tend to be expensive new, but we have come across great deals now and then.
*Audio books are always on the kids' Holiday and Birthday lists, and family love it when the boys are so excited to talk to them about gifts that they have given.
*of course, our favorite book / story store has a great selection of audio books that you can order on-line. Definitely worth checking out.
Free (and not free) downloads:
With technology being what it is now, there are many great sites that allow you access to free downloads. Some of these are read by the author, others by professionals, and others by volunteers. They are worth checking out.
My Audio School provides recordings of classic books, radio theatre and historical radio for a fee of $14.99 / year
LibriVox free downloads of thousands of public domain titles
Books Should Be Free free downloads
Open Culture
Keep In Mind:
*Be sure to pick stories that you all are likely to enjoy. Listening to Bridge To Tarabithia by Katherine Paterson was a pleasure for me, too. I curse the day that our library brought in The Magic Treehouse Books on disk - ARRGGHHHHHH!!
*I find that my guys enjoy stories at a slightly harder level in audio books in the car than they do when I am reading aloud at home. I don't know if this is because they are a 'captive' audience, or if it has something to do with the motion of the car, but they loved hearing the BBC production of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe in the car at an age when it was a little too much for them at home.
*Look for unabridged recordings whenever possible to get the full story, as the author intended it.
*Figure out if your family prefers to hear stories read by a single reader, or with a cast of voices. There are lots of choices out there for both.
*Who is reading the story really does make a difference. Think about gender of the reader, tone of voice, expression, accent, whether or not there are songs or music mixed in with the telling of the story.
*As one last parent-to-parent note...you know when you have those days when you have no patience, energy or focus? Thrown the kids in the car, put on a story, pick up a coffee, and relax. I swear, everything will look better by the time you get home.
In the car right now:
The BFG by Roald Dalh from Harper Children's Audio - a great audio book - the language is silly and fun, and it is nice to have someone else stumbling through it. We are all looking forward to hearing the rest of it.
The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop read by the author and a full cast - a perennial favorite that we have listed to many times over.
Black Jack the Pirate Cat by Catherine Kentridge
Ink Heart by Cornelia Funke read by Brandon Frasier
Favorite Series:
Anything by Jim Weiss at Great Hall Productions - Jim is a fabulous story teller, and really brings the stories to life. He creates a full cast of characters with his voice, and sticks to great literature and folk tales - The story of Robin Hood, Egyptian Myths, Classic Fairy Tales, American Classics, Tales from Near and Far, King Arthur and His Knights.....
BBC Radio Collection - another series that does a great job with the classics - Peter Pan, Winnie-the-Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, The Wind in the Willows......
BBC Production of Horrible Histories - a fun way to get into some weird and wonderful bits of history, but I would suggest listening to it yourself first before playing it for younger kids.
The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer read by Jim Weiss - a read-aloud history series (available from Great Hall Productions)
Where to find them:
*Libraries often carry a (small) selection of audio books, but our local one has been great at searching out titles from other branches and bringing them in for us. You can also access them via inter-library loan, or request that your local branch add more to their collection (we brought our wish list in a month or so ago and are waiting to see what they get!)
*Set up a trade circle within a group of friends or homeschoolers for those books that kids like to listen to only once or twice.
*We are always on the look out for audio books at garage sales, thrift stores, and on-line. They tend to be expensive new, but we have come across great deals now and then.
*Audio books are always on the kids' Holiday and Birthday lists, and family love it when the boys are so excited to talk to them about gifts that they have given.
*of course, our favorite book / story store has a great selection of audio books that you can order on-line. Definitely worth checking out.
Free (and not free) downloads:
With technology being what it is now, there are many great sites that allow you access to free downloads. Some of these are read by the author, others by professionals, and others by volunteers. They are worth checking out.
My Audio School provides recordings of classic books, radio theatre and historical radio for a fee of $14.99 / year
LibriVox free downloads of thousands of public domain titles
Books Should Be Free free downloads
Open Culture
Keep In Mind:
*Be sure to pick stories that you all are likely to enjoy. Listening to Bridge To Tarabithia by Katherine Paterson was a pleasure for me, too. I curse the day that our library brought in The Magic Treehouse Books on disk - ARRGGHHHHHH!!
*I find that my guys enjoy stories at a slightly harder level in audio books in the car than they do when I am reading aloud at home. I don't know if this is because they are a 'captive' audience, or if it has something to do with the motion of the car, but they loved hearing the BBC production of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe in the car at an age when it was a little too much for them at home.
*Look for unabridged recordings whenever possible to get the full story, as the author intended it.
*Figure out if your family prefers to hear stories read by a single reader, or with a cast of voices. There are lots of choices out there for both.
*Who is reading the story really does make a difference. Think about gender of the reader, tone of voice, expression, accent, whether or not there are songs or music mixed in with the telling of the story.
*As one last parent-to-parent note...you know when you have those days when you have no patience, energy or focus? Thrown the kids in the car, put on a story, pick up a coffee, and relax. I swear, everything will look better by the time you get home.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Garbage Delight
We have been doing a lot of reading lately. Curled up in the chair in the livingroom, tucked into bed at night time or first thing in the morning, on a blanket in the back yard, even at the dinner table. As well as the usual stream of storybooks, Roald Dahl classics, and of course, Harry Potter, we have been beginning to explore poetry. Some classics, beautiful pictures painted with words, poets and genres that are new to us, and some poems just for fun.
I used to love poems by Dennis Lee when I was a child, and now William adn Charlie are enjoying him. Here is the favorite of the day, from Dennis Lee's Garbage Delight:
The Swing
The swing swings up
And the swing swings down
And the swing swings wishing-wings
High above town.
And when I go high
And I feel it sway
I'll hang for a minute
Or hang for a day
And when I go low
And I make it whizz
I'll come down forever
And feel it fizz
But the swing swings up
And the swing swings down
And the swing swings wishing-wings
High above town.
~Dennis Lee
I used to love poems by Dennis Lee when I was a child, and now William adn Charlie are enjoying him. Here is the favorite of the day, from Dennis Lee's Garbage Delight:
The Swing
The swing swings up
And the swing swings down
And the swing swings wishing-wings
High above town.
And when I go high
And I feel it sway
I'll hang for a minute
Or hang for a day
And when I go low
And I make it whizz
I'll come down forever
And feel it fizz
But the swing swings up
And the swing swings down
And the swing swings wishing-wings
High above town.
~Dennis Lee
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
What We're Reading Today
We are a family of book lovers - fiction and non-fiction, magazines and 700 pagers, audio books and picture books. We have books it the bedroom to read before sleeping, books in the van in case we get anywhere with a few minutes to spare, books in the family room to read curled up by the fire, books in the bathroom to read...well...you get the picture. So every once in a while I like to share what we are reading.
Joanna:
*The Maternal is Political - Women Writers at the Intersection of Motherhood and Social Change edited by: Shari MacDonald Strong
*Voluntary Simplicity by: Duane Elgin
William:
*The Story of the World Volume 2 by: Susan Wise Bauer
*A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Charlie:
*Something for Nothing by: Phoebe Gilman (based on a Jewish folk tale)
*Why Are the Ice Caps Melting? by Anne Rockwell
What are you and your family reading these days?
Joanna:
*The Maternal is Political - Women Writers at the Intersection of Motherhood and Social Change edited by: Shari MacDonald Strong
*Voluntary Simplicity by: Duane Elgin
William:
*The Story of the World Volume 2 by: Susan Wise Bauer
*A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Charlie:
*Something for Nothing by: Phoebe Gilman (based on a Jewish folk tale)
*Why Are the Ice Caps Melting? by Anne Rockwell
What are you and your family reading these days?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Paws for Literacy
Our local library had a Paws for Literacy Program today to celebrate Family Literacy Day. Each child was paired with one of six fabulous 'literacy dogs', for whom they could read stories for a half hour. William especially is a huge animal lover, so this was right up his alley. The kids kept running back to the shelves to pick out more doggy-themed books, and the dogs were full of cuddles and kisses.
William with Matisse
Charlie with Gimli
William with Matisse
Charlie with Gimli
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