I have to confess, I am a slow reader. I have been reading the same two books for at least five weeks and am only half way through them. One of the books I am enjoying so much is The Charlotte Mason Companion written by Karen Andreola. The main idea of the book is how to teach books come to life for children. She teaches in detail Charlotte Mason's theories on how to get a child to narrate a book or portion of a book back to the teacher. I have never really had a formal lesson in teaching the girls to narrate but have often had them tell me about a book.
This became a necessity as they got older and I was no longer able to read everything they read. I remember the day Rachel came half way down the stairs with a book I had assigned for her to read, with a sheepish look, she said, "I don't think you want me to read this." I said that it was highly recommended by a certain curriculum list and it was probably okay and she should read a little more. (I kind of thought she was just trying to get out of reading the book because it was boring.) She reiterated that I really wouldn't want her to know all those things yet. I took her word and put the book away. Later, I checked it out and she was correct, it was something I wouldn't approve.
When the children are small and can't read yet, I like for them to sit down with a book and "tell" me the story in their own words. It's wonderful to hear Lydia use the same phrases and inflections of her voice she has picked up from whomever has been reading to her. This isn't her own style of reading, though she is forming her style and it will come shining through as she learns and grows.
I look forward to reading everyday to and with the girls. I can't wait to put into more practice ways to make books come alive for them.
2 comments:
These are some good teachings. I keep asking other homeschool moms what I should do now for the boys as we prepare for homeschooling in the next 2-3yrs. They usually just tell me to read, read, read. But, it's good to know some techniques that can plant seeds for them to enjoy reading, and hopefully they will get more joy than I did and even do now, as I admit that reading for me is worse than the dentist. Thanks Lori!
This is so true! Make the library your childrens' third favorite place to be. (after the church and home) Read everything in the world and then read it again. Let them "read" their favorite books to you and each other. I can't imagine how bland life would be without books.
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