http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ SCM Community Forum » Forum: Living Books - Recent Topics en Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:18:01 +0000 http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/twaddle-and-learning-to-read#post-23040 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:38:24 +0000 quietwatersmommy 23040@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>I just had to share this funny little story about how even young children can pick up on twaddle when they have been exposed to living books.</p> <p>My first 3 children learned to read easily all when they were each 4. I just spent lots of time reading good books to/with them, showing them how to sound out words. I never did use a formal phonics program either.</p> <p>My 4th child, who is now 6, had been having a really hard time learning to read. My husband was wondering why she still wasn't getting it, and I was getting worried too, as the older 3 were so easy to teach and much younger. So I tried a "highly recommended in homeschool circles" phonics program...it was painfully boring for both me and her, so we dropped that. Then I tried another well-known phonics program...again it was so boring for both of us, so I dropped that. I was getting frustrated thinking there was something wrong with me in that I could not get through to her. (Just wanted to add that I am not at all anti-phonics, but some of the materials out there are twaddle and very, very expensive)</p> <p>I was telling a friend my concerns and she gave me some easy readers from a well known homeschool supplier. My daughter was so turned off by the boring and way too silly stories and I actually dreaded when it was time to get out those readers. It is so true what Sonya says in one of her YouTube videos that "if you cringe when the child brings you the book to read, it's probably twaddle". My 6 yo had recognized the books as twaddle, too, although she didn't say the word twaddle! So I kept praying about it and felt to just stop the reading lessons for a few months then try again this summer. (They were not the Pathway Readers recommended here...I have not seen those, but only heard good thing about them).</p> <p>I happened upon Karyn Henley's Day by Day Begin to Read Bible in the library. The bible stories are written for a beginning reader. It is not dumbed down, but written in simple but rich language. We have been working on it a little each day and she's loving it and asks to work on reading every day! She said to me, now I love to read because I already know the stories from you reading the Bible to me and it helps me while I read these stories. I even bought her own copy for her and she loves it.</p> <p>What a delight! I'd much rather have her reading bible stories anyway from the Greatest Living Book of all time.</p> <p>Nanci</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/to-kill-a-mockingbird-1#post-22586 Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:30:25 +0000 anabetica 22586@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>Hi There,&nbsp;</p> <p>I have never read this book but it has been mentioned lately several times around my 14 yr old daughter.&nbsp; She surprised me by checking it out of the library yesterday and declaring that this was going to be the next book she read after Mary Bunyan.&nbsp; That is quite a contrast.&nbsp; i did snatch the book and flip through it, and I know it's a classic, but I see some swear words and mature content in it (rape).&nbsp;</p> <p>For those who have read the book, would you hand this to a 14 yr old?&nbsp; What is the redeeming (if any) thing about this book that makes is a "must read" to so many?</p> <p>I never read it nor did my husband, so I know you can survive without it.&nbsp; Is the movie better than the book in this case?&nbsp; I do recall seeing the movie when I was young, but I don't think I really understood the movie or the message as much as seeing Gregory Peck perform (my favorite actor when I was young).&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for any guidance!</p> <p>Betty</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/question-about-book-substitution-in-module-4#post-22772 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:00:16 +0000 Des 22772@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>I did an ILL for the D'Aulaire's Leif the Lucky but they sent the wrong book.&nbsp; The title of the book is Leif the Lucky:&nbsp; Discover America by Eric Berry, i'm wondering if this is an ok substitution?&nbsp; Thanks</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/good-books-for-adults#post-22151 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:23:03 +0000 Britney 22151@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>I "phased out" twaddle for my daughter and have introduced her to some really fun classics. Now what about me? Do you have any recommendations for some great books for adults. I love alot of inspirational fiction like books by Francine Rivers but I am burnt out on the same old plot of some others like Karen Kingsbury, etc. Plus if I'm preaching no twaddle that should go for me too! Any recommendations? Maybe some good biographies or just a book you really loved with some meat in it!&nbsp; Or even a book that you learned alot from or that helped you in your faith walk. I'm anxiously awaiting any replies!</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/helpful-site-for-info-on-older-books#post-22265 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:51:34 +0000 Monucram 22265@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p><a href="http://openlibrary.org/works/OL24165W/A_child%27s_garden_of_verses" rel="nofollow">http://openlibrary.org/works/OL24165W/A_child%27s_garden_of_verses</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I found this site to be pretty helpful, although I still haven't ended my search! But it has lots of info on older books, digitized books, and links for you to add books to your Kindle.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;this site helped me in that I was able to narrow down the publisher and when they acutally published, even though my copy doesn't have all the same details as these copies such as the same amount of pages, Roman numerals <em>before </em>the chapter title, and a few other details, but that's irrelevent. I just wanted to mention this site :)</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Yolanda</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/picture-books-2#post-22245 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:44:01 +0000 LindseyD. 22245@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>My daughter will be five in less than two weeks! I can't believe it!&nbsp;</p> <p>She loves to lay in bed and look at picture books or picture books with few words before she goes to sleep, and sometimes we sound out words and talk about the pictures together. It's a really sweet time for us at the end of the day. She has a few books that we enjoy, but I would like to find her more. I think that would make a great birthday gift for her.</p> <p>Can you suggest any really good, non-twaddly books for a very beginner reader who loves to look at beautiful pictures/art?</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/habit-of-attentiveness#post-22121 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:24:27 +0000 carlastout 22121@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>Hello Sonya and All,</p> <p>During one of Sonya's workshops (in Charlotte, NC) she mentioned that while working on one, specific habit a good idea would be to read books that have characters who display that habit.&nbsp; Does anyone know of&nbsp; good living books that might display the habit of attentiveness in its storyline?&nbsp; I have 3 children of various ages, but would like to use this as a family read-aloud.&nbsp; I have a 13 yo ds, a 12 yo dd, and a 5 yo dd.&nbsp; They all enjoy being read to...thank goodness!</p> <p>Thank you,</p> <p>Carla</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/getting-organized-in-the-google-era#post-22157 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:48:43 +0000 CoastalCarol 22157@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>So the title doesn't seem like a living book, but I really wasn't sure where to place this post.&nbsp; I'm currently reading <em>Getting Organized in the Google Era </em>by Douglas Merrill. (Trying to cure some of my Luddite tendencies)&nbsp; Anyway, the first section of the book is more about how our brain functions than about practical organization tips.&nbsp; Merrill states that facts are easier to memorize when they are part of a story and he cites research to back it up.&nbsp;</p> <p>Quote from page 20:</p> <p>"The best way to encode something is to associate a story with it.&nbsp; Stories are much easier to remember than facts."&nbsp;</p> <p>Seems like Merrill is a CM advocate:&nbsp; I wonder if he knows it?&nbsp; I do recommend this book.&nbsp; Some of the advice is more pertinent to an executive or someone in a high pressure work environment, but the intro is fascinating and the rest has some information that I found helpful.</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/rod-staff-storybooks#post-22101 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 18:56:51 +0000 Chantelle 22101@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>Has anyone read any of these?&nbsp; If so, did you like them? Are they good quality and interesting to the kids?</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/8-yr-old-interested-in-sci-fi-only#post-21783 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:21:17 +0000 heatherma 21783@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>My best friend's 8 yr old son is loving reading. But only sci-fi and comic books.&nbsp; If she reads aloud he is not paying any attention (she asks him what can he remember).&nbsp; She has also tried Ripley's Believe it or not and Chronicles of Narnia as ex. but to no avail.&nbsp; Now perhaps this is just a power struggle?&nbsp; What would be some good advice to getting him reading a few more living books in with his own selection, perhaps inventors biographies or something? She is afraid that forcing other selections could make him dislike reading (if I don't care for a book I won't finish it either).&nbsp; I saw on another post to read the first chapter and then decide, read 30 min. out of Mom's selections a day...&nbsp; Others?&nbsp; I will pass this on in an email to my friend. Thank you.</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/island-of-the-blue-dolphins#post-21616 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:36:44 +0000 Adamsfamily 21616@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>I see ( in the bookfinder ) that this book is a recommended resource, but I can't seem to locate it in any of the modules or literature/living books lists. Am I overlooking it, or are there some books recommended in the bookfinder that do not appear in the curriculum guide? I'm working decluttering &amp; organizing my bookshelves... Thanks!</p> <p>Alana</p> <p>P.S. Has anyone read "The Enchanted Castle" by E. Nesbit? </p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/elsie-dinsmore-classics#post-21573 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:54:01 +0000 trulyblessed26 21573@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>Hi there, :-)</p> <p>I happened across some books called the Elsie Dinsmore Classics Collection.&nbsp; It was in a section for girls literature.&nbsp; Have any of you read these? Are they living books?&nbsp; Are they good?&nbsp; If so, what age is good for both read aloud&nbsp;and quiet reading?&nbsp; Thank you for any&nbsp;help!&nbsp;</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/good-reading-for-my-voracious-14-yr-old-daughter#post-21505 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:41:50 +0000 anabetica 21505@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>Hi There,</p> <p>My daughter is a voracious reader.&nbsp; I have such a hard time finding books for her.&nbsp; I did not get to read alot of the classics so I am struggling to learn about books before I hand them to her.&nbsp; But I find that most books for girls this age are romantic and fluffy or are all fantasy, unlike boys who have authors like G.A. Henty and Ballantyne to name a few.&nbsp; I have required her to read some of those books as well, but after that what is there?&nbsp; Any suggestions for girls this age?&nbsp; She needs leisure books and challenging books.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Many Thanks,</p> <p>Betty</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/sequel-to-cricket-in-time-square#post-21001 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:13:35 +0000 Iamasahm 21001@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>I know there are others after Cricket in Time Square but I can't seem to find my list.&nbsp; Can anyone help me?</p> <p>Thanks Misty</p> http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/little-house-books-for-my-boys#post-20598 Fri, 21 May 2010 14:42:19 +0000 amyjane 20598@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ <p>I am wondering if any of you have read the Little House Series to your boys.&nbsp; I have a 6 yr old and I thought about doing it for a summer read.&nbsp; But just not sure if they wil enjoy it because it is about girls.&nbsp; My husband suggested the boxcar series - please give me your thoughts and ideas.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Amy</p>