lovinghomeschool
Member
How do you handle narration from books that the student has read silently, but that you yourself have not read? A book perhaps that you are even unfamiliar with?
Do you skim the book? Is it a priority to pre-read books for the sake of narration?
My oldest is 8, so this is territory we reached about a 1 - 1 1/2 years ago and I am wondering how others handle it.
Thoughts?
lovinghomeschool
Member
Bumping myself. 
Do you pre-read all of the books you have your kids read for history and literature in order to discuss and know if their narration is correct?
Or, do you read all of history and literature aloud?
Or, do you hear narrations on books that you haven't read?
I perhaps should have posted the question of how do you handle books on history, literature, and science?
Thank you!
My kids ages 10 and older read the majority of their history and science work themselves, and are also always reading a literature book on their own. We have a read-aloud going during the day, and another dad reads at bedtime, and we don't require a narration on that last one. My ds9 reads some of his work on his own, but most is either read to him, read to me (by him) or we take turns reading together. He still needs work on focus and narration; other kids might be ready sooner to have their books turned over to be read alone.
So, for books I've not read myself, the boys read, and then come and hand me the book open to the section they've just read. I sort of skim as they narrate, seeing that they got the "main point" and were "getting" the reading. Now, I know with CM education there isn't a "right answer" or point they must get, but when we first began doing this, they were so far off at times that I knew that they weren't yet reading carefully and needed more work on slowing down, thinking about the text and making sure they understood what they'd read. Sometimes they might give a narration when we're out and about or I'm washing dishes or something, and in that case, I just listen.
Blessings,
Aimee
lovinghomeschool
Member
Thank you Aimee! Your answer was very helpful.
Rachel
Member
When they come to me after reading, I hold the book and "read along" while they narrate. I'll know how well they know the reading very easily that way as I skim along.
DawnD
Member
I read our history spine aloud and our science books aloud. Then I know if they understood these basics. For the other historical books and literature I haven't usually read them. I just listen. Sometimes I thumb throught the chapter while they are telling (I don't really read, but it makes them think I'm checking up on them and I think they do a better job :). Mostly I listen. If what they are telling makes sense then they have told the story coherently. If I'm lost somewhere I ask them about that part when they are done. Their narrations are of a good length, so I assume they are telling well.
Of course it's better, especially for discussion, to have read them yourself. But, this isn't always realistic.
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