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carrying my cross up hill
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I wanted to clear something up. When I said that we only got to one read aloud this year,what I meant was one literature book. We also read one nature story book, about 5 children’s chapter history books, 2 religion books and a handful of other educational living books. Plus my kids listen to about 3-5 audio books a month. I don’t think I’m lacking in the read aloud area. Although I did take to heart the comment that maybe read alouds are not a big priority to me. I will have to ponder that one.
I think what I’m really struggling with is that at the beginning of the year I plan for 3 terms. I plan a read aloud in each CM area…literature, history, nature study, geography, Bible and character. We also do picture study, poetry study and composers study about once a week. Along with Shakespeare(just my teen & I). Plus phonics, spelling and math. My kids narrate after almost everything. What ends up happening is that we usually only get through term 1 and a little of maybe term 2 books. I just can’t seem to stay consistent juggling everything.
On top of that I have a extremely dyslexic 12 yr old who reads at a first gr level. My 9 yr old is picking up reading but very slowly. I’m seeking outside help for my 12 year old but I can’t rush his progress. I know that things would be easier if they were all reading. Believe me, their lack of reading is not for lack of me trying!I am my own worst critic too, and it is so easy to become overwhelmed. Sounds to me like your children have a great variety of read-alouds going on. I have always over-planned the read-alouds that we can actually finish in a year. When we don’t get to them, I either keep them in the basket for next year or replace the book with one that may work better. There was a book about Harriet Tubman that I had planned to read aloud to the group this year, but we didn’t get to it. So it’s my new plan to put that book with my daughter’s books that she will read herself. Later I may read it to the boys, or they may read it on their own. Either way, they will still experience her story and learn. In every area of my life I make plans but so often have to adjust those plans a bit for some reason or another.
Maybe instead of planning six read-alouds for a term, you can plan three: Bible, lit, history. And then plan 3 for the next term: nature, geography, character. Then 3 for the last term. You could keep a back-up list of books to pull from if you finish the 3 planned ones early. And definitely plan on some of those to be audio books or ones that you and an older child can take turns reading to the group. Many times I’ve had to hand a book to my 10yo and tell her to finish reading for me while I run take care of something. It may not be ideal, but it’s life sometimes.
Keep up the good work! 🙂 and rest some too
You have gotten so many good responses here. I don’t think I have any really good tips to add, but I will be praying for you. I have 5 children 2-12, with two that are struggling readers. It’s hard when they can’t yet read on their own. It sounds like you are doing more than you think.
Be gentle with yourself, as God is with you! (Isa. 40:11) Make caring for yourself a priority…you can only give out what is first poured into you. Even if it’s a few minutes of Bible time or an uplifting podcast playing during nap time or while you cook dinner. Feed your soul!
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