How do you, personally, use Additional Reading Lists?

Short answer, it depends. 

Long answer, sometimes I schedule them the next year.  However, I have my girls read throughout the summer as well, and that free read list is a first option.  Often my girls will have more than one book going at once in the summer, but do note that we now do a modified year round schedule.  That said, I have a read aloud book that I sometimes schedule from the free reading lists during the summer, and I have only the books suggested by the SCM History guides scheduled during the summer.  That leaves them plenty of time to read through a variety of books, again, many from the free read list. 

I should also note that part of the free read list that I use for my girls are books that I deem necessary to be well prepared for possible college studies and for life. These are compiled from AO, SL, and other sources. My 18 yo dd is finishing up a book right now that is on that list.  Her list has been modified to include items that apply directly to her line of interest for her studies post high school as well.  To that end, she is reading 3 at once right now – one of them a brand new book I just purchased for myself. 🙂

As for the young ones, yes, I had a reading list of sorts.  We used SL when all of my kiddos were in the prereading and early reading stage – though the switched to CM methods when the youngest was learning to read well.  Our bookshelf contained most of the books for the reading list, and we would just read them together at lunch time or in the afternoon on the porch and at bedtime.  To be honest, I really wish I had given myself permission to sit and read more with them during the summer.  At any rate, they all had their favorite books which I would read again for them, but often asked them to pick a different one for during the day… evenings seemed like a good time to curl up with a beloved “friend” before drifting off to sleep. 🙂

Pax,

~j

I have “book baskets” for science and history and I have the kids choose a book from the appropriate basket and read for 15 minutes 3 times a week.

I read them aloud at times, too, and also sometimes assign them to the older kids.

Goodness. I look over extras suggested by SCM, AO, and ATTA for whatever time period, geography, science, etc., that we are doing for a while. I have mainly used SCM/CC resources the last two years. Those that are in the SCM history/Bible/geography guide for family and the ages I have are mostly must reads. The titles listed as optional are on the additional list. I use the free curriculum guide after the h/B/g guide to find science and literature choices. Titles listed for the ages in the house are on the “to read” list. Those that we’ve missed along the way for the older kids are added to the “if we have time” list.  I haven’t kept track of extras if they aren’t listed in my binder (paper version of CMO) to check off for the year.  

You should know that we have so many books that I’m not overly inclined to “schedule” free / additional reading to particular ages/grades. I’m excited when they pick up books and read in addition to those books that I’m requiring. I want them to find their own favorites on their time. 🙂

Usually, extra books are read based on their own interests. The extras I’ve set out according to the year’s topics are available, but if Vietnam and helicopters aren’t on the list for the year and that’s what my son is ready to read, I’m not worried about him missing extra books on artists or the history we are studying KWIM. 🙂

My scientists read extra science type books. Eldest daughter read every M. Henry horse book ever written. The older boys were cowboys, war, backyard ballistics, Ralph Moody types. Youngest son reads books related to history (fiction & non-fiction,) but rarely extra science. Youngest daughter reads picture books, cookbooks, art and music books, and field guides with great passion. 

By the way, our three oldest are 21, 20, and 18. 21yos reads theology, philosophy, and political fic / nfic. 20yos loves how-to, field guides, ranching, cattle, market info., and continues to read Hank the Cowdog. 18yod reads Dickens, Austen, economics, nutrition, and veterinary medicine type books. With my laid back attitude, I’m fairly pleased about their reading choices. I’m hopeful that 13yos and 7yod will turn out to be on their own time readers, too. ;0)

Read aloud to your children from the Bible and a variety of genres scheduled, or not. Schedule your determined minimum without fretting about getting to every title on the list every year. But, best advice I can give you is to have them catch you reading from the Bible and a variety of interests on your own time to establish it in their minds that reading is just what people do every day and it’s enjoyable and not to be missed. Tell them about the storyline/information you are discovering. You’ll be demonstrating narration to them while you’re at it. ;0) 

Warning… Their reading habits may mean they might end up writing lengthy explanations when a short answer would suffice.  ;0) 

We used baskets at one time. I have a few book shelves in our living room now, so that’s where they live for the year, sorted by category. All the other books are out in our office building that’s being converted into an Homeschool library. We rarely go to the public library anymore. It’s 45 minutes away. I’d rather save the trip $ for books to add to our own library. 

Sorry for the long winded reply.  Have fun reading!