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How to get modern day kids interested in older books?
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My 12yo liked Write with the Best for writing this year: http://www.edudps.com/WWTB.html. I love that it’s bite-size (but very helpful), CM friendly, and not expensive. I’ve also heard Jump-In recommended for that age. Hope you find what works! :)Gina
Binky, I can’t speak to HOD as a curriculum as I have never used it. I tried once and just didn’t like it, but that was when my kids were much younger. IEW, Write with the Best, HOD…. these are all well-liked and well-respected. As you know, different things work with different families. Obviously, only you can know what will work best for yours. But, since you have asked for opinions, here is what I would do.
I would use SCM for the History/Science/Bible. Everyone listens to the family read-alouds and then let the older kids read their level of books on their own. Mom should also be reading those books so that you are available for discussion.
Literature – follow the SCM suggestions. These are good books and will be beneficial to any child. If you find the books assigned for that child’s “grade” are not something they enjoy reading, then go to another grade. Feel free to do what works for your kids. I would not spend time on literary analysis, etc. at this point because you are needing your kids to get comfortable with enjoying and engaging with good literature.
Writing – Since you want them to get better at written narrations, I would suggest you look into Writing with Ease and Writing with Skill from Peace Hill Press. If you are looking for a curriculum that will help them with that specific skill, then the PHP writing resources do work on that extensively. They have generous samples available at their website.
HTH, Shani
Binkly, I thought of a couple of things…some we do, some are things I want to do.
I started with the SCM literature read alouds and just picked stories across the modules that I thought would appeal to them. We read during lunch (I made CD’s from the free recordings on librivox.org) and after they are done eating they can work on a quiet handicraft or draw whatever they want. I am getting so many extra papers this way it is driving me crazy (you know that you can’t through away their masterpieces.) This year I bought artist sketch pads from Walmart and they are going to draw a picture of something from the book while they listen. It is like a continuous illustrated narration of the books.
Something else I thought might be interesting is a family puzzle that they work on while they listen. A big puzzle like a 500 piece or something to cross the ages. For storage we have an old box side that we do the puzzles on the table with. When we are not through with the puzzle we slid that under the couch or bed for safe keeping.
Now they beg me not to stop the books…almost everyday. It is a joy to me and since I am not stuck reading it outloud, I can listen and enjoy it too while I get ready for my next thing. (BTW, we started as simple as reading Mr. Popper’s Penguins. lol)
Start with the easy familiar books and build up the language. It helps even you. =) And, know that it is okay to not love every old book….just because it is old doesn’t mean that it is quality. As you get to it, I just finished Treasure Island, Hans Brinker, Kidnapped, and Robinson Crusoe. I think that your kids might really enjoy them.
For History, Geography and Bible I can’t recommend the SCM modules more highly. LOVE the simplicity of use for me, the great books, and the sheer retention and enjoyment my kids still have from them. Also, you can add in things as they fit like a documentary, hands on things, field trips, and books. The Mods give great flexible structure to the family, but it is solid and I feel so accomplished when I enrich our study as opposed to feeling like I failure because I missed checking off a box somewhere on the list. I’ve done both – and my kids flourish and make connections far better than I expected or thought they would with the CM methods via the Modules.
Writing with the Best may be a really good option for you since it covers 3-12 grades in one book, expecting the kids to write at appropriate grade levels. I just got it and am so excited to start it with my kiddos. It looks so DOABLE without a lot of stress or extra things…
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your great comments and ideas. I know your time is precious. One last thought on the last few comments. Shani mentioned that I should be reading the books so we can have discussion. That is how I would prefer to do it because I don’t know how you could discuss if you didn’t KNOW the book. But as I was looking at the modules I realized I have a kid in every age range 🙂 my youngers would all be read aloud to just because they are not strong readers and I guess the older two will read some of the same books. I am just trying to figure out when I will have time to read all the books. I guess maybe after I get it all planned out my mind will be free to read in the evenings instead of searching, searching, searching. Lol 🙂 Next I have to figure out which Mod to start with, ugh! Think I will have to just jump in.
Thank you all again. I called y’all my friends the other night when talking with my husband and I started laughing but I feel like I’m getting to know all of you.
Binky
Oh, I forgot…Aimee- what is NOEO science? And I was thinking about using Pathway readers for phonics for my youngers but was wondering if the PLL and ILL covered phonics or is it more writing and grammar work.
I haven’t used NOEO science but a friend has, and I’ve heard and read good things about it. Some of the books are similar to the HOD science books, so that’s why I mentioned it. Here’s a link:
We loved the Pathway readers. PLL and ILL includes dictation, copywork, practical grammar, some picture study, poetry and writing, but no phonics.
Blessings,
Aimee
My kids are 9 and 12 and I admit I have never read an assigned independent book to discuss w/my kids…just have had them narrate. I know I need to start, though! I figure if I expect them to read the classics because it’s good for them, I should, too! But I understand the preciousness of time and it would be a challenge to read ALL that they read…esp. if you have a lot of littles. I have heard it suggested to use Spark Notes or Wikipedia to discuss books if you just don’t have the time:) Blessings, Gina
P.S. We are also planning on using Lightening Literature starting in 7th grade, which will provide them w/literary analysis.
Binky, I don’t read every single book that my kids read… sorry if I gave that impression. But I do read most of them. If you look at the sample for History module 5, here’s how it would realistically play out at our house:
MONDAY: During our table time, we would all work on 1st Peter together and then 11 year old would read Stories of America, ch. 1 aloud. One other child would narrate. TUESDAY: 10 year old would do the same with Stories of America, ch 2. WEDNESDAY -FRIDAY We would do the other family reading and Bible reading in this same manner.
Later in the day, 1st -3rd grade selections would be read aloud for 3, 6, and 7 year old. 10, and 11 year old would read them on their own. 10, and 11 year old would read Abe Lincoln: Log Cabin to White House on their own throughout the week. I would probably also have them read the Lincoln: A Photobiography book because they are strong readers. My husband would probably read Louis Pasteur aloud to all of us at night.
So, as far as the history reading goes, you can see that there’s not a whole lot that I would have to make time to read on my own – just the two Abe Lincoln books. That’s for History.
For the Literature selections, I would have one assigned to each kid at all times. I would sit and listen to the 6 year old read the 1st – 3rd selections unless they were just too difficult. If they were too difficult, I would read them aloud to her and the 3 year old together. For the older kids’ books, I use some of the really engaging ones for read alouds for everyone to listen to, no matter what level they are on. Many of these books I have already read, or at least have a good idea what they are about. The ones that I have not read, I can usually skim through quickly. This isn’t the best way to read a book, I admit, but it is enough for me to be able to converse with the kids about them.
I do make a point to carefully read whatever science reading I am assigning to the kids because I feel that I need to be able to give them more guidance in discussing those.
Overall, I really don’t feel like it’s difficult to keep up with the reading at all.
And by the way, at Google books, you can download PLL and ILL for free if you want to look through them. They didn’t work for us but I know that many people really love them. Instead, we use Language and Composition – book one and book two by Effie Belle McFadden. None of these books include phonics, as others have said. We use Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading and Explode the Code for phonics.
Shani
Shani,
thanks for the day to day life of SCM. That is just what i need!! when you said you read your history readers to your young ones then your 10 and 11 year old read them on their own. and read abe lincoln during week. I am assuming you just mean they read their own readers themselves not that they read the books from level 1-3, correct?
Binky
Well, I often have them read the same History or Science books the younger ones are reading if I feel it holds something valuable for them. (They don’t read the same literature.) This is in addition to the books that are on their level. I have found that pictures can really bring a story to life, so if it’s a good picture book they read it. It only takes them a few minutes usually and they have never balked at it, so we do it. I find that I learn many things from picture books so they certainly can too. I guess it’s my view that a well-written book that is good for a 6 year old will still be good for a 10 year old. Or 41 year old. Or anyone.
We are doing Outdoor Secrets and its companion guide right now. I am having all of the kids, along with myself, read all of the books. They have learned quite a bit. I also give the older kids some more challenging books about the same subjects.
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