Reading to
younger children is part of many families’ nightly routine and can
significantly improve reading and writing skills. It also improves
concentration, expands vocabulary, and increases listening skills. Nightly
story time stimulates imagination and
allows children to be part of situations related to events beyond their time or
experience. It also exposes them to more advanced literature they could not
read on their own. The best way to learn new vocabulary is to learn the words
in context, while reading books.
By middle school,
we were reading historical novels on events that happened during World War I
and II, Plymouth, and the Battle of Fredericksburg. We introduced Spark
Notes to make it even more interesting. Spark Notes offer readers a
summary of novels by chapter and include metaphorical meanings of phrases or
words. It is not meant to be a substitute for reading. First read the book and
then analyze the story using Spark Notes to understand in more detail the
figurative meanings of the novel. Also, visual learners can watch the videos.
The summaries are
also useful to select literature material for homeschoolers. For example, analyzing
figurative meanings from Lord of the
Flies was enlightening. Piggy’s glasses represented intelligence and the
river symbolized civilization going in reverse because the water flowed
backwards. Use this process a few times and watch as your children start analyzing
the plot and finding hidden meanings and symbols in the literature you read
together.
 |
| Piggy’s glasses represented intelligence |
Notes
and sayings
Save all the cute
notes your children write. Every time my children did something funny
or asked a smart question, I would jot it down along with their comments. I
have a collection of these notes and when we go to North Carolina, my husband
and I sit by the fire and share these stories with them.
I didn't realize this was something parents had to worry about when children were in elementary school, but my son's teacher mentioned that my son was finishing tests much later than his peers and she felt that he needed to improve his speed. She was working with him, but did not have a program to help. Instead, she was giving him the same sentences to read every day. He would obviously read those sentences faster after a few days. Also, speed reading should be linked to comprehension. Since he was a straight-A student, my first question was whether she was comparing him with students who were also A students. She was unable to answer my question because teachers are not supposed to "compare" students. Wait? So, how did she determined that he was slower? Wasn't that a comparison?
Well, I decided to purchase a speed-reading program and chose Reader’s Edge.
We were using lots of worksheets and had lots of eye rolling and huffing. Once I switched to reading aloud based learning it was like night and day. Much more interest and retention. Wish I discovered that sooner!!
ReplyDeleteIt didn't not display my initials JS....
DeleteIt seems that your child is an auditory learner. An auditory learner must hear the information to learn. They will remember 75% of what they hear. One of my sons is an auditory learner. When studying for a test, he prefers to study with a friend because that way he can easily assimilate the material. He could be easily distracted by noise. Since I knew that a complete silent environment is unrealistic, I worked with him and slowly introduced music and other background noise to our daily lessons. Now that he is in college, he is happy that he can study in any environment
ReplyDeleteI wish that we would've spent more time on speed reading. This is a very valuable tool! JO
ReplyDeleteIt is never too late. Even adults take advantage of these programs.
DeleteWe love to read stories with history. I know my kids remember more (especially my auditory learner)They get more of a feeling of what it was like back in those days. It is easier to have discussions and learn from others mistakes or successes. ALS
ReplyDeleteALS, check my comment on the series "My Name is America" (under the history tab.) Your children may enjoy these books.
DeleteWe have been reading to our kids nightly pretty much from birth. All of my children are AVID readers. I think the number one thing any parent (home school or not) can do is to READ with their children daily. My children devour books, reading far above their grade levels.~P.W.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree Tricia. I loved curriculums that gradually integrate literature into the study of history, reading, and other subjects. It is also important to allow children to select their own novels.
DeleteMy daughter has difficulty with comprehension and reading aloud really helps. I just recently started using the Literature Units from Erica Arndt at Confessions of a Homeschooler and even my preschooler does it. We read 1 or 2 chapters a day (we are currently finishing up The Swiss Family Robinson) and then answer questions in a "minibook" and then they put it in a lapbook. Hearing it aloud and then having to do the minibook is really helpful in getting her to retain info. Its only our first unit so it isnt perfectly done but its been great. They are excited to show off their finished lapbooks when we are done the book to their Dad and my daughter has already chosen the next book she wants to do. Definately worth a peek if someone has a child that struggles like my oldest. Hope this helps someone :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this information. It will help many families. I am glad that you found a curriculum that works for your children.
DeleteI have never heard of spark notes. This sounds like an interesting approach. My middle schoolers struggle with their dislike of reading. This carries over to their dislike of language and grammar. Always looking for ways to spark their interest and comprehension.
ReplyDelete