Reading and Our Week
We worked on reading and spelling this week, of course. We did some All About Spelling and during the scripted lesson Hunter tried to change it to word pyramids. Next time I will just roll with it as long as it’s related to what we are doing. Hunter is still a reluctant reader in many ways, but it has gotten better too. I see progress and that is all I care about. Well, that’s not exactly true, that’s all I *should* care about.
I don’t know how I went from such a relaxed, happy homeschool mom to this lesson crazed, standard-reaching maniac. I’m not losing sleep over it, but this last month I feel like I’ve lost sight of what is most important and that is love of learning. I’ve thought a lot about homeschooling and public school options. With everything going on in our extended family, I think, how can we homeschool this year? And if I can’t homeschool long-term, wouldn’t it be better to put him in school in second grade when more kids are still learning to read? Then I realize he is making giant leaps and could be reading chapter books by the end of the year, and what does it matter if he is not?
A friend with kids in public school responded to my frustration over a mother/son clash reading session with, “In public school the teachers are trained to teach reading, and they will pull kids out of class to give them extra help.” This isn’t an exact quote, because I took out the personal bits about her kids. I hung up feeling a bit discouraged because when a friend has a bad day of parenting, I don’t say to them, “Wow, it sounds like you really need a parenting class to learn how to deal with that behavior.” Here’s the deal, I am capable of figuring out how to teach my son to read just like other parents are able to figure out how to teach their children table manners. Try teaching a kid who chews and smacks with his mouth open not to do that, then we’ll talk. Back to my friend’s comment, the assumption she is making is that all kids in school are reading on track because the teachers are trained. We all know this isn’t true.
I am relaxed about so many things, but I’ve never managed to feel relaxed about Hunter’s reading. Now that he knows how to read, I hope it gets easier. I just need to find books that interest him. Books that are easy enough but also help him become a better reader. I already know he will forget if we don’t practice. We are tired of Headsprout books and characters. Last night he said he doesn’t even like them anymore. Chandler is excited about Headsprout, and Hunter likes to help his brother read them, which is so nice! With other books, we are still trying to find the right combination of books, reading partners and levels while minimizing competition.
Yesterday, I re-purposed a basket for books. It has two handles so I can carry it around the house easily. I put in a nice stack of books that are one level below, same level and a level above. When we go through those, it will be time for a trip to the library. Why did we not have a handy basket and stack of books before? Because Hunter likes bigger books, the ones that I read to him. His comprehension and enjoyment level is far above his reading level. If I could trust that he is looking at the words as I read them, I would just keep reading these higher level books until he got it, but I don’t think he’s retaining it. I hear many kids learn to read this way and I think Chandler is one of them. Chandler is learning to read the way I remember learning to read, without instruction.
Last night, Hunter read “Loose Tooth” by Lola Schaefer. He did not need my help to read it. He felt really good about it. He happily gave me a high five. I hope to see more of this attitude. I will find more books from this level. The “I Can Read Books” might be the right series for him. Building confidence and enjoyment is really important, and there are a couple of new words in these books too.
The weather was sunny and clear this week and the sunsets were amazing.
We did plenty of math, science and social studies this week too. We tried out Study Island (compliments of our charter), did some experiments with vinegar and baking soda, and the boys used their iPods for their Teach Me program on their own. They love it. And of course, all the daily living and learning that happens automatically without my mind recorder on.
Hunter also tried a few outside classes this week. Kelly and Hunter enjoyed a class all about rockets at an aviation museum. They got to build and test paper rockets, and hear all about rockets from the Navy, and use a simulator. He loved it and wants to attend their monthly classes. Hunter also tried a class at the Boys and Girls club. Instead of participating in the class though, he wanted to run in the gym and play pool, which is what we normally do there on Fridays. Playing is not an option during the classes and the pool tables are closed to this group. Now he is not interested in taking classes there because he just wants to play. He does just fine with the routine at Cub Scouts and sits and listens when he needs to, so I think this is enough for “classes” this year. We also have the “open art” at The Art Center which he loves. We might also take part in the swim and gym that starts in October. This is a lot for us. We do enough at home and with our social life, we don’t need more.
I’m putting my relaxed homeschooler hat back on. Speaking of which, please join us at the new group “Relaxed Homeschoolers Unite” started by Simply Taunya.
We are also enjoying being outdoors on these warm summery nights in September. This is a picture of the boys with the glow sticks in their bike helmets and shoes and hold some too. The also put them on their bikes to ride after dark. Fun, magical childhood.
The hammock is also delightful this week. I’ve managed to sneak away for some reading in the cool breezy hammock. This week I’m reading “Belong to Me” by Marisa de la Santos.
One option we have that a p.s. teacher doesn’t (I think) is to just let it go. They will pull a kid aside for extra help because they have standards that they must meet. It may be that a child just isn’t ready for something yet — and it may also be that they are, but are just fighting it for some reason. Either way, we can put it aside and come back to it when the child seems ready to handle it. I don’t think a teacher can put that in a report. In (most) p.s. you need to be at 2nd grade math and reading and spelling and writing to be in 2nd grade — so there’s pressure on the teacher to get the kid up to level on everything. I feel pressure often in getting results from James to prove we’re doing the right thing and doing a good job. I can’t imagine the pressure a classroom teacher must feel to get 20+ kids performing at the appropriate level.
We do have that advantage. I plan to let him read the easier books for a while as a break of sorts. He is capable of reading a higher level book than “Loose Tooth” but he also needs to build confidence. And you are right, as homeschoolers, I don’t need to push a certain number of words per day or per week, as long as he doesn’t forget what he has already learned — for a while at least. He seems to need to sit on what he has learned before forging ahead. It’s been his learning style ever since we started homeschooling (gobble a lot and then digest), and it is a Waldorf idea too (2 month rotation). We might focus on math for a couple of weeks. That would be a welcome relief about now.
i have several friends who view home edd as something that can’t be done. I feel this idea that only “Qualified” people can do it is because they have a very narrow and unchallenged view of how children learn. one friend has a mum who was a teacher and she quotes comments from her mum, like its strengthening her arguement. “if her mum… a qualified teacher says she couldn’t home edd then how could anybody else possibly do it??” that sort of thing!
I think people are so detached from their own parenting these days. education is now someone else’s job and they get cross if the school “are not doing a good enough job!” but seem to miss that we as parents can teach children important things in life and SHOULD teach them. Sorry rant over!!!! lol
Anyway. as far as reading. My eldest is 9 years old and only just started to read to people, feel confident in his reading and all his reading is very typical boy reading! Factual, informative things. Not stories. non-fiction books and magazines. He does not read for pleasure, as much as i would love to see him devouring a good book! He reads for information, because he wants to know about a particular thing or because a game he is playing requires him to read an instruction.
I hope that has reassured you a little. Reading is reading is reading! what ever it is he reads!
Yes, reassuring, thank you. You’ve given me an idea on what else he can read (instructions), thank you. Rant away, it’s one of my frustrations too.
Your struggle with reading reminds me of my own struggles to get my preschooler to eat. When the association gets negative, it’s so hard to get it back on track. Not that it’s negative for you, just a struggle sometimes to find the right material and interests for your son.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading on unschooling this year, and love the philosophy. One thing that is suggested is a “detox” (usually for kids who have been in school). Where parents allow the kids to just be and don’t try to learn anything. Wonder if it would be worth trying for you guys? Just stopping the conscious learning (around reading) for a few weeks and see what happens?
I wonder if I’d have the guts to do this with my son. Would he ever actually eat – anything – if I stopped making him eat a few bites and dinner, and just let him be…
If you try it, I will. =)
P.S. As a librarian, I’d say you’re on the right track finding things that he likes to read (instructions, for example). This is reading. Not fiction, but bonafide reading, and of great value. Many kids start with comics, or instructions, or non-fiction and don’t come to enjoy fiction until later in life. When they can really read interesting books (like the ones you read to him that he so enjoys). It is a great approach, and will keep him motivated.
I could learn a lot from your learning to let go. Going to check out the Relaxed Homeschoolers group. Thanks!
I almost spit at my computer – I’d love to say that some day – Maybe you should take parenting classes. Bwa ha ha ha ha.
Thanks for the heads up for the new relaxed homeschooling group. I just joined.
Blessings
Diane
I just found your site through the HHM blog roll. Thank you so much for this post! I have been stressing soooo much over school these past few weeks. What style should I really be using? And my 8 year old second grader sounds like he is in the same place as yours as far as reading. He can read fairly well but has no confidence. When I ask him to read to his brother and sister he always says “i can’t read.” And he really thinks that is true! One thing a friend has suggested which I am going to try this week is to get two copies of the same book from the library (like a bigger chapter book) and read to him while he follows along in his own book. Not sure if will work, but it’s worth a try. Hope your week goes well.
Just so you know, I started homeschooling my oldest (now 11.5) in his second grade year. He was barely reading at a first grade level and was struggling. I stopped asking him to read for almost two years. I read everything to him and no longer required him to read anything. I would pick up interesting books at the library and leave them around, but no pressure. We didn’t do spelling, either. I worked with him on phonics everyday, for about 5 minutes, but that was it. When a book is interesting enough, he will read it. If you keep reading to him, he will be interested in books. My son (who I was sure would NEVER read), now reads massive chapter books. Rick Riordan is his favorite author and he adores all the Percy Jackson/Greek God books. But what got him going was twaddle (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) and manga for kids from the library. He reads and spells very well now. Sydni was the same way (my middle child). I laid off. Now she is reading Magic Treehouse books like nobody’s business and just started the Percy Jackson books on her own.
Reading, especially for active boys, is something that can come MUCH later. If he were in a Waldorf school, they don’t really *learn* to read until 9 or 10 years old and those kids are brilliant, let me tell you! If we could have afforded it, they would have attended one. I just want you to be encouraged and not discouraged!! *hugs*