Here is my theory...
Our non-readers are just readers who
have not found books to be passionate
about yet.
All of my children read at least at grade
level...finally.
I say finally, because Jonathan has real issues
that make reading difficult for him. At seventeen
he is able to read just about anything he sets his
mind to now, but it does not mean that it is easy for
him.
Because of the way his eyes track and see things,
he gets headaches when he reads. It is very hard
work.
We let him use a lot of Audio books for pleasure
"reading" with other reading required for his
school work.
Mikey does not read for pleasure...at least not
in the way I do. He would never pick up a novel
and just read it for fun...however...he reads all
the time!!!
Mikey is an avid Motorbike enthusiast and video
gamer. Another subject entirely...however, his
interest in these things has interested him in
reading absolutely everything he can get his hands
on on either subject. I do limit this when it
comes to the games, due to some
very nasty games that are often reviewed in magazines.
For this he has to get his information on specific games.
he is not allowed to read any gamer magazines because of
the broad content in them.
He knows and has been very good about it.
But when it comes to his own games he knows the game
manual inside and out.
Anyway, over the past couple of years Mikey has probably
read more than ever before in his life...because he has
found a passion.
He zipped through the Driver's Manual. I know he comprehends
what he read because he was using it against me in the
passenger's seat regularly. Tee-hee~ I'm not that bad...
Chelsea has always been an avid reader and will often
be awake late reading her favorite books. My issue with
her is getting her to try new authors. She tends to be
very loyal...lol.
If your child struggles with reading...don't
give up.
Change something.
Try a magazine or books on a different subject.
Read out loud a lot!
Take them to the Library and let them choose whatever
looks great to them.
Encourage story telling of their own.
Act out a chapter in their favorite book.
Have them tell you an alternate ending.
Once you find their reading passion they will be hooked!
Just some thoughts as I think back on how we got three
great readers.
There were some very hard times in the process. I wish
I had been braver and given up the "reader" approach
sooner. While it worked for Chelsea, it was NOT my best
option for the boys. It worked against us.
So, go for it! Make those necessary changes. Then enjoy
the results.
Teaching is about finding what works...not processing
paperwork!!!!
Love it!!!
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Monday, November 17, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Writing Poetry
Yesterday I enjoyed surprising the kids as we continued in our study of poetry.
We began a new book called Poetry Matters, Writing a Poem from the Inside Out by Ralph Fletcher. As we finished reading and discussing they were getting all set for me to tell them to write a poem.
I had already decided that I want to get further into the book and build some momentum before I get them to put it into practice. You should have seen the shock on their faces.
I wonder if they weren't just a tad disappointed...hmmm...maybe Chelsea. I doubt very much that the boys will ever be sad to skip writing.
My goals for this Poetry Unit:
1. Enjoyment of poetry writing.
2. The ability to read poetry aloud.
3. For creativity to be inspired...about more than dragons and video games! :-)
4. Increased observation skills.
5. To enjoy reading poetry.
6. Memorization of at least one classic.
There is more, but you can get the idea of where I am headed with this.
At this point in the book I would definitely recommend it to you. It is written in an easy to read conversational tone. I would guess that your 4-8th graders would gain the most from it. I am happy to use it for all of mine. I figure if it is written in a way that I can enjoy it... and not feel as if I am being talked down to, so will my older boys.
It definitely inspired conversation. The reading stopped several times as they piped in with good comments. I LOVE it when that happens.
You can see how it has effected me on my Jabberwocky post at Hospitality Lane today.
So...with the understanding and qualification that I have not read the entire book...I would encourage you to check it out. I am borrowing this one from our local library.
Blessings on your day!
Becky
We began a new book called Poetry Matters, Writing a Poem from the Inside Out by Ralph Fletcher. As we finished reading and discussing they were getting all set for me to tell them to write a poem.
I had already decided that I want to get further into the book and build some momentum before I get them to put it into practice. You should have seen the shock on their faces.
I wonder if they weren't just a tad disappointed...hmmm...maybe Chelsea. I doubt very much that the boys will ever be sad to skip writing.
My goals for this Poetry Unit:
1. Enjoyment of poetry writing.
2. The ability to read poetry aloud.
3. For creativity to be inspired...about more than dragons and video games! :-)
4. Increased observation skills.
5. To enjoy reading poetry.
6. Memorization of at least one classic.
There is more, but you can get the idea of where I am headed with this.
At this point in the book I would definitely recommend it to you. It is written in an easy to read conversational tone. I would guess that your 4-8th graders would gain the most from it. I am happy to use it for all of mine. I figure if it is written in a way that I can enjoy it... and not feel as if I am being talked down to, so will my older boys.
It definitely inspired conversation. The reading stopped several times as they piped in with good comments. I LOVE it when that happens.
You can see how it has effected me on my Jabberwocky post at Hospitality Lane today.
So...with the understanding and qualification that I have not read the entire book...I would encourage you to check it out. I am borrowing this one from our local library.
Blessings on your day!
Becky
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
More on Integrated Learning
This year I am teaching a literature class at our co-op for 7th-12th grade girls. Well, it was OPEN to all students that age, but only girls signed up! The book we are reading and studying is Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. No brave boys!
I made the decision to show A&E 's miniseries of Pride and Prejudice to my class, the week before classes started. I did this because many of my students are in junior high, several have some learning issues, and I think this version is close to the book. This way, the girls would be able to read the book and follow what is happening. The parents and the girls tell me this was helpful to them.
The day they came over for our miniseries watching, we also had tea, scones and sweets.
When classes started they were able to jump right in with discussion. They really have enjoyed discussing what Jane Austen was trying to tell us about the culture, society etc...
In addition to this I decided we must have a Christmas Ball, since dances were such a huge aspect of the social scenes in the Regency Period. I found a company on line www.efdss.org
that sells dvd's that teach children how to do English Country dances. This was very popular with the girls. We learned two dances, and then last week we had our Ball!
The parents made dresses or pulled together outfits that were Regency style. We had researched how to do their hair and what kind of jewelry they wore. Many of my students whole families came. It was a blast! Even the brothers of one of my students learned the dances at the Ball and then danced!
During our reading of the book, Mr. Bingley tells Lydia Bennet that when his cook has made enough "white soup," they would set the date for the Ball at Netherfield. This intriged us all and while doing research at www.pemberly.com I found out how to make white soup. Apparently this was something that they drank at balls, since they did buffets, not sit down dinners. I made white soup for our ball, and all the girls tried it. They found it to be quite tasty.
By adding these real life activities to your learning, your students end up with real experiential knowledge of what life was like, how people interacted, what historical things were happening in the world. Your students will have a better understanding than simply reading a book or studying a text!
I made the decision to show A&E 's miniseries of Pride and Prejudice to my class, the week before classes started. I did this because many of my students are in junior high, several have some learning issues, and I think this version is close to the book. This way, the girls would be able to read the book and follow what is happening. The parents and the girls tell me this was helpful to them.
The day they came over for our miniseries watching, we also had tea, scones and sweets.
When classes started they were able to jump right in with discussion. They really have enjoyed discussing what Jane Austen was trying to tell us about the culture, society etc...
In addition to this I decided we must have a Christmas Ball, since dances were such a huge aspect of the social scenes in the Regency Period. I found a company on line www.efdss.org
that sells dvd's that teach children how to do English Country dances. This was very popular with the girls. We learned two dances, and then last week we had our Ball!
The parents made dresses or pulled together outfits that were Regency style. We had researched how to do their hair and what kind of jewelry they wore. Many of my students whole families came. It was a blast! Even the brothers of one of my students learned the dances at the Ball and then danced!
During our reading of the book, Mr. Bingley tells Lydia Bennet that when his cook has made enough "white soup," they would set the date for the Ball at Netherfield. This intriged us all and while doing research at www.pemberly.com I found out how to make white soup. Apparently this was something that they drank at balls, since they did buffets, not sit down dinners. I made white soup for our ball, and all the girls tried it. They found it to be quite tasty.
By adding these real life activities to your learning, your students end up with real experiential knowledge of what life was like, how people interacted, what historical things were happening in the world. Your students will have a better understanding than simply reading a book or studying a text!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
