Just look at these!! I can't stand it! These are the cutest little nursery rhyme puppet books! Yes, the kids enjoy them but secretly, I bought them for me! I've only seen them at Wal-Mart, as I randomly and quite innocently walk past the children books. I started out with 2 but a new one would pop up every now and then. I have absolutely no will power when I see them, good thing they're only $5! (okay, maybe a little over $5, I round down :).
Even now I can hardly believe that I taught my 4 year old to read! Almost every day over last summer we spent about 15 or 20 minutes on reading, following the lessons in "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" by Siegfried Engelmann. I think I've mentioned this book before, I really love it and will be using it for all my kids.
The lessons really are easy, and take the worry out of it for the mom (or who ever is teaching). You have everything you need to say right there, almost like a script. But it's not long before you and your child go through it all like a pro.
There were certainly days where we were not working well together. He wanted to play and I was using way to much energy forcing him to do it. Part of the problem was the writing required at the end of the lesson. Doing both reading and writing together was just too long, especially when some reading lessons went longer than others. So we split it up. He did not like the writing at all, so we did it in the morning, when we were both fresh and happiest. Then reading in the evening.
Oh, and there were days when I felt completely frustrated and like I wasn't doing it right,...That's when a good support person comes in handy. My husband was kind enough to remind me that our little boy was reading more than he was before, so I must have been doing something right. Then there were days where I was completely amazed at how far we had come, and I couldn't believe that this little, wonderful, smart boy was reading stories to me!
When we finished the lessons I confess that I didn't keep up with a reading routine like I should have. I blamed it on having a baby. :) But I'm starting to get back into it, trying to find what will work for us. A cute blog that I like just posted this today - 50 Ways To Teach Your Child To Read. It was a good reminder to me that it really doesn't take much to encourage reading and learning. I look forward to going through the whole learning process again with my E. She already knows her letters and the sounds they make, just a little more practice to cement it into her cute little head.
I have been reading to my kids more! I'm excited about that because "not reading to them enough" had been a guilty feeling that clung to me. We would have a huge stack of library books, and only read half of them. Now the stack is smaller, we read more of our own books, and we repeat books quite a bit. Evelyn loves it. Picture books are still her favorite, and she even "reads" the easy ones to herself.
Ever heard of the "Mr. Men" and "Little Miss" series? My sister loaned her books to us and they are definite favorites! There are allot of words to one picture so it's helping to increase the kids' attention span, and they always address topics that are very interesting to kids, like Mr. Clumsy visiting Mr. Fussy and wrecking his house, or Mr. Tickles trying to contain himself from tickling everyone. Oh, good times!
Our library here has a pretty good collection of used books for sale - super cheap. One day I let the kids each pick out one book to buy. John did a blind grab, pulling out whatever his hand touched first. Evelyn looked a little bit, but I saw one I knew she would love, pop-up ABC's! Yup. And then, in a matter of thirty seconds I saw and grabbed 5 books - I felt a little greedy but I knew I had to have them :
The Treasury books have been a special delight for me. They are filled with nursery rhymes, poems, songs, and the classic stories like "Hansel and Gretel", and "Rumpelstiltskin". They aren't the watered down versions either - when Humpty Dumpty falls and breaks that's it for him, there are no doll hospitals. I love it! They are perfect tools in teaching real life thinking skills (yes, even though they are fairy tales), as well as imagination. And of course there's always a good moral to talk about. I try to read something from these books everyday.
I still have to remind myself to stop whatever I'm doing, sit down and read to the kids. Sometimes they grumble about having to turn off a game or a show, or having to stay quiet. But I've noticed that they really love it. I know we will get better at it with more practice and I am so happy to have this tradition in our family. I am especially excited by reading the classics and seeing how it stretches all of our imaginations and thinking. I used to worry that the kids wouldn't listen to or understand the stories, or that there would be too much other "stuff" that wouldn't get done because I was reading. But really, listening comes with practice, as does understanding, and all that other "stuff" will wait for me.
When you are deciding to homeschool, or even just barely toying with the idea, the normal response is to read up about it. We always want to be well informed and make decisions based on our own educated reasoning, and of course with the help of the Holy Ghost. There really are allot of books out there on the "whys" and the "how to" of homeschooling. Every family is different and finding out what works for them specifically is the best thing to do, but that is usually easier with a sound springboard to jump off from.
Here are some books that have helped me gain confidence in my ability to teach my children. I always check my library before I buy any book, but I did attach links to the following books so you can get a better look at them.
Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood - This book was a big help to me. I agree with allot of the teaching and disciplining strategies. I don't follow it to the letter, but I feel like it's about time for me to read it again. This is not just for homeschoolers, it's a big help for anyone trying to teach their children obedience and good principles of behavior.
The Homeschooling Handbook - This was a very encouraging book. Helping me to feel like I could really do this! It has some great ideas and lots of experiences of other families.
Managers of Their Homes - I really like this method of scheduling. I have yet to fully implement it into our day but when we get into the full swing of things I feel like it will help allot!
A Thomas Jefferson Education - This book is for everyone! Not just homeschoolers. It addresses the importance of teaching our children through classic stories and books. Really learning from the great minds past and present. I love it!
Teach Ye Diligently - I just started this book and I KNOW it is going to be a big help for me and my family. Right now I am borrowing it from my Ward Library (meaning from my church), but I'm pretty sure we will be adding it to our home library. It's exciting to learn about how the Savior teaches and then try to copy that. If I can teach like Him I have nothing to worry about!
I hope this is helpful to someone! If anyone else has a suggestion, feel free to share it in the comments. I would love to check it out!
I recently read a book by Ann Voskamp called "One Thousand Gifts". A very good, Christian book. I just happened upon it during one of my visits to the library (the kind of visit where I leave the kids home so I can have some quite moments to put myself together again). I really think Heavenly Father wanted me to read this. He knows me so well and knew that I needed to become aware of the power of gratitude. While reading this book I really felt changed - my days were the same as ever, my problems still there, but I was so much happier and GRATEFUL for my life. Even for our trials and the situations we are in. Through gratitude I was opened up to understanding, and caught glimpses of the lessons we are learning and the strength we are gaining. For almost 2 whole weeks every journal entry began with "Today was such a great day!", or something similar.
I finished the book, thinking I would start my own gratitude list, or take some action to help me remember and use this new blessing of happiness. But then I forgot, and let "life" wash over me again. I did start a list, but the effort was half hearted and it's never easily accessible. I'll have to devise something more tailored for me, because I want this - Gratitude - to be a part of me. I am so DONE with my negativity and pessimism! I don't need that, my family doesn't need that! Awhile ago I was trying to figure some things out about what I want for my family, what I want to teach them and what Heavenly Father would have me teach them. I wrote out three things and they seem as wonderfully true to me now as they did months ago.
I want to teach my children to:
One - Love life and the Gospel
Two - Celebrate life and the Gospel
Three - Be active in life and the Gospel
These three things do not require money, prestige, or any special circumstance. But I am realizing that they all require gratitude and are even an expression of gratitude. When I was experiencing a more grateful heart it was so much easier for me to feel and fulfill those three goals. And truly amazing, with an attitude of gratitude my faith increased, my hope increased, and even my love and charity towards others increased! The pure love of Christ! Any life filled with that is a full life. Joy and Gladness!
I came across the authors' website and watched this little video. Pretty sure the words are straight from the book, and it has sparked this revival of gratitude in my life that I am in turn sharing with you.
I stayed up last night to finish this book. The BEST book I have read in a long time! Oh-my-goodness. It really made me feel and think about allot of things. It is just so wholesome and good and funny and entertaining. It increased my desire to better myself, it made me enthusiastic about getting things DONE and taking pride in my work and our home. The beautiful descriptions of nature have really opened my eyes and heart to the Spring we are experiencing right now. I want to learn and try new things WITH my children, I want to work "shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart" with my husband. I want to teach our children how to learn and work hard and be HAPPY! It was so uplifting for me, and yes, even edifying! The copy I read was from the library, but I will soon have one of my own so I can read it on a regular basis and eventually share it with my children. The story, the values, the goodness, the love, the hilarity - it all must be shared! Read it!
I have been reading this book by David Allen...for a LONG time. The fact that it is called "Getting Things Done" makes me think I should be embarrassed about taking so long to read it. I was determined to finish it because I have a constant need to get "organized" and I feel like the method described in this book will help me allot, eventually. I even bought my own copy, and I don't usually do things like that. But I know I will be referring to it over the years (yes, it just might take me that long), plus the library wouldn't let me keep their copy anymore.
Something I learned - always ask "What's the next action?" and then answer it of course.
One of my favorite quotes - "Talk does not cook rice" Chinese Proverb
Would I recommend it? - Yes, and I won't even ask how long it took you to read. :)
In between trips to the park, minimal cleaning duties and kids screaming for attention I have taken a break, of sorts. Living in a haze created by Suzanne Collins. I re-read "The Hunger Games" and "Catching Fire", and just finished "Mockingjay". My opinion of the last book is still forming, but I'm pretty sure I like it. :)
For now, my kids are glad to have their mom back. And honestly it feels good to be able to focus on real life again!
I read this book years ago, and recently finished it again. Definitely a huge favorite! This time around I really thought about how it is based on real people and events, it just made it that much more amazing. I couldn't help but wonder if I would have the courage and strength to face such lose and hardship as Mrs. Mike, and the other women in the story, did.
I suppose we all have our own "fires" and "snowstorms" to go through. For myself, I can only hope to take mine in stride, good faith, and as much spunk as Mrs. Mike. Read it! You'll love it!!
So far this month I have finished 2 books. The first was "My Left Foot" by Christy Brown, a man who was born with cerebral palsy but overcame his trials as best he could. It was very eye opening to read a first hand account of this disability and how it was so misunderstood. I think it is a great tribute to his mothers strength and character, as well as his own determination to fully express himself. My mom and I read most of it on the drive to and from Tennessee. It's a nice, non-intimidating read.
"Life and Death in Shanghai" by Nien Cheng. The second book that I finished, I had actually started some time ago. At 544 pages I almost didn't want to start! But I did, and when I found time to read I didn't want to stop! I went to bed late quite often because of this book, and then had my head full of sadness for loss and destruction and gratitude for our wonderful country. "Amazing" has been the only word I could use when telling others about this book. Amazed to see the effects of an irresponsible and corrupt government, the successful use of propaganda in turning one group of people aganist another, the total loss of respect and self control when anger is given free reign, the resilience of a people simply trying to live, the strength and integrity of this one woman. Her "fighting spirit" and ability to face trials with a matter-of-fact attitude and continued faith was refreshing, and yes, amazing.
I liked it allot actually! I just finished reading "The Persian Pickle Club". It's not a book I would have picked out myself, a novel full of quilting and how things were during The Depression. It was suggested reading in one of the Wordfull Wednesday topics, and I'm glad I took note of it! It was great to "get into" the friendship and the charity part of the story, and then the murder mystery! Really enjoyed it! And I even feel like I could try my hand at quilting...maybe. :)
So I borrowed the novel "P.S. I Love You" from the library...I didn't get very far. From the first page I could tell the story was changed quite a bit for the movie. What bugged me was the language! What I consider "bad words" frequented almost every page! I would have loved to read the whole story but it wasn't worth my peace of mind. So back to the library it went!
This is fast becoming one of his favorite past times. Sometimes he just wants to sit with a few books himself and sometimes he likes to sit on our laps and show us how good he is getting at turning the pages. When he sees me reading my own books he has to get in on it too. I witness the wonder on his face as he tries to discover why I like it so much. What an amazing little boy!
