While living in Denver, Colorado, and attending Notre Dame Catholic Elementary school, I loved going to Mrs. Reinhardt's class in the 1st Grade. It was a reading class for "gifted" children, but I didn't know that it was "special", that I was in her class. I just knew I loved going!
Mrs. Reinhardt encouraged us to read whatever we wanted. When we finished a book and shared the book in class, we got a prize from her treasure chest.
~ I still have my little boy and girl pilgrim candles from her treasure chest.
What I remember most about her class, is how she asked our opinion of the book. We couldn't just say that we "liked it". She wanted us to explain why we liked it?, and what about the book was so "neat"?
She made me LOVE reading! My opinion suddenly mattered! She encouraged us to try new types of books, sometimes books other classmates recommended, or she would encourage us to ask the librarian for ideas.
She instilled in me critical thinking skills, broadened my interest in different forms of literature, and encouraged me to be more responsible for myself...as a first grader, asking the librarian a direct question, was intimidating to say the least...especially if older kids were in the room.... "Yes, I actually remember the feeling of being embarrassed." But, I remember later, how mature I felt asking about books...it made me feel "older".
This is my sassy self, around 1st Grade with my Dad, showing off my new Dr Scholls and sundress.
I have a love of reading and wanted my boys to share in that love. I started reading to them before they could even sit up. They loved it! That was our favorite part of the day and bedtime...story-time! We have kept the tradition of library visits, Barnes and Noble visits, etc. sharing books and what types of books we all enjoy.
I may have already mentioned this a million times, but in case your just meeting us...
As part of our homeschool curriculum, I've added what I call our literature lesson. They have their regular grade level ELA curriculum, but this lesson, we do as a group, together. We read a classic literature book, and try to finish one book a month. {Sometimes we take longer depending on the book.}
This year, I decided to choose books that correlated with where we are in our history lessons. We are currently studying colonial America. My goal was to reiterate the lifestyle, ideology, and political view of early America, hoping to help make historical facts into concrete knowledge.
So far, we have read "Carry on Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham a Newberry Award Winner. Then, we strayed from the time period a tad with "A Christmas a Carol", for the holidays.
But, we were back on track, with "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" was mentioned many times in our history books, so it was great for the boys to read it and see why it was so influential in the Revolutionary War. At 11 and 13, I had to stop and explain a lot; but, it was a great opportunity to explain current events of that period in time, and politics in colonial America and the world.
Now we are reading "Swiss Family Robinson" by Johann Wyss.
Our schoolhouse owl displays our current literature selection. The boys think it's funny I still do this kind of stuff for them...they are after all a pre-teen and teen, so they don't "NEED" the cutesy stuff...whatever...they love it and so do I!
I had already decided what books I was choosing for this year, and was fortunate enough to find this copy of "Swiss Family Robinson" at the homeschool book fair, in a used literature booth. The nice lady in charge of the booth, suggested this particular version, because it gives definitions to some of the vocabulary and even visual examples. "Swiss Family Robinson", was originally published in 1812, so the vocabulary is somewhat different than we use today. Having found this version of the book, published in the 1960's, helped with unfamiliar vocabulary or terms used in the book. We love it! It saves us from too much inferring and looking up each individual word in the dictionary.
~ I posted this picture below of the publisher, in case anyone was interested in this version. I've been told me they published other classics as well.
The boys have their own "free read" selections, ie. fun reading, and they also have their regular school curriculum selections as well. For example, Preston, my oldest, is currently reading "Lord of the Flies".
The purpose of the literature selections I've made, are to discuss in depth the history, vocabulary, and expose them to literature selections that they might not have normally chosen on their own. I read them aloud at the end of our day. It has become one of our favorite times of the day, in homeschool class.
So much of the popular books out for pre-teens and teens are lacking, (in my opinion), in critical thinking, rich language and vocabulary. So, now that we homeschool, I now have a fun way to expose them to "old" books/Classics and I find them asking for more!
The other awesome item I found last year, at the homeschool book fair, were these wonderful literature study guides by Progeny Press.
The study guide can be downloaded to multiple computers, filled out on the computer, or printed out. The study guide includes a vocabulary section, as well as comprehension questions and even other suggested reading. This helps take out the guesswork, preparation, and research out of preparing for a lesson for each book. They were very reasonably priced and worth the fact we could use them for multiple computers, so that each child has their own study guide.
I keep books all over my house! I love them, they feel like old friends. So I guess my passion for reading is somewhat transparent, even in my decorating...
I think reading all different types of literature is so important in our children's education. We read to learn! In the journey of becoming a well rounded person, I think reading is an excellent way of learning different cultures, political views, history, and even various facts about careers or lifestyles you wouldn't normally be exposed to. When we read, the world becomes smaller, more exciting, more interesting, inspiring, and more appreciated!
So read, read, read! Ask leading questions after you finish a book with your children, or when they finish finish a book on their own. I have found this helps your children see that you care about what their reading and, I think, it makes them hungry for more books to share with you.
My boys love reading as much as I do, and I owe it all to Mrs. Reinhardt and Notre Dame Catholic School in Denver. I can only hope that I have succeeded in passing on a love of reading, that will continue for generations to come!
Happy Reading with Your Kids!
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