This is why my son is in private school and if our situation changed he would be home
schooled before is ever consider public school. Bunch of jackals.
My son was in pre-k when the pandemic started and his school closed for a month and then opened normally. Their core curriculum for pre-k was phonics and logic. They believed that if you…
This is why my son is in private school and if our situation changed he would be home
schooled before is ever consider public school. Bunch of jackals.
My son was in pre-k when the pandemic started and his school closed for a month and then opened normally. Their core curriculum for pre-k was phonics and logic. They believed that if you can teach kids to read and then basic logic they can learn anything.
Right now he’s in 1st grade and at a different private school. He’s going through the phase where reading is still sounding out and it’s work so he hates it. My husband and I are avid readers and our house is covered in books. We hope it’s a phase but nightly reading is mandatory and gets tantrums but he’s still forced to do it. I’m the board chair at his school and I still don’t trust them to get it 100% correct. Because at the end of the day, No matter what happens at school it is my job to see my son properly educated.
A First-grader--so he's about six years old. Have you been used to reading stories aloud to him as he grew up? Do you continue to do that? If not, I recommend it--even if you must steal twenty minutes each evening. Twenty-five minutes before bed-time, he (and any other siblings under eight--unless they're interested, too-- should gather around--all on the biggest bed or sofa or if not, the most convenient warm floorspace--and be read a story for at least ten minutes and at most twenty minutes. Let as many as possible of the youngest see the page as it's read and follow the words with a finger as you proceed. If there are older children learning to read, they may hold their own copies of the same book and follow the reading silently, turning each page with you. Eventually, the best reader among the children, if more than one or two of them, may occasionally read aloud to the others as you listen----only if he or she would like to do so.
Twenty minutes may be _too long_ to begin with. Try ten, in that case and, if there's popular demand, read a bit longer.
I read aloud to all four of my kids, and even the 15-year-old still loves it. There’s no reason to stop as kids get older. We’ve done it their whole lives and it’s a major part of our family culture. It’s great for reading and bonding, and books have a fantastic way of triggering big life conversations. Highly recommend reading aloud to kids of all ages, and highly recommend The Read-Aloud Handbook, by Jim Trelease.
Reading tantrums? Eek. I don’t know, I don’t think it’s worth that. In my experience homeschooling my four kids for the last 11 years, kids come around to reading at very different times. That can be because of skill but it’s usually because of interest, and that’s okay! Whenever my kids became resistant, I would back off for a week or two (but still read TO the child), and then come back really gently and try again. Repeated the cycle as many times as it took. They’re all happy readers now. It works out in the end. After all, the goal isn’t to have a 6-year-old who loves to read. The goal is to raise an older child and adult who loves to read. I fear reading-induced tantrums might defeat that long-term goal.
Yes! Why fight? Take the long view, hard as it is when you are caring day to day with the needs of a young child. A very wise manager I had once told me that a leader knows not to inflict his or her anxieties on their reports. Might this be just as true in the family?
For real. We are concerned but talking with his doctor, he’s on track and has outstanding marks on vocabulary and communication. He’s a friendly happy little boy so I’m trying to get out of his way. But my husband and I were both reading the second we could as kids and it’s been a life long love. We read to him every night and our house is filled with books. I think we’re both a little worried he’s not like we were. However, both my husband and I were average students which is how he is current. His marks are average and his teacher isn’t worried. I’ve heard it said that boys should start kindergarten at 6 and girls at 5. I kind of wish we’d done that.
My daughter was resistant to reading until we hit upon the Little House books in the third grade. I was sad and worried till then, and you will enjoy the irony that both her parents worked in book publishing. It all worked for us and I hope it will for you!
I loved the Little House books so much as a third grader the school librarian bought me a copy of Laura Ingall’s doll, Charlotte. I am thankful I had teachers, librarians, and parents that encouraged reading. I have a deep appreciation for books and excellent writing (That’s a nod to you Bari Weiss and all the Free Press contributors). I’m glad your daughter found a series of books that sparked her curiosity and touched her heart.
Don't know if this will be any help to you, but a few years ago, I read that boys are, on average, more interested in reading non-fiction than fiction. Is there any super-simple non-fiction he could try reading?
We got Wesley a lot of practical books on art (he loves art) as well as books about some of the video games he likes. While he does enjoy them being read to him they are a little above his reading level at the moment. I have gotten him a lot of books that are non-fiction but they too are a little above his reading level right now. I’m hoping by this summer.
My homeschooled son loved the "You Wouldn't Want to Be ..." series of history books. They're illustrated and suitably gruesome to hold kids' attention. History books in general captivate him still (he's off to study engineering next year at U of Arizona and currently reading Jacques Barzun's "From Dawn to Decadence.").
Abdo press does some nice nonfiction books. Most libraries have them available online and in print.
Many children like instruction books whether art, lego, science experiments, origami, etc. The instruction books while not often phonetic support the reader comprehending a group of words and translating it into an action which can engage a more hands on reader. (insert your written phonetic instructions on post its or create a phonetic clues for a treasure hunt) Achieve a great reader who can comprehend Ikea instructions.
The problem with home schooling is that some of the best lessons are learned on the playground. For me it was also the most fun. I was very good at sports. I loved school and looked forward to Septembers. I was so happy and friendly in school that I was elected Class President every year in High School. And there were no election campaigns. A child from a dirt poor family of 10 became a lawyer because he was lucky enough to have great parents and attend good schools with some great teachers.
Thanks. Homeschoolers are aware that their kids need friends and group activities (and lest we ever forget, every person we know—and every stranger we meet in person or on the internet—reminds us regularly). Fortunately, opportunities for these things are abundant outside of the school system. Sports, theater, music, church, scouts, art classes, organized playground meetups, etc. If you could follow my family around for a week, you’d see that “homeschooling” is a misnomer of epic proportions, as we are on the go most of the time. This is our 11th year homeschooling and I can assure you my kids are very, very social and involved. They’re also happy. And they can read.
It’s good to hear how much you enjoyed your school years, Terence, you’re very fortunate.
I homeschooled both my daughters through to 5th grade, until we moved abroad and they went to private schools. They were the most socialized, sporty kids during their homeschooling days, and with other kids who were taught the three Rs but also how to be decent human beings. Homeschooling is a wonderful education when done right, just like anything else.
If you homeschool you have to be careful about socialization. We only have one child but are very active in our church community. Wesley would socialize there if we pulled him out of school and did homeschooling. He is a very social and talkative little boy. Both with other kids and adults. I’ve seen him corner an inspecting adult and blather for a while. I get compliments on his vocabulary but I can see them trying to escape. Ha ha.
"nightly reading is mandatory and gets tantrums but he’s still forced to do it."
Do you use rewards? When my youngest was in the sounding-out stage and found reading very tedious, I gave her prizes for persevering through a book. The books were chosen from the library to be at a reasonable level of effort and on topics - usually animals - that she enjoyed.
I think she had to read 20 books (might have been 25) before I took her to see "Frozen II," which turned out to not be as ghastly as I expected. It had baby reindeer in it.
Yes, well kinda. If he doesn’t do his reading then he loses other privileges. Like no tablet or Minecraft. We read to him every night and make him read the first paragraph of each chapter since the books we read with him are above his current reading level. But he is actually pretty good at it but has convinced himself he can’t read. Yes you can!! You just did!! I think he’s about to turn the corner. I’ve caught him reading signs and cereal boxes and stuff on his own and asking questions. That was unheard of a month ago.
Also, Frozen II is better than the first. I love it.
I read to my youngest daughter, who is now 11. We've been reading the "Ranger's Apprentice" series for a long time now ... nine months? We're on Book 14, I think. When my boys were younger, I would go in the room four of them shared and sit on the floor with a book and sometimes a flashlight.
It's useful to be able to stop to the story to answer questions, discuss the decisions the characters are making, or ask, "What do you think will happen next?"
This is why my son is in private school and if our situation changed he would be home
schooled before is ever consider public school. Bunch of jackals.
My son was in pre-k when the pandemic started and his school closed for a month and then opened normally. Their core curriculum for pre-k was phonics and logic. They believed that if you can teach kids to read and then basic logic they can learn anything.
Right now he’s in 1st grade and at a different private school. He’s going through the phase where reading is still sounding out and it’s work so he hates it. My husband and I are avid readers and our house is covered in books. We hope it’s a phase but nightly reading is mandatory and gets tantrums but he’s still forced to do it. I’m the board chair at his school and I still don’t trust them to get it 100% correct. Because at the end of the day, No matter what happens at school it is my job to see my son properly educated.
A First-grader--so he's about six years old. Have you been used to reading stories aloud to him as he grew up? Do you continue to do that? If not, I recommend it--even if you must steal twenty minutes each evening. Twenty-five minutes before bed-time, he (and any other siblings under eight--unless they're interested, too-- should gather around--all on the biggest bed or sofa or if not, the most convenient warm floorspace--and be read a story for at least ten minutes and at most twenty minutes. Let as many as possible of the youngest see the page as it's read and follow the words with a finger as you proceed. If there are older children learning to read, they may hold their own copies of the same book and follow the reading silently, turning each page with you. Eventually, the best reader among the children, if more than one or two of them, may occasionally read aloud to the others as you listen----only if he or she would like to do so.
Twenty minutes may be _too long_ to begin with. Try ten, in that case and, if there's popular demand, read a bit longer.
I read aloud to all four of my kids, and even the 15-year-old still loves it. There’s no reason to stop as kids get older. We’ve done it their whole lives and it’s a major part of our family culture. It’s great for reading and bonding, and books have a fantastic way of triggering big life conversations. Highly recommend reading aloud to kids of all ages, and highly recommend The Read-Aloud Handbook, by Jim Trelease.
Reading tantrums? Eek. I don’t know, I don’t think it’s worth that. In my experience homeschooling my four kids for the last 11 years, kids come around to reading at very different times. That can be because of skill but it’s usually because of interest, and that’s okay! Whenever my kids became resistant, I would back off for a week or two (but still read TO the child), and then come back really gently and try again. Repeated the cycle as many times as it took. They’re all happy readers now. It works out in the end. After all, the goal isn’t to have a 6-year-old who loves to read. The goal is to raise an older child and adult who loves to read. I fear reading-induced tantrums might defeat that long-term goal.
Yes! Why fight? Take the long view, hard as it is when you are caring day to day with the needs of a young child. A very wise manager I had once told me that a leader knows not to inflict his or her anxieties on their reports. Might this be just as true in the family?
Unsolicited advice: If he has been exposed to phonics-based education for 2+ years and you still have homework with tears, keep an eye on it.
For real. We are concerned but talking with his doctor, he’s on track and has outstanding marks on vocabulary and communication. He’s a friendly happy little boy so I’m trying to get out of his way. But my husband and I were both reading the second we could as kids and it’s been a life long love. We read to him every night and our house is filled with books. I think we’re both a little worried he’s not like we were. However, both my husband and I were average students which is how he is current. His marks are average and his teacher isn’t worried. I’ve heard it said that boys should start kindergarten at 6 and girls at 5. I kind of wish we’d done that.
How many boys are medicated when all they really needed was the gift of time?
My daughter was resistant to reading until we hit upon the Little House books in the third grade. I was sad and worried till then, and you will enjoy the irony that both her parents worked in book publishing. It all worked for us and I hope it will for you!
I loved the Little House books so much as a third grader the school librarian bought me a copy of Laura Ingall’s doll, Charlotte. I am thankful I had teachers, librarians, and parents that encouraged reading. I have a deep appreciation for books and excellent writing (That’s a nod to you Bari Weiss and all the Free Press contributors). I’m glad your daughter found a series of books that sparked her curiosity and touched her heart.
Don't know if this will be any help to you, but a few years ago, I read that boys are, on average, more interested in reading non-fiction than fiction. Is there any super-simple non-fiction he could try reading?
We got Wesley a lot of practical books on art (he loves art) as well as books about some of the video games he likes. While he does enjoy them being read to him they are a little above his reading level at the moment. I have gotten him a lot of books that are non-fiction but they too are a little above his reading level right now. I’m hoping by this summer.
My homeschooled son loved the "You Wouldn't Want to Be ..." series of history books. They're illustrated and suitably gruesome to hold kids' attention. History books in general captivate him still (he's off to study engineering next year at U of Arizona and currently reading Jacques Barzun's "From Dawn to Decadence.").
Abdo press does some nice nonfiction books. Most libraries have them available online and in print.
Many children like instruction books whether art, lego, science experiments, origami, etc. The instruction books while not often phonetic support the reader comprehending a group of words and translating it into an action which can engage a more hands on reader. (insert your written phonetic instructions on post its or create a phonetic clues for a treasure hunt) Achieve a great reader who can comprehend Ikea instructions.
"Is there any super-simple non-fiction he could try reading?"
Loads, with topics that a lot of boys (and many girls) love, such as military technology and sports.
Find a local used bookstore. They often have a great selection of books of all kinds and at a great price.
True.
The problem with home schooling is that some of the best lessons are learned on the playground. For me it was also the most fun. I was very good at sports. I loved school and looked forward to Septembers. I was so happy and friendly in school that I was elected Class President every year in High School. And there were no election campaigns. A child from a dirt poor family of 10 became a lawyer because he was lucky enough to have great parents and attend good schools with some great teachers.
Thanks. Homeschoolers are aware that their kids need friends and group activities (and lest we ever forget, every person we know—and every stranger we meet in person or on the internet—reminds us regularly). Fortunately, opportunities for these things are abundant outside of the school system. Sports, theater, music, church, scouts, art classes, organized playground meetups, etc. If you could follow my family around for a week, you’d see that “homeschooling” is a misnomer of epic proportions, as we are on the go most of the time. This is our 11th year homeschooling and I can assure you my kids are very, very social and involved. They’re also happy. And they can read.
It’s good to hear how much you enjoyed your school years, Terence, you’re very fortunate.
I homeschooled both my daughters through to 5th grade, until we moved abroad and they went to private schools. They were the most socialized, sporty kids during their homeschooling days, and with other kids who were taught the three Rs but also how to be decent human beings. Homeschooling is a wonderful education when done right, just like anything else.
Terence, your privilege is showing.
If you homeschool you have to be careful about socialization. We only have one child but are very active in our church community. Wesley would socialize there if we pulled him out of school and did homeschooling. He is a very social and talkative little boy. Both with other kids and adults. I’ve seen him corner an inspecting adult and blather for a while. I get compliments on his vocabulary but I can see them trying to escape. Ha ha.
One of the lessons I learned on school playgrounds is that I'll bear any burden rather than subject my children to a school.
We home schooled and did theater, sports and playgrounds
"nightly reading is mandatory and gets tantrums but he’s still forced to do it."
Do you use rewards? When my youngest was in the sounding-out stage and found reading very tedious, I gave her prizes for persevering through a book. The books were chosen from the library to be at a reasonable level of effort and on topics - usually animals - that she enjoyed.
I think she had to read 20 books (might have been 25) before I took her to see "Frozen II," which turned out to not be as ghastly as I expected. It had baby reindeer in it.
Yes, well kinda. If he doesn’t do his reading then he loses other privileges. Like no tablet or Minecraft. We read to him every night and make him read the first paragraph of each chapter since the books we read with him are above his current reading level. But he is actually pretty good at it but has convinced himself he can’t read. Yes you can!! You just did!! I think he’s about to turn the corner. I’ve caught him reading signs and cereal boxes and stuff on his own and asking questions. That was unheard of a month ago.
Also, Frozen II is better than the first. I love it.
I read to my youngest daughter, who is now 11. We've been reading the "Ranger's Apprentice" series for a long time now ... nine months? We're on Book 14, I think. When my boys were younger, I would go in the room four of them shared and sit on the floor with a book and sometimes a flashlight.
It's useful to be able to stop to the story to answer questions, discuss the decisions the characters are making, or ask, "What do you think will happen next?"
We also always have audiobooks in the car.