Dumb Ox Academy

Where a befuddled, peri-menopausal mother struggles to marry the joy and freedom of unschooling with the discipline and profundity of classical education!

Reading plan for the little ones

Filed under: Uncategorized — dumboxacademy at 11:05 am on Sunday, January 27, 2008

I realize that I’ve gotten away from reading to the younger ones very much.  Soon they’ll be beyond the picture book years and I’ll miss this so much.  I can’t believe Becky is already 6.5 year old.  I’ve been reading The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge aloud to them.  I can’t rave about this book enough.  It is wonderful and very Christian.  One of those types of books I categorize as ‘lovely books.’  But it is a chapter book that is largely over Becky’s head, though she’ll listen well enough as long as she has play doh to occupy her at the same time.

So real quick, before we go to breakfast, I’m dashing down my plan here.   Inspired by this blog  http://6traits.wordpress.com/nonfiction-monday/, I am going to read a non-fiction picture book to Sean and Becky on Mondays, on Tuesday, I’ll start reading fairy tales again from the Oak Meadow curriculum.  I think the last time we read those was around Thanskgiving!  Wednesday will be Bible stories, Thursday will be a fictional picture book and Friday will be poetry (since in the blog world many folks do poetry on Friday).  So there!  How’s that for a plan!  I like it!

Off I go now to hot coffee, sausage, eggs and delicious hash browns with lots of red and green peppers in them.  We always go to the same restaurant every Sunday morning.  Aren’t you jealous????? 

3 Comments »

Comment by Anastasia

January 27, 2008 @ 11:56 am

That’s wonderful, Faith! Send me a link on Monday and I’ll add you to the Round-up!

Comment by Shirley

January 27, 2008 @ 6:00 pm

Hi,
I like this! You might find that with many of your books you might be able to introduce (or reinforce) a topic in Math, History, Art, etc.

At my library I found a couple of books that list great example books and ideas how to extend the story with discussion, crafts, activities, etc.

Here are a couple that gave me TONS of ideas to use with my children:

Math Through Children’s Literature by Kathryn L. Braddon (372.7044)
Ready Any Good Math Lately? By David Whitin (372.7044)

Using Stories to Make Art by Wendy M. L. Libby
Integrating Art and Language Arts Through Children’s Literature by Debi Englebaugh (372.5044)

Story Stretchers for the Primary Grades by Shirley C. Raines (372.6)

History Through Children’s Literature by Wanda J. Miller (973.071)

Science Through Children’s Literature by Carol M. Butzow (372.35044)
Science Adventures with Children’s Literature by Anthony D. Fredericks (372.35044)

More Social Studies Through Children’s Literature by Anthony D. Fredericks (372.83044)
Discovering Geography of North America with Books Kids Love by Carol J. Fuhler (917.00712)

…and there are others you can find in the same parent/teacher section of your library.

My children are ‘beyond’ picture books when they are reading on their own, but we still like to learn or talk about a topic this way sometimes, and even do it with ‘chapter books’ too using some of the ideas!

Comment by Anamaria

January 28, 2008 @ 10:21 am

I just had to comment on The Little White Horse; I loved that book. I always think of it when I see (or plant) pink geraniums. Your plan sounds good, too. I’ll check back to see what you’re reading!

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