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teachingmyown
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| Posted: July 10 2008 at 1:41pm | IP Logged
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I am not sure where this topic belongs, so feel free to move it. 
I am wondering about letting my girls, 8 and a very bright 6, spend all of their reading time reading pretty advanced books. For example, we did Sonlight 3 American History last year, which is almost all chapter books, some of them fairly complex. The girls devoured them. They are reading the Redwall series, Vision books, they finish American Girl books in a day.
I was looking at the Serendipity plans and wondering if I am allowing them to miss some of the simple pleasures and lessons from picture books. (Jump in here Elizabeth, or Cay since you wrote "the book" on picture books (which I wish that I had bought at the IHM conference when I had it in my hand)!)
Should I slow them down? Or maybe just mix it up some? I admit that I haven't given them the time of cuddling up with a good picture book that the oldest three got from me. The six year old taught herself to read at four and just hungers for more information. I am really not sure what to do with a "gifted" child. But that could be another whole post.
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Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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JuliaT
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Molly, I have a 9 yr. old who is an excellent reader. She is able to read heavy duty books but we mix it up. She reads her books, I read aloud to her and we also read picture books together.
I recently purchased Cay's Picture Perfect Childhood. I cannot recommend this book enough. This has been such a gift to our family. I used to think that picture books were for toddlers and preschoolers. Whenever I thought of picture books, I would think of Eric Carle, Jan Brett, Dr. Seuss,etc. Cay has opened up a whole new world for me and my kids. Due to her myriad of lists, my kids have learned about the Titanic, Iran, WWII, Einstein, Shakespeare, palindromes, etc. the list goes on and on. My children love our picture book time.
Our time for picture books varies depending on the season. Right now for summer, we read two picture books every morning right after breakfast. I usually read a book from the author from Author Fiesta and a book from the Picture Perfect list. This time has become very special for all of us. Many thoughtful discussions have come from the reading of these picture books.
It is quite doable to mix it up, it just might take a while to find the right rhythm. I think, though, that it is worth the time.
Blessings,
Julia
mom of 3 (9,7,5)
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LLMom
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| Posted: July 10 2008 at 5:31pm | IP Logged
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I had one like that too. However, she would also sit and listen to me read anything aloud including picture books. Will they still do that? I don't think its a problem. Actually, I wish my 2 boys had that problem. 
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Lisa
For veteran & former homeschool moms
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teachingmyown
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They actually love me to read. The six year old prefers to read to me, or anyone who will listen.
I hate to admit it, but I guess I find it frees me up to have them reading big books on their own.
I gotta get Cay's book fast.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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allegiance_mom
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You could have the two girls read to their younger sibs. (I see in your signature you have '06 and '07 babies.) That might be a good way to intro picture books for them, by having them read to the little ones.
If they enjoy challenging literature, don't hold them back from good books. As long as they get out to play every day! 
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Becky Parker
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Even my oldest ds, an avid reader, will occasionally take his nose out of his book to listen as I read the other kids a picture book. I think picture books are treasures that all children, regardless of age, can enjoy.
When I taught 4th grade in a classroom the first day of school, the first thing in the morning, I pulled out a picture book. The kids groaned. I told them to get used to it, because each day we would start with a picture book. They grew to LOVE it. When I had a substitute teacher once the kids became upset because she skipped the morning picture book!
So, I would say encourage the independent reading of the chapter books but try to find time each day to read even just one of the picture book treasures that are talked about so often on this list and in Cay's book and many other booklists.
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Becky
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: July 11 2008 at 2:43pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Ladies! I just ordered Cay's book from Margot and feel more comfortable just trying to mix it up some.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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Angel
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| Posted: July 11 2008 at 5:23pm | IP Logged
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My 9 yo really likes reading picture books aloud to her younger brothers. It's a win-win situation.  And my 11 yo will still always sit down and pick up whatever picture books are lying around. Having them in a basket or out on the table helps.
I think with a gifted child the thorniest issue becomes finding emotionally appropriate material. As the books get longer and more complicated, so do the emotional issues. Sometimes they're just not appropriate for younger kids, and then what do you do?
--Angela
Three Plus Two
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: July 17 2008 at 5:49pm | IP Logged
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Molly,
I have been wanting to get back to your questions but we were in the middle of a funeral and I've been getting lots of stray errands done this week (including a new tooth crown...OUCH!).
I do hope you find PPC to be exactly what you need to help you and your children relax and enjoy your school year. In that little book I tried to focus on the wisdom of Jim Trelease, the words of Charlotte Mason regarding 15 minutes per subject, and the creativity of the Lambert's FIAR study which I always fall back on when I'm exhausted with everything else. That's it in a nutshell.
Focusing on our little museum of picture books reminds me that it isn't all about reading thick chapter books with our children, it isn't about finding the "correct" Charlotte Mason lesson guide, and it isn't about doing all the lapbooks, notebooking, manipulatives, flash cards, etc. It's about connecting with our children.
Most hsing mothers have more than two children. It's hard to get to all the "extras". Don't I know it. I feel so blessed to have discovered Teaching Textbook for math this past year. Without the concern of having to "teach" math, I get to focus on what I love and what I'm good at. I'm a better hsing mother that way and my children are still getting the basic teaching of math from someone(thing?) that explains it better than I do. 
That's the honest truth, folks. I am simply not a math teacher and my dh doesn't have the time to cover it as it needs to be covered. TT was made for families like us. 
Picture books are a great way to allow child-led learning, time for discussions with parents, exposing the child to new information, and covering several rabbit trails at once. It's a happy journey for the whole family.
Picture books of today are an art form. In my book I mention how exploring picture books is like taking your child through an art museum and exposing them to great work.
I do have a very rough curricula list made up so far and I just circled the things I need to order before August. And I will be using PPC extensively with my first grader. And I really want to do all the great activities and things I did with her sister at that age. But I also have a 5th grader and 9th grader I'm having to plan for this year.
I'm looking at "mixing up" our approaches this year. I think "mixing up" is inevitable when we have a variety of ages and personalities.
With PPC I'm not saying that's all you should use. It's a great way of following Charlotte Mason's gentle walk of learning which has called so many of us here and taking a slow and steady pace instead of getting overwhelmed and  .
To educate our children well and send out good citizens into our communities, they need more. Much more. Even outside classes can work for our older children. We used them with my older children and my husband and I have no regrets.
Regarding "mixing", today I pulled out my old Sonlight catalog and just placed an order for a free issue. I don't order from them because I usually have the required books or my public library does or a hsing friend does. Also, I got a heap of FREE Sonlight plans from a hsing friends and just looking through them made my eyes . I'd never be able to follow them enough to give them (or my children) justice.
But I do love their booklists.
Yet booklists alone could become some form of Robinson mind-control. Don't you think? I've been following your Robinson thread and thinking how Sonlight could become a mini-clone-child of the Robinson mindframe.
But so could anything else for that matter. The parent has to get involved. And discussing subjects and world events and authors and poems and books and <eek!> even math problems is part of the learning process. Laura Berquist has some wonderful talks about this.
I probably haven't answered your question at all, Molly. And I've probably elaborated too much.
I just know too many of us fall into the trap being overwhelmed and feeling as though what we do isn't good enough. (Myself included. ) The Tree of Knowledge is as tempting to us as it was to our first parents. Perhaps more so. There's much more on that tree today. All kinds of delicious fruit to partake of.
Basically the "real learning" that happens to the children throughout the days and years (often learning that I'm not even aware of because it is so much "their own") is what makes up the foundation of our learning. The picture books supports the love for learning approach in our home...it's the flooring. My boys would probably say it's the nature study and hands-on stuff that produces a love for learning.
DYOCC will be the framework of our education this year as it was last year and CHC was in the past. It's the walls and doors that divide our learning into subject areas making sure we cover math, science, grammar, etc. The Sonlight books will be the actual enclosure of our educational home. Teaching Textbook is our roof (gotta have that covered ).
Anything else we use, make or do is our eclectic decorating within the walls of our home. It'll change with the seasons, the moods, the ideas we see online, etc. But it's what keeps things fresh and exciting. If something doesn't work or doesn't look quite right, we remove it and find something else.
Of course, this is my family's educational approach. I understand what works for my family won't work for all families. I always figured that was an unwritten code within hs circles but perhaps it's safer to type it out.
I wanted to take a simpler, kinder approach and offer it as I offered it to my children. My younger two girls have been raised with this approach almost completely and I can assure you that this approach is the best way to lay a great educational foundation and a lasting connection with your children.
I'm not saying it'll make your children brain surgeons or scientist. I'm not even saying it'll make your child love hsing. Remember that Tree of Knowledge? It has a strong tantalizing aroma and the serpent calls. But it offers a simpler, kinder approach that has made me, and several other mothers, better hsing mothers.
Molly, you mentioned what to do with a "gifted" child. I believe my second dd is as gifted as my first dd. She'll be 11 in October and inhales picture books. She'll sit with a stack of them and read them in one sitting. She discusses them with me and is writing her own picture books. She is also reading (at the moment) four thick high school level books and she makes all kinds of connections. Unbelievable connections, because of those picture books.
The thing about gifted children are that they remember things a bit better than their peers, thus they sound more intelligent and test better than others their age. But the others catch on to the connections eventually. Just takes them a bit longer.
Will the picture book approach hinder a "gifted" child? Not at all. But, yes, mix it up abit. You have to challenge them. You have to find what works for them.
I like DYOCC because it supports child-led learning and encourages the student to become independent workers while still inviting the parent to get involved with their child(ren). I don't use the MODG syllabus because I can't follow lesson plans that closely. DYOCC gives me the frame and nothing else.
The fun thing with picture book learning is that it can be melted into any curricula you decide to use. It's flexible, adaptable, and just a pleasant part of the day. I hope you enjoy it!
We have a ballgame for the cousins to go watch. Sorry for the length and any typos but, you know how life is full of running from base to base...
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
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Bookswithtea
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Thanks for sharing, Cay. Awesome thoughts here, and I am going to be musing on them...
Molly, I moved my first child off picture books too early. I totally regret it, and have made sure to keep picture books in the rest of my kid's lives as long as they will tolerate them (usually around 10), along with chapter books when they are ready. I am much happier with the response these children have to beloved picture books. And I have to credit FIAR and Elizabeth/Real Learning (the book) for that. That's where I first learned that picture books aren't just for preschoolers.
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: July 18 2008 at 1:47pm | IP Logged
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Bookswithtea wrote:
| I have to credit FIAR and Elizabeth/Real Learning (the book) for that. That's where I first learned that picture books aren't just for preschoolers. |
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Oh, yes! we are all grateful!
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
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Tina P.
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Cay Gibson wrote:
| The parent has to get involved. And discussing subjects and world events and authors and poems and books and <eek!> even math problems is part of the learning process. |
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So easy on the ears, so easy to say, yet sometimes, we get so distracted by "life" or even the fact that we're homeschooling multiple children at once, all clamoring for attention. "What's for dinner, Mom?" "When are you going to finish that (housekeeping) project you said you'd do last week?" And appointments, and practices, and ...
Cay Gibson wrote:
I just know too many of us fall into the trap being overwhelmed and feeling as though what we do isn't good enough. (Myself included. ) The Tree of Knowledge is as tempting to us as it was to our first parents. Perhaps more so. There's much more on that tree today. All kinds of delicious fruit to partake of.
Basically the "real learning" that happens to the children throughout the days and years (often learning that I'm not even aware of because it is so much "their own") is what makes up the foundation of our learning. The picture books supports the love for learning approach in our home...it's the flooring. My boys would probably say it's the nature study and hands-on stuff that produces a love for learning. |
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Beautiful analogies, Cay. And the entire post is great food for thought. Thank you.
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
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Cay Gibson
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Tina P. wrote:
So easy on the ears, so easy to say, yet sometimes, we get so distracted by "life" or even the fact that we're homeschooling multiple children at once, all clamoring for attention. |
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Tina,
while I agree with you...completely and sympathetically...I'm viewing this a little differently.
Just a tad.
And let me add a quick addendum. I don't have a baby or a toddler in the house. My children are growing up...fast. I understand I'm not in the same place many of you are. But there are still days and times of the day when the noise level of everyone talking and everyone vying for my attention is overwhelming. Instead of little ones crying I now have five very vocal children who all suspect (rightly so) that their news is of utmost importance.
But, back to your concern, I happen to have paid close attention to conversations that have happened this week within my household that assured me discussions still happen in a busy, vying household. They're too numerous to name but they happened.
Of course we aren't on a "school schedule" at this time but we've discussed books and movies and music and job situations and benefit packages and school schedule and all kinds of random things.
Like I said in that excessively loooong post , real learning usually happens when I'm least aware that it happened. It's the whole "our children's minds are like a sponge" concept, the wonders of "osmosis", that makes this learning style so productive in large hsing families.It's having faith that our children are learning no matter what they're doing, where they're at, who they're with.
Yes, there are lots of comings and goings in our household. Lots of talking. Lots of interrupting. Lots of media even...Ipods, computer, television, cell phones. But conversation flows as easily as any of these forums because it always has. And not only with me. I often find the two brothers sitting in Kayleigh's bedroom getting advice, exchanging news, getting help with a college schedule, etc. They're learning things from exchanging and debating with each other even when I (the hsing mother whose task it is to record these "learning" moments ) am no where in sight.
Perhaps I'm sounding might "unschoolish" but embracing this philosophy has been freeing for my family. It's made me a better hsing mother.
In short, if we listen, our children will come. And they will talk.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: July 19 2008 at 8:22am | IP Logged
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Tina P. wrote:
And appointments, and practices, and ...
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I wanted to touch on this as well. While I don't naturally love or embrace appts and practices and all the extra, I've come to welcome them as opportunities for discussion.
Some of our best discussions have happened in the car on the way to practice, or sitting in the doc's office, or standing next to the dressing room while Dad tries on a new suit which I had to make sure fit (really happened...and, yes, I still had a 6 yr old who was interrupting and peeking out from beneath the clothes racks ).
I've had to be honest with myself. Most of these things are just not "planned". But that's okay. That's life in our family and it's okay. Completely!
Again...I don't have a baby or a toddler mixed in...or do I? Come to think of it, Kayleigh's godchild was here yesterday afternoon and evening. She's only 4 1/2 months old. Kayleigh and I were blessed to discuss feedings and development and all sorts of lovely things while gazing and playing peek-a-boo with this baby on a quilt on our living room floor. We even took her with us to watch my godchild's summer dance recital. The clapping and cheers scared her so Kayleigh ended having to walk outside with her, but that's a huge part of Kayleigh's learning and development too.
It's just all good. That's all I can say.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Moving too fast
