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Bookswithtea Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 08 2008 at 10:17am | IP Logged
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Ack! Was nursing a child and lost my whole post. Hate it when that happens...
Each year, I focus on RE with one child in particular and the rest have a devotional time where they learn about the faith independently. The independent learners have a rotation that looks something like this:
M-read from story bible/copywork
T-read from saint compilation/copywork
W-read from devotional type book
Th-read something gender specific (for instance, my 10 yr old read Beautiful Girlhood last year)
The problem is that my 3rd grader is not as strong a reader as my other two were at this age. She is at the level where she can read comfortably from Nate the Great, Frog and Toad, the Beginner's Bible. She cannot yet read alone something like Magic Treehouse. I'm looking for saint stories and something that is devotional/catechetical in tone that are at a late 2nd/early 3rd grade reading level . I would even consider something like a Seton workbook since it would only be one day a week, but I don't know if they are designed for Mom to read aloud.
Any suggestions??
__________________ Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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MichelleW Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 08 2008 at 11:39am | IP Logged
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Last year I used Five Minute Devotions for Kids by Pamela Kennedy for my weak reader. It is a good devotional, but not catechetical (in other words, it reinforces what a 3rd grader would already know about God, but does not teach anything new). We enjoyed it. I am thinking about buying the next one for him this year.
__________________ Michelle
Mom to 3 (dd 14, ds 15, and ds 16)
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: July 08 2008 at 4:21pm | IP Logged
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Books,
I have a few popping in my head, but not sure the reading level. Do they all have to be independent reading?
Since I know your library is vast, I'll just rattle a few off to ask if you have tried them:
Treasure Box books. If these are too simple, try to track down the Maryknoll Crusade series
Stories to Learn By
Angel Food Readers
Joan Windham saint stories
Ethel Pochocki Saint stories
The old Daughters of St. Paul Encounter Saint books (I started these pretty young, not sure of the current in print ones)
Maria Rioux on another list suggested "A Small Child's Bible" by Pelagie Doane OOP or "A First Bible" by Helen Sewall also OOP for earlier readers. I have the latter, and am waiting for the former.
Little Stories About God
Neumann Press has reprinted ($$$) some younger reader books, "Books for Young Catholics"
Tomie dePaola Book of Bible Stories
Baby fussy... that's all for now.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 08 2008 at 4:48pm | IP Logged
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I like Jenn's suggestion of the Angel Food books - I use them also for oral narration, just the prefect-sized stories for little children - of course there is a little virtue to be learned in each story.
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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Bookswithtea Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 08 2008 at 4:49pm | IP Logged
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Hi Jenn,
I know it sounds weird, but the ability to read them independently is really important to me. I like providing a time for each child to be alone with God, with "something to do/something to think about/something to love".
I do have some of those. We've already been through the treasure box books (love love love those!).
"The old Daughters of St. Paul Encounter Saint books (I started these pretty young, not sure of the current in print ones)"
Is there a difference between the old ones and the new ones? Does anyone know what reading level these are at? I'd love to find some saint stories she could read alone that are whole books and not just in a compilation...
Thanks for brainstorming with me, Jenn...
__________________ Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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Bookswithtea Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 08 2008 at 4:52pm | IP Logged
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Can you tell me more about the Angel Food readers? I have never seen those before. Can she read them herself, and what are the stories about?
__________________ Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 08 2008 at 4:55pm | IP Logged
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Books, I'm pm'ing you.
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: July 08 2008 at 4:56pm | IP Logged
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Bookswithtea wrote:
I know it sounds weird, but the ability to read them independently is really important to me. I like providing a time for each child to be alone with God, with "something to do/something to think about/something to love". |
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Nothing weird about it. That's one of the aims of CGS. I like it, just wanted to make sure I was on the same page.
Bookswithtea wrote:
I do have some of those. We've already been through the treasure box books (love love love those!).
"The old Daughters of St. Paul Encounter Saint books (I started these pretty young, not sure of the current in print ones)"
Is there a difference between the old ones and the new ones? Does anyone know what reading level these are at? I'd love to find some saint stories she could read alone that are whole books and not just in a compilation...
Thanks for brainstorming with me, Jenn...
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After dinner I'll look through some of these books. The new Encounter the Saints are rewrites, and I don't have any to compare. I like the old ones, and I distinctly remember getting my first "Fisher Prince" when I was 8 or 9. The age on the back says 9 to 90.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Kristen in TN Forum Pro
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Posted: July 08 2008 at 5:13pm | IP Logged
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I think the old encounter books would probably be on the same level as Magic treehouse books. We have quite a few of them. They are different from the new.
That's all I know.
God bless,
Kristen in TN
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: July 08 2008 at 6:27pm | IP Logged
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Kristen in TN wrote:
I think the old encounter books would probably be on the same level as Magic treehouse books. We have quite a few of them. They are different from the new.
That's all I know. |
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That's helpful! Thanks, Kristen. I'll knock those off the list. Not being familiar with Magic Treehouse yet, I didn't have anything to compare. Now I do.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: July 09 2008 at 2:49pm | IP Logged
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While you are choosing independent RE material, are you trying to make the time slot cover both reading, comprehension, and religious eductation?
And perhaps thinking of a larger book or spine to use picture books, like ones in Catholic Mosaic or St. Joseph Picture books, or other sources. Some you might read before together. If meditation and personal prayer is the goal, that might be an answer, instead of fighting the battle of reading. You can address her slower reading at a different time. Just a thought.
I'm just going to share some excerpts so you can measure your child's reading level to the book.
Not sure what Anne pmed you, but Rev. Gerald Brennan wrote quite a few books, including the Angel Food series. Here's an excerpt from The Ghost of Kingdome Come:
Quote:
It was a night early in November and almost midnight. A wild, hungry, black, winter storm was riding through the night and peeking in through the windows. But I was not afraid. I was safe within the old strong stone of the Storm Castle. I was very happy as I sat in a big chair, before a big fireplace, reading a funny book. I was very happy, trusting in the Goodness of God, who can make storms and castles. I was everything a good holy Pirest ought to be. Very happy and in love with God! I looked up from my big funny book to the big clock which had started to ring out the twelve strokes of midnight. I looked .... but there was no big clock -- I was staring into the big face of a big Ghost!... |
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That book is a whole story, and he has a few others like that, but the others, like Angel Food are one chapter is a new "lesson". Here's another story, "The Most Beautiful Picture in the World".
Here's an excerpt from Joan Windham, the story of St. Barbara.
I had asked about a reprint series In the Footsteps of the Saints, which gives an exceprt in the thread to see the reading level.
I found a copy of "A Small Child's Bible" by Pelagie Doane already on my shelves, but now I've misplaced Helen Sewall's. But the latter is from the King James. Here's an excerpt from the former, and the pictures are gorgeous. A story on the left and picture on the facing page.
Quote:
Jacob had twelve sons. Jseoph was his favorite of them all. Ten of the sons were older than Joseph and one, Benjamin, was younger.
Jacob had many, many animals. He had sheep and goats and cattle. He had fields of wheat. The ten older sons took care of the animals. They worked in the field and grew wheat for the animals and food for the family.
Joseph stayed at home with his father. He was a gentle boy and Jacob liked having him near. He looked after Benjamin, his younger brother, ran errands and cared for his father, who was old.... |
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"Once Upon a Time Saints" and "Saints of the Seasons for Children" by Ethel Marbach Pochocki. From the latter:
Quote:
There was once a bishop born of a Roman father and a Frenc mother who became the patron saint of Ireland. The Irish, a people of ready wit, say God must be Irish to play such a joke! Well, that we can't prove. What we do know is that the bishop was God's own gift to Ireland and to all of us.
His name was Patricius, son of Calpornius (the way Irish form a name, that would make him Patrick McAlper). We know him best as good St. Patrick, the missionary saint who turned the hearts of the pagan Irish to God. He did it so well that now, 15 centuries later, we find it hard to imagine Ireland as a country where people worshiped tree spirits and the gods of sun and moon and thunder. Today Ireland is known as a country of scholars and saints and people who love words almost as well the Wold And you might say it all happened because Patrick was a lazy boy who couldn't abide school. |
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If you're still looking for Bible Stories, the Daughters of St. Paul had three titles of varying levels, "Bible Stories for Children", "Bible Stories for Young Readers" and "The Bible for Young People."
I have several titles I have picked up published by Regina Press. The Children's Book of Saints is very good, simple to read, one page text, one page illustration. I can share an excerpt if needed.
That's all for now. Not sure if helps any...but I'm happy to oblige further if need be!
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Donna Marie Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 09 2008 at 3:13pm | IP Logged
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We love The Story Library of the Saints by Joan Windham...it is OOP and 3 volumes...fun saint stories!
I am so taken by oop books lately. If you find any great titles that I should have on my shelves, just let me know. We do have many of the books listed above including all of the Crusade magazines. I am also in the process of collecting all of the old Visions books (some were reprinted by Ignatius Press)
FWIW I always listen closely whenever Maria Rioux recommends a book. We have always loved whatever she has mentioned.
I think I have a comb bound photocopy of little Stories about God that Our Lady of Victory School just copied years ago. If someone wants it just let me know. I already found a hardcover copy at the local thrift store.
God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 7dc +one more due 10/08!
__________________ God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 9dc!!
Finding Elegant Simplicity
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Donna Marie Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 09 2008 at 3:23pm | IP Logged
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I think "A First Bible" Helen's last name is Sewell in case anyone was trying to look that up...
God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 7dc +one more due 10/08!
__________________ God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 9dc!!
Finding Elegant Simplicity
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: July 09 2008 at 4:05pm | IP Logged
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Donna Marie wrote:
We love The Story Library of the Saints by Joan Windham...it is OOP and 3 volumes...fun saint stories!
I am so taken by oop books lately. If you find any great titles that I should have on my shelves, just let me know. We do have many of the books listed above including all of the Crusade magazines. I am also in the process of collecting all of the old Visions books (some were reprinted by Ignatius Press)
FWIW I always listen closely whenever Maria Rioux recommends a book. We have always loved whatever she has mentioned.
I think I have a comb bound photocopy of little Stories about God that Our Lady of Victory School just copied years ago. If someone wants it just let me know. I already found a hardcover copy at the local thrift store. |
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I think I started collecting books the minute I could read them. I like to find OOP books. The hunt for bargains and treasures is so much fun. The Internet has been a help in finding more books, but it also has hindered in spreading the word about so many titles, thereby jacking up prices.
Another great OOP Bible story book is My Bible History Old Testament and the other volume New Testament by Louis Laravoire Morrow. Priceless. If you've seen "My Jesus and I", "My First Communion" and "My Catholic Faith" you'll love this series. These are more etchings than the full color pictures of the other books, but the stories are sound, not complicated, but presented in fullness.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: July 09 2008 at 4:13pm | IP Logged
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I know this is tedious, but I forgot to post this. Have you tried the Bible that Julia Fogassy uses in her Sound Beginnings? Early Reader's Bible By Gilbert Beers? It's Protestant, though.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Bookswithtea Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 09 2008 at 6:52pm | IP Logged
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You are all amazing. Thank you so much for all the help. I will be working through all the suggestions here to find what will work the best for us.
__________________ Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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mary Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 10 2008 at 12:47pm | IP Logged
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hey books, i'd love to hear what you pick!
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Bookswithtea Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 10 2008 at 3:12pm | IP Logged
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OK, no problem. Jenn asked me above about the independent reading aspect. I don't count this as reading practice (she will still do that with me). I count it as 'time with God'. The most important thing is that they have time set aside each schoolday (at least) to focus on something holy, in that CM "something to think about/something to do/something to love" kind of way. I think there is some wisdom in giving them a tool and letting them get with God without me as the mediator. I'll share as soon as I figure it out!
__________________ Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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