Progress Report
Rachel is in first grade and has finally started enjoying reading books. Rachel's teacher uses picture books combined with easy readers for Rachel's book report material. Rachel has just finished her first 21 books and received her gold medal for reading. We are ploughing ahead with the second book report list right now.Karl has been reading very well since Kindergarten. In first grade Karl read one book for a book report and three small books of an old phonics reader program each week for school work. He also read many other books also. (Usually 2 or 3 a week). In fact Book-It was hard with Karl because he read so many books I couldn't keep track of all the titles. Now he's a big second grader. Book reports are optional. His teacher gives special dollars for book reports which they use in their classroom bookstore. Look at Karl's book reports to see the reports he has completed. Karl still reads for 2 to 6 hours a day, but book reports are different (he tells me).
I started reading children's books in 1989 when Karl was a baby. A librarian handed me a Book List for children. I checked out two books from the list to see what was considered appropriate and fun for my third grader to read (still eight years away). These books were simple and about third and fourth graders yet they were entertaining. I asked for another list and checked out two books from that list.
Then Robert became curious as to why I was reading children's books. I showed him the lists and he pointed out "The White Mountains" series by Christopher . This was one of this favorites as a young boy. I started reading the series was so impressed I payed to place holds on books to finish the series. Last year we gave "The White Mountains" to Robert's 13 year old son. He loved the book and requested the remainder of the series for Christmas this year.
Now we read childrens books as encouragement to our children. The books are easy but enjoyable. Many times our kids join in by reading the books after, before and sometimes the at the same time as us. Karl reads the books alone. Rachel still requires some encouragement so we read aloud. She reads a page then I read a page. Or Rachel reads the things people say (quotes) and I read the narratives. Sometimes Karl reads with us. Then we all take turns reading the books.
Iwrite reports to encourage school and home work. (And to show it's not that hard.) I pick a Book of the Week and write a small review. Right now we are reading the Hardy Boy's Mysteries as a family. Robert started reading the books while Karl was in first grade hoping to get him to read the books. Karl was a little young for the books at that time. Now Karl reads the books before Robert. Many times we get the books for Karl to continue the series (instead of Robert).