Reading Aloud: Frindle

Frindle by Andrew Clements is a fun, fast read aloud. It is a great jumping off point for learning about words and dictionaries. Although Nick's precocious behavior has you rooting for him, Mrs. Granger is the true hero in my eyes. Not because she is a teacher. (I struggle with the idea of most traditional classroom teachers.) But, because, as a mentor she knows the role to play to create success for her students. Sometimes one must seem evil to provide the necessary opposition for the amazing end results. The characters may be one dimensional but they definitely give you some food for thought and some great conversation starters with your children too.

Reading Aloud: The Secret School

After the emotional tumult of reading Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls my children requested a read that would give our heartstrings a bit of a break. The Secret School by Avi was the answer. It is a simplified version in fictional form of my educational ideals. Although it is set in the 1920s it demonstrates what children and young adults are capable of when given the opportunity to invest in their own education. At one point, somewhere around page 94, Ida figures out how to make teaching less burdensome. The lesson is one every parent instinctively knows and every teacher deserves to learn.

This is a fast read. It is definitely a good read. I look forward to reading many more books by Avi by myself and with my children.

Reading Aloud: Where the Red Fern Grows

My children and I just finished reading Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. I read it many, many, many years ago. Although I remember the basic premise of the book, I had long since forgotten the details of the plot. It was an amazing read. I was grateful for the experience I shared with my children.

Within the first few pages, my children and I were laughing so hard our sides hurt. In fact I had to reread the portions about the family cat several times because they could barely hear me through the riotous laughter. By the end of the book, we finished up a box of tissue. Many days it was difficult to put the book down because we just had to find out what happened next.

I was extremely impressed with Billy, the protagonist. He is an amazing mentor of hard-work, faith in God and obedience to parents. His choices offered many opportunities to talk about how important it is to talk and share experiences with parents. This is a book every family deserves to read and every child deserves to hear.

365 Days of Reading Aloud

One of my educational goals for this year is to read aloud to my children for an entire year. Reading aloud is an important component of literacy often over looked by teachers and parents. It is one of my favorites.

I recently read Reading Magic by Mem Fox. I also reread The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. Both authors had great insights. Although, I did find I disagreed with Ms. Fox on a few points. I can validate many of their points from my experience of reading to my children. I also agree with their insights as a child who was read to. In fact, some of my best memories included listening to my Father read White Fang by Jack London, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain.

Since starting this adventure with my children I have read the Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis and Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Today we finished The Secret School by Avi. Tomorrow we start Frindle by Andrew Clements. I am not completely consistent yet but I am almost there.

So far my experience with this adventure is absolutely wonderful. It provides opportunities I never imagined. Books are probably the best mentors available not just in teaching knowledge but values and morals. Even if the book fundamentally disagrees with your families values and morals: It is those moments where my kids and me have great discussions about choices and consequences. They leave with little doubt as to what my expectations are and how I measure my expectations.

If I could give a gift to every child it would be the simple act of reading and being reading aloud. It is an amazing opportunity and a lot of fun.

The First Day of School

I love education. Probably because I love learning. I wish I could figure out how to learn more, faster. It is amazing because no matter how much I love it the school year always seems to sneak up on me.

This year I was forced to think about school much sooner than usual. My eldest, Kaylee, turns 14 this year and decided it was time to start LDS Seminary. Technically, she could have waited until next year but she was undeterred. In her mind, it was time. I am glad she wants to take on this adventure. I am not sure I am too excited about the schedule. Attending Seminary means we get to wake up at five in the morning. Thrilling right?

So our school day starts at five in the morning. Kaylee gets ready for the day and I get ready for the gym. We usually are so quick about it that we spend a bit of time getting morning chores done. It is our fun time when we get to talk about whatever. After I drop her off I hustle over to the gym. It is the only time I get to myself all day. So, even though, I trudge along doing my best to improve my running time and endurance I cherish this time I get to carve out.

When we get home my husband, Thomas, gets the other children up for the day. Before he leaves for work we gather as a family to read the Scriptures. We are back to basics: The Book of Mormon. I get breakfast together for my husband. (I have made him breakfast almost every morning since moving into this house.) Then the children rustle up some grub. They usually want such different things that they make their own breakfast. I am not too fond of playing short order cook. We finish the rest of our chores then start our open exercises.

This year both of my boys, Lije and Chance, are in Cub Scouts. Lije is a Webelo. (Lije managed to finish is Bear three days before his birthday. Congratulations.) Chance is a Wolf, but is working on his Bobcat. I am excited for both of them but somehow this makes me feel way too busy. To ease the craziness of Cub Scouts, we are incorporating it into our school day. As part of the open exercises, we go over all the scout ideals. I am hoping Chance is able to pass off his Bobcat requirements sooner than later.

In order to give my girls a fair shake, after making them recite all the Cub Scout ideals, we do the LDS Young Women's theme. Slightly modified for the boys because girls are yucky and have cooties! (Thank goodness.) We are also working on their Faith in God requirements.

After opening exercises we break off into individual lessons. This sounds a lot more formal than it actual is. I must admit I lean towards the un-schooling philosophy. Now that I look back on my children's development I do not regret that decision at all. We do not delineate between learning, fun and playtime. They all exist together. Every moment is a learning moment. Every moment is a fun moment. Even if I am the only who thinks so!

Starting Over

My husband and I purchased a house in Arizona for our family in December 2009. I had great plans for a fresh start and fun activities when I moved here but life and consequences inflicted on me by other people's poor choices had something much different in store. What happened afterwards was probably the worst and most difficult experience of my life; Something I would not wish on the most vile of human life.

I am barely starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still struggle. In fact, some days are still very, very difficult. Almost impossible. I find myself veiled in tears as triggers of painful memories pour over me like Niagara Falls. I am laboring to put one foot in front of the other and move forward. It truly is a shear labor of love some days. Whether people read this blog or not it is my therapy. My opportunity to overcome. My work of mending a totally broken heart.