Archive for ‘Learning’

A date to go down in history

By Monica Brand, 19 April, 2007, 2 Comments

Susan, 8, lover of My Little Ponies, Littlest Pet Shop and Lazytown, has finally joined us. We who love the words on the page, looking forward with anticipation to the next book in the series, while living in an imaginary world based on the description and dialogue given us by the author.

She’s on chapter 8 of Misty of Chincoteague, her very first chapter book read for pleasure. I’m so proud. And so glad I didn’t force the issue. Oh, and just so you know, yesterday she said she wants to write books. That’s my girl.

An update on the non-reading reader

By Monica Brand, 6 April, 2007, 3 Comments

Susan is sitting on the sofa flipping through Little House in the Big Woods right now. My heart be still, might she actually read it? I’m not going to say a thing to her. I don’t want to ruin the moment by making it my idea.

Within the last week she’s read two Babymouse books, which are cute as far as kid books go, but it’s no Little House classic. I keep sneaking peeks to her behind me… and it looks like the book is open to chapter one.

Uh-oh, she’s off again, the book left behind. Oh, well. At least she actually picked it up off the shelf.

Saved by a Jabberwocky

By Monica Brand, 17 February, 2007, 5 Comments

Just when I needed it’s help, I pulled a Jabberwocky from my back pocket last night.

Of course, one doesn’t yank a monster out of your pocket or purse on a whim. This particular Jabberwocky is a good friend. In high school, we were given the assignment to read the Lewis Carroll poem in speech class, and from the first stanza, I’ve loved the Jabberwocky.

So I memorized it — a natural response when you fall in love with a poem, don’t you think?

Back to last night: at my first Chinese New Year’s party with a room full of half strangers and a requirement to perform. Our hostess had us playing a game in which you had to sing, dance, tell a joke, anything, in front of the group. When my turn came for the spotlight, my Jabberwocky and I were ready.

And I must say, I think it went very well. I felt like Anne Shirley reciting “The Lady of Shalott” by Tennyson.

I encourage you to memorize a poem. It doesn’t have to be lengthy, but a selection with a bit of drama helps when you are reciting in front of a group, and most of all, make it a poem you are passionate about. Don’t have a poem in mind? I’ve a Jabberwocky you can borrow.

Update: Poets perform on HBO. I had no idea. HT: Litkicks

Holiday

By Monica Brand, 6 December, 2006, 1 Comment

We are fast approaching our Christmastime break from our lessons. I must say, I’m looking forward to indulging in the lazy, self-serving I-wanna-read-all-day side of my personality. Yeah! A full cup of hot, freshly roasted coffee and a novel. Mmmmmm. Delicious, no?

I’m not done with my shopping. I still need to buy for Doc and a few more things for the kids. I have two family gifts to buy, plus all the candy and little toys for the stockings. I also need to find out what I need to bring for Christmas dinner. Jeez, I better get busy.

I think the warm weather has put a damper on my holiday spending. It’s been so warm lately, with only the last few days truly cold enough for frosty cars in the driveway. It just doesn’t feel like Christmas yet.

And we don’t have our tree or other decorations up yet. Usually I’m the only one to decorate, but for the first time, Susan has taken an interest in making the house look Yule-ish. (Is that a word? Guess it is now.) I suspect she wants to play with the ornaments, which is fine with me, as long as Lucy doesn’t get in them.

But this is supposed to be a homeschooling post, not a Christmas to-do list.

Peter is halfway done with his Reading Made Easy. It’s wonderful to see him growing into a reader and writer.

The other day, he wrote on his own and I about fell out of my chair. Peter’s only almost 7 and more interested in play, so when he wrote without any prompting from me, I was quite the proud homeschooling mama. I suspect it was because all the other boys at the table were writing stories, so he decided to join in. Peter didn’t get very far with his story, but if you’ve been following his story, you know I’ll take what I can get.

And that’s as far as I’ll get too. Lucy’s awake now. Gotta run.

Teaching reading

By Monica Brand, 14 November, 2006, 1 Comment

Home education here is going well. We have our moments, of course. The grass thing and the color green and all that. But I’m in this for the long haul (read: I’m not a quitter).

Anyway, now I’m teaching Edmund to read. He’s four years and a bit. I taught Susan when she turned six with the same book that Peter is now using. Peter will be seven next month, it’s taken him longer to read that Susan did, but she was a different child. Susan was spelling her name and simple words at three. Peter was never interested, I never pushed, so it’s taking him longer.

This time I’ve decided to do it differently with Edmund. He’s my little experiment, so to speak. He’s now willing to sit for the lessons, he asks to do it, he’s having fun and he’s retaining what he learned, so I’m taking advantage.

Soon enough it will be Lucy sitting with me for phonics lessons. Already she is looking like a promising student. She has excellent pencil holding skills – it’s illegible toddler scribble, but she’s got the grip down perfectly. Like I said before, no more baby.