I have always enjoyed reading. From the time my children were born (actually before they were born) I have read aloud to them. I often meet other parents- especially homeschoolers- who are not readers but who want to develop a habit of reading aloud to children. When I talk to other parents about reading aloud, I try to pass on several tips for getting started.
* Choose books that will hold their interest. It is good to read the classics, but if you haven't already set a habit of reading aloud, classics might not hold their interest.
* Read for fun, not just for school. We do lots of school related reading, but we also read every night for fun.
* Stick with it even if they don't seem interested at first. My children have always loved being read to because they have always been read to. But, for a while, we had a little girl coming to our house in the afternoons who was not accustomed to being read aloud to. at the time, I was reading to my two oldest children during the afternoon when the little girls napped. The little girl we were keeping was not thrilled with the idea of sitting to listen. We were reading The Hobbit at the time and were halfway through, so she was coming in to the middle of the story. After a few times of listening to us, though, she began to enjoy it also.
* At the beginning of each reading session, talk about what is happening in the story as a review. At the end of each session, review what was read. For tips about narrating, read Charlotte Mason's ideas about using living books.
The important thing is to begin reading with your children. Reading together increases comprehension, builds language skills, and helps children to develop a love for reading. I will post again about some of our favorite read alouds.
If you enjoy reading, you can check out my Good Reads blog where I review adult and children's books we have enjoyed.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Come See Me Week in Review
This last week we were fortunate to have beautiful weather for much of the Come See Me festival- our local spring festival. Throughout the week, the kids and I were able to participate in several activities. By, the way, our festival mascot is Glen the Frog- thus the frog theme throughout the festivities.
We went to the Musical Mania event- which I blogged about previously. The kids got to walk around and see different musicians and instruments and even try out several instruments. Charles was inspired to learn to play the guitar, and Ashlyne has decided she wants to be a drummer. (If you know my third born in person, this is NOT a surprise.)
On Monday night, I took the kids to the rock wall climbing competition. We have a local parks and recreation facility with a climbing wall. I've never taken them before, but they have climbed at a carnival type event, and they have climbed the rope at gymnastics. They both did very well for not having been there before. They were able to complete the climb on the first two walls. Neither could make it all the way up Wall 3. Ashlyne was very disappointed that she could not climb. (The competition was for ages 8 and up.) But, I did find out that I could bring them back any Monday night and she could climb.
On Wednesday, we went to frog crafts at the library. That is a sort of tradition. We always try to make the frog crafts.
On Thursday, we went to Glencairn Gardens- a local public garden- for supper and musical entertainment. It was Broadway music night. We took pizza and ate and enjoyed listening to local talent perform Broadway songs. Before we left, we walked around the gardens for some good photo opportunities.
On Friday, we went to Frog Hoppin Fun at our Family Resource Center. This is a program geared toward preschoolers with froggy themed centers set up all around, a story time, snack, and face painting.
To organize my Come See Me photos, I made a Smilebox scrapbook. I'm not sure I like this as much as the slideshows, but here are some pictures from our Come See Me week:
We went to the Musical Mania event- which I blogged about previously. The kids got to walk around and see different musicians and instruments and even try out several instruments. Charles was inspired to learn to play the guitar, and Ashlyne has decided she wants to be a drummer. (If you know my third born in person, this is NOT a surprise.)
On Monday night, I took the kids to the rock wall climbing competition. We have a local parks and recreation facility with a climbing wall. I've never taken them before, but they have climbed at a carnival type event, and they have climbed the rope at gymnastics. They both did very well for not having been there before. They were able to complete the climb on the first two walls. Neither could make it all the way up Wall 3. Ashlyne was very disappointed that she could not climb. (The competition was for ages 8 and up.) But, I did find out that I could bring them back any Monday night and she could climb.
On Wednesday, we went to frog crafts at the library. That is a sort of tradition. We always try to make the frog crafts.
On Thursday, we went to Glencairn Gardens- a local public garden- for supper and musical entertainment. It was Broadway music night. We took pizza and ate and enjoyed listening to local talent perform Broadway songs. Before we left, we walked around the gardens for some good photo opportunities.
On Friday, we went to Frog Hoppin Fun at our Family Resource Center. This is a program geared toward preschoolers with froggy themed centers set up all around, a story time, snack, and face painting.
To organize my Come See Me photos, I made a Smilebox scrapbook. I'm not sure I like this as much as the slideshows, but here are some pictures from our Come See Me week:
 |
 |
| Make a Smilebox scrapbook |
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Ouch
Today's devotion from Girlfriends in God was very convicting to me, and I thought I'd share:
April 21, 2009
Here Comes the Judge!
Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
"Love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12
Friend to Friend
A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in homespun, thread bare clothes, stepped off the train in Boston, and walked timidly into the Harvard University President's outer office where they had no appointment. The secretary could tell with one glance that such backwoods, country hicks had no business at Harvard and probably didn't even deserve to be in Cambridge. She frowned. "We want to see the president," the man said softly. "He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped. "We'll wait," the lady replied.
For hours, the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally become discouraged and go away. They didn't and the secretary grew more angry and frustrated by the moment. Finally, with great hesitation, she decided to disturb the president. "Maybe if they just see you for a few minutes, they'll leave," she told him. He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance obviously didn't have the time to spend with them, but he detested gingham dresses and homespun suits cluttering up his outer office. The president, stern faced and with dignity, strutted toward the couple.
The lady told him, "We had a son who attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard and was happy here. But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed so my husband and I would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on campus." The president wasn't touched. In fact, he was shocked. "Madam," he said, gruffly, "we can't put up a statue for every person who has attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a cemetery." "Oh, no," the lady explained quickly. "We don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard." The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit and then exclaimed, "A building! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs? We have over seven-and-a-half million dollars in the physical plant at Harvard." For a moment, the lady was silent. The president was pleased. Maybe he could get rid of them now.
The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that all it costs to start a university? Why don't we just start our own?" Her husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment. Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California where they established the university that bears their name, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about.
I wonder how many blessings we miss because we are quick to judge and slow to love. It may surprise you to know that God does not love us because we are so lovable. God loves us because He is love! We all long for someone who will love us just as we are, but wonder if such a love even exists and if it does, is it available to us. Unconditional love does exist and it is available to each one of us - just as we are - through Jesus Christ.
God's love is a gift. It is neither earned nor deserved. Just as with any gift from God, His love is not only given for our benefit but for us to share as well. When we experience the love of God, He then calls us to love like He loves and teaches us how to celebrate the differences in each other instead of insisting that people change. There must be a thread of elasticity running through the very fiber of every relationship - especially our relationships with difficult people. The truth is that those who deserve love the least need love the most. Just as we cannot allow others to define us, we must stop trying to control, change and define others.
Let's Pray
Father, forgive my arrogance when I judge others. I want to learn how to celebrate the differences in others instead of trying to shape them into something I find pleasing. Forgive my impatience when someone does not "measure up" to my standards and then forgive me for even having a standard by which to love and accept others. You love and accept me -- just as I am. Thank You, Father. Please help me see others as You see them and love them as You love them.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
April 21, 2009
Here Comes the Judge!
Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
"Love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12
Friend to Friend
A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in homespun, thread bare clothes, stepped off the train in Boston, and walked timidly into the Harvard University President's outer office where they had no appointment. The secretary could tell with one glance that such backwoods, country hicks had no business at Harvard and probably didn't even deserve to be in Cambridge. She frowned. "We want to see the president," the man said softly. "He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped. "We'll wait," the lady replied.
For hours, the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally become discouraged and go away. They didn't and the secretary grew more angry and frustrated by the moment. Finally, with great hesitation, she decided to disturb the president. "Maybe if they just see you for a few minutes, they'll leave," she told him. He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance obviously didn't have the time to spend with them, but he detested gingham dresses and homespun suits cluttering up his outer office. The president, stern faced and with dignity, strutted toward the couple.
The lady told him, "We had a son who attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard and was happy here. But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed so my husband and I would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on campus." The president wasn't touched. In fact, he was shocked. "Madam," he said, gruffly, "we can't put up a statue for every person who has attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a cemetery." "Oh, no," the lady explained quickly. "We don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard." The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit and then exclaimed, "A building! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs? We have over seven-and-a-half million dollars in the physical plant at Harvard." For a moment, the lady was silent. The president was pleased. Maybe he could get rid of them now.
The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that all it costs to start a university? Why don't we just start our own?" Her husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment. Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California where they established the university that bears their name, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about.
I wonder how many blessings we miss because we are quick to judge and slow to love. It may surprise you to know that God does not love us because we are so lovable. God loves us because He is love! We all long for someone who will love us just as we are, but wonder if such a love even exists and if it does, is it available to us. Unconditional love does exist and it is available to each one of us - just as we are - through Jesus Christ.
God's love is a gift. It is neither earned nor deserved. Just as with any gift from God, His love is not only given for our benefit but for us to share as well. When we experience the love of God, He then calls us to love like He loves and teaches us how to celebrate the differences in each other instead of insisting that people change. There must be a thread of elasticity running through the very fiber of every relationship - especially our relationships with difficult people. The truth is that those who deserve love the least need love the most. Just as we cannot allow others to define us, we must stop trying to control, change and define others.
Let's Pray
Father, forgive my arrogance when I judge others. I want to learn how to celebrate the differences in others instead of trying to shape them into something I find pleasing. Forgive my impatience when someone does not "measure up" to my standards and then forgive me for even having a standard by which to love and accept others. You love and accept me -- just as I am. Thank You, Father. Please help me see others as You see them and love them as You love them.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Little Girls Choir Program
Ashlyne and Rachel had their last choir night last night. They had a little program. Ashlyne is really into singing in choir. Rachel- not so much. It was so funny to watch them all!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Park Day
It is an absolutely beautiful day outside here! We had planned to go to the Come See Me parade today, but we all slept late and no one was in a hurry to get up and moving. So, we waited a little later and went to the park instead. My sister and great nephew went with us. We had a great time. The kids all played on the playground, and then we took a walk around the trail.
 |
|
| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Friday, April 17, 2009
Welcome Spring
Our local spring festival- Come See Me - started yesterday. Spring is my favorite time of year, and I always enjoy the Come See Me festival! Last night I took the kids to one of the opening events- Musical Mania. They had the opportunity to see all different kinds of instruments and even try some out. The weather was wonderful, and we enjoyed walking around the park to see and hear all the instruments. At the end, the kids made a musical instrument and marched in a kazoo parade around the lake.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter 2009
On Easter morning, I always attempt to have all four children somewhat presentable in Easter clothes to take some pictures. It never fails that something (or everything) goes wrong. This morning, I couldn't find any batteries in the house that would work. Then a bee was chasing the children posing in the tulips. Then Rachel fell in the mud. But, we got some good pictures after all. The tulips are beautiful right now. They were planted by Jason and the big kids in the fall.The slideshow below shows pictures from all of our Easter activities. We hunted eggs at home on Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon, we were invited by friends to a neighborhood egg hunt, and today we went to my sister's for lunch where the kids hunted eggs one more time.
In the midst of all the eggs and candy, we did an Easter unit for school Friday, and this morning, we chose to do church at home so we could spend some time as a family focusing on the real meaning of Easter.
 |
|
| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
March Review
It is officially spring! Around here you can't tell because it is cooold again! I want our spring weather back. We are supposed to have a couple of days of cool around here and then seasonal weather again.
To see what I've been reading in March, check out my Good Reads blog. I have read all the Twilight books and watched the movie in a little bit of Twilight mania. I am also reading Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson- a book about Revelation. I am continuing reading through the Bible in a year. I always enjoy doing that because I get a 'big picture" view of things. I am also reading a devotional book by Eugene Peterson as my morning devotional.
One of our big "happenings" in March was our church's Missions Festival. The children and I enjoyed helping with childcare for the missionaries and others involved in the festival.
In our schoolwork we are working to finish up some things before the end of our school year in May. We school year round, and our year runs from June to May. We have finished up Story of the World Volume One. Charles has finished Math-U-See Gamma and he is now doing math review in Spectrum. Kathryne is half way through Delta. I don't think she will finish it this year, but I did not plan for her to finish. She has completed Alpha and Gamma this year. She will continue with Delta until May and then stop until August. We are mostly finished with our NT Bible curriculum. I have really enjoyed doing the NT overview form Grapevine studies and think I will look for an OT overview to start in August. Both Kathryne and Charles are working to finish up reading their biographies and writing a report on them. This is our last language arts study for the year. We are only halfway through our Animal Kingdom science from Answers in Genesis and I plan to finish it before we stop in May.
For the summer, we will be completing a state unit study and I will probably get summer bridge books for the big kids to work through. For our Bible study, I am going to have the big kids go through the shorter catechism. Our church has a catechism memory program which we have not participated in since we are doing AWANA, but I think catechism is very profitable to study for the doctrinal emphasis.
Our family is very happy that Jason graduates in just over a month! He will graduate on May 12, and there will be great rejoicing in the Courtney household! We are planning to do some day trips as a family and maybe take a vacation in the fall. Jason and I are planning to attend the state homeschool convention again this year as a couples retreat. I am looking forward to it!
This week, we are staying at home working on finishing up school stuff. Tomorrow night, we have our next to the last regular AWANA night. I can't believe AWANA is almost over. We will probably hunt Easter eggs on Saturday and then church and dinner with my side of the family on Sunday.
To see what I've been reading in March, check out my Good Reads blog. I have read all the Twilight books and watched the movie in a little bit of Twilight mania. I am also reading Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson- a book about Revelation. I am continuing reading through the Bible in a year. I always enjoy doing that because I get a 'big picture" view of things. I am also reading a devotional book by Eugene Peterson as my morning devotional.
One of our big "happenings" in March was our church's Missions Festival. The children and I enjoyed helping with childcare for the missionaries and others involved in the festival.
In our schoolwork we are working to finish up some things before the end of our school year in May. We school year round, and our year runs from June to May. We have finished up Story of the World Volume One. Charles has finished Math-U-See Gamma and he is now doing math review in Spectrum. Kathryne is half way through Delta. I don't think she will finish it this year, but I did not plan for her to finish. She has completed Alpha and Gamma this year. She will continue with Delta until May and then stop until August. We are mostly finished with our NT Bible curriculum. I have really enjoyed doing the NT overview form Grapevine studies and think I will look for an OT overview to start in August. Both Kathryne and Charles are working to finish up reading their biographies and writing a report on them. This is our last language arts study for the year. We are only halfway through our Animal Kingdom science from Answers in Genesis and I plan to finish it before we stop in May.
For the summer, we will be completing a state unit study and I will probably get summer bridge books for the big kids to work through. For our Bible study, I am going to have the big kids go through the shorter catechism. Our church has a catechism memory program which we have not participated in since we are doing AWANA, but I think catechism is very profitable to study for the doctrinal emphasis.
Our family is very happy that Jason graduates in just over a month! He will graduate on May 12, and there will be great rejoicing in the Courtney household! We are planning to do some day trips as a family and maybe take a vacation in the fall. Jason and I are planning to attend the state homeschool convention again this year as a couples retreat. I am looking forward to it!
This week, we are staying at home working on finishing up school stuff. Tomorrow night, we have our next to the last regular AWANA night. I can't believe AWANA is almost over. We will probably hunt Easter eggs on Saturday and then church and dinner with my side of the family on Sunday.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Ashlyne's Birthday Party
We celebrated Ashlyne's birthday today with a party. Five is a big birthday in our family because you get to have a "kid party." So Ashlyne's party was held at our church gym. She wanted a Cars theme- no girly girl here. We invited some children from our church and some friends of the family as well as our whole big clan. The kids had lots of fun playing in the gym and out on the playground. Enjoy the slideshow:
 |
|
| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)