Take some time to make this journal with your children.  When you are finished, you can use it as a reading journal or notebook.  If you use it for a notebook, put pictures, drawings and paragraphs about the science, history or literature topic you are studying.  Have fun.

Change the colors and papers for a boy or a specific topic.

directions come from Splitcoaststampers.com right here 

The first book on my son’s reading list this year was Pride & Prejudice.  He was dreading it.

But I still remember a Sunday School teacher in Texas saying that is one of his favorite books.  Plus, one of our best friends wrote a book about Jane Austen.  The first chapter starts with something like, “Real Men Read Jane Austen”.  So, I figured he could handle it.

Well, he made it half-way through the book!

I guess that’s good, considering the murmuring around our house about the book.

Even though he didn’t finish the book, we had some great discussions.  Last night he told us he got to the part where Darcy asks Elizabeth to marry him the first time.  He went on to say that Elizabeth was just disgusting.  She made him so mad.

Well, I guess the book provoked emotion in my 14yo son.  Maybe not the same emotion my 17yo daughter & I had, but emotion nonetheless.

He went on to say that he couldn’t stand Elizabeth and the way she talked about people.  He couldn’t understand why she would say and the way she did.   I guess he hit upon some real truths about girls.

I was excited he had an opinion about the book.  When I talked to him about the book, he would barely discuss it with me.  Last night at dinner was the most lively discussion we’ve had.  That’s probably because his big sister kept quiet and let him talk about P & P for the first time.

Even if your kids don’t like a book, that’s okay.  Let them talk about it and express their feelings…especially if they are different from yours!

Kerry

ps.  What book will you be reading this week?  Will your kids have an opinion about it?

pps.  I just realized my non-reading son really does have opinions about our readings.  Just this morning, he stopped our read-aloud and asked why we had to read about geeks who liked school….We were reading about Louis Pasteur!

Hey, at least he was listening and taking it in!  Do your kids oppose your opinion?  That’s good because they are interacting with the text!

Teaching Classics

I must confess that I don’t always live up to everything I encourage you to do.

You see, my hip and lower back have been giving me problems the past 2 weeks.  Since I’ve been in pain, I haven’t been able to keep up with my reading…shame on me!  Although I’ve read some, it is usually in bed before I fall asleep with the book on my lap

I am sharing this to say that sometimes there are seasons of life when we can’t get it all done.  My plan is to get back into regular reading next week as we start a new literature book.

Hopefully, I will finish Pride & Prejudice this weekend while we are on the road.  My dd just finished it (again) yesterday.  My son only made it half-way through and I told him he could choose another book.  Even though he didn’t finish the book, he came away learning alot.  How do I know?  Read my next post!

Kerry

Mentor with classics 

Do you have a boy who isn’t very interested in read-alouds? I have one and I work very hard to keep his attention in the book we are reading.

The other day I knew I had done something right when he said In the Reign of Terror (by Henty) was not history.

What?

He told me it was just a good story, not history. I decided to let him think that and move along. If I can sneak in his least favorite subject (History), then I will keep doing so.

What about when he was younger???

I had him do something with his hands…keeping him busy. He listened “a little” better when he was using his hands. Here’s some clip art from the movie Cars that you can have your young son color while you are reading aloud.

Want to inspire your children to use their reading journal? Instead of dread to write in it each day…

Let them personalize their reading journal. Here are the directions

Reading Journal Fun

Do you want your kids to develop a “taste” for great literature… and make history “come alive” for them?

Are you longing to wean the kids off the TV… and instead teach them to use their OWN imaginations (instead of soaking up the Hollywood version)?

Have you been searching for some Wholesome Entertainment with Timeless Values you can bring into your home that the whole family can enjoy?

Then look no further…

Our “Living Books for the Ears” newsletter brings you wonderful “old time radio” adaptations of  great books and historic stories, chosen especially for homeschooling families, each and every week — and it’s absolutely free.

Read more and sign up for your free, weekly living books for the ears.  Just click this link:
Homeschool Radio Shows