Read Aloud Challenge

     Here it is, almost the end of September. School is in full swing around our house. This means that quite a bit of reading out loud occurs.  I am once again joining Debra at Footprints in the Butter for her Read Aloud Challenge.

Sarah:    I continue to read Sarah’s history book out loud to her. As she gets older, she does more and more schoolwork on her own. Because of this, I really enjoy the time I have to just sit either beside her or across from her, reading and discussing.

Ben and Rebekah:     About a week ago, we started Sonlight’s second year of American History.  With this program there is quite a bit of reading aloud. We have read a book about Simon Bolivar. We are in the middle of Shoes for Everyone. Both Ben and Rebekah are enjoying this book. We have also started Moccasin Trail. This book has been a challenge for Rebekah’s listening skills. The book starts out by going back and forth between the past and the present. Rebekah listens, but then always has to ask, “Is this now or did this already happen?”

     One thing I have always allowed during our read aloud times have been quiet activities. Coloring or drawing pictures are favorites. Legos or blocks are allowed, except you may pick out the Legos you want from the box and use those. There is no rummaging through the big box to find the exact part you need. Mom cannot take reading over the noise. Rebekah will sometimes work on embroidery while we are reading out loud. I have found that the activity helps with their listening skills. If their hands are kept busy, they sit quietly.  When I finish reading, I ask questions about what we have just read. Each kid can usually narrate back to me with no problems.

     Make sure to visit Debra’s blog Footprints in the Butter to get ideas for other great books to either read aloud or just read to yourself.