About 2 weeks ago Ian said he was bored. I told him to go read a book. After commenting there was nothing new he wanted to read, I suggested "The Hunger Games". I downloaded the first book to his Kindle app and away he went to give it a go.
Ian devoured the first book (all 387 pages) and read it in record time. The 2nd book (403 pages!) went even quicker. Ian is now nearing the end of the 3rd book (404 pages) and is loving it. I knew he would enjoy the books, but I am most impressed with how fast he is reading them. His comprehension of what he read is impressive. We've had some interesting discussions as to why he thinks President Snow does what he does and how smart Katniss is in how she plays the game.
The books are designed for ages 12 and up, 7th grade and higher. I was a bit hesitant to suggest them to Ian given the content, but I believe Ian can handle it. I feel better in knowing there are a few kids in his class who had already read the books.
When I read these books 4 years ago, it didn't occur to me back then I would have a child who would want to read them. Boy, was I wrong! Over the years, Ian has turned into an avid reader. I love that he wants nothing more than to spend a few hours reading a good book. While Jeff and I have never put a limit on how much time the kids spend playing on their iPads, video games or watching tv, it's nice to know that Ian chooses reading a good book first and foremost.
Next up: Watching the movies with Ian these books were based on. The best of both worlds!
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Friday, February 13, 2015
Monday, October 20, 2014
My kind of reading
Since I read all her books in the late 70's/early 80's, she has turned the Fudge books into an official series. The first one is "Tales of a fourth grade nothing." I downloaded this on Ian's iPad kindle app and told him it was there waiting for him. He started it right away and read it within 5 days. He told me he liked it very much and was ready for the next book, "Otherwise known as Sheila the great". Again, back in the day, this was just another book, now there is an order to reading them.
It makes my heart swell that Ian is enjoying these books. There is something about Judy Blume that is magical and for Ian to recognize this too, makes me a proud mama. Judy Blume gets adolescence. She gets it. It's that simple.
So here is the really, really cool ending to this story. Ian's teacher reads to the class at the end of every day. They just finished one book and then started another the next day. The next book she picked to read to the class? "Tales of a fourth grade nothing." No way! Way! Ian had just finished reading it the day before. How's that for timing!?!? I could not believe it when he came home and told me. I've never felt more hip with the 4th grade mentality until that moment.
There is nothing greater than introducing a new generation to one of my most favorite authors. And Sam's personal signed copy of "Are you there God? It's me, Margaret" is on her bookshelves waiting for her to discover in a few years.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Sam can read. She could even read this. Or that.
Sam is very eager to learn to read. She is desperate to catch-up to what Ian can do. She wants to be just like him. Sam's kindergarten class has a goal of each child learning 100 sight words by the end of the year. We are currently somewhere in the 40's of the number of words she knows.
Beyond the sight words the school sends home, we've been working with Sam with beginning to read books and playing fun sight word games. It is so exciting when she gets it. I am loving this time with her when it doesn't involve pulling my hair out to get her to do something. It's actually pretty awesome sitting down with her and working on her reading.
The other day I pulled out the first book in the series of "I can read" books we got her. It is 11 pages long and each page has one sentence on it. The sentences range anywhere from 3 to 8 words. The key to these books is to take a few simple sight words and repeat, repeat, repeat. Sam was able to read this book on the very first try! Every page! It was so cool. I loved seeing her expression as turned the pages and she kept reading each line correctly. Her eyes got bigger and bigger. She amazed even herself. I teared up watching her read. This is a pretty big deal for our household. Ian wasn't reading until well into the first grade and even then I didn't think it was ever going to take. It got so painful listening to Ian sound out each letter in every word.
Later that night, we skyped with my sister. Ben's mom was in town and they had the whole family over for dinner and to visit. Sam ran and got her book. She held it up for everyone to see what she was reading them and did it. After each page the Florida crowd cheered and clapped. I loved their reaction. And so did Sam.
Sam may not be a big fan of school, but she is getting A's in my book for her enthusiasm to want to learn to read.
Beyond the sight words the school sends home, we've been working with Sam with beginning to read books and playing fun sight word games. It is so exciting when she gets it. I am loving this time with her when it doesn't involve pulling my hair out to get her to do something. It's actually pretty awesome sitting down with her and working on her reading.
The other day I pulled out the first book in the series of "I can read" books we got her. It is 11 pages long and each page has one sentence on it. The sentences range anywhere from 3 to 8 words. The key to these books is to take a few simple sight words and repeat, repeat, repeat. Sam was able to read this book on the very first try! Every page! It was so cool. I loved seeing her expression as turned the pages and she kept reading each line correctly. Her eyes got bigger and bigger. She amazed even herself. I teared up watching her read. This is a pretty big deal for our household. Ian wasn't reading until well into the first grade and even then I didn't think it was ever going to take. It got so painful listening to Ian sound out each letter in every word.
Later that night, we skyped with my sister. Ben's mom was in town and they had the whole family over for dinner and to visit. Sam ran and got her book. She held it up for everyone to see what she was reading them and did it. After each page the Florida crowd cheered and clapped. I loved their reaction. And so did Sam.
Sam may not be a big fan of school, but she is getting A's in my book for her enthusiasm to want to learn to read.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Breaking news!
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (as of now all 7 books)
- Big Nate (as of now all 5 books)
- I Survived.... (as of now all 8 books)
- Play Ball (finished the first 3 books, waiting for the next 2 to be published.)
- Origami Yoda (currently reading the 4th in the series)
It's quite exciting that Ian is choosing to read and loves it. He no longer uses the traditional hardcover/paperback book, but reads on his iPad's Kindle app. It makes it super easy to download books and have them available to read lickety-split.
I think the coolest thing is when Ian goes to bed for the night and decides to read for 20 minutes or so before falling asleep. I have no problem with him blowing his bedtime if it means he is reading.
The other night, Ian knocks on our bedroom door at 9:30pm. This is a good 1/2 hour to 45 minutes past his bedtime. He is so excited he finished "District Double Header" (from the Play Ball series) and wanted to share the news. His enthusiasm announcing his accomplishment was priceless. I told him we'd download the next book in the morning. For the first time ever, he chose starting the book and reading over playing wii or watching tv before school. Whoa, baby! He finished this next book, "State Showdown" (169 pages!) in 4 days.
There is nothing better than losing yourself in a good book. :)
Sunday, January 27, 2013
There is nothing cuter.
The few times I've been the one to put Sam down to bed, I tell her to pick out a book or two for me to read to her. Sam has a new twist to the book reading experience and she says she will read me one.
There is nothing cuter than listening to Sam recite completely from memory a Pinkalicious book. She must have about 10 different Pinkalicious books and know them all by heart. These books are easily 15 to 20 pages in length, with 2 to 3 paragraphs on each page. I'd say she gets about 95% accuracy on the wording and knowing exactly which parts of the story belong to what pages.
It is seriously adorable and very impressive. The girl has an amazing memory. Either that, or her and Pinkalicious have a lot in common. :)
There is nothing cuter than listening to Sam recite completely from memory a Pinkalicious book. She must have about 10 different Pinkalicious books and know them all by heart. These books are easily 15 to 20 pages in length, with 2 to 3 paragraphs on each page. I'd say she gets about 95% accuracy on the wording and knowing exactly which parts of the story belong to what pages.
It is seriously adorable and very impressive. The girl has an amazing memory. Either that, or her and Pinkalicious have a lot in common. :)
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Inspired.
After reading "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" and it's sequel "Darth Paper Strikes Back", Ian and I fell in love with reading together each evening and decided to keep it going with a new series of books.
We did it! We've read all 6 books of "The Diary of Wimpy Kid" series. It's quite impressive when you think about it. We started the books (they are each 217 pages long) at the beginning of January and by mid-March, they were all read. Now, this is in addition to the nightly reading his school requires, the homework Ian has each week, and of course the reading Jeff does (think: Scooby-do books) each night before bed.
Once we started nearing the end of the last book, Ian asked if I would get him "The Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Book". You don't have to ask me twice to get Ian something that he wants to practice his writing. He actually brings this book to school with him and will write in it (with his friends) during snack time. How cute is that!?!?
Once we started nearing the end of the last book, Ian asked if I would get him "The Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Book". You don't have to ask me twice to get Ian something that he wants to practice his writing. He actually brings this book to school with him and will write in it (with his friends) during snack time. How cute is that!?!?
Oh, how I would love to give you all a glimpse of what Ian is writing about, but I will respect his privacy and not publish it. Please know, that it is super cute and it is about a girl!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
For the love of reading
Both Jeff and I love to read. Very different books; him anything non-fiction, the bigger and more having to do with someone's life or a piece of history, the better. And me, anything but non-fiction. Generally I enjoy something a level or two above Danielle Steel, more along the lines of Jodi Picoult, Wally Lamb or Chris Bohjalian. You probably can't get more different in book tastes than Jeff and I, but the foundation remains the same. We love to read. Always have, always will.
It would be fantastic if the kids loved to read too. But that is something you can't force. It has to come from within. The kids have tons of books and each night, we make it a point to read a book or two before bed to the kids. Ian is slowly learning how to read by himself. It hasn't come naturally, and I've personally logged many, many hours working with him on sounding out words and trying to get the hang of it. I didn't realize how hard it is to teach someone something that comes so easy for you to do yourself to another person. But, wow, the English language is tough!
I have a fellow mommy friend who has twin 1st graders. She had recently put on her FB status something to the effect of the following: "Highly recommend the book, 'The Strange Case of Origami Yoda' to all your kids who are Star Wars fans. I've been reading it to the kids each night and we are enjoying it. Beware, there is is some questionable language (crap, idiot), but I just change those words when we get to them."
The next day I was volunteering at Ian's school. It happened to be during the book fair and I asked the librarian if they had this book. She said it had sold out and she could order it, but they did have the sequel to it, "Darth Paper Strikes Back". The librarian did caution me that this book was a little above Ian's level and that maybe I should hold off on getting it. Then she reconsidered and said that Ian was mature for his age and could handle it. I ordered the one that was sold out and got the sequel. I was very excited and couldn't wait for the book to come in.
The book finally arrived! Ian and I had a plan to read a chapter or two each night after dinner. Between the reading he HAD to do for school each week and the reading of the books Jeff does with him before bed each night, Ian and I managed to find a few minutes to spend reading another kind of book. This was a big, meaty book! We're talking a 160 pages! This was brand new territory for Ian. He hadn't yet experienced a book that couldn't be finished in one sitting or two.
We kept to plan for the first week or so and managed to walk away from the book after our 15 or 20 minutes of reading. Then something very familiar happened. Ian and I really got into the book. It was getting great and we couldn't put it down. Before you knew it, Ian was requesting we read the book before the table got cleared and dishes were put in the dishwasher. The last 50 pages were read all in one sitting. Neither Ian or I could put the book down. His enthusiasm on seeing how the story was going to end reminded me of how I am with a really good book. I was just as into the book as he was and was tickled pink that we found this reading happiness together. Yes, that's my boy!
I have to say this author, Tom Angleberger, rocks! He managed to do something that I thought would've been near impossible. He wrote a book that not only spoke to the 6 1/2 year old Stars Wars-obsessed boy I have given birth to, but also wrote a book that speaks to the chick flick reader in me. And I don't even care for Star Wars! The ending was so good and made me fall in love with reading all over again.
Ian and I were very excited to start reading the follow-up book. Score one for mommy on thinking ahead and getting this book already purchased.
It appears that Ian's love for reading has started to see the light. May have to get him a good bedside light for him to continue reading through night. Just like I did when I was a little girl. Because some times finishing a good book is much more important than sleep.
It would be fantastic if the kids loved to read too. But that is something you can't force. It has to come from within. The kids have tons of books and each night, we make it a point to read a book or two before bed to the kids. Ian is slowly learning how to read by himself. It hasn't come naturally, and I've personally logged many, many hours working with him on sounding out words and trying to get the hang of it. I didn't realize how hard it is to teach someone something that comes so easy for you to do yourself to another person. But, wow, the English language is tough!
I have a fellow mommy friend who has twin 1st graders. She had recently put on her FB status something to the effect of the following: "Highly recommend the book, 'The Strange Case of Origami Yoda' to all your kids who are Star Wars fans. I've been reading it to the kids each night and we are enjoying it. Beware, there is is some questionable language (crap, idiot), but I just change those words when we get to them."
The next day I was volunteering at Ian's school. It happened to be during the book fair and I asked the librarian if they had this book. She said it had sold out and she could order it, but they did have the sequel to it, "Darth Paper Strikes Back". The librarian did caution me that this book was a little above Ian's level and that maybe I should hold off on getting it. Then she reconsidered and said that Ian was mature for his age and could handle it. I ordered the one that was sold out and got the sequel. I was very excited and couldn't wait for the book to come in.
The book finally arrived! Ian and I had a plan to read a chapter or two each night after dinner. Between the reading he HAD to do for school each week and the reading of the books Jeff does with him before bed each night, Ian and I managed to find a few minutes to spend reading another kind of book. This was a big, meaty book! We're talking a 160 pages! This was brand new territory for Ian. He hadn't yet experienced a book that couldn't be finished in one sitting or two.
We kept to plan for the first week or so and managed to walk away from the book after our 15 or 20 minutes of reading. Then something very familiar happened. Ian and I really got into the book. It was getting great and we couldn't put it down. Before you knew it, Ian was requesting we read the book before the table got cleared and dishes were put in the dishwasher. The last 50 pages were read all in one sitting. Neither Ian or I could put the book down. His enthusiasm on seeing how the story was going to end reminded me of how I am with a really good book. I was just as into the book as he was and was tickled pink that we found this reading happiness together. Yes, that's my boy!
I have to say this author, Tom Angleberger, rocks! He managed to do something that I thought would've been near impossible. He wrote a book that not only spoke to the 6 1/2 year old Stars Wars-obsessed boy I have given birth to, but also wrote a book that speaks to the chick flick reader in me. And I don't even care for Star Wars! The ending was so good and made me fall in love with reading all over again.
Ian and I were very excited to start reading the follow-up book. Score one for mommy on thinking ahead and getting this book already purchased.
It appears that Ian's love for reading has started to see the light. May have to get him a good bedside light for him to continue reading through night. Just like I did when I was a little girl. Because some times finishing a good book is much more important than sleep.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The fundamentals
I had to get creative and take matters in my own hand. While driving the other day, I pulled out our Sight Word Flash Cards and started holding them up to Ian to read to me. He threw a mini-fit and told me that I needed to stop wanting him to be perfect. "Huh? I don't want you to be perfect, I just want you to try", I replied back. In one of my finer mommy moments, I said, "Fine, Ian. Don't work on learning how to read and then at the end of the year when you still can't, you will have to do 1st grade over again." Of course, this got Ian crying even harder and now he was saying, "I WANT to go to 2nd grade!!!!!" Whoa, baby. Get a hold of yourself. Let's do 1st grade first before worrying about 2nd grade.
I guess my idle threat of Ian having to repeat a grade he hasn't even started yet worked. Because as soon as we got in the car on our next outing, he pulled out the flash cards and gave me a handful to show him. It was fabulous!! We zoom through the words he knows well and spend a few extra minutes going over the words he needs help with. I take those cards and put them in a separate pile. Once we pull into our destination and into a parking spot, I take out the ones that caused Ian a little trouble and have him read them again.
When we are back in the car, I take out the trouble pile yet again and re-review. If they are still a problem, we put them back in the big stack of new cards to review. I pull out a pile of new flashcards and start the process all over again.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Where there is a will, there is a way
Once I have my mind set on something, there is very little getting in the way of seeing it happen.
A few days before I left for my Girl's Weekend, I heard that Judy Blume was going to be at the National Book Festival. Instantly I had visions of getting the book "Are you there God? It's me, Margaret" signed for my sweet little girl, Samantha. My mom gave me a box set of Judy Blume's books when I turned 9 or 10 and they forever changed my life. Judy Blume started my love affair with books. I absolutely love to read and owe this all to the wonderful books Blume wrote about being an adolescent.
One of the girls I was enjoying the weekend with is the wife of a good friend, John. Dana told me that her husband was taking their girls (ages 5 and 3) to the Book Festival and would be more than happy to get me a signed copy of the book. How wonderful!!
John made a valiant effort, but the line was more than 300 deep and not something that would be realistic to stand in and wait. I very much appreciated the effort and planned to come up with another way to accomplish my goal. Now that I had this in my head I wanted to do it, there was nothing going to stop me. Although, my back-up plan was to wait for her to come back to town and camp out if needed to get to the front of the line. I had 8 years to see this through.
John (determined to get me a signed copy too) and I must've come up with the same thought, because we both found an email address for Judy Blume and wrote her.
And to my delight, here is her reply:
Hi Robyn,
Thanks for your email. Judy feels terrible that so many readers waited so long and then were turned away. It was really a problem of the organizers, most of whom were volunteers and so had no experience dealing with long lines at a book signing. They should have cut the line off but they didn't until it was way too late. Of course Judy will sign a book for your daughter. If you send it to the address below with these emails and your daughter's name we'll get it back to you ASAP.
Very best regards,
Pippa Mills
Assistant to Judy Blume
How incredibly cool is this!?!?!? I've always greatly admired Judy Blume as an author, but have now taken my love for her to a whole new level. It is so refreshing when you put someone you admire up on a pedestal and they don't disappoint.
I am most excited that when Samantha turns 9, I'll be able to give her a personalized, signed copy of "Are you there God? It's Me, Margaret". This means more to me than Samantha will probably ever know. However, if she is anything like me (and so far, indications strongly point us to being 'cut from the same cloth'), I know one day she'll appreciate the gesture and look forward to handing down the copy to her daughter.
A few days before I left for my Girl's Weekend, I heard that Judy Blume was going to be at the National Book Festival. Instantly I had visions of getting the book "Are you there God? It's me, Margaret" signed for my sweet little girl, Samantha. My mom gave me a box set of Judy Blume's books when I turned 9 or 10 and they forever changed my life. Judy Blume started my love affair with books. I absolutely love to read and owe this all to the wonderful books Blume wrote about being an adolescent.
One of the girls I was enjoying the weekend with is the wife of a good friend, John. Dana told me that her husband was taking their girls (ages 5 and 3) to the Book Festival and would be more than happy to get me a signed copy of the book. How wonderful!!
John made a valiant effort, but the line was more than 300 deep and not something that would be realistic to stand in and wait. I very much appreciated the effort and planned to come up with another way to accomplish my goal. Now that I had this in my head I wanted to do it, there was nothing going to stop me. Although, my back-up plan was to wait for her to come back to town and camp out if needed to get to the front of the line. I had 8 years to see this through.
John (determined to get me a signed copy too) and I must've come up with the same thought, because we both found an email address for Judy Blume and wrote her.
And to my delight, here is her reply:
Hi Robyn,
Thanks for your email. Judy feels terrible that so many readers waited so long and then were turned away. It was really a problem of the organizers, most of whom were volunteers and so had no experience dealing with long lines at a book signing. They should have cut the line off but they didn't until it was way too late. Of course Judy will sign a book for your daughter. If you send it to the address below with these emails and your daughter's name we'll get it back to you ASAP.
Very best regards,
Pippa Mills
Assistant to Judy Blume
How incredibly cool is this!?!?!? I've always greatly admired Judy Blume as an author, but have now taken my love for her to a whole new level. It is so refreshing when you put someone you admire up on a pedestal and they don't disappoint.
I am most excited that when Samantha turns 9, I'll be able to give her a personalized, signed copy of "Are you there God? It's Me, Margaret". This means more to me than Samantha will probably ever know. However, if she is anything like me (and so far, indications strongly point us to being 'cut from the same cloth'), I know one day she'll appreciate the gesture and look forward to handing down the copy to her daughter.
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