As I was researching curriculum, a light bulb went off in my head. Why am I buying reading curriculum for my 3rd grader when I have shelves and shelves of books? She just finished 2nd grade and tested at a high 4th grade reading level. Her teacher told me that she is the best reader in the class. She is only 7 and the youngest in the class. Would it be ok for me to have her do her reading from books that I want her to read, and her history and science textbook, rather then reading from a set reading curriculum? She reads quite a bit for pleasure and we already read together everyday. She also does some reading with comprehension tests on the computer. Is there any reason that I need to buy a reading curriculum?
Maybe, maybe not at her age. But in a couple of years, it'll become important for deeper comprehension than BookAdventure comprehension tests on the computer. A good curriculum will teach literary analysis and critical thinking skills beyond what she'll get by "just reading" or even "just reading and discussing". I'd like to suggest - if you lean towards Christian publishers - Christian Light Education's reading curriculum. The stories are all either factual or realistic fiction, some historical, and some few straight from the King James Bible. From fourth grade up, they are meant to take only half a year, so there's still plenty of time for all those other books.
I'm going to disagaree with Lindina (which is tricky, because she has the practical experience of being IN a more formal classroom right now!) I quit formal reading curriculum VERY early with all three of my kids. But I've also been "trained" roll in teaching Whole Language, which is very big in using literature rather than formal reading programs. I have used The Reading Detective by Critical Thinking sometime a round fourth or fifth grade.
I don't disagree, Jackie! However, I have not been trained in how to guide a kid through a novel, and most likely the majority of teaching moms haven't either. I grew up "just reading" everything I could get my hands on, words in a row between covers, and while I comprehended the story line, and was able to see that some characters had more going on than what was immediately on the page, I really didn't get taught to recognize (and name) things like rising action, conflict, climax, denouement, foreshadowing, etc. I could tell when something didn't mean exactly what it said, but didn't get simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, and so forth as concepts (you mean this has a name??), and all that stuff until high school. And I didn't really see it again in college, although I studied ancient literature, Shakespeare's comedies, Shakespeare's tragedies, Brit Lit and American Lit, etc. Without a curriculum, I wouldn't be able to pick this stuff out to make sure I asked all the right questions about whatever novel my student might be reading. My hope is that by learning it in the curriculum, kinda early on (earlier than I did), they'll be able to recognize this stuff on their own in whatever they read outside of that. And with any great good blessing, develop some discernment about what to read, too. More power to anybody who has all that at their disposal, and can teach it "on the fly". I can't.
Oh, I don't think I know anything more about those kinds of stuff than anyone else on here! I will do a Progeny Press guide or a Total Language Plus, but I also know that they often turn my kids (especially Philllip) AWAY from literature, rather than turn them on to it. But I doubt I could even do a good book discussion with a bunch of kids!
I think at this age it is fine to just have them read whatever books you have around. I would just make sure you periodically ask questions about what is going on, what are the characters like and have them try and figure out what is going to happen next in the story. At this age you really do not need to worry about formal literary analysis. If you wanted to you could get a Progeny Press guide or two and work through some of the questions on a book or two but as long as they are reading and discussing the book you should be ok.
3rd grade seems to be the shift from learning to read to reading to learn. I'm not sure what test she took and the components for it, but it sounds like she has a strong understanding of phonics and word recognition as well as maybe (?) comprehension. I think allowing her to read what she wants if fine, I would just make sure she gets a variety of genres in and maybe encourage her if she does not naturally do that already. I would also focus on teaching her prefixes, suffixes and their meaning- just choose ones maybe that come up in her reading or ones that show up in read alouds or you can teach any you want- your choice =). I think teaching prefixes and suffixes, etc. will continue to build her vocabulary skills and help her further in her reading skills and knowledge. I also think having her read history and science is fine- maybe preteach some vocabulary beforehand and introduce her to concepts before reading. I would also listen to her read these non-fiction texts to ensure she is able to pronounce the words correctly. Teaching her the components and functions of non-fiction text would be good too- index, glossary, headings, etc. if she is not fluent in those areas. Reading non-fiction takes different knowledge and skills than with fiction. So, not sure I directly answered your question- and not sure what programs you looked at- but I would focus on those areas for a child like this. =)
We do read living books at this stage. I don't think a reading curriculum is necessary after a child can read fluently.
Lindina and Jackie both have valid points. In the end, you will have to ask yourself if you are comfortable with teaching your child more than just reading. A curriculum is not necessary. We used them in the early days and then we stopped and Ems simply read. This year we are back to a curriculum for comprehension, literature, and composition. Em will still read what she wants, but at this point in our homeschooling, we are aiming for university admission and I want to make sure she is able to answer the questions that she is given. My brain is very simple compared to the mind of university professors. Since your kiddo is younger than Ems, perhaps you can continue to grow her love of reading while incorporating some questions for comprehension. When your kiddo is older, you MIGHT need a curriculum. At her current age, I do not think you HAVE to have one. I think you can teach her a lot without using one. Later down the road you might change your mind.
I do not do an official reading curriculum, and my kids always have done fine with reading comprehension testing. So I don't think a curricula is necessary. REading and talking about what you read and making sure they're understanding it is really all you need!
I am comfortable working through her books with her. I taught fifth grade for 10 years. I quit teaching when I had kids and I worked as a freelance writer to supplement our income. One of my first jobs was writing stories and comprehension questions for the standardized reading tests used by many states. As a child, I devoured books. I would check out 10 at a time from the library and most of the books on her shelf once belonged to me. When I was doing my research, most of the third grade books seemed more about learning to read rather than stepping up into the reading to learn phase, but I will look into the suggestions offered here!
