Ok Sami is just about to finish Teach your child to read in 100 EZ lessons. She is reading very well, not hardly any sounding out of words and is doing well reading all the picture books in the house. This is all great and I'm thrilled but, now what? She isn't even 5 yet. I got Spelling Power and a grammer book with short lessons (will be good for her attention span) but I think both are too heavy for an almost 5 year old?! The 100EZ lessons are ending and I don't know what to follow it with. Maybe I'm just being paranoid... but she flies through stuff like it's easy and asks for more. She in the middle of Singapore Math 1b too. I stopped her on that and made her review easier stuff for extra 'practice' although I don't really think she needed more practice, I just thought it was going so fast! Now she is saying she dosn't want to do math cause it's boring. I'm starting to see the materials as not really age appropriate even if she CAN do it. Her favorite is the Geography workbook she is doing (Marked grades 3-6??) She does it all herself and rarely makes a mistake, except for asking for help with certian words (Like today: "4. Moosehead Mansion's Trophy Room" I had to explain what a moosehead was, what a mansion was and that no, it wasn't a beauty pagent trophy). Even having to explain that, she had zero problem with the actual mapping lesson. Anyways, I hesitate to keep going so fast. even though she dosn't seem to have a problem with it and is mad I slowed down the math. we spend about 2 1/2 hours a day on school stuff. More when she begs me enough. That or when she gets in trouble (She goes in her room, closes the door and writes me notes "Dear mama, I Luve you and I sory! can we call Nana? Luve Sami") Am I being over paranoid about the age thing? Should I let her have her singapore math back? Anyone know of curriculum that is more advanced but has short lessons for reading? I was looking as Phonics Pathways but it seems it starts back at the beginning?
Hey, Syele, you're in luck! I can't sleep Phonics Pathways really does begin all the way at the beginning, but that doesn't mean that you have to start there. We used 100 EZ Lessons for the first part of the year last year and I had planned on using it all the way through. We really liked it. I planned on following up w/ Phonics Pathways because I had read that recommendation in more than one place. Anyway, I was placing an order w/ Rainbow Resource and was just barely shy of the total needed for free shipping, so I ordered Phonics Pathways early. When I got the shipment, we were taking a 3 week break (it was Christmas time). I'm rambling, I'll cut to the chase. I was so impressed with PPathways that I didn't continue w/ 100 EZ Lessons after our break. I picked up in PP where we had left off in EZL and the transition was smooth as silk. 100 EZ Lessons gets them reading quickly and fluently. Phonics Pathways is very, very strong in the "why" of reading. There are phonics rules that I didn't even know! Don't let the word "rules" scare you, though. It's presented in a very child-friendly manner. You'll be able to easily skip through the first 50 or so pages, but there's still plenty you can use. The first rule is "It's K and not C with an I or an E". Meaning that anytime a word begins with the "k" sound you choose C or K depending on what the following vowel sound is. Then all the words in that lesson reinforce the rule. Hannah's spelling still amazes me. She was writing something today and talking aloud as she wrote. I asked her how she spelled "will", and she said "with two l's". I asked her why. She said because it was a single-syllable, short-vowel word ending with the sound "l". Did you ever realize that that little doubling rule applies only when l,s,z, or f are at the end of the word? I didn't! BTW, Hannah's 5 and 1/2. The book goes on to cover spelling and phonics rules up through a 4th grade reading level. It ends with words like antidisestablishmentarianism. That's the longest word in the dictionary, I learned. I really think it'll still be worth your money to get PP. You'll have the assurance of knowing that she has a strong phonics background. It won't take much time each day. Which means you'll have plenty of time to just let her read, read, and read some more. Just my 2 cents I edited it to say that you can set your own pace w/ PP. Maybe it would me a good idea, given your daughter's disposition toward learning, to have little stack of books set aside each week from the library of something. Let her know these are the "reading" books. Then you can announce that you're going to do school and it's time to do reading and she can just read to you. It sounds like she likes the "officialness" of schoolwork. Maybe this approach could still be a great time of learning for her w/o the possibility of her hitting a wall or something. Just a thought
Thanks! I will definately look more into the Phonics Pathways. She is not too happy that her reading lessons are almost done because she likes them so much. It seems like a good fit. Phonics rules intimidate me a little cause I don't know what any of them are... I wasn't taught to read that way. Heh of course, My spelling also stinks, that may be why! Yeah, she really loves to do official schoolwork. She loves workbooks and she loves to study. I think one of my first ever posts here was this same sort of paranoia on my part (LOL) because she wanted to do things so early. And it came back now because I keep finding the things in the Books are over her head, not because the processes are hard for her (locating things on the maps and and such) but because the concepts she is now running across are over her age level. Like the mansion today, it was a spooky Mystery theme and the kid is the detective and has to map everywhere the detective went to find the perpetrator of a crime as they follow the story. I can easily see an older child getting into the ideas there and thinking it's fun. Sami thought the mapping itself was fun and mapped it perfectly, but didn't really get why the theme was fun; didn't even really get what the theme was all about ("Why can't they decide where they are going?"). She's wanting to read books with harder and harder words, but they start to be about stuff she can't understand or just can't relate to for her age level. P.S. Sleep is good for us. LOL
Syele, my ll yr old dd was my "back to school after 2 miscarriages" baby. I have wanted to hold her back so bad and realized it was for my own sake. At six months old I caught her "reading" a book in her playpen. At the time I was reading a book and my hubby was reading the paper. She had gone through her basket of toys until she found a book and was actually studying it. At the end of first grade she tested at the 6th grade reading level. Granted, her comprehension was only third grade, but her brother who is 8 yrs older was impressed that her vocabulary was better than his. As far as cirriculum I can't help but I just wanted to say to keep on encouraging her to move ahead. This has been a biiiig challenge for me knowing she is my last. This is my first year homeschooling her and it is blowing my mind to imagine what level she might be at if I had started sooner. Last school year was horrible and we made the decision last minute to homeschool her this year. She makes me laugh, last night she was putting all her work in a book bag. Even in 6th grade she likes the routine and discipline of school. From the time she could talk she wanted to be a veterinarian and I want her to reach that goal. Well, enough rambling!! I just wanted to encourage you to somewhat let Sami set the pace as long as she is retaining what she is learning. Maybe a suggestion would be small tests or quizes on her previous skills to make sure you are not moving to fast. Hope this helps! Jennifer
I'd just relax and not worry about what next since she is so advanced. Just let her explore reading period. You mentioned that she asked what some words meant before. Why not just let her read to you and you discuss vocabulary. Extend on that by having her write the definitions of words if you wish. My dd was an advanced reader and was on about 4th/5th grade level then. One thing I found was her vocabulary was a year or two behind. So, I focused on that for a while. I know you are looking into the future. I simply did phonics with dd through MCP phonics. Now, I think it wasn't such a great thing. She still doesn't know all the phonics rules and all the sudden spelling simple "word family" words are escaping her memory. So, I'll be glad to hear what the other ladies say about phonics curriculums and reading curriculums.
I picked up a book "Language Lessons for the Very Young: An informal introduction to language arts with Charlotte Mason flavor for beginning students" (WOW! Is that a title, lol?) The lessons are very short. It contains copy work, discussing art, some grammar (ie: capitol letters, etc.), narration.... I like the author's comments.... "...Let the child guide you. If something seems like 'too much' at the time, wait a day or a week or so - or tkae a few days to go over that lesson. You will find that this book works well on the sofa, curled up next to each other, gently discussing the lessons as you go along." If you're interested, go to www.queenhomeschool.com Something else I did with Phillip last year was to read a chapter a day of a book. He would then give me a narration, which I would write on paper that had room for a picture on top. Then he would draw a picture to illustrate that chapter. We did this for the whole book.
Syele, your dd sounds like mine! She was learning early too! Started "kindergarden" at 3, and went from there. I have learned that she has through the years taken some slack time, but because she is so intent on learning so much when she is working she stays up there. Let her go at her own pace, just don'tlet her stress about it ever. MY dd was stressed out for a while cause she wanted to finsish everything now, and do more! I had to start making her go out to play with my ds just to get her to take a break! Even now her way of resting is reading a book, and then another and another. Her brain just wants more and more! I would take her to the library and let her look around for a book she wants to read, once a week or so take her back for a new pile! That works for me!
Thanks for the encouragement. I take her to the bookstore at least once a week and give her a $2 limit (this is about 2-6 books depending on what she picks) She gets another $3 from there in cupons every saturday from going to storytimes. This replaces the library for us and we don't have to take books back unless we want to. I think Saturday is almost her favorite day of the week. She usually dosn't stress over the studying, but I made a rule she has to play outside at least an hour everyday. She hates this rule but I feel like children NEED fresh air, excercise, pretending time etc. She won't do it if I leave her to herself. I'll check out Queen stuff too. It sounds like it's designed for kids her age. LOL the title is like the math book She does well with... it has a title a mile long too. TeacherMom.. Did you have problems with your dd being able to read things she's too young to relate to? It just seems like so many of the books are stories ment to appeal to the age group that typically reads at it's reading level. 2nd graders I know just like different stuff than 4 year olds. One of the girls I watch is on the same reading level as Sami.. she is almost 8 years old. three years in age mean alot on social issues and that is what the fiction books tend to be about.. that or even physical stuff like loosing your first tooth. Am I just being silly?
Syele Emma was reading and writing before she ever started Kindergarten. I used to worry because she has her dad's brain. As I had said before, he is a human calculator and I struggle with math. I was going to move her up but then I didn't want to make the mistake of skipping anything. So I started her with an advanced Kindergarten curriculum, as our group leader suggested, because it has more work involved but I also bought her abunch of fun activity books from Wal-Mart with mixed subjects and I allowed her to finish her curriculum by November because she already knew it. The supplementary books I purchased were a grade to a few grades higher. I agree with the idea of vocabulary words. You can find very cheap or used vocabulary books and I also gave her spelling words every week and she had to write them 5x each a day. We really picked up pace in the art department to take up some time. I have learned through the years what Emma's strong points are and I allow her to continue to move foward in them but sometimes I will only do certain subjects every other day if she is really good at them because this gives me extra time to focus on the areas she may need to practice on.
Syele.... I still have issues with letting Avery read more advanced books. She is reading along the lines of 7th/8th now I think. Well, I am the Queen of ordering books for her. I have discovered that I should read some of them before she reads them. The first one I decided to read was a great book, but the first page talked about "those kids that still believe in Santa and the Tooth Fairy". Well, my 9 yo still does! So, I think I'll hold onto this book for a little while longer. I don't want her to lose her innocence to things because she is a good reader, KWIM?
We had trouble with Rachael. Her reading level was several grade levels about her age, but her maturity level wasn't. She's finally "caught up"! There's lots of "Beginning Chapter Books" that might work well for you. My girls liked Junie B. Jones books. That's the only one I can think of right now. Oh, what about "Nate the Great"? (I'm trying to think of what she could read totally independently, that won't be too mature). There's another Beginning Reader mystery series.... One is called "The Case of the Cat's Meow" by Crosby Bonsall. Also, Amelia Bedelia. If those are too easy, there's a series of Little House books. I can't remember the title of the series, but it will take a topic, like Christmas, and the book will be filled with various chapters from Little House. They're thinner, and so Faythe was more comfortable reading them but the language was the same. She would read one page, then I would read one page. Your librarian will know what I'm talking about!
The Magic Tree House books are another wonderful series and there is around 30 in the series now. One thing I like with this series is the education side. They may be a challenge for a younger one and you may have to help as they are chapter books but my 11 yr old can read one in about 30 minutes.
"TeacherMom.. Did you have problems with your dd being able to read things she's too young to relate to? " Actually yes and no. She and I would talk about some of the things, and mention how silly those big kids were, or what not. She ended up hanging around older kids for a while because she felt brain wise equal... then I made them put her in her own group so she was playing with her age at least. Check otu Henry and mudge books, they have them in chapter books now if she is interested, they are pretty harmless.. and Juni B Jones is fun even if she is a bit of bad grammar example. My dd can read higher level books but enjoys the baby sitter club books the most at 12 , and I think that is age appropriate for her.. I think? So the way I looked at it, if she liked the book, I would let her check it out ( library here) if I liked the book I would buy it? the I CAN READ books are pretty good they have steps have you done those?
That is exactly the sort of things I'm worried about! there are just lots of things that seem to fall in that sort of catagory for us lately. Thanks everyone for book suggestions! I bought Sami some Junie B. Jones. I sat with her and she read one Amelia Badelia so far. I've been meaning to get some Magic Treehouse. I had heard of Henry and Mudge but never have seen one. You guys gave me a list to look for at the book store.
how old is your daughter. She could be around my second daughter. Mine will be 5yrs.old in October.We did the same thing reading 100 ez lesson. Then we started on Dick and Jane series.with my both daughters, we relied on books from our local library. I had them read me ane book a day. you'll find them easy as they are organized on easy reader shelves. first the very first time reader and then level one and so on. as she get older, you could focus on phonic . also one hs mom suggested a series called NOW I READING. I haven't checked out yet but you could give it a try. Good luck, It's a wonderful feeling to see the little ones reading.
Faythe really likes The Magic Treehouse. Carl isn't too thrilled by them. He's read a few, and is a bit leary about them. Faythe also really likes A to Z Mysteries by Rob Roy. Also, the Three Cousins Detective Club. They're Christian books, and each one is based on a scripture. Both of those series are about the same level as the Magic Treehouse books.
Syele, Finding appropriate books for our children to read really can be challenging, especailly in a situation like yours, Syele. Here are a few suggestions. Here are some you may be able to find at your local public library. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey The Story About Ping The Tale of Peter Rabbit and others in the series by Beatrix Potter Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel The Little House by Virginia Burton Clifford the Big Red Dog. There are a lot in this series. Babar by de Brunhoff. Madeline books A Bear Called Paddington and other Paddington Bear books. Winnie the Pooh You could have her do some reading aloud to you and help her with any words she may need help with. Christian Liberty has some really good, wholesome Nature Readers. Here's a link to Nature Reader Book 1 http://www.moorefoundation.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/4_23/products_id/926 Nature Reader Book 2 http://www.moorefoundation.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/2473 Nature Reader Book 3 http://www.moorefoundation.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/443 You may also want to look for a Bible Story book she can read on her own. Here is an example of one. You could take a look at several on cbd.com http://www.christianbook.com/Christ...&netp_id=439501&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW#curr
Syele, Do any of these sound appropriate/ and or fit your daughter's level of reading and interests ? If you want more suggestions on a higher reading level say something and I will try to come up with something. I have a few of the books that give recommendations. So far , I have listed one's my children liked, but even children in the same family do not always like the same books so your little one may also need more choices to find a good fit. My two daughters did not like all of the same books.
I think that's a great list! Thank you, That should keep me busy scouring my bookstore. I think for things like Geography I'll just skip lessons that bug me so much too.
