6yo, who completed TRL a while ago, reads well, but I've noticed that with Book A Day, I have the problem of some days he reads a few "babyish" books that dont allow him to really exercise barely any of the phonics he's learned. I've noticed that he's struggling with some of the bigger words when I have him read something more on his level. When he finished TRL, he could read these same things simply and easily. I dont want to discourage him from reading, as he HAS to read at least 1 of the library books everyday--it isn't a choice, it isn't an option,But he's purposely shying away from books on his level 4yo is learning to read, so I have to keep a supply of books around that 4yo could read if he wanted to. I COULD just tell 6yo certain books aren't appropriate for his Book A Day, because their too babyish and dont allow him to exercise his reading. But then that would point out to 4yos "lesser" reading ability. I try and always give 6yo freedom to do his work on his time, (the rule was that if he hadn't done it by himself by 6:30, then he had to stop at once and come do it--with me dictating the process, which he doesn't like) but thats inconvienent and we had to change it to we do it together in the afternoon if he hasn't done it by the time I get home. Should I just go through the books and assign each days book? That seems like the simple thing to do, but up til now, I've allowed 6yo a great deal of freedom in everything we do, but I do hold him to HIS choices. (6yo picked to study phonics over sightwords, he approved TRL, he decided (mostly) when we actually did school over the summer, etc. Since I've started school things have to be more formal and he's been resisting it alot. I think I may have spoiled him to power...But I'm worried that if I take away his choice in Book A Day, then it will become a miserable, long drawn out experience rather than just something we do.)
Where are you coming up with your levels? What "level" books are you doing from the library? I suggest you take him to the library, let him pick out ANYTHING he wants from the children's section (or even the junior section, if there's an interest in a particular non-fiction topic like airplanes or volcanoes), and help him read them. (1) He'll have more fun because it's something he picked himself. (2) He'll be reading much more difficult material without realizing it. Most of the hardback children's picture books in the library are on an adult reading level because they assume the parents will read them TO their children, not the other way around. The pictures make books a lot less intimidating, and if he comes across a word he can't read, just tell him what it is and let him keep reading. Let him be proud of how well he's doing. I bet you'll find your "book a day" becomes several books a day very quickly! ... my 2 cents.
