Year 8, Week 5: Read Aloud and a Couple of Favorites

     I just realized in my last post I forgot to share how our week went so I'll start this post with that before I dive into what's probably my FAVORITE homeschool subject:  Read Aloud!  But first, our week.  This one was pretty busy for all of us.  With Labor Day behind us, our complete schedule is back in full swing.  I'm doing an online Bible study with my dear, dear friend HP (If you're reading this, I love and miss you!)  The Principal, who's working from home most days, had plenty of meetings to keep him occupied.  Our church's life groups started and my husband and I lead one of them in the evening (They usually meet in person but for now it's via Zoom.)  Little Toughie is prepping for an audition and A380 is fine tuning his comparison essays for me.  The dog, well...she's begging for a treat every 15 minutes.

     Let's get to my absolute favorite subject in our schedule and one we've done from the very beginning:  Read Aloud.  I read A LOT of books on my own but if I were to add the books I read aloud, my list of completed titles would be even longer!  During our homeschool day I read aloud our Bible and history (I enjoy those readings too.)  On the weeknights that we don't have group meetings I'm reading aloud to The Principal and the kids. I give myself a break on the weekends lest I lose my voice, which has happened.  I've read YWAM Christian Hero books, I've read historical fiction books, I've read biographies, I've read fiction and the classics.  This is cherished quality time for me; family time that we won't always have.  We get to hear stories of courage and love, of loss and strength.  Stories that make us laugh and think, stories that get us talking and sharing; stories that sometimes bring tears to our eyes and stories that move us so deeply that we can only sit with it in silence.  Oh, yeah...that's happened.

     There are other benefits too!  From a post shared by Read Aloud Revival (Also known as RAR who I discovered a few years ago):

What are the benefits of reading aloud to kids who can read already?

The center for Teaching at the University of Iowa lists both evidence-based and anecdotal benefits of reading aloud. Let’s focus today on five of those benefits.

Reading aloud…

Develops Bigger Picture Perspective and Empathy

Improves Academic Performance, Vocabulary, and Information Processing Skills

Models Fluency and Expression

Builds Community

Slows Down and Enriches Time

     As a bookworm it was natural for me to read aloud to the kids but to be able to continue to do so even though they can read on their own, has been a blessing.  Right now, I'm reading The Trojan War.  I finished reading The Golden Goblet last week.  My favorite book is Unbroken and in the spring I got to read YWAM's version of it.  Roughly every 4-6 weeks I'm reaching for a new book to read to them.  I delight in hearing them ask me to continue reading or when I get a, "Whaaaaaa?" when I finish up on a cliff hanger moment.

     Of all the books I've read aloud, to this day, my favorite is:

It's such a fun story and once you start reading it aloud you might find yourself really getting into it and giving each character a certain voice, which is another fun aspect of reading aloud.  I would love to read this aloud to someone again!  Any volunteers?

     I encourage you to read the post from Read Aloud Revival or if you prefer listen to the podcast also on that link.  How I choose our books vary.  Sometimes our books tie into what we're reading in history.  Other times the books are related to a certain geographical area we're focusing on.  Still others are Christian Hero books that focus on a certain character trait and the power of Jesus in the lives of those that serve Him.  In the case of The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic, it just sounded fun!  Currently, our book selections are from Sonlight.  If you're looking for a book RAR has a page with recommendations to help you get started.  There are a lot of lists out there so of course use discernment when selecting a book, but RAR is a good place to start.  So, pick one and get reading...aloud!

Year 2, Weeks 30 and 31

     This is our penultimate (One of my favorite words!) week for Classical Conversations.  The kids are getting antsy, as am I.  Don't get me wrong, I love being a tutor and seeing my students grow and learn; I love homeschooling my kids, but I can't wait to just read.

     I'd start a book and then it would get pushed aside because I'd get too busy.  The only books I've been able to actually complete are the ones I've read out loud to the kids, which are great, but I need something for me.  Thanksgiving and Christmas issues are still sitting in my growing pile of magazines too.  I have a summer reading list for myself and the kids and I can't wait to dig in.  I'll be sharing the list as the end of our school year approaches.  You know what else this means?  We only have FIVE more weeks left in our homeschool year!  I'm already in the middle of planning for next year.  We're still doing CC, but a few things in our curriculum are going to change.  That's for another post.

     Week 30 we began reading about Corrie Ten Boom.  I absolutely love the way YWAM books bring someone to life and makes it interesting for both the kids and adults.  My kids are thoroughly engaged when listening to the biographies and unless they're tired, they ask me to read more.  It's fantastic.

     This week also brought us to my youngest step daughter's wedding.  It was a lovely ceremony and celebration.  May God bless your union and guide your marriage for many years!  Congratulations C&A <3

     Week 31 (Week 22 in our CC Cycle) our history fact was about September 11, 2001.  We read a couple of books about what happened that tragic day.  We read about the heroes who lost their lives and about the many kids who lost a parent.  We read a book titled September Roses which was sweet story about how sisters created a memorial with roses.

     I shared with my kids where I was and what I saw during those horrific moments.  I happened to be getting ready for work when I saw the second plane hit.  I was able to show my son video of the planes hitting the towers (my daughter didn't want to see them at first, but peeked from behind me.)  I was also able to show them when the towers collapsed.  I was in tears most of the time, recalling the stories I had read in the first weeks after the attack.  I even shared a couple of issues of Time Magazine that we kept from that incident.  Then I showed them One World Trade Center and told them that one day we will visit that as well as the 9/11 Memorial.

     That brings us up to date.  We have a special dinner scheduled this weekend and I hope it happens (plans are still slightly up in the air) so that I can share it with you next week.  Until then, have a blessed weekend.

     Oh, I forgot to share with you our field trip during Week 27.  We had the day off and decided to visit some tall ships that pulled into the harbor.  My Little Toughie was disappointed there wasn't a sailing program for her age group but we were all amused that there was a zombie map!

     Now, we're up to date!