Padawan Learner is not keen on home readers. Last year he brought home four home readers in the first week of first term and took the same ones back in the last week of school*. Nevertheless he seems to have learnt to read. A secret he likes to keep from his teachers.
I know he can read because at night-time he can be found reading (aloud) Dr Seuss books, Captain Underpants, Tashi or some movie tie-in book about Transformers, Dr Who, or Star Wars. He also understands all instructions in video games and reads stories out of the newspaper.
However, in my view, the real milestone in reading is when a child chooses a book, then disappears and doesn't re-appear until it's finished.
That happened yesterday.
After a visit to one of our favourite bookshops, Padawan Learner sat at the kitchen table and read until his new book was finished. I know he was reading because he still reads out aloud. I know he was "getting it" because he was laughing and telling me what was going on while I was cooking dinner.
This is the book that has started this next phase in his reading life:
Whatever takes his fancy. If he's reading, I'm cool with it.
*BTW I don't blame him, they are tragically boring and I never pushed it.
15 comments:
Ah the mighty boring home reader.
I am sure this was the undoing of Felix's literary progress, which was progressing but then halted dramatically. Sigh.
He is slowly regaining lost ground.
and on a completely unrelated matter, that is awesome info about your pilates instructor. Reflected fame is the best type.
Reading from a library or bookshop is REAL reading. That stuff from school is just for show.
I don't get that "Tashi" character ... tedious reading !!
Although i've only read the one ( aloud ) babysitting one night. I can't begin to list the reasons I wanted to burn the thing...
The only books Joe is interested in seem to have Captain or Underpants or disgusting in the title.
Same as you - whatever gets him reading.
What's the commensurate book for girls - I would like one right now? I am sooooo relieved to hear you talk of the "spoiling effect" of home readers - I knew I needn't have worried - none of us are alone! We tend to read anything but here as well.
H&B, I'm totally with you on Tashi. Ho Hum. But PL seems to like him and who am I to question a 7yo's taste in reading.
And yes, I say death to the home reader. Nothing is surer to turn a child off reading than a reader about a child going to the shop to buy 3 apples and a banana.
Nutmeg, KelpieBlossom LOVED the fairy realm series in Year 1 and 2, then Judy Moody, Dear Dumb Diary, Clarice Bean and now the Spiderwick Chronicles.
Lots of girls love those fairy books(eg. Polly the Weather Fairy, or whatever) or pony stories but KB never did.
Oh, and the Magic School Bus series is excellent for everyone and it comes in beginner reader and older reader formats. Quick stop me or I'll really start to blabber...
Oh those take-home readers are enough to kill any love of reading before it gets a chance to start...the subject matter is inane and the illustrations and/or photography are just plain boring. I was soooooo glad when Queenie past the reader stage, and now I'm bracing myself for The Impossible Princess reaching it.
(says very quietly) I don't actually mind Tashi myself...
I did, of course, mean to say "when Queenie PASSED the reader stage."
Pass me a reader, I think I need a remedial course of literacy.
Oh - and PS - warn me next time about your pole dancing pilates instructor's moments in the spotlight...I missed it, and you KNOW how I don't like to miss anything trashy on TV.
Luckily I think I still have it on the IQ though!
Yes sorry about that. I didn't know what show she'd be on and nearly missed it myself. When you watch she's the one in the pink sequins and feathers with the straight, short bobbed hair.
BTW ALL the comments made by the judges were made after her performance. When you watch it you'll know what I mean.
You think the schools would catch on that if they make the readers interesting, kids would want to read them.
My 7 year old is a voracious reader (he just finished the Harry Potter series) and even he hates doing his reader.
Its not rocket science - interesting equals interest....
J.T. is just starting to like reading. I don't think he wants me OR his teachers to know. And he loves the "Gross Out" science books.
Never mind the kids - *I* was bored to death with those sodding home readers. Thank goodness your Padawan Learner has found the pleasure of reading.
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