A New Start

A fresh start!  A new beginning!  So, I decided to rearrange the learning posters I tore down this morning from frustration (it was a calm storm) when I declared I quit...lol  Yes, I can laugh about this now.  Tomorrow?  Who knows! 

I decided to pretty much scrap the phonics I had been working on (we may pick it up again later), and scrap the idea that children shouldn't play computer games to learn (a classical education idea).  Instead, I invested in ClickNKids, a phonics and spelling program.  I did a quick search for a promotional code and found one for 40% off!  Wooohooo!  Anyway, it's something Lovely should be able to handle by herself without me sitting next to her the entire time.  We did a practice lesson together, which she declared was, "Fun!"  However, it was stuff she already knew, and I've noticed if she knows something already, it's fun, but if it's new, she "just doesn't know how to learn it."  Anyway, thank you, you-know-who, for the wonderful suggestion of computerized learning--I'm up for anything right now! 

I'll let you know later how our first day of it goes tomorrow...Goodnight! 

Reading List...I Fibbed...

I know I said I wouldn't read anymore Little House books, but I have to admit, Mr. Edwards falling into disaster in the Ingalls' well really caught my attention.  I was not pleased at the end of the book, but rarely am I.  So, during our next visit to the library, I got a special read aloud edition of Little House in the Big Woods.  I liked this one much better, as I never before imaged a sleighing pig...some of the chapters gave Hubby and I quite the chuckle! 

Next on the reading list was Pinocchio.  (Yes, I remember what certain people told me about this book...)  My daughter loves it.  I mean LOVES it!  She begs me to keep reading, never tiring of hearing the infamous tales of that naughty puppet.  I had no idea it was so different from Disney's version, but I guess that's what I get for ignoring it all these years!  I did choose the book with the most enticing pictures, so perhaps that has aided her enthusiasm. 

To boot, I am slowly redesigning the office into a kid-friendly space.  I took back the bookcase and placed a round basket infront of the base of the bookcase, filled with readers.  Lovely is ecstatic to have her very own books.  She LOVES them as well. 

So...yay!  My daughter is finally sensing the love of reading I have had my entire life!  Let's just hope it continues! 

A Typical Reading Session with Lovely

"OK, it's time to do reading for today," I inform my daughter cheerfully, hoping to inspire the reading genius within her.

"Awwww. How 'bout we do it tomorrow?" This is her bargaining tool, and she pulls it out of the toolbox all too often.

"No, we need to work on reading everyday. That way, you'll be able to read all kinds of books!" This is my bargaining tool, which I pull out all too often.

"I don't want to read all kinds of books..." Lovely crosses her arms in demonstration of her determination.

I open I Do Read Book 3 to page six and place it in front of her crossed arms.

"OK, let's start reading."

She giggles. "Look at the funny cat! It's silly!"

"Yes, I know it is. Let's find out what it's doing, " I say as an attempt to encourage her.

"P-u-ff. Puff. Puff's a name? That's the cat's name? That's silly!" Lovely continues to giggle.

"Yes, Puff is its name. Let's find out what Puff is doing." I point at the first full sentence.

"It's smiling, Mommy. It looks happy. I see cats outside in the backyard."

"Yes, it is smiling. Let's find out why." Another attempt to redirect her attention.

"J-o-n Jon g-o-t got a b-i-g big...Who's Jon, Mommy?"

"I don't know...let's keep reading and see if it says."

"Jon got a big c-a-t cat. Is that cat named Puff? Why did he name him that? I like cats, but you're allergic."

"Yes, I'm allergic. I don't know why he named him Puff...maybe it says in the story. Read some more."

"J-o-n will n-a-m-e name h-i-s his....Where's Jon? I don't see him."

"You see his hand petting Puff. Let's read more."

"Where's his other hand? Where's his arm?"

"I don't know, Lovely. Let's keep reading." I try to keep my voice sweet and calm, but reading time is taking its toll on my patience.

"The c-a-t can l-a-p...lap...what's lap?"

"That's how the cat drinks its milk. It laps it up with its tongue."

"Oh. I don't see its tongue. You mean like...sluuurrrrp.....slurrrppp." Lovely's head is bobbing up and down with her tongue out as she pretends to drink.

"Yes, that's what I mean. Let's keep reading."

"L-a-p lap, l-a-p lap, l-a-p lap. J-o-n Jon can p-e-t Pete?"

"No, p-e-t, pet."

"Oh. That's silly. I petted a dog before. I like petting dogs."

"I know, honey. Keep reading."

"Jon can p-e-t pet P-u-ff."

I slam the book shut and say 'thank you' for being able to finish reading for the day.

Although I feel the strain of reading each day, once the conversation has been written out and I am able to reflect on the questions asked, I'm amazed at my daughter's curiosity. If she keeps asking questions, keeps wondering, isn't that just as important as the lesson I'm trying to teach at the time? If I can feed this need to learn and direct her on her course, I will be doing my job as a mother and a teacher. However, I will continue to question myself as an example and as a teacher, just as any other human being would do. And I will continue to wonder how I will remain sane for the next twelve years of school.