beth83 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I know we, as homeschooling parents, tend to overthink things. I have a whole list of examples, but read-alouds make the top of the list over here. As a kid, I never liked to read a book more than once. In case my children are the same way, I freak out over when we should read certain books... - "Oh, but that book should be used for literary analysis in a couple of years." - "But what if we want to do a full year studying the Little House books?" - "That book will align perfectly with history later, so I won't read it now." - "They are too young to fully appreciate this classic!" So, we end up with all these great books that I dream about reading one day, but TODAY, we read NONE. Someone tell me I am overreacting. Someone tell me that even if we read all the books I want to read right now, there will be plenty of amazing books to read later. Someone tell me that there will be plenty of other books to read for that historical time period. Someone tell me that I'm not alone in this craziness and tell me that it all turned out okay in their own experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 There are so many wonderful books out there. Yes, you can read all the books you love now and there will still be a ton of great books for specific time periods, geographic regions, etc. There are lots of good reading lists out there. I've enjoyed sharing lots of amazing books with my dc from Sonlight - particularly cores A through E. Their recommendations on children's ages for specific books are helpful, too. I'd just carve out some time in the day and make a point of reading as close to daily as possible. Remember that there are lots of different ways to enjoy books or even the same book, like reading aloud with the family and discussing it as you go along, listening to audio books, reading silently to oneself, watching movies based on books, sometimes even watching/participating in a musical based on a book (e.g., Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Goodness, yes there are TONS of books out there. Just grab the books you think will be cool, have them pick out some too, and start reading! Don't worry, don't overstress and also don't assume they won't ever want to reread a book. Some kids read something early on and then revisit it again years later, seeing so many more layers and nuances than they did the first time. Just depends on the kid and the book. And even if they never want to reread a book, don't let that prevent you from doing those read alouds you are craving. Best wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Surely not every single book you've ever seen fits into your categories? Surely there is something left over? Pick 30 books to go into each category and when you hit the 121st book, READ IT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelC Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I think that generally, if a book is really worth reading, it's worth reading several times. Back in the day when I studied literature, I would read a book at least 4 or 5 times before writing an assignment on it. However, if you seriously want to read things only once, I second the suggestion of picking out some books in each of your categories and then getting in to whatever other books you fancy. Seriously, there are trillions of books, it's not like there's a shortage of worthwhile picks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth83 Posted October 16, 2014 Author Share Posted October 16, 2014 Thanks all. I'm feeling better. We have no problem reading, and reading a lot, but I just feel like i have been shelving the really good books for later. I hate reading subpar books. And I think Sonlight did me over the edge. I felt like I had to wait for certain books because of when they offered them. I'm just going to goodreads, selecting all my favorites, and then will pick one. I need a site that doesn't have them arranged, any way, by age or grade level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I think that generally, if a book is really worth reading, it's worth reading several times. Back in the day when I studied literature, I would read a book at least 4 or 5 times before writing an assignment on it. However, if you seriously want to read things only once, I second the suggestion of picking out some books in each of your categories and then getting in to whatever other books you fancy. Seriously, there are trillions of books, it's not like there's a shortage of worthwhile picks! Amen, sistah! OP, my husband and I have read aloud to our girls 2 hours a day on average 5 days a week from the time they're school aged (shorter periods earlier) until they go to college and we still aren't able to read aloud all the wonderful books we want to. I still have to painfully return to the library recommended reading listed in the Activity Guide for SOTW and skip books listed in All Through the Ages and we probably read aloud more than most people at these boards. 1. Don't underestimate the value of reading great literature multiple times in a child's early years. Books like The Chronicles of Narnia have been read aloud to our girls 3-4 times in their elementary/Jr. High years and at different ages they got different things out of it. So do we. As adults it happens too. My husband read TLOTR out loud to our girls every other Fall with the windows open (it's finally cool in the evenings in Mid-October here) and the scent of pipe smoke in the air-Yes. We do buy a little pipe tobacco and get it going just for the first few readings each time. They love it. My older two will come in sometimes with their homework or some craft or art project just to hear their favorite parts. 2. The reading aloud is ear training in grammar, the most natural and effective way to learn vocabulary and the best way to be exposed to conveying worthwhile ideas in various writing styles. My kids have stunning vocabularies for their ages because we read aloud to them. 3. Excellent children's picture books are a delightful way to expose children to all sorts of visual art styles. Some of the best illustrations can help capture a child's attention. Read aloud to your children worthy books every day. When you can't, have some on CD and let someone else do it for you. Let them do quiet activities during the reading. It's always better to be able to say, "I do read to my children" than "I will read to my children." Live now. Read now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Thanks all. I'm feeling better. We have no problem reading, and reading a lot, but I just feel like i have been shelving the really good books for later. I hate reading subpar books. And I think Sonlight did me over the edge. I felt like I had to wait for certain books because of when they offered them. I'm just going to goodreads, selecting all my favorites, and then will pick one. I need a site that doesn't have them arranged, any way, by age or grade level. How old are you dc? Sometimes it is worthwhile to wait until the dc are a little older before reading certain books, as the children may not be ready for the content. Also, the discussions that can develop around the subjects may be much richer. I've found that sometimes when I tried to introduce one of my favourite books to my dc when they were too young, it was a disappointment to ME. I was expecting them to love the book, but they just weren't ready for it. It's hard to be patient when we really want to share our passions with our dc. I've experienced this so many times over the years with my dc. I wanted them to love music, but it took a while before they were ready. I wanted them to love reading, again it took a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I have found that my now 8yo "doesn't remember" most of the classics I have read to him. He surely did enjoy and understand them at the time. I have been reading classics to him since he was less than 2. I'm sure they are locked away in his little brain somewhere. Perhaps when we come back around to him, they will be vaguely familiar.I know that when I have reread books at a later stage of life, the experience is so different, it does feel like a different book. Allegorical stories grow with the reader. Bottom line: read the books. You might find that rereading isn't as bad as you fear. There is much to be gained by revisiting old, beloved stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Just pick one and start reading it today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanikit Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 How old are you DC - my DD does not remember the books I read her when she was 4 and now when I read them again with my 3 year old she can listen in. Reading books is not only about the story or about remembering everything - some of it is about developing a love of books which does not necessarily come only from remembering a story - they could just remember cuddling with Mom, some of it is about vocabulary - even if they remember none of the stories they will probably remember a lot of the vocabulary, some of it is about getting things to talk to your children about and to link to their world now - so if you read that history book then you can talk about it at another point or even relate it to what is happening in the world today. If you think you will run out of books then do a google search for the historical topic you want with "book" written after it or find a list with those books in it. If you read one of them, there will definitely be more. There is a Biblical saying: Don't store up treasures on earth" - I am pretty sure it can be used in this context too - what if you DON'T want to do a year study of The Little House books - you could regret NOT reading them now - or you probably won't regret either. Don't live in the future. Just read something, anything - every single day :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momacacia Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 What about All Through the Ages. Or AO. Just get a plan and go with it. You can check off their boxes and feel like you've done something. I've read many books (and especially poems) twice in my lifetime. One book I know I've read 3 times, it's just that great and interesting of a read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 You are over reacting. Just grab a book and start reading it. You can't possibly read all the books that are worth reading anyhow, so just get in there and do it. It's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 I can totally understand, and I still think you are overreacting. Just think of it this way, Have you read all the good books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 My problem is I want to read so many books. I often have several going at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 I have found that my daughters love reading books independently a couple years after they have been used as a family read aloud. They have such fond memories of the read aloud that they are excited to read it again by themselves. They also love it when I pick stories for read-aloud that they are already familiar with. They are currently 8 and 10 and I am reading them The Legend of Sleepy Hollow alongside the first volume of My Bookhouse, which is a collection of nursery rhymes, poems, fables, and fairy tales. They are equally excited about both selections, but had I been strict about timing, My Bookhouse would have been read in kindergarten and then left behind. I used to worry about finding the perfect timing/format for each book, but I don't anymore. There is just an endless supply of great books in the world and they can be enjoyed at so many different ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Also, I am like you, I want to read a book once. I even have an Excel file where I keep track of books I've read. I really really wished I'd started a couple of decades earlier. But, for a good book I don't mind repeating it as an audiobook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 If you want to keep your family read alouds separate from those specifically related to history, you can go here for award winning children's books and pick them at random or pick from one particular award list or whatever: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okra Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 My children love to read books again! Jump in there and read aloud to them! They can read them again later, and if they are very opposed to re-reading, THEN go ahead and find something else in the many books that are available. Yes, you are overthinking!!! Just read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 You can plan all you want and line them up so that fall just exactly when you want them to, but, life will in all likelihood intervene.Looks like you've already backed away from the edge, but in case you're still teetering, just pick the best books you can now for the ages of your kids now and enjoy. You'll never, ever be able to exhaust all the great or really good books. :) Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth83 Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 When I do I try to remind myself that I have no idea what may happen in the coming days and I need to do what I can do today. I absolutely loved this. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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