Crissy Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 It's HARD! Some of you who have been here since my boys were younger may remember that I have always disliked reading aloud. My guys never minded that I'd either let them read to themselves or give them an audio book to listen to. At the end of the day we'd all pile onto the big bed and each of us would read our own books. We always read together, but once they were independent readers, I didn't read to them. I don't know what came over me last night, but when my 12 year old and I chose our next literature selection (Gulliver's Travels) I just opened the cover and started reading to him. Every time I glanced up he had an enormous grin on his face. I stumbled over some of Swift's invented words and repeatedly apologized. He'd say, "No! You're doing fine! Keep going!" :blushing: So. I need to keep going. Tell me it gets easier! Or at least tell my why this is so HARD! Do I just need more practice? I considered pre-reading the chapters we'll cover tonight so I am familiar with them when we sit down together, but I don't have time to regularly read a single book *twice* every week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 baring a learning disability that makes reading out loud difficult, it will get easier with practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Well, I dislike it because my voice gets tired after awhile. Try having some fun with the voices. If I have more fun, it's not so hard. It's hard to try and keep different voices consistent for the characters. People who read audiobooks for a living sure do a great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 If it makes you feel any better, I think you picked an extremely hard book to read aloud! Swift is dense stuff. At the time it was a triffle, but now we don't get the jokes, you know? But at least you know the next book *will* be easier! A homeschool dad on another board I'm on reads audiobooks as his job. He's talked about it on there a couple of times and it's sort of fascinating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 I love reading aloud. I'm so happy for you! Why don't you read one page or two and have your son read a page or two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferB Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 I can't read aloud in the afternoon, so our read alouds are the first school we do in the day, when I have the most breath. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Dominion Heather Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 (snickering) He'll love it when you get to the more bawdy parts! I LOATHE reading aloud... it always makes me feel like a bad parent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 I'll feel great about my reading aloud, and then I'll get to a book that throws me a curve ball. I wouldn't read out loud anything that has a character speaking in a accent, or just two difficult, such as the five little peppers. But then I'll start something and get to a word that I have no idea of how to pronounce. I ended up making a list for the last book I read. I was going to have dh teach me how to say those words. But I lost the list. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 It does get easier with practice. I love reading aloud. I don't necessarily do the voices, but I do try to make it moderately dramatic. Just so it's interesting, but not weird or contrived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I love reading silently to myself. I love books. However, reading aloud, my kids love it when I do but it is so hard to bring myself to do it. Audio books are my friends :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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