Push it or let it go?

[Mom2OandE]

So dd is taking an American Girl class through our homeschool group. She loves it. She read many of the books 3-4 years ago. The newer ones obviously not. She really dislikes them finding them very dry. They have covered 4 characters and she never gets past book 2 and that's a struggle. Last year in PS she really lost her love of reading so I'm struggling with forcing her to continue to read them.

 

So wwyd?

 

I'm considering these options:

A. Force her to finish them even if it means I read them with her.

B. require book one and at least one other non ag book from the time period.

C. Require book one and let the rest go and ensure she is reading for the love of reading.

D. Other

 

For the record, she loves the class. They do projects from the time period and its a social opportunity she really needs.

[Ellie]

I don't know how you can "ensure" someone is reading for the love of reading by requiring her to read a book she dislikes. :blink: Although maybe that isn't exactly what you meant...

 

Does she have to read the books to participate in the class? If so, there's your answer. If not, there's your answer.

 

But really, if she lost her love of reading in public school, the last thing you should do is *require* her to read.

[Sameera]

Let it go.

 

Try living books - good quality literature. TWTM has lists of great reading resources at the end of each grade level & section.

 

SCM has information on living books & twaddle here:

 

http://simplycharlot...3/time-to-read/

 

http://simplycharlot...ddle-too-often/

 

http://simplycharlot...f-a-good-story/

 

http://simplycharlot...-a-connoisseur/

[Meriwether]

If she enjoyed them 3-4 years ago, she may have outgrown them. My Dd will occasionally reread books she read when she was younger, but she prefers longer, more involved stories now.

[happyhomemaker]

I would only make her do what is required for the class. Does she have to read the books in order to participate? If no reading is required for the class, I would probably let her skip the AG books and offer some substitutes (fiction, nonfiction, or both), but I wouldn't force those either.

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

Could you read them aloud with her?

[Madeline05]

I like your option B the best.

[Mom2OandE]

The teacher wants them to read the books but about half don't read them all from what I'm hearing. Fortunately, the teacher has moved away from worksheets and is focusing on hands on projects.

 

I want her to be the avid reader she used to be and I do not think forcing her to read these books is accomplishing that. I agree with the poster who said she's outgrown them and there is much better literature out there. I think I'll read the meet book with her and then encourage her to find another book that represents the time period.

 

I'd prefer she focus her reading time on quality literature she'll enjoy.

 

Thank you.