What we're learning: Reading

Ahhh reading.  So, even when we had made the decision to homeschool, I was still slightly intimidated by the thought helping my children learn to read.  I planned to just send them to preschool and/or kindergarten and let someone else get them on their way then bring them back home for school.  Seemed like a great plan?!   ; )

In the meantime, when our oldest was nearing preschool age, we found a  Hooked on Phonics program at a garage sale and bought it.  We looked through the program and evaluated it.  We liked what we saw, but it was an older version with cassettes.  Long story short, we resold it and got a newer version for the girls.  

We have used this program as our main reading program and it has truly been awesome in helping the girls learn to read.  Both our first grader and preschooler are reading way beyond their grade level. 

My fears and intimidations have faded and I could not be more proud of how well they are reading, but MUCH MORE than that....how much they LOVE to read.  This is huge!!!

On the days that I'm feeling unsure about whether we are "doing enough" or if I'm on the "right track" with school, my awesome husband reminds me how much the girls enjoy reading and says, "if you can get a child to enjoy reading, they can learn anything by just picking up a book."  We have found this to be so true. 

 Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

Bob Books

We start them very young around here. LOL

Resources and tips that have helped make our reading journey successful and stirred a passion for reading in our girls:

• Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read  (Pre K -2nd)
• Bob Books
• Bob Book Free Printables/Supplemental

We also:

Attend our local library reading programs (starting them at a very young age).

Borrow (loads and loads of) books on their favorite subjects at the library. 

Keep books handy in our car while running errands or on road trips.

Give each girl a reading light and allow them to read in their beds at night when they are not quite tired. 

Implement daily reading time.

Read to our kids often.

Try being an example by reading.

Buy books as one of their birthday gifts.

Happy reading all!

2013 Reading list

\

The books I have chosen this year seem to fit appropriately with my focus for 2013, which you can read about (here).  I've already peeked into several of them and they seem full of wisdom, advice and practical ways to help me grow in the areas that I'm trying to in 2013.

I know the amount of books I've chosen might be pitiful to some of you out there, but I'm choosing to make my goals within reach with the season of life that I am in. Growing up, I was never an avid reader and it just so happens that within the last several years (when I have the least quiet/down time) I have immensely enjoyed reading and can't get enough.

Now, it's a matter of finding moments here and there to pick up the books that I'm dying to read ; )

Last year, I did fairly well with my list, but as I told you in the fall, unfortunately our kids got Pertussis/whooping cough : ( .... so many things got put on the back burner for a few months so that I could nurse my family back to health.  Raising little ones is all about priorities and flexibility! Can I get a shout from the mommas?!

Anyway, here is my list:

January/February/March

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living

Disease-Proof Your Child: Feeding Kids Right

The Husband Project: 21 Days of Loving Your Man--on Purpose and with a Plan

April/May/June

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream

Super Immunity: The Essential Nutrition Guide for Boosting Your Body's Defenses to Live Longer,  

Stronger, and Disease Free

Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The 
Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders

July/August/September

Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care (I have begun this book, but I need to finish reading it soon.)

Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World

October/November/December

A Love That Multiplies

Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment (This book was so impactful, I want to try to read it again this year - possibly do a womens group study on it?!)

Throughout the year, I'd like to finish these:

Audio Books:

Up Girls: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Women

Ebooks:

21 Days To A More Disciplined Life


I'm so thankful that our local library has almost all of the regular books in their system...yay, free reads!!!  Otherwise, I will be using my Swagbucks to buy the others on Amazon.  (Click here if you don't know what Swagbucks is?)

What about you? Do you have any good reads in mind that I may add to my list?!