Question about Narration

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ncmomof5
Posts: 211
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:02 pm

Question about Narration

Post by ncmomof5 » Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:52 pm

My ds7 is doing BLHFHG, and at first the history narrations were going pretty well. Now, however, he is really struggling. We are doing Stories of the Pilgrims and he just cannot seem to listen and tell me back. I have tried just reading a portion and having him narrate back a little at a time, but that has not seemed to help. Now, everytime we sit down to read, he says,"Am I going to have to tell you about this?" I can see he really dreads this. He doesn't want to let me down, and I unfortunately have allowed him to sense my frustration with this.

Should I just let the narration go for now? This is our first year using HOD, and our first year with the CM style of teaching. I don't want him to dislike any part of school at this age. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated. Thanks.

In His love,
RuthAnn

PS: He doesn't have any learning issues that I know of, but he is alot like his father who will tell you outright that he has listening comprehension issues. Just FYI :-)
2013 - 2014
15 yo dd -- MTMM
13 yo ds -- MTMM
12 yo ds -- finish PHFHG/CTC
9 yo ds -- finish BLHFHG/BHFHG
5.5 yo dd -- LHFHG

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Matthew 6:32

mamaof3peas
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:34 pm

Re: Question about Narration

Post by mamaof3peas » Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:08 pm

well, im new at this method and hod also, but i dont see what letting narration go for a couple weeks could hurt. do you feel like he is listening to the reading? do you think that maybe he gets so worried about telling it back to you that he cant really enjoy the reading or even comprehend it bc as your reading a paragr. hes thinking, ok i have to remember this this and this, while youve already moved on to the next? i really dont know, im just throwing thoughts out there. maybe instead of narrating it to you, you could have a grandma or grandpa , aunt or uncle call once a week, without him really knowing this is the point of the call, and have them ask him what books hes been listening to and what the storys are about? maybe, this could be the way he narrates for a month. maybe without the pressure he would enjoy the readings again. im sure the other moms with more experience will chime in with good advice
heather

Mom2Monkeys
Posts: 1410
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:31 pm
Contact:

Re: Question about Narration

Post by Mom2Monkeys » Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:21 pm

My dd7 dreads narration and is SO bland when she does do it...BUT, if I wait until later in the day and say "Tell Daddy (grandma....) about that interesting story we read in history today." WOW, she could write a book about it! It takes the pressure off her and allows her to process what's she's heard. She seems to have some listening comp issues. Allowing it to soak in seems to be the fix we needed. I'll start asking her to tell about it sooner and sooner as time goes on until we get to having her tell about it right after listening to it.

I also have her do this with other things, like science experiments and other things that truely interest her. Tell dad about what we did in science today. So, if you can't get a narration from the history, you could start with things you know he truely enjoys and make it fun for him to tell. I am always sure to make sure dad knows to make a big deal about it. I might even chime in with "Oh, yeah..and that part where _______ was so cool. I can't remember it well though, can you?"...and of course, she does! It's been an amazing change for her!


Oh, I've also had her draw pictures about what she's read (divide a paper into 3 parts...what happened first, in the middle, and last OR Characters, Problem, Solution, etc). Or just ask her favorite part, least favorite part, fave character, etc. There's also a "narration cube" that made it fun. I think you can google it and see how to make it. You roll the cube and tell what it ask for and even my 4yo likes this one!
HTH! :D
~~Tamara~~
Enjoying HOD since 2008

DD15 long-time HODie finding her own new path
DS12 PHFHG {dysgraphia, APD, SID}
DS9 PHFHG
DS6 LHFHG
DD new nursling

Lori_in_Austin
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:25 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Re: Question about Narration

Post by Lori_in_Austin » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:01 pm

Thanks Mom2Monkeys. :!: :!:

Thank you for taking the time to tell us such great tips. I am going to write them down so I do not forget myself !

God Bless you and yours,
Lori in Austin, TX
wife to dh "Joe"
mom to two boys:
ds-5 - LHFHG using: The Reading Lesson, Explode the Code Phonics, Right Start Math.
ds-2.5 -
soon to start LHTH with Before FIAR

Mom2Monkeys
Posts: 1410
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:31 pm
Contact:

Re: Question about Narration

Post by Mom2Monkeys » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:54 pm

You're welcome :D I can't believe I'm finally to a point where I'm actually able to GIVE advice now!! How exciting! LOL
I didn't mention it before, but giving the time for it to soak in also lets her enjoy the story more since she isn't thinking about having to narrate afterwards...we all know, the more they enjoy something, the more they learn from it!

Remember to strike up a conversation about books they are reading for pleasure. My dd just read Catwings and Catwings Return tonight in bed (In an hour! :shock: ) and came out to share all about them! It's not having to recall from being read TO, but its a great start.

I just stopped back by to give the link for the narration cube. My kids just loved this! I really should use it more often. http://www.pennygardner.com/narrationcube.html
~~Tamara~~
Enjoying HOD since 2008

DD15 long-time HODie finding her own new path
DS12 PHFHG {dysgraphia, APD, SID}
DS9 PHFHG
DS6 LHFHG
DD new nursling

Lori_in_Austin
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:25 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Re: Question about Narration

Post by Lori_in_Austin » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:57 pm

Great !

I am going to check out the cube AND I did print out this thread to save for future reference. So not only am I addicted to HOD, I now have a file folder to put selected printed message board threads into !

Lori
Lori in Austin, TX
wife to dh "Joe"
mom to two boys:
ds-5 - LHFHG using: The Reading Lesson, Explode the Code Phonics, Right Start Math.
ds-2.5 -
soon to start LHTH with Before FIAR

Carrie
Site Admin
Posts: 8128
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:39 pm

Re: Question about Narration

Post by Carrie » Sun Oct 26, 2008 4:38 pm

RuthAnn,

The ladies have given you some great advice of ways to make narration more interesting and light-hearted at first. This is the way we design narration in the Little Hearts guide, and then we move into weaning the kiddos from using those prompts and starters less and less, until... they narrate pretty effortlessly. So, all of those aids are alright when starting out with narration. Don't give up on it though, as it is a process that takes time.

Some days kiddos are more inspired in their narration then on other days. Sometimes, narrations are only a couple of sentences long (and that's o.k.). Don't prod and ask for more, just call it good and move on. If kiddos feel that you are looking for a certain length narration, or looking for certain points in their narration, or feel that you're disappointed with their answers, they won't want to narrate anymore. Also, make sure not to interrupt a narration or to prompt them to add more. These are things that are SO hard to let go of, but necessary toward getting the child to do their own narrating. I still struggle with keeping out of their narrations! So, just a few things to watch out for (as I've done them)! :lol:

Over time it will get MUCH easier and consistent practice is the only way to really turn the corner. Narration causes their little minds to process what they've read, sift through the details, and put into words what they're thinking. It's harder than it looks! :D Be very complimentary too. This goes a LONG way!

Blessings,
Carrie

ncmomof5
Posts: 211
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:02 pm

Re: Question about Narration

Post by ncmomof5 » Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:24 am

Thanks everyone for your words of help and encouragement. I feel like a kid in school myself. I need to print this out and study it so I am ready for school tomorrow. :-) Today, I read the history, we discussed it a little bit and then we did an activity that helped to reinforce what we were reading. He has gotten to the point where he doens't want to narrate because he does feel he wasn't doing it well enough. Hopefully, we can repair this with time.

Thanks, again for taking time to answer my questions.

In HIs love,
RuthAnn
2013 - 2014
15 yo dd -- MTMM
13 yo ds -- MTMM
12 yo ds -- finish PHFHG/CTC
9 yo ds -- finish BLHFHG/BHFHG
5.5 yo dd -- LHFHG

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Matthew 6:32

6timeboymom
Posts: 417
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:59 pm
Location: Iowa

Re: Question about Narration

Post by 6timeboymom » Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:35 am

that cube is a great tool! thanks for posting it!
I will tell you what we struggle with in narration is that three of my boys are doing the same curric, so they argue with each other! One loves to point out what the other missed, and vice versa. It gets hard on me, so I use the "you tell me, you tell dad, you tell biggest brother" technique that someone else already mentioned. Sometimes we call grandma (thank goodness for free long distance! lol!) just so she can listen to a boy tell about his school work for the day.
Occasionally I will write as they dictate (narrate), and we turn that into a little book for them to send to someone like my sister (the bestest aunt on the planet, doncha know :lol:) and that counts as narration, too. I also allow the drawing pictures of the story to count as narration on occasion, too. Especially for my youngest ones.
Darci
mom to 6 great boys-"they've got me surrounded!!"
using: as much HOD as possible! :wink:

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Question about Narration

Post by my3sons » Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:39 pm

It helps me to just try to be in the role of "listener" when my dc narrate. I have to fight the urge to overcorrect and interrupt. I try to imagine how I'd listen to a friend telling me about a good book she'd read, and be interested, polite, and positive (I wouldn't dream of interrupting and correcting my friend about her retelling of a movie, a book, etc. - so this analogy helps me) :D . I also really try to stick to the narration tips in the back of the guide. I have it marked with a sticky note and read it over to myself before we start - to help keep me in line, more than anything! :lol:

I also modeled the narration by doing it myself for awhile if my ds was having a tough time. This is better than totally stopping narration because the learning can keep on going. :D Then, I'd leave off the ending (whatever was most obvious) and let him finish it with a sentence or two. I'd tell him I was proud of him and accept that as good enough for awhile. Narration is a skill that takes time to do well, so keep on persevering. It's a necessary skill to acquire in life, and well worth the time and effort to nurture its growth. :D

In Christ ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

Lori_in_Austin
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:25 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Re: Question about Narration

Post by Lori_in_Austin » Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:17 pm

Hi All,

This thread is so great that I had to re-print it again, because so many great tips were posted since I first printed it!

Thank you again for all the great suggestions !

I am already implementing much of it with our dear Dover classic, The Adventrues of Peter Cottontail. God Bless Thornton Burgess stories !

Sometimes my husband will read the Burgess story to my 5yo ds and the next day when I pick it up, I MUST read the chapter I missed ! My son likes it a lot, too, but my confession is that I think I might like it more than he does (if that is possible!). Last night I asked my husband how the reading went and how it "pains me" to miss a chapter and he said "me too" !!! FUNNY !!!
Lori in Austin, TX
wife to dh "Joe"
mom to two boys:
ds-5 - LHFHG using: The Reading Lesson, Explode the Code Phonics, Right Start Math.
ds-2.5 -
soon to start LHTH with Before FIAR

Carrie
Site Admin
Posts: 8128
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:39 pm

Re: Question about Narration

Post by Carrie » Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:41 pm

That is SO cute! I really enjoying reading the Burgess books too. We just finished Danny Meadow Mouse yesterday, and Greyson couldn't wait to get on to Grandfather Frog today! :lol:

Blessings,
Carrie

Lori_in_Austin
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:25 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Re: Question about Narration

Post by Lori_in_Austin » Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:23 pm

Carrie wrote:That is SO cute! I really enjoying reading the Burgess books too. We just finished Danny Meadow Mouse yesterday, and Greyson couldn't wait to get on to Grandfather Frog today! :lol:

Blessings,
Carrie
Carrie,

I had never heard of Dover Classics before HOD, but when I was analyzing HOD LHFHG, the Dover Classics were a big reason I decided to choose LHFHG over other curriculum and I have not been disappointed (besides that I knew the CLP texts were great and the activity boxes looked so FUN !). It was exactly the kind of REAL book and LIVING literature for which I was looking.

I wanted something I could read aloud that had the kind of eloquent and virtuous writing that modern writers just don't have anymore..... I believe reading it and hearing it read aloud is the best way to teach great grammar at this age. So THANK YOU :!: for choosing such superior and excellent literature (did I mention the poetry is amazing ?!).

Also, before we started LHFHG, I thought it would be hard for my ds (at just-turned-five) to want to read the Dovers since we were still primarily reading story books with pictures. I was not sure how we would take to the Dover chapter books with fewer pictures, but we stuck with it and he got hooked. AND he loves the pictures. He constantly asks to see the pictures. They are the kind of pictures that really get his imagination going. He still likes to do the activity where one of us hides (as Reddy Fox) and the other pretends to be the Farmer's son trying to find him....He even puts on his overalls and straw hat and bandana to dress the part of farmer boy !!!

So Dover Classics gets a five star rating from us :!:
Lori in Austin, TX
wife to dh "Joe"
mom to two boys:
ds-5 - LHFHG using: The Reading Lesson, Explode the Code Phonics, Right Start Math.
ds-2.5 -
soon to start LHTH with Before FIAR

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Question about Narration

Post by my3sons » Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:21 am

Lori_in_Austin wrote:...the Dover Classics were a big reason I decided to choose LHFHG over other curriculum and I have not been disappointed (besides that I knew the CLP texts were great and the activity boxes looked so FUN !). It was exactly the kind of REAL book and LIVING literature for which I was looking.

I wanted something I could read aloud that had the kind of eloquent and virtuous writing that modern writers just don't have anymore..... I believe reading it and hearing it read aloud is the best way to teach great grammar at this age. So THANK YOU :!: for choosing such superior and excellent literature (did I mention the poetry is amazing ?!).

Also, before we started LHFHG, I thought it would be hard for my ds (at just-turned-five) to want to read the Dovers since we were still primarily reading story books with pictures. I was not sure how we would take to the Dover chapter books with fewer pictures, but we stuck with it and he got hooked. AND he loves the pictures. He constantly asks to see the pictures. They are the kind of pictures that really get his imagination going. He still likes to do the activity where one of us hides (as Reddy Fox) and the other pretends to be the Farmer's son trying to find him....He even puts on his overalls and straw hat and bandana to dress the part of farmer boy !!!

So Dover Classics gets a five star rating from us :!:
I really like what you had to say here, Lori. Dover classics are so much more than cute animals and funny stories. You described the type of writing so well, and I agree that it is a more "eloquent" and "virtuous" kind of writing. You also mentioned that you "stuck with it" and "he got hooked". I think the transition from books with lots of pictures to books with less pictures (and with less color) is a skill that takes time to grow, BUT it is worth sticking with it. Sometimes we're quick to say my child doesn't like that book, when really, maybe our dc haven't learned the joy of savoring the ELOQUENT WORDS of a book, instead of just skimming through somewhat blandly, easily worded sentences with lots of pictures to look at. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for books with wonderful illustrations, but enjoying the narrative side of reading is another skill to be learned and loved all together. Thanks so much for capturing that here! :D

In Christ, :D
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

Lori_in_Austin
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:25 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Re: Question about Narration

Post by Lori_in_Austin » Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:13 pm

Julie,

Thank you for your thoughtful and kind words. They really warmed my heart and made my day. :)

On another note. Guess what I did right after I posted that?! I had never been on the doverpublications.com website so I went and wow ! I felt like a kid in a candy store looking at the "children's thrift classics". I could not help myself so I ordered the "Peter Cottontail Mazes" and "Peter Cottontail Stickers" which use the same drawings as in the Thornton Burgess books [except in color].

I am not sure exactly what we'll do with the stickers yet, but I think my ds5 will think of something.

God Bless you and yours,
Lori in Austin, TX
wife to dh "Joe"
mom to two boys:
ds-5 - LHFHG using: The Reading Lesson, Explode the Code Phonics, Right Start Math.
ds-2.5 -
soon to start LHTH with Before FIAR

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