Do YOU read aloud everything? Or does your child also read?

[AboveRubiesMama]

On our first day, I felt as though I was reading a LOT (I did all the reading for BLHFHG, LHTH, and LHFHG). My oldest dd (BLHFHG) asked if she could start bringing along her book for Reading (It was the Benjamin West book) and next thing I know, she's chapters ahead of schedule. She loves to be able to take this book with her. She also enjoys reading her history books. But we got behind last week and it was mostly from her needing to re-read the chapters because she couldn't answer the questions at the end.

How do YOU handle this? If your child wants to read it all independently, do you let him or her? Do you take turns reading? Or do you read everything?

[sharonb]

I read aloud everything for the left side of the plans. dd is doing Emerging Readers and she reads that aloud to me. When she wants to read something independently it is something totally different. I don't mix the school books with her fun books.


My oldest reads a LOT for fun (a couple of hours each night at bedtime), but I know there are words she doesn't know, plus when I ask her about books she does not give a whole lot of detail. Don't get me wrong; she's a great reader for her age, but I don't think she's ready to read history/science assignments silently and totally comprehend them. (Plus I have other children who need to hear the readings anyway).

[MamaBear23Cubs]

My 9 year prefers to read all of her books by herself or out loud. I read the other stuff to my Kers.

[my3sons]

I read aloud everything for the guides you've mentioned, since our dc are quite young when doing those. However, once the dc begin BHFHG, they begin reading their science and reading, as well as being independent in other areas. In PHFHG, they read more on their own, and in CTC they're even reading the history spine. So, each year is a gradual progression where they take over more of the reading as they are more able. In those younger years, I do think it's important to model good reading for them, as they are needing to learn good listening comprehension skills - honing those skills rather than having to focus on the actual reading of it themselves. Here's the reading I have done for the guides you mentioned:
LHTH:
Bible Story 5 min. daily
Devotional 5 min. 1 x a week
about 5 minutes total daily

LHFHG:
Reading about History: 5-10 min. daily
Storytime: 5-10 min. daily
Science: 5-10 min., usually 2 times a week
Devotion: 5-10 min., usually 2 times a week
about 20-30 minutes total daily

Beyond Little Hearts:
Reading about History: 10 min. daily
Storytime: 10 min. daily
Science: 5-10 min., usually 2 times a week
Devotional: 5 min., usually 1 x a week
about 30 minutes total daily

I like to rotate the reading with the activities, and that has made each reading kind of a special "cuddle on the couch" time. Each reading in itself is bite-sized, but done all in a row might feel longer. I'm not sure if you are still doing LHTH and Beyond, with just a few parts from LHFHG? Or maybe you have decided to do all 3 programs in their entirety now? If you are doing all 3 and feeling like the reading it too much, you could combine your dc for Storytime. That would be an easy way to shave some reading time off if that is your desire. Otherwise, your 4 and 5 yo's could just do LHTH and your oldest do Beyond this year, and that would be super easy to do. We've found the reading and hands-on to be a nice balance. Maybe rotating the reading with hands-on, or combining your 3 dc in 2 programs (especially since there is only a 3 year age span between the youngest and oldest) would be a good idea if the reading feels too much. I have to say having looked at Sonlight, the reading in HOD is a breath of fresh air in the reading demands department. Maybe you're like me and haven't done as much reading out loud to the dc through the summer - then starting up again takes some getting used to? Especially the first day. It usually just takes me awhile to get into the routine of teaching school again. Be sure to give yourself that grace to begin teaching 3 little ones again! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[AboveRubiesMama]

Julie, we've done SL before and you are right that HOD is like a breath of fresh air.

I think it seemed to take so long because we did do all the reading together in one sitting. She likes to be independent and I've learned that she thrives in that area. I think it's just her personality. When I'm sitting with her or even if she feels as though I'm looking over her shoulder, she feels as though I'm "babying" her or something...... who knows?

I'm going to try to alternate more reading and activity and see how that goes this week.

looking forward to getting caught up and back to where we're going. I was just telling my husband last night that as far as learning goes, I feel she's getting a much more well-rounded education this year compared to a strictly traditional program we used last year.

[Carrie]

Great question! The ladies did a terrific job of answering your question and of offering suggestions.

So, I''ll just pop-in to mention that Charlotte Mason said that kiddos aged 9 on up who were able to read their own schoolbooks should do so. So that is the rule of thumb we've gone with at our house, except for storytime.

Blessings,
Carrire