Summer Reading Fun

Many parents ask me how to get their elementary-age children reading for fun during the summer. There are reading programs at libraries and on-line but this is my favorite reading program because it is personalized for your child.

Book Adventure

My children are literally hooked on reading this summer! This is how it happened-First, I read through the Book Adventure lists on-line for books I already had at home that are on my children's reading levels. Next, I made a big pile of those books on our dining room table. You can also get most of the books at your local library.

My boys and I developed certificates on-line at the Book Adventure site for personalized prizes (ex. Silly Bandz) and rewards, such as things they would like to do this summer (ex. bowling, movies, & sleepovers) You need to go into the parent's account on Book Adventure to personalize your child's prizes- this is an important part for motivating your child. Next, the boys take quizzes on-line after they read the books to earn points for prizes.

This program works like magic! My first and second graders read several books a day and are so proud when they bring me their printed certificates to redeem their prizes.

The best part- I never remind them to read. They just see the books on the table and want to read and take tests on the computer. They are self-motivated and are enjoying reading this summer.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Book Adventure on a previous Blog post.

Cursive Handwriting- Should we still teach it?

About a month ago, one of my best friends and I were at a homeschool convention discussing all the different handwriting programs that are available. We were both trying to decide on a program to use this upcoming school year, which was a little overwhelming with so many choices.

I briefly mentioned that after all the years I spent instructing my oldest child in writing in cursive, he could not write out a complete sentence in cursive now that he is in high school. I felt embarrassed. Should I have caught this sooner?

The majority of handwriting programs end in the elementary grades after the children have mastered the lessons. In middle school, most children will use one preferred method of writing- cursive or manuscript- for handwritten assignments. Therefore, I never paid close attention to my son exclusively using print. In fact, I write primarily in print so I assumed my son was just following my lead.

And then my friend asked, "Do you think we should even teach cursive anymore?"

And the famous Arsenio Hall line from many years ago came immediately into my head-

"Things that make you go hmmm..."

Wow! That is a great question. Since most school work is done on the computer after the elementary grades, should our instructional method switch from a strong focus on teaching cursive to teaching typing?

I tried to recall when I use cursive in daily life and the only time I can think of is when I sign my name. Cursive is faster than print but typing surpasses them both. Printing is more legible and there are many times when people are forced to print, but I cannot think of any times when a person is forced to write in cursive. Even everything that we read is in print, unless it is an old historical document, such as the Declaration of Independence. So do I teach cursive at all? Is it one of those things that die out with new generations like chalkboards and quill pens did?

A little bit of handwriting history

I briefly researched the history of handwriting when I returned from the convention since my curiosity was now sparked. I learned that when the tools for writing were pointed nibs affixed to the end of sticks and feathers (quill pens), writing in cursive was actually a necessity. These tools would produce blotches instead of strokes when a little downward pressure was applied. Cursive letters were produced by sliding the pen sideways and they allowed us to take advantage of the tools of the time.

The invention of the pencil changed things dramatically. Ink wells, blotters, and nib pens disappeared and were replaced by pencils. The print alphabets were then introduced in our schools. So the question again arises- should I teach cursive?

I still do not know my final decision and I am not trying to encourage you either way. It was just something that makes you go hmmm.

Here is a great article about handwriting from Todd Wilson, Familyman Ministries-

To all of you moms who worry, fret, and are appalled by your seventh grader's terrible handwriting, let me just say, "Let it go!!!"

My friend Bill is a highly educated, successful engineer who is gainfully employed, has raised a great family, and plays a vital role in our church,    BUT. . . Bill has the not-so-great handwriting.

My brother, bless his soul, has a vital ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ in a college town and has about the worse handwriting of anyone I've seen . . . including his college-educated wife's (whose handwriting skills are not much better).

My mother taught me how to write my cursive letters nice and straight . . . and no one cares. I hardly have to write anything now-a-days except to fill out a form or sign up for free windows down at the county fair. And you know what? I can't even remember how to write in cursive anymore . . . especially the letters Z and Q.

If you think that what I'm suggesting has gone too far . . . "Let it go!!!!"

The absolute truth is . . . handwriting doesn't really matter. We live in a day and age where hardly anyone writes with pen and ink anymore. We use keyboards and cell phones for most everything. Yet, I know many moms who are in constant turmoil because their teenager's writing looks like scribbles and scratches on paper.

"Let it GO!!!!!"

January 2011 UPDATE

Cursive handwriting has been omitted from the Common Core State Standards, the new curriculum standard that more than 40 states adopted last summer, the Associated Press reports.

Typically taught in third and fourth grade, cursive is already disappearing in some classrooms. With students widely using computers or text messages instead of handwriting their communications, teachers are choosing to spend less time teaching script, the news service says.

Even when handwritten assignments are required, many students reportedly prefer to use printed block letters instead of script, Ellen Jackson, a teacher at Clarke Middle School in Athens, Ga., tells the Athens Banner-Herald.

Source: www.parentdish.com

Just a Reminder

Just a small reminder

how kids can grow so fast.

I have two sons who got their first car this month.

One son is 16 years old.

The other son is one year old.

Enjoy every moment with your children.

They really do grow fast.