I enjoy writing. I much prefer writing to talking. I enjoy the editing process, the “getting my thoughts out of my head and then having the opportunity to refine them, soften them, strengthen them, curb them, rearrange them, or delete them all together” process. I feel like I can explain myself and clarify in ways that are not available when speaking.
As I have been thinking of this post I have taken note of my speech patterns and have noticed an obvious need for a constant editor-companion. I have many incomplete sentences, run-on sentences, unclear ideas presented in a convoluted manner. I use the wrong pronouns, inaccurate tense, confusing timelines, and restart over and over. It’s amazing that my children can articulate in any kind of coherent manner. But to be honest, if I had money for a live-in editor I would use it on a cleaning company, a live-in chef or an organizing guru. That would be money well spent.
But because I don’t have that kind of money (for the editor or the other specialists I so desperately need in my house!) we go to the library instead. If you think about it, the library is filled with books, words, ideas, all of which have gone through an editor and who has signed-off on their publication. The words are refined, thought out, reviewed, adjusted. The ideas are clear and coherent. To read the well written word is to be exposed to a correct and beautiful use of language. The Huffington Post sites educator Jim Trelease and his book “Read-Aloud Handbook”. He points out this very thing. “Speech is full of jargon, colloquialisms and truncated sentences. Literature, on the other hand, is much more intricate and therefore vastly more educational. The language in books is very rich, and in books there are complete sentences. In books, newspapers, and magazines, the language is more complicated, more sophisticated. A child who hears more sophisticated words has a giant advantage over a child who hasn’t heard those words.”
Don’t feel like you can only expose your children (or yourself) to “sophisticated” words. By choosing reading material based solely on educational value you run the risk of losing interest in reading all together. Reading anything will model how to express ideas, show examples of different styles, and demonstrate how to lead a listener/reader through thoughts with purpose. Really, it’s a matter of exposure, cultivating a love of reading, and creating an awareness of all the available literature.
Who knew that an average afternoon of reading could do all of that? That’s pretty extraordinary!
These are phonics storybooks that begin with short-vowel words and move through long-vowels, silent e, two vowel words, blending, and eventually to words like snore, champion, and package. They come in sets of 6 and have 12 different sets, each increasing in difficulty. That’s 72 books to help your child establish the skills needed for reading. Each set focuses on one skill and there are 6 books to reinforce that skill. I love these books and so thankful that our local library has so many of them! I actually recommend looking at their website even if you have access to these books elsewhere, or if you decide these books aren’t for you. Their website has some great tips on reading with an emerging reader.
I was so excited to find these! The SAG-AFTRA Foundation have created a literacy website with books that are read aloud by actors! In addition to the books they have provided have supplemental material for a number of the books to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills. We listen to these in the car, at bedtime (in the dark!), and when mom keeps falling asleep trying to read aloud. I have found it to be a great resource and they have many books based on true stories, about amazing and brave people! Thank you Storyline Online!
This book is based on the true story of Eliza and her family doing their best to maintain their farm once her father has been asked to serve a mission in a foreign land for their church. The first season that Father is gone the area is attacked by crickets. They, unlike their northern neighbors, were not saved by flocks of seagulls swooping in to devour the crickets. Eliza had to learn, the sometimes difficult lesson, that not only is God aware of us but He also has a plan for each of us.
I get a kick out of books that are spoofs of original stories or nursery rhymes. This one does not disappoint! Mary and her little lamp adventure around her home but are separated for camp. How does Mary cope? What about the lamp when she returns? A winner in our library!
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Title image from http://plywoodpeople.com/everyone-needs-an-editor/