Reading Frenzy
Something terrible happened tonight.
Following a nightly routine, my son got ready for bed and went to his room to pick out a book for our nightly reading. A few minutes later I walked in and asked, "So, what's the story for tonight?" His reply, "If you don't mind, I'd like to read more of this," and he held up his copy of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe that he's been reading on his own. I said, "You want me to read some of that for you?" but he explained that he just wanted to keep "looking at the words," which is his phrase for reading silently to himself.
My reading is no longer wanted... sniff... At least for now. He tells me we can read some different stories later, after he finishes his book. He's quite proud of himself for learning to read. And, of course, I'm quite proud of him too.
Following a nightly routine, my son got ready for bed and went to his room to pick out a book for our nightly reading. A few minutes later I walked in and asked, "So, what's the story for tonight?" His reply, "If you don't mind, I'd like to read more of this," and he held up his copy of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe that he's been reading on his own. I said, "You want me to read some of that for you?" but he explained that he just wanted to keep "looking at the words," which is his phrase for reading silently to himself.
My reading is no longer wanted... sniff... At least for now. He tells me we can read some different stories later, after he finishes his book. He's quite proud of himself for learning to read. And, of course, I'm quite proud of him too.
Permalink posted by Phil at 11:59 PM
11 Comments:
I suppose it had to happen sometime. Definite *sniff.* After all, you don't want to be up all night reading to him when he's a teenager and has a book report due the next day.
I'm sorry, I'm not helping, am I?
How old is your son? He sounds young for that book. If that's the case, then you should be really proud that your soon can read at such a high level. Do you plan on taking him to the movie when it comes out?
Phil, I think it is absolutely great he wants to read by himself.
I also commend you for teaching your son the value of reading, and it's great he wants to do it on his own.
My parents used to read to me every night, too, and now I write for a living. It's a great way to advocate reading to children, and while I've never read a parenting book - I assume that little bit of advice is in some of them.
When I was in 2nd grade my classmates and I were tested for our ability and I was somewhere between 8th and 9th grade reading levels. I give all the credit to my parents.
Oh yeah, and those genetics thingy-mawhatsitz probably played a part, too. My grandmother was an English teacher, my uncle is a doctor of education - and there are several other teachers in my family also.
I got the good end of the deal in this one.
Way to go young Corless children for their reading. Reading is the best!
Also - The Chronicles of Narnia is a great series. I hadn't ever read them until I was in 6th grade, when I found them on a shelf in one of my classes.
He should also read The Hatchet and My Side of the Mountain. Perhaps a bit older, he should read books by Tamora Pierce and Brian Jacques (the Redwall series).
Well heck. Can anyone tell me what the official reading level of the Narnia series is? My just-turned-nine boy is JUST now "catching the fire" of reading, and I am beside myself with joy everytime I see him curled up with a book. He loves Roald Dahl so we just had a 2-movie Wonka-thon. He saw a preview for the Narnia movie and wants to read that. How advanced is it? I never read them. I missed a lot of classic children's literature because Heinlein sci-fi books lined all the walls in my childhood home :)
According to this Pasco, Florida school Web site the Chronicles of Narnia is about a Fifth Grade reading level. Not bad at all!
... I should also mention that while the Chronicles of Narnina is considered children's literature, it can absolutely be read from an adult perspective.
When you do that - you get a strong religous undertone, because Lewis was very religous - like J.R.R. Tolkien - and incorporated biblical themes into the books.
This is actually the reason why Tolkien and Lewis had a falling out - because Lewis' metaphors and allusions were so overt and Tolkien worked hard to disguise his in The Lord of the Rings.
Also he was angry that Lewis could simply churn out novels (a book a year I believe) and they were so popular.
One idea is to have him read to you, this helps him sharpen his reading skills and it still gives you the time to read together...my kids love it!
Kristen,
That's a great idea!
I still wish my mom read to me....
Ahh... Narnia! My mom introduced me to A Horse and His Boy when I was in 3rd grade and I was hooked. She read the first few chapters to me, but I grew impatient (she couldn't spend all day reading to me) and read the rest on my own. The other books in the series followed in short order.
I'm looking forward to introducing my own kids to them in a few years.
Russ
http://dailyyak.blogspot.com
How bittersweet! My five year old is on the verge of reading and I'm so looking forward to the day when she can read on her own and feel the totally wrapped up in a book, but am also dreading it too, for all the reasons you mentioned. Kids growing up. It's cliche, I know, but I want them to fly but am sad to see them leave the nest.
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