The Power of Read-alouds

Ever since reading, "The Read Aloud Handbook" I've been a strong advocate of read-alouds. The author, Jim Trealese, suggests that it is one of the most powerful ways to teach reading among other amazing benefits he describes.  And while he emphasizes the importance of learning how to read, I see so many other benefits as well.

Vocabulary

One major benefit is being able to learn new vocabulary and learn it in context. As we read a book, my girls are able to see what different words mean using context clues or examples I give. For example, the word economy.  I’ll describe it simply and use the story to further explain the meaning. I can also use other relevant examples such as, "produce in the central valley drives our economy." I can take it even further by personalizing it by talking about our farmer friends who produce all manner of crops and how it benefits our local economy.

Great Conversations

Another major benefit is that it allows for us to have great conversations. We are reading a book  called "In Their Own Words" which chronicles the stories of history through the eyes of people who have lived it themselves. The stories are phenomenal and we are able to have such rich conversations about history and the meaning it has for our lives now. 

Creativity

Lastly, what we read aloud together fuels the stories they create for themselves later on. This makes for an interesting story, because they use words and ideas from book with advanced vocabulary.  I love to hear what they make up after we've read something together. The themes they choose, tend to mimic what we read. It's a very creative way to apply what they're learning. No worksheets but oral creative expression. This is awesome to see.

I love read-alouds. I love learning. I love that we can homeschool together.  Here were other notable moments of today.

Blessings…

• Engaging VA class with Norah
• Shiloh's swift recitation of the numbers over 100 and place value
• Shiloh's confidence in her command of math
• Quick completion of LA
• Use of LA worksheets as handwriting practice
• Communication with Shiloh's teacher
• Realization of a creation science oriented curriculum
• Completing our Bible lesson early in the day
• Talking with Gma and living out our Social Learning Lab

 

Again, me getting to homeschool my children just feels so good. I am truly grateful to personally teach my them the way I want. Yes it requires work, intentional effort, organization, planning, and sacrifice. But overall, I am so glad this is how we're choosing to educate our children.  I am so blessed. I am so grateful...