Reading books is one of the central aspects of learning in our family. I believe that reading books, good books, well chosen books, will facilitate a love of learning and in turn create a life-long learner with a well-rounded education.

I grew up with my mum telling me that books were my friends. This meant that I needed to look after them. But having a book as a friend is more than caring for it. As I read and reread many books the characters in those books become my friends – I am transported to their time and country, I experience their highs and lows, I learn their life’s lessons right alongside of them. As their thoughts are revealed to me I have a little conversation here and there with them – I agree with them, I totally disagree with them. I question their choices and I celebrate their victories. It is as if a real friendship has been established and that character has influenced and affected my life.

Finishing a good book is like leaving a good friend.

Good books make good friends

Reading Makes Connections with Life

It is this connection with the people in books that I want my children to make and as they do they too will be changed by reading such a good book, they will be learning from books. Connections can also be made with animals, places and situations.

Children make these connections with books from an early age as we read aloud picture books to them. They ask questions, they remember the detail, they make connections. I am sure we have all seen our children mimic stories that have become their favourites. As they get older they set up scenarios to re-enact with their toys. These children are learning.

We then start to teach our children to read for themselves. Actually their reading lessons began as soon as we began reading aloud to them. Reading to our children is the most significant thing we can do to enhance their learning experience. Eventually, and it will differ for each child, but eventually they will begin to read for themselves. As their confidence as a reader develops they will find themselves interacting and making connections with the stories that they are reading. This is the step we want them to take towards independent learning.

 

A great book should leave you with many experiences,
and slightly exhausted.
You should live several lives while reading it.

~William Styron (Amerian Writer)

Learning Independently

Just because our children can read independently it doesn’t mean they can automatically learn independently.  It takes time to transition and grow these skills.  We learn to read, and then we read to learn.  Our kids learn with our support, collaboratively, and then they can learn independently.  Another thing to remember that reading fiction is a different skill than reading non-fiction – and our kids may master these skills at different times.

Once my children are learning independently from the books they read I expect them to keep a balance in their reading between various subjects and interests such as, History (including Australian history), Science, Christian Reading, Literature/good books, and any other subject that we have decided as valid for this time in their life (eg World view, apologetics, economics, politics etc) They would also have books in keeping with their own particular interests, hobbies and pursuits. All of these books then present a balanced education.

 It is easy, especially for children who enjoy reading, to get absorbed into the story – for entertainment sake.  And though this has its place, I want my children to be reading books, at least some, where they are thinking – thinking about the characters and the choices they make, thinking about the places these characters live and the situations they find themselves in.  This is why I expect my kids to write about their learning once they are finished a book.  Knowing that this project is ahead of them, helps them stay intentional while reading.

That being said, I also want them to enjoy the story – this is what makes a book engaging! I grew up with comprehension questions and set assignments to complete after reading a book – this prompts kids to read to find the answers – not to enjoy the story, to appreciate the skill of the author or to learn from the characters – they just find the answers.  So to avoid that we have used a narration based method for their writing – they tell me, either orally or written or in a creative project – what they have observed, thought about, researched and concluded.

Tools to help them use books to learn

  • Practice together – our children need to learn how to learn from their books before we ask them to do it independently.  Five in a Row was the curriculum we used in our primary school years and their learning process was this very aspect of learning from books.  These years, reading good picture books, discussing, researching further and recording our learning established a learning habit that the kids were able to take into their independent learning years.
  • Book lists – Initially I created a book list for my kids – ensuring that they had titles covering a variety of subjects and content.  By middle-upper highschool they were able to create their own booklists.
  • Reading Log – This is where they would record the titles that they read, the date, and the subject matter the book covered.
  • Note-taking Bookmark – I like to read with a pencil in hand, and I don’t mind marking the books that I read (if they belong to me), but not all my children where happy with this idea.  So I created a bookmark note-taking sheet: a piece of lined paper, that recorded their notes while they read – doubling up as a bookmark.  By using this piece of paper they always had their notes with them, and once they were done with the book, they filed it in their the relevant section in their binders.  As they grew older they tended to use notebooks but this bookmark worked well for a few years.
  • Intentional conversations – I tried to ensure that I talked to my kids about the books they were reading.  I would ask them questions that would prompt them to think – questions beyond general comprehension.  I wanted my kids to glean wisdom (practical application in life because of knowing God).  Often our discussions would then become the basis of any written work they would then undertake.

We have a little motto in our house – never leave home without a book!  Reading has become a way of life for us and the only challenge with this is that there are so many good books, and not enough hours in my day!

 

The download link is on it's way.

Individual Education Planning Worksheets - brainstorming every area of your child's life.

Get your Planning Worksheets

I will email you the download link so you can start looking at all the different spheres of your child's life before you make any curriculum choices. 

The download link is on it's way.

An Alternative to Chocolate

An Alternative to Chocolate

Not that I have anything against chocolate - but these jelly beans can help your kids share the message of Jesus, his love, death and resurrection at Easter time.  

The download link is on it's way.

Parent Guide: How to make your Family Bible Study Really Work

Family Bible Study is Tricky with all the Different Ages

 

But there is a way to make this a rich learning and bonding family time.  This Guide includes tips, planning worksheet, and discussion prompts.  

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

Download yourCharacter Certificates

Though true character is driven by internal motivation, our children will appreciate when we see that they are growing in character.

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

Download your Character Certificates

Though true character is driven by internal motivation, our children will appreciate when we see that they are growing in character.

The download link is on it's way.

Download your Cheat Sheet

 

A quick reference to help you discern between a heart attitude and a lack of skill for when your child loses it!

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on its way.

Make God your First Response

Print out this parenting reminder to call out to God in the middle of the moment.

I'm excited to share this download with you. Watch your inbox.

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

I will email you the download link.

The download link is on it's way.

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

You will receive an email shortly with the details. Watch your inbox.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Download Parenting Poster

Download Parenting Poster

Learn to respond to your child in a way that changes their heart.

 

I will email you the download link.

The download link is on it's way.

Download Parenting Poster

Download Parenting Poster

 

Learn to respond to your child in a way that changes their heart.

 

I will email you the download link.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Our children hear different words when we react to when we respond. Do your children hear blah blah blah when you correct them? Includes a parenting poster.

Download Parenting Poster

 

When we Respond instead of React we find a way to deal with the heart not just behaviour.

 

I will email you the download link.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Download Character Lesson Guide

You will receive an email shortly with the details. Watch your inbox.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

When family relationships get tense - look for the niggles.

Heart Focused Parenting Resource for the Intentional Parent

 

Your download will arrive in your inbox shortly. 

Print it out and use to teach the hearts of your kids.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Free Email Course

Daily emails  (6 days) to help you walk towards being a heart focused homeschool family!

You have joined the email course. Watch your email inbox!

Find ways to Re-engage your Student

Download this checklist and stir your child's curiosity

Watch your Inbox - the Checklist is on it's way!

FREE Parenting Worksheet

This worksheet will help you move from addressing behaviour to really parenting the heart, one issue at a time.

 

 

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Personal growth starts with an honest assessment

The download link is on it's way. Please check your email.

Give Effective Consequences

Think before you React

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

 

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

One Another Verses

Be Intentional in the Teen Years

Use this Cheat Sheet to remind you of how you can love your teen.

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

#14 Heart Booster from Resource Library

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download your copy

Download your copy

Blending Life and Lessons - and start your journey of changing your thinking about education.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download: One Another Verses pdf

Download this list of One Another verses and teach your children how to love others.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Raising Kids with Character

ATTEND LIVE : FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP

A bonus for Heart Booster readers:  Learn how to teach character to your kids so that they can live their lives making values-based choices.

 

Live Session:  5th May 2021, 6.30pm AWST

Replay available until 16th May 2021

 

I'm so excited about this workshop - thanks for joining me!

Raising Kids with Character

REPLAY OPTION : FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP

A bonus for Heart Booster readers:  Learn how to teach character to your kids so that they can live their lives making values-based choices.

 

Replay available from 6th May until 16th May 2021

 

I'm so excited about this workshop - thanks for joining me!

Raising Kids with Character

WAITLIST

 

The Raising Kids with Character parenting workshop will be offered again this year - details yet to be confirmed.  Join the waitlist so you don't miss out. 

I will keep in you in the loop as soon as decisions have been made!

Bonus Reading list

 

Sharing my Homeschool Belief File

Knowing what you believe and why about education and homeschooling helps you make good decisions.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Build your Family Routine
Starter Kit:

Assess and Plan how to use your time wisely with this worksheet bundle.

Instant download, and then join the Heart Boost Weekly, by confirming in your email.

Success! An email link is being sent to you!

Heart Boosters

Free Parenting Support

... delivered to your email inbox

Success! An email is on it's way!

Free email course

... delivered to your email inbox

Success! An email is on it's way!

Download: Family Devotional Activities (PDF)

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download:Workshop Resource

This is a digital product. Download and print - but please don't share. 

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

#21 Heart Booster from Resource Library

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

%d bloggers like this: