I've got LG only...2nd, 1st, with a preK and toddler "listening in".

We do great with the history books, activity books, and picture style books.

I'm finding, though, that the chapter books just aren't grabbing the attention...We quit "Of Courage Undaunted" after about 20 pages. Right now we are reading "Once on This Island" and we MIGHT make it through. It's better than Courage, but still...maybe above them.

Anyone else have LG kids who just don't care for the chapter books yet?

I'm thinking that for unit 2, we may skip the big chapter read-alouds, and catch them the next time around.

Thoughts?

(BTW, we've done year 1 (kindy), year 2 (1st and kindy), and now year 3 (2nd and 1st)). Chapter books have been hit or miss in those years, too.

Anyone have any particular comments about the chapter books used in Unit 2 of year 3??

Same here. But, to put in a caveat, if my oldest who is now in 3rd grade had been the Pre-K to LG student, she would have loved the read alouds. My current 1st grader is a different story. Teaching her reminds of me trying to train a butterfly--flit flit flit what's this can I go here oh look at this what did you say...

So, no read alouds for her! Even some of the LG books are too much. She is a very good reader herself, but she just turned 6 and doesn't have the focus yet to sit as we read/discuss some of the other LG books that are written at more of the 3rd grade level.

And, my voice sure does get tired when we read aloud!

Deanna

My husband does the read alouds at supper time. We eat together almost every night of the week but read alouds only work about 3-5 nights a week. We tend to get behind so we don't do them all, just take longer for one and then he fills in the remaining time with catechism type materials or short allegory picture books. At first it was hard for the little ones but they have learned to sit and eat quietly and to listen respectfully. We found that eating keeps them quieter and more occupied than coloring or other busy work. As the 3 and 6 year olds finish dinner, they will ask to be excused and wander off without finishing the story. However, the 9 and 12 year old love it and stay to the end of the chapter. The 9 year old is more interested in "Once on this Island" than in "Courage Undaunted".

I am trying to do "Imprisoned in the Golden City" as a read aloud during the day and the kids keep reminding me that we are two weeks behind. I find it hard to fit in a time when they can all listen and I am not at that sleepy time of day when I can't read and stay focused.

Diane

I think it's very reasonable to wait until the next time round.

I've had some real success with readalouds - but I'm not doing them this year. My older kids don't need to spend the time on that, I don't really have the time to give to it, and my 7yo probably will be more interested next time round (and he may prefer to read silently, anyway). Last year we did some reading aloud and really enjoyed it, especially when the girls were working on their base maps, painting and such while I read. We really enjoyed that - actually, the kids have requested more of that sort of thing, so I ought to give this some thought....

Your kids have lots of time! Focus on what captures their attention right now - or add in something that helps focus them, like the lapbooks, which have greatly increased my 7yo's interest in the history reading.

My husband also does the read alouds, I've used the level above my kids for some of our choices
kim