As a kid I can say I was really picky about the books I chose to read and absolutely hated the ones the school said, “You need to read this.” And not only read it but talk about it and do a report on it.
Now I’m not sure about the rest of you but I hated being forced to read something that held no enjoyment or interest for me. Let’s just say I never received very good marks on those projects.
I do home school, but what I liked about the way the schools were handling the reading end of things here in Florida. Before I took my son out of public school, they let the kids choose which books they could read, in the level they’re in and there were quite a few choices.
Now as not only a home school mom, but a mom whose child has severe to profound dyslexia. I jump up and down when my son says, “Can I get a book.”
We do a program designed specifically for individuals with learning disabilities such as dyslexia to help him with his reading.
So we’re in Waldenbooks the other day and he says, ‘Can I get a book.’ Well heck yeah!!We picked up four books. Two Indiana Jones, a Japanese Manga and a book on how to draw.
So all in all it was a pretty fulfilling day of book shopping.
Some people have said to me that the Manga’s are like comic books because of all the pictures. Yeah but you know what, there’s words and words equal reading.
When he can tell me what the book was about, show me a page and read it to me. I’m one happy camper!!
So I let him choose which books he feels comfortable with and those he likes.
It puts a smile on my face when we’re in a store and he heads to the book section, looking for those Independent readers for teenagers. Hmmm, maybe that’s my next adventure. Writing a book my son can read, LOL.
If you have children, do you give them lee way in picking up that Judy Bloom or Wimpy Kid book? Or if you’re an aunty or uncle or grand parent do you pick up what you think they’d like, ask them or ask mom or dad? Or give them that gift certificate to the store and let them go?
C~
