Throwback Tuesday: How I Fostered a Love of Reading and Writing with My Boys
*Originally shared August 7, 2012 when my boys were 4, 6, & 8--- gosh do I wish I had written their stories out in full. I am dying to know/remember what they wrote!
Many of our library books were due back at the library this morning and this led to quite the reading frenzy.
My boys love the books they take out and rarely want to return them when it is time.
We tend to check out multiple books each and it can get confusing when they renew some books and return others while checking out new books. After a while I can't remember what books are due when so there are days like today when I announce all books are going back.
We had 8 books that the boys wanted to read one last time before we left so we split them up; Ian read 2, Alec read 2 and I read 4.
I was OK with this compromise because I know that while Ian can read he really does not like to read out loud. When I suggested we all take turns and they could pick out which two they would like to read I didn't get a single argument or complaint.
It was the perfect way to start our day.
Once we finished reading our pile of books we headed to the library where my boys all used the card catalog and found books to check out. They looked all through the stacks and the books, taking time for reading, picture walks and even learning how to request books from other libraries.
I allow my boys free reign of what they read and they are free to pick out anything that interests them.
We were in the library for over an hour.
On the way home we listened to a few books on Cd's that we had checked out. The boys recently discovered the pigeon series by Mo Willems. They love these books and think they are a riot.
My boys love the books they take out and rarely want to return them when it is time.
We tend to check out multiple books each and it can get confusing when they renew some books and return others while checking out new books. After a while I can't remember what books are due when so there are days like today when I announce all books are going back.
We had 8 books that the boys wanted to read one last time before we left so we split them up; Ian read 2, Alec read 2 and I read 4.
I was OK with this compromise because I know that while Ian can read he really does not like to read out loud. When I suggested we all take turns and they could pick out which two they would like to read I didn't get a single argument or complaint.
It was the perfect way to start our day.
Once we finished reading our pile of books we headed to the library where my boys all used the card catalog and found books to check out. They looked all through the stacks and the books, taking time for reading, picture walks and even learning how to request books from other libraries.
I allow my boys free reign of what they read and they are free to pick out anything that interests them.
We were in the library for over an hour.
On the way home we listened to a few books on Cd's that we had checked out. The boys recently discovered the pigeon series by Mo Willems. They love these books and think they are a riot.
After we finished listening to two of them they started coming up with other funny Pigeon titles-- "Wouldn't it be funny if they had a Don't let the pigeon drive the skid steer." After at least 20 more pigeon titles that kept cracking them up I said "well, you have a bunch of ideas for titles but what would the pigeon say then."
That was it.
That was all it took for my boys to start telling their own stories!
We got home and they were still talking about it. I said would you like to actually write down your story ideas after lunch?.... And their eyes lit up!
They were excited about writing and brainstormed all through lunch. I told them they could even change the characters and have something like a cheetah instead of a pigeon. That started another whole round of discussions and title ideas.
For the next hour my boys sat down and worked on their stories. I was pretty impressed; even Evan wanted to "write" so he dictated a story idea to me (Don't let the bear eat my stage).
Ian made all the pictures to go along with his story as he wrote Don't let the fat bear drive the jet ski and finished about half of it.
Alec decided to write a "let the" book instead of a "don't let" book and titled his Let the Peacock eat the salad. Midway through writing he told me that the peacock was going to offer him 100 million dollars to eat the salad bowl and then changed his mind to infinity. While infinity money doesn't sound right in a story... he knows that infinity is the highest possible amount so I chose not to say anything and let him take creative writing license with that one. He also stunned me by asking "would I just write the sideways eight that means infinity or would I write the word infinity?" I asked him how he knew the symbol and he said because dad told me one night and I remembered.
I love that all this writing was hardly even guided by me. This was mostly their idea and their excitement that fueled all this learning with only a bit of prompting and help from me.
I may be a bit prejudiced but I loved these stories.
They made me laugh and I was so proud of their ideas. Best of all they're excited to write more of them!
That was it.
That was all it took for my boys to start telling their own stories!
We got home and they were still talking about it. I said would you like to actually write down your story ideas after lunch?.... And their eyes lit up!
They were excited about writing and brainstormed all through lunch. I told them they could even change the characters and have something like a cheetah instead of a pigeon. That started another whole round of discussions and title ideas.
For the next hour my boys sat down and worked on their stories. I was pretty impressed; even Evan wanted to "write" so he dictated a story idea to me (Don't let the bear eat my stage).
Ian made all the pictures to go along with his story as he wrote Don't let the fat bear drive the jet ski and finished about half of it.
Alec decided to write a "let the" book instead of a "don't let" book and titled his Let the Peacock eat the salad. Midway through writing he told me that the peacock was going to offer him 100 million dollars to eat the salad bowl and then changed his mind to infinity. While infinity money doesn't sound right in a story... he knows that infinity is the highest possible amount so I chose not to say anything and let him take creative writing license with that one. He also stunned me by asking "would I just write the sideways eight that means infinity or would I write the word infinity?" I asked him how he knew the symbol and he said because dad told me one night and I remembered.
I love that all this writing was hardly even guided by me. This was mostly their idea and their excitement that fueled all this learning with only a bit of prompting and help from me.
I may be a bit prejudiced but I loved these stories.
They made me laugh and I was so proud of their ideas. Best of all they're excited to write more of them!
Linking up with:
Helping your child discover the joy of books is one of the best gift you can give your children, I always think. Like you I've tried to instill a love for reading in my children. However, unfortunately it didn't 'take' with all five of them ; )
ReplyDeleteI have one that pretty much always has his nose in a book, another that only reads when he's really bored, and one that will do anything to get out of ever having to read again... so only mildly successful on my end too.
DeleteGreat job Mama! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThat's so wonderful that they all love reading and writing!
ReplyDeleteWell... they did until they hit high school and college. Now I only seem to have one that has genuinely kept that love.
DeleteI was an early childhood educator who loved sharing books with my children and students. I continuously incorporated books into my curriculum.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Pigeon series. It was so fun, and the series excited all the kids about reading.
Great post!
I am so glad your grown kids continue to pursue that path for the love of reading and writing. Bravo, Momma!
Thank you!
DeleteIt is wonderful that your boys are such great readers and writers.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat a lovely post! This has always been such an important part of my life as a parent too. All of my kids love to read and the youngest two achived greater depth in reading at primary school. A love of books and reading is a great thing to pass down to your kids.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI couldn't love this more! Mason loved to read when he was younger but not so much anymore.
ReplyDeleteYeah that happened with 2 of mine too; though my middle son still pretty much always has a book at hand!
DeleteHow good of you! The joy of reading is underestimated!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is!
Delete"I allow my boys free reign of what they read and they are free to pick out anything that interests them." - Absolutely love this line! I have always had a library card. I had so much fun reading about their idea and stories. I am sure those stories still make you smile.
ReplyDelete-Soma
Thank you so much!
DeleteI had one voracious reader and 2 not interested - they liked me to read to them, loved going to the library but once they grew into reading on their own, no interest. One I tempted back with manga and graphic novel series and one I still buy books but I think they're unread mostly....ahhh.
ReplyDeleteYes, graphic novels helped me keep one reluctant reader going too; in fact he recently asked for me to order a bunch of them for him through our library's website.
DeleteI was so lucky all three of my kids liked to read. They each liked different kinds of books, too. The youngest two are still great readers. My youngest writes songs so I guess poetry would be his thing. My daughter is/was a lot like me. She writes beautifully but doesn't, necessarily, enjoy it.
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
Oh yes, I found that all 3 had very different tastes when it came to books!
DeleteI enjoyed your post and wonder if readers are created or if they naturally enjoy reading. As a middle school and high school teacher, I noticed some kids who loved to read and others that just were not interested in the least. It's great that your kids love reading. It is a skill that definitely helps us learn, and I noticed the readers were better students.
ReplyDelete