Expanding Our Library

As of lately, I've been focused on expanding our library. It may have something to do with Kaylee's upcoming birthday, the expansion of our family (I foresee a lot of sitting time that will either be spent on the iPad or reading books), that kindergarten is just around the corner (I'd like to prepare Kaylee as much as we can without being tiger parents), or the simple fact that I am a little bored of reading the same books (although that is one approach in the quest of teaching kids how to read).

 I've been looking at books that fall in 3 different categories. First, books that Kaylee like just because she does. These books are typically found in the Scholastic flyer she receives from preschool (and will receive in elementary school).

 Second, books that I use in our informal "homeschool" lessons. A literature-based program that I found when Kaylee was almost 2 or 3 is a Christian homeschool program call Five in a Row. I like this program mainly for the book list. It had many books that I would never have know about. And it helps me pull out ideas and lessons from the books that I may not have noticed or known how to discuss.  

Another collection of books that I am looking into that falls into my second category is the Scholastic Reading Club Knowledge Quest set of books. These sets of books range in subject matter (astrnomy, geology, animals, plants etc), that are age-appropriate, a mix of fiction and non-fiction, and come with a guide book that provide vocabulary and activity ideas. These set of books are designed for at-home reading aloud by the parents on topics that may be presented in the classroom. Their website states, that children understand a topic through listening outpaces their comprehension through reading the subject matter themselves. And Kaylee definitely falls into that generalization. Just tonight I read to her, "The Reasons for the Seasons". A book that explains with limited scientific jargon how the earth rotating around the sun, and depending on which pole is closer to the sun, is what determines the season. And Kaylee states, "So when it is spring here, it is winter in Austrialia?". I correct her that it is autumn in Australia when it is spring here. And she replies, "ok". Kaylee definitely has a innate quest for knowledge. And it is usually on subjects I have limited specific knowledge on, so she'll often say, "look it up". So, I am very interested in obtaining some of these Knowledge Quest books.

Third, books that are designed to teach Kaylee how to read. Now, we have some BOB books and I Can Read! books that you can find in Costco and Target. Some of the I Can Read! books are fun and have a word list on the inside cover to focus on. BOB books, although designed to repeat the 3 sight words throughout the very short book, are colorless and often make zero story sense (and Curtis doesn't enjoy reading them). So I found America Reading @ Home, a home program offered by America Reading Company. We have been lucky to receive the complete 75-book program as an early birthday gift from the great-grandparents.  This bundle of books offers books of various subject matter, with colorful images or pictures, a story line that is informative and entertaining, as well as repeating those key sight words. As Kaylee gets more comfortable with the sight words (power words as AR@H calls them), we will then move up to the next level. Our bundle of books consist of the following levels: 1-3Y, 1G, 2G. Levels 1-3Y and 1G are considered kindergarten age, and 2G is beginning 1st grade. I feel Kaylee is currently between 3Y and 1G. But I am having her start at the 1Y level to make sure she is comfortable with the words. I expect to move though the Y level quickly. I also plan to use the power words in games and activities away from the book (see Sight Word Egg Hunt post as an example) to ensure that she knows the actual word and isn't just memorizing the repeating sentence pattern before we move on. 

Now, I wrote all this information not to bore you to death, but to share with you what we are doing down here in San Diego. It is also to remind myself of my own thought process through this journey toward an upcoming school-aged Kaylee. And I'd like for you to double check my findings. I don't mind feedback, thoughts, critiques, reminders, or comments. Well, I try my best not to mind ;).