Rascal

Our most recent book club choice was Rascal by Sterling North.  Nick read this book to Hermoine when she was six or seven, but it's one of those that isn't a hardship to repeat.    It's about a boy in the early 1900's who finds and tames a raccoon.   We all really loved it and the girls did a lapbook on raccoons to go along with it each night while I read.   I had initially printed up the lapbook for Ramona, but Hermoine asked for one as well.    Homeschoolshare.com is a fantastic site for free printables including lapbooks.   This is the link for the one we used.   Below are some snapshots of the girls' lapbooks. 

Our next book club choice is The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo.   I can't wait!

Ramona's Reading Test

Ramona took a reading test through her K12 teacher on Thursday.  The state decided to test kids in grades 1-4  in an effort to diagnose kids with reading problems.  I made it clear that I wasn't happy about the test for a few reasons.   First, she is extremely shy and she really didn't want to read to a "stranger" whether it was over the computer or in person.     Second, we are not doing any of our Language Arts through K12, so I didn't feel like they needed to take the initiative to test her.   Third, when we signed up for K12 through the state we agreed to testing at the end of the year for subjects we take through the State only.   That would be Science since they don't test for Music or Art.   And fourth, I told the teacher that her reading was fine and I didn't feel like she needed the test.   

At any rate, she did take the test.  In a web conference with her teacher she was given material she had never seen before and asked to read it.   She did so well the teacher then gave her the 5th grade test, and then the 6th grade test.   The teacher was very impressed  and told me we needed to keep doing whatever we've been doing.  I told her that we intended to.   She also asked if we read aloud to her often and I told her we did.  She said she could usually tell the kids who had been read aloud to a lot because not only are they advanced readers, but they read with expression.    That made me smile. 

I did like her teacher, she was very nice.   It's hard to give up control on these little things like the reading test, but I'm happy that we have a great teacher to work with.     

Book Recommendations

 Some recent reads that are well worth the time.   Recommended ages are my opinions only and are based on subject matter and vocabulary.

Number the Stars

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Ages 10+  This is a story of a girl, her family, and how they try to get her Jewish friend into hiding during the Holocaust.  This book really touched my 11 year old and sparked some great discussion.   When I read this about a year ago, I immediately added it to her literature pile.  It took awhile for her to choose it, but I knew when she did that it would be a powerful reading experience for her.  I wasn't wrong. 

The Star of Kazan

 The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson

Ages 7+  The rags to riches story of an orphan, a kidnapping, a miserable boarding school, stolen jewels, and the power of family.   We did this as a read-aloud during the summer and loved it.   We've read a handful of books by Ibbotson and they have all impressed me.

The Long Winter

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Ages 6+  The story of the Ingalls family during a long hard winter in the town of DeSmet, South Dakota.  This was my series growing up.   The books that I read so much that the covers were held on with tape.   The Long Winter was my second favorite book of all the Little House books, and still is.   When I became a parent, I read and re-read this series aloud to both of my girls.   My 11 year old enjoyed them, but my 9 year old loves them.   She's listened to me read them, listened to them on audio and is now working through the series for literature.    You can never go wrong with any of the Little House books!

And, just for fun:

How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Ages 5+   The story of Hiccup, the viking, and his dragon.   According to my girls, the books are nothing like the movie.   My 9 year old started reading these and talked about them so much that my 11 year old, and their 10 year old cousin, got hooked on the series.   These would appeal to any child with a sense of humor, particularly boys.   My 9 year old is anxiously awaiting the 8th installment, due out in November.