All About Reading

“Our first and foremost job in the education of our children, then, is to nurture a love for reading. We can pretty much shelf everything else until we’re nailing that. -Sarah McKenzie @readaloudrevival 

So, my 7 year old Ezra Judah has not been too interested in reading in his short little life. And you know what, I’m not worried!  See, I saw this with my Amelia. Then, it terrified me.  Now I get it. Amelia was not interested in reading one bit until in 3rd grade when she read the book, “The Trumpet of the Swan” and from that moment til this, she has devoured more books than I have ever seen. And not just any books. She loves the classics. Words that make you think.  Words than mean something.  

I learned first hand what researchers already know. That children are ready for reading at different levels and that early readers don’t necessarily end up being avid readers compared to late readers.  My oldest learned to read at 4. Also an avid reader who devours books.  This is my goal in education.  To create life long learners and readers.  

Fast forward to this year when my Ezra struggled with wanting to read.  He learned to read but simply hasn’t discovered how awesome it is yet.  He reads and writes backwards a lot. He knows what each blend makes but I can see his little brain having to correct itself because of the tendency to read backwards. So, I get it, there are challenges, reading is a lot of work for him.  

So we decided to start using All About Reading to solidify all that he’s learned and to make reading easier and more fun!  I have heard wonderful things about this program.  It is great for students who struggle with reading, have dyslexia or are very hands on learners.  There aren’t written worksheets. Everything is games and the readers are really funny and beautifully illustrated!  So far he is LOVING it!  Level 1 has 53 lessons, which isn’t too much. While new readers may spend a couple days on each lesson we are breeding through them and I can see his confidence building.  

I will have a flip through of the books as well as my opinions about the program in the weeks to come.  So watch my IGTV @letthemlovelearning for those videos. 

Happy reading friends!