As we draw to a close, I am glad I got my son to the required reading level by the month before the end of school. Here is the irony. We are now reading past grade level, and not by choice. My son arrived home one shortened week without his homework books. We tried our own poetry module but that was too easy. So, I pulled out the chapter books! Was it in the back of my head to please the teacher? No, actually I thought it was just a better choice than a Level 2 Superhero book.
Now we are punished! In a good way! Now the teacher gives us a chapter book a week. My son perceives this as more work, he is a Math and Science kid (that’s how I know he’s straight!). We manage to do what we need to do, but the surprise is on him, he has to read over the summer so as to not fall behind for 2nd grade! He thinks last nights 3 chapters was the end.
I bought Cam Jansen Chapter books because they are appropriate for my sons age. I did not know Cam was a girl! It turns out it is OK, Cam is a detective, more of a Hardy Boy than a Nancy Drew, so my son likes her (he is sort of at the anti-girl age, another reason I know he is straight, I was the opposite!!). I am finding it difficult to find Chapter books for this age/reading level. Captain Underpants is not cutting the mustard for me, too much comic book action and Junie B will not work for us! Any suggestions?
I also appreciate the teacher requiring the students to write the title and author every day and a comment every other day. There cannot be enough writing practice for me, and he won’t do it unless the teacher tells him, I do not carry the weight that she does (actually, I carry double the weight, I am on a diet for that situation!)
Lastly, we just finished a poetry module, there was a poetry “slam” for the class and parents last week. My niece is in the same grade on Staten Island and they did not have this. The curriculum is basically the same, it is all the NYC Dept of Education, I am glad my school adds this. My son showed great interest in writing poetry and participating in this module, it made me feel very proud. And I found Shel Silverstein’s poetry, he is awesome!
This is my year end tribute, I do reserve the right to change my opinion in 10 minutes, though!
I very much enjoyed this. Thanks!
You might be interested in Kumon for your son. Both my kids are doing it have made great progress.
http://www.kumon.com/
I also recommend this diet book, “The Rosedale Diet.”
It will change the way you think about food. I lost thirty pounds on it. Hopefully, the link, below, will work. If not, just go to amazon and enter the title but be sure to pick the paperback version.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006056573X/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?ie=UTF8&cloe_id=62cd2111-0c8e-4a3e-a1bb-7f2c5cb5eea2&attrMsgId=LPWidget-A1&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0060565721&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1FQZQ8YXMNJS7S3G19Q9
A to Z mysteries, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Andrew Lost series would be good for P. We’re reading the A to Z mysteries now. Will pass it to you when we are done. HC
Great entry!! Have you tried Henry and Mudge books?? Most boys love them.
My niece is in 2nd grade, but had been reading below grade level. My sister starting getting her Geronimo Stilton chapter books which are not as cartoony — or disgusting — as Captain Underpants but keep the reader engaged by emphasizing words with different fonts and graphics. She no longer dreads reading and is above grade level in reading.
BTW…love Cam Jansen for boys. I’m using the books to prove to my son that boys AND girls can do anything.
Great post. I appreciate that Iam not the only parent of a boy in this age group feeling that Captain Underpants is an inadequate choice. I am researching books as well. Thanks for the suggestion. I love the personal comments too! Thanks for the enjoyable read.