When I began homeschooling, I of course knew that math was an unavoidable subject. I had some trepidation as my own relationship with math was less than delightful. Surely as a child I at first found numbers fun. There was a certain sense of excitement and gratification in putting bigger sums together and solving increasingly… Read More Why I hate to Teach Math
The merry month of May is half over already. Still, for those who like to know what I’ve been up to in books, here are those I finished in April. The Little Duke by Charlotte Yonge. Though my children have read this book, it is one of Yonge’s books I have not read. I had… Read More April’s Reading
Here is my regular report of the books I finished reading last month. I usually have six to ten going at a time and divide them into specific days, much as we do our children’s dozen to two dozen books for school lessons. Every day I read the Bible, poetry, and Charlotte Mason, then two… Read More My Reading in March
I closed several books during the dark month of December, the dark month that is more festive and bright with celebration than any other—just one of the paradoxes of life. With all the Christmas preparation, I had several books to keep me company and to enhance the enjoyment of the season. This rounds up the… Read More Last Month’s Reading
A mother wrote me about her eight-year- old son who is crazy about books. He has piles next to his bed, a basket full in the car, and walks around with a book in his hand. This is thrilling, but her concern is that he often peeks at the end first. I know adults who… Read More Is It Cheating to Read the Ending First?
The next question that came in for me to address ran as follows: “My 16-year- old son was once an avid reader—read historical fiction, fantasy, and children’s classics over and over again. Then, he fell out of love a few years ago. He says he only wants to read fiction about people his own age… Read More My Son’s Lost that Readin’ Feelin’
Here’s another summer reading question: “I would like to know any tips you have for my 11yo son who has struggled to learn to read. He is now able to read on his own; he read through all of the Three Boys series and is now onto The Happy Hollisters. (I still think he prefers… Read More Growing Pains in Reading
Considering the packed calendar this month, I’m somewhat amazed that I read or finished reading the following this month: 1. The Mistress of Husaby by Sigrid Undset. This is the second in the trilogy of Kristin Lavransdatter and picks up where the first left off, following her through her first ten years of marriage. I… Read More My May Reading
This is the kind of question that apparently wakes mothers early in the morning, or keeps them up nights, since the following was sent to me at 5:50 a.m., the day my “Summer Reading” query was posted. I had asked, what questions do you have about keeping your kids reading through the summer: “I’m glad… Read More Can You Help Me With My Struggling Reader?
“I’d love to hear a post on reading in stressful times.” was a request of a long-time follower of Living Books Library. I understood. I have lived through some stressful times myself. Reading helps. Let me be more exact: reading is a survival technique. Through nearly 40 years of marriage, six children, aging parents, 20… Read More Reading Under Stress