Here it is, the summer before mini #1 starts kindergarten at a new school with new friends, teachers, and a uniform. And the kicker? He has summer reading before he can even technically really read. Sure, he can handle the basics like Cat, Hat, Bat, Sit, Dig, Fig, etc. But throw in a word with two vowels standing side by side (south), and it’s all over. So really? I guess that means Mr. Monogram and I have a summer reading list of 35 books that we are required to read and assess and talk about. I can’t tell you my eager anticipation of the many stimulating conversations ahead about Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten and about Henry and Mudge in a Puddle of Trouble (which, let me add, they should really consider changing to Mini #1 and mini #2 in a whole HELLUVALOTTA trouble). And I’m sorry, but I won’t even touch Whistle for Willie with a ten foot pole. We’ll be skipping that one. But are we expected to be examined on these the first day of school (because Monogram Momma’s got herself a spa day lined up to celebrate so I'm currently unavailable for testing)? So far this sheet says we have to initial next to every book we’ve read and the student and parents have to sign it. Again, they do know my child is just entering kindergarten right? I sure as heck hope they don’t have him signed up for 8th grade trigonometry b/c WOW-will they be disappointed that they accepted us! I really didn’t know I was expected to have him able to read on a Harry Potter level (complete with British accent no less I’m sure) before actually entering Kindergarten. I must admit, this puts a lot of undue stress on Monogram Momma. Hello? summer is my time for sunning and swimming. Apparently they just did not get the memo (I’m sure they will understand that though when I take him out of school for a week at the beach though).
So anyway, you might remember I mentioned these adorable Tag-Its from So Pretty personalized gifts a while ago. I love the idea of using them as bookmarks, which, let m
e just add, I could really use with all this summer reading now upon us (some of these books are not short!). And literally as I was typing this post about our summer reading, and planning on doing a creative book cover post, the owners emailed me with a great discount for all my fabulous readers. Since I know we all love a discount around here, I’ve put the craft post aside and made room for the important stuff today! As I’ve said, folks, now is a great time to start thinking about Holiday gifts for teachers, co-workers, friends, and family members. Just enter MONOGRAMMOMMA at checkout to receive 20% off your ENTIRE order (good through 8/31/07).
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11 Comments:
OMG - I can't believe you have a "reading list" for KINDERGARTEN! Maybe we should get started now ;)
What a great site. Thank you
I teach at a private school and we decided not to send home our summer reading list for our incoming first graders. We decided to have them read for homework at the beginning of the school year. Our list includes many choices students can make- not just required titles. If you have a chance to pick up Jim Trelease's Read Aloud handbook it will give you great suggestions for books to read aloud with your child. I have gone to two of his conferences and read his book twice!! I think it would be far better if you and your son chose a chapter book that he is interested in and you read aloud to him a little every night. A child's listening level is way above their reading level. I believe he would learn more listening to a fluent reader instead of struggling to read himself a picture book he may not be ready for. Reading needs to be a pleasurable experience at home not a frustrating one.
These are darling--I love the bookmark idea. They look like something you would have thought of.
I may try to make a few AS bookmarks!
Thanks, Joe! I'll have to go check out that book. It sounds really great. He is anxiuos to read b/c he loves books and I read to the boys a lot so that will be a good one for me to get.
His list is huge and we're allowed to choose the titles he reads. He just has to read a minumum # of titles. We went to the library with the list and checked out the ones we could find and are slowly but surely making our way through them all!
We're just now coming out from under our summer reading list. We got lucky that about half were books that have been in rotation for the last three years or so.
I second the Read Aloud Handbook. I've used it a lot over the last five years.
Oh, I see a navy & green one I need! Thanks! ;)
As the saying goes..."Honey, you ain't seen nothin' yet!" ;-) Just wait until the mini's get a little farther along. I used to wonder if the homework assignments were for my boys or for me! My all time favorite was when my 3rd grader came home from math with an assignment to find out how much his car weighed. That was clearly an assignment for me. I'll third the recommendation for the Jim Trelease book -- it's a classic. I used to give it with new baby gifts 'cause I loved it so much.
Gah, now I feel like I must get TCP Baby on a reading program! We're already 10 months behind! ;)
What if you couldn't find these at the library? What an expensive start to the year! I actually like a Whistle for Willie, but just because it has a dachshund in it. I actually think it only has one or two words doesn't it?
We didn't pick up Whistle for Willie b/c it wasn't at the Library and I've never read it, myself. I know a mom who bought the whole list and when I said "oh yeah, we just made a morning of it and went to the library for the books" she looked at me sort of dumbfounded.
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