Well, said girl is feeling a wee bit perkier now that the day is further along. Now I feel guilty about canceling the daycare assignment. Of course, whatever, though. It can't always be helped. I'm glad she's feeling better, but . . .
Does anyone else use Seton (I know you do, Dawn, and you and I have had this conversation)? If so, do you like forcing your kid to read a book they don't like and then have them do the book report? I mean, I see the absolute sense in the process of book reports the way Seton requires them to be done. However, for some bazaar arsed reason, all three of my kids HATE book reports. The books are usually met with "it was okay" after having been read, but initially greeted with disdain. Some of the books are . . . a tad predictable and boring, I must admit. Still. I like that they have to logically and intelligently write a report - not a simple re-telling of the story. There is a thesis that needs to be followed up. No first-person responses. That has been a lesson in this house, for sure!
The reason I have mentioned this is simply this: the girl finally turned in her first quarter book report to Seton. It took her long enough to extract her head from her . . . . oh, boy, I won't go there. But, I am tired of telling such an intelligent girl "just do it!" And, having to omit my emotions when doing so. I want to scream, but I don't. I just say a lot of marshmallow junk - and I get the paper in the last week of QUARTER TWO.
So, this morning I wrote everything down on a calendar that is due each day so that quarter two will be done this Friday - no if, ands, or buts. Their quarter two reports are due next week. I'm being too flexible, but I will remain FIRM that they turn them in to me by next Friday. It is not like these reports are difficult.
Okay, that is the last of the book report rants - ever. I just have to stick to my guns on this matter.
Pray for me?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
We are a Seton family and I was just having some of the same thoughts -- not about the reports, but about the books. We used to substitute a lot with the books, but Seton has put that to an end for most families (unless you have a really good reason). I was just thinking about how "not fun" most of the reading is. I have a friend who teaches 4th and 5th grade reading in Catholic school and she thinks Seton's reading is just awful (mostly reading comp and book report books). She says it's no fun. But, I always go back to "why does it have to be fun?" I don't remember reading being so much fun when I was in grade school, and I surely wasn't scarred. I certainly don't think it should be easy, either.
The book reports get easier. By the time my high schooler was in seventh and eighth grades, book reports were a piece of cake. My sixth grader is "getting it" too. You do have to set the timeline, though, and stick to it. I take away privileges if necessary. If it was due at school and they didn't turn it in, they would fail. There are some advantages to homeschooling, but I don't let it go too far.
Well, I used Seton for the first two years, but my oldest is only is second grade (we used it for Kindergarten and first grade). I agree that the books they have for reading are a bit on the boring side. And, I had some other issues with Seton, just because it wasn't a good fit for our family. That being said, I do feel that the book reports are a good thing, even if it can be similar to getting a root canal!
I said a prayer for you!
Hail Mary...
Hey JOT..mine don't particularly care for the books either. However, compared to popular fiction for kids in today's book stores, I'd go with Seton. The books usually follow a certain theme which makes them easier to grade en masse. When mine don't like the first choice book they have chosen the alternative book and that has worked out very well. Have you tried that?
I used to use Seton and I thought the book reports were really valuable for teaching them to write logical papers. I don't remember how they felt about the books. I do know though that now that they are in school it's not at all unusual for them to have to read a book they don't like. It's a good life lesson.
Hope you finally got to the doctor to find out if she needed antibiotics or not. Sorry, I have no advice on the homeschooling, but I do know that in the public school my kids often have to read books they don't particularly like. I remember having to too. It's kind of like, tough cookies, that's just life! :-)
Seton is and has been tough, granted, and yes, we used them, but I will forever be beholding to them...they truly cared when few did.
I know its slow at times, but keep trying..they'll work with your kids..I know they will..the main thing is if the grader has read the books and the books are spiritually healthy for the student..something they can learn an important lesson from, etc. They do want the child to make it..I believe that. I know its tough sometimes...sure have been there! :)
God bless.
I read every book my kids do their reports on - so we can discuss the meaning etc. - but I make them tell me about the story and main characters - this way they control where the chat is going. Then, we work through the topic sentences given us (at least with the first two books - the saint books they get to figure out which virtues the saints had) and create an outline (just like Seton suggests - and this is a very good working tool for anyone wanting to organize their thoughts properly). I agree, I had to read some pretty dumb books (or so I thought) growing up in public schools - and book reports when I was a kid were done exactly the way Seton does them (for which I will be eternally grateful). My beef isn't so much with Seton, but with my kids attitudes (which, after reading comments and having thought about it: why the hell am I shocked about their attitudes?).
I appreciate everyone's comments, suggestions, and prayers - I just got "side-tracked" by my woe is me mumminess.
My girl did a book report (remember Dawn, when our kids were in class together and they both did a "report"?) . . . essentially, in 5th grade, she was required to only list the main characters, the title, author and illustrator of the book, the MAIN problem and how it was resolved. Essentially, what is nearly written on the reverse cover. Yeah? Well, she did that and got an A plus plus plus. Dawn, your son did equally as well (if I remember right) by having turned in a Seton-styled report - and turned in late, right? Sorry if I got it wrong. Anyway, the public system in MD is lacking at teaching kids logical thought.
Just one more reason I'm glad I do this.
God love you all (esp. if you stuck it out reading this far).
All I can say is, you're almost done with the 2nd quarter already? We're only on Week 11!
Does that make you feel better?
Writing those book reports is like pulling teeth--the kids fight it and so do I. Why? Because reading is easy but writing is hard. And I'm a former English teacher!
Doing a timeline is an excellent idea. Barbara was right; if they were in school they would have a deadline. Period.
Have you read the new First Quarter 4th Grade book, The Small War of Sergeant Donkey, by the way? It may change your opinion of Seton's reading books, as it's really good.
Last bit of advice. The next time you're feeling fed-up with your children, go to Barnes & Noble wander around the Adolescence Lit aisle. You will race home and hug them and kiss them and happily dig right back in. :)
Margaret! Margaret! I feel so blessed you've come 'round. Tea? Decaf? Choccies? Congratulations, again, on the good and wonderful news of your babe in the oven!!
Yes, the reading is easy, the writing is hard. But, not as hard (for me) as keeping a time-line. Yes, a time-line is exactly what I have done this week. Guess what? it works! So far, they are not asking to push something to the next day - they are doing what is written down.
We began school early - in anticipation for the Navy to move us to Hawaii in April/May, at the latest July 2009. Exciting? Yeah. But, moving is crazy. My dh wants to drive us, the cat, and the dog across the country after we check out of here . . . with stops in Iowa (his family) and Washington (my family). We'd ship our van from Seattle. Fun, huh? So, I convinced everyone we start early - so far, so wonderful!
Anyway, I'm going to try desperately to not complain again - because so many good things come from teaching at home. :)
God bless you Margaret (and all you other lovely gals, too).
Post a Comment