Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Wow

It was fun to see that a couple of you actually had some great ideas for posts :) I'm saving Laurie's for later, 'cause it takes a little more work, but I've been cogitating over it...

Septembermom, about helping you son's reading comprehension... You say he's very visual and has trouble keeping his mind on his reading? Is this only with school related material, or also with "free reading" type things-- ie, fiction? If it's reading of all kinds, I'd recommend that you try out some graphic novels. Obviously he does eventually have to learn to read regular books, but perhaps motivating him with a more graphically exciting genre will lead to more proficiency and interest in reading in general. And you might be surprised just how much great stuff there is out there in graphic novel format. For example, did you know that the classic Boxcar Children Series is now available in graphic novel form? There's even a graphic version of Cinderella!

If he reads fiction fine and only has trouble keeping focused when he's working on non-fiction reading, then my solution would be to try having him read out loud. Not as much fun, but will certainly help him stay in touch mentally with what his eyes are seeing. This is the problem I have. I love to read fiction! As long as the word pictures are flowing through my (also very visually oriented) brain, I'm good, but as soon as things start to get technical... whoo baby. I'm gone! :) Any time I have to follow directions or memorize facts, I HAVE to either say it out loud or graph/outline it with a four-color pen. A Bic Four-Color pen is the only reason I survived freshman history. And economics. And calculus. Blech.

Hosanna asked about our trip pictures... Well, I did post as many of them as I could. Crappy hotel internet and all... I have tons more as well as a super cute little button that Dawn made me (thanks, Dawn!) and I'd planned to post all the pics and link up all the posts to that button in my sidebar, but.... I just got un-motivated (sorry, Dawn...:( ) Perhaps your request will motivate me once again! Who else is interested in seeing more pictures?? Anyone?


4 comments:

Denise said...

Well, I honestly love pictures. So I'm interested in that!

And, really? I want to hear your and J's love story. I've heard bits and pieces, but I'd rather the whole thing from you, in a start-to-finish kind of way!!!

Hosanna said...

Oh yeah...... the love story, Lis! I mean, I know it, but it's been a while since then......
hey, have you ever read Pioneer Woman's love story on her web page? She wrote it like a romance novel, and I finally got to reading about it. Wow! Steamy........ check it.
For Valentine's day, I might do something like that on my blog, and reveal little known juicy tidbits from Kevin and I's CRAZY early romance.
Great idea, Denise.......

septembermom said...

Hooray I can comment!!!! I'm so glad that I asked for your help. I love your ideas of introducing graphic novels to my son. I think it would work well for him. I also love your idea about reading passages out loud to make them stick in his head. Thanks again for your great advice!!

Dawn said...

No prob. I thought you just didn't like it!