Saturday, April 30, 2011

What My Child is Reading - Our Week In Books

Our reading this week was really connected to what we were doing, or seeing.

For instance, to go along with our letter pocket project...



...we read Nancy Loewen's Sincerely Yours, Writing Your Own Letter, which details how to write both business, and informal letters, and the circumstances when you might use them. Although brightly illustrated, it is a nonfiction story, probably best for ages 8-12.


After our dandelion harvesting expedition ,we read Mia Posada's Dandelions Stars in the Grass.


And, then we went back outside to dig up a dandelion, so we could examine the root, as suggested in the back of the book...


...and in the process, we unearthed an earthworm...



...which led us to read Vivian French's Yucky Worms. It's written like a fictional picture book, for younger children, telling the story of a boy, and his grandmother in the garden. But, it's filled with enough factual worm information, for older children to enjoy, too.



My only complaint against the book is French's profuse use of the word "poop" (not one of my favorite words). However, upon closer examination of our worm, I had to agree that it was not unwarranted.



We've also noticed the first summer birds beginning to arrive around our feeder...


...prompting us to check out our hands down, favorite book of the week:



I'm not usually a big fan of punch-and-hear type books, but when the audio is bird song, from Cornell Lab of Ornithology, corresponding to short write ups, and beautiful illustrations of 250 American songbirds, I'll make an exception.

There were many more books, and experiences I'd like to share, and recommend. It's been one of those weeks when we have more library books in the house, than time to read them. In fact, I need to go, and sort through them now, so I can return about half of the sixty or so we have out, before the next bunch arrive in.

Stay tuned for more dandelions, ladybugs, and a trip to Lilliput with a certain 18th century traveler.


But first, click over to the What My Child Is Reading link-up, at Mouse Grows Mouse Learns, to find out what other families have been reading, and are recommending, this week.

It's great to be a homeschooler.

12 comments:

Joyful Learner said...

All those books look great! I'm amazed you captured the worm 'pooping'!

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

Joyful Learner - Believe me, it wasn't intentional!

Phyllis said...

I like how you use your books as a launching point for more active learning.

Christy Killoran said...

I am shocked about the worm photo too! I had to look and look again! I also have to admit that one of the first words R learned to spell is "poop" - ugh, and she taught one of her friends how to spell it. It's a good thing I am friends with the mom.

You have some really interesting books this week. All of our home learning revolves around books we find at the library. I love the library. I can't have more than 25 books out at a time though or I have great anxiety. Although, if I had six children, I guess 60 books wouldn't be that big of a deal.

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

Christy - That's a few more than I like to have out at once. I have it back down to 34 now though, so I'm feeling better.

Ticia said...

We have the bird book too, and it is SO cool!

I love letter writing books. There's something about them that are fun.

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

Thanos for joining WMCIR! I have the worm book on the way to us - I thought it on another blog, and I am sure that it will be well received here. The songbird book looks very intriguing!

Heather @ Camp Slop said...

Love the books you picked. My kids are crazy about birds so I know they would love the bird sounds book (we just have a regular field guide backyard book now that they love).

I will have to check out the dandelion book as well since my daughter thinks they are the most beautiful flowers in the world. :)

Mandy said...

That bird book looks amazing! I think we will have to get that one!

Susan said...

I will definitely be looking for the bird songs book! Thanks for the suggestion earlier :)
I also want to look for the dandelion titles because we've been doing some nature study with dandelions.

Jackie Higgins said...

I love how your books inspired adventures and your adventures inspired more book reading!

Fun Mama - Deanna said...

I'm impressed that all of the books you read are on similar topics and work with your schooling.