A let down
Book club Saturday began on a bit of a disappointing note (for me) because only two children had read the story and that was really sad. It’s just five or six pages (and in 14 point size – that’s huge) The thing is the kids like to read and they enjoy the story but once they’re home, other things take over – TV, computer games, friends, but mostly TV… and the story lies forgotten till the next Book Club Meeting.
I wish we had limited TV transmission. Yeah I know I know that’s selfish and impractical and that TV has it’s uses. Eight months of bedrest during pregnancy taught me that well enough.
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| Wish i could put that on all TV sets! |
It’s just that it’s SO ADDICTIVE!! Sigh!
And then I reminded myself that it had been just a month.
I was wondering if I should ask the moms to tell the kids to finish the story. I had not wanted to involve them because the moment there’s any kind of pressure and the reading becomes a compulsion it loses it’s fun. I’m still a bit undecided on this one. I certainly do not want the moms to push but maybe reminding and encouraging the kids would help. Or maybe they could get the kids to read just a page a day, before they sleep. It would hardly take five minutes.. yes five minutes, that’s it.
My other problem is H! He is completely disruptive, to put it mildly. No amount of talking is helping. He argues and wants to read first and hates to hear a ‘No’. Help guys. What should I do? A bit at a loss here.
The meeting..
And so we spent the first half of the meeting finishing the story. Then we went on to talk about the Firebird and what it would look like. ‘I don’t know‘ was the first response. Then slowly they came up with wonderfully imaginative descriptions and together we made up a fantastic creature. And then we talked about other imaginary birds and animals… Centaurs, Phoenix and Unicorns.
A Turkish Story
Time always falls short and we intend to continue the discussion today along with finding Turkey and England on the Globe.
This Saturday ..
I have another lovely story called ‘Home’ about a young Sri Lankan Girl who has to move to London.
Wish me luck guys.
Oh! I forgot to mention, TV is actually – truly! – addictive. 😉
Hah! Tell me about it.
A book club for kids: how wonderful Tulika! I love books and kids and think it's a perfect combination. If you are able to get to the roof of H's behaviour, then the mystery will be solved. Are you able to speak to his parent why he might feel the need to read first? Perhaps this will provide a valuable tool in what you can do next. Good luck and have fun! 🙂 <3
Hey Elly, H is my son :-D! Which is precisely why he's acting tough because he knows he can get away with it, maybe.
I think your book club idea is great. Great idea to make kids read. Have been following your book club journey for a while now. What I can think of is instead of asking the kids to read the story at home, why not make them read in the session itself. Maybe kids can take turns and each kid can read a para or two aloud. I also think the idea given by Anonymous is good.. maybe read part of the story in the session and read the rest at home?
We do that AK but often it's not possible to finish the entire story because we've got just one hour and I've to squeeze in an activity too.
Tulika, at least they are showing up so far! They will get into it gradually just keep on doing what you're doing. I feel sometimes we bribe our kids too much that they get used to it so I wouldn't advise any material incentives. You're very creative so I'm sure you'll come up with some other way for kids to feel like reading before hand. How about starting a story and then having them finish reading before they come back for the next session? Maybe you'll awaken a curiosity about what happens in the story? Just love your blog.
Nupur
Yes Nupur.. it's kind of good news that they're still coming. We've been doing that all along.. reading a bit of the story. They weren't finishing it at all. Thanks for the compliment.
It is heart-breaking! But I am sure the incentive idea should work! Don't lose hope and I can't wait to hear about this new book about the Sri Lankan!
Thanks Veens. It was a bit disheartening but I have good news from the latest meeting. Update to follow soon.
Bravo to you for keeping up the book club, despite the many challenges. You deserve to be commended.
I agree about giving incentive for getting that reading done at home. What about prizes or stars or something to acknowledge those who finish the reading? Or those who have read the story get to share what they read and lead the group doing a craft or something? Just a thought.
You're doing a great thing. Good for you! *applauds*
http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2014/09/from-15-to-50.html
Point noted about the incentive. Thanks for sparing us a thought Cathy.
How sweet! 🙂 lol, yeah, i found it sweet. My mom said I loved to read than watch t.v. 😛
Too cool.
I have no advice, but want to say that I think it's wonderful that you're doing a book club for kids! It's something I would have LOVED to have been a part of when I was young. Keep it up!
Thanks Laurel.
You are doing such a wonderful thing…I wish I had suggestions as to how you could interest the kids in reading the stories at home…I have no experience with kids yet !! sigh!But I'm sure you will think of something
I like your faith in me Naba :-D. Thanks for that.
Agree with Raj. Give them an incentive for reading the story. Sorry for the limited comment. Typing with one hand is painful 🙁
Muah.. Shailaja for making the effort to write in. Just get well soon.
The stories seem so interesting and the activities sound so much fun! It's sad that kids fall prey to Tv rather than wanting to read. I've to thank my stars (and to some extent myself) that R rarely watches TV. When you say H wants to read first, is it because he wants to know the story first or because he generally wants to get ahead of others in the session? If it's the former, maybe you can have him read the story before hand, he might be more settled because he's more..err..prepared?? Good luck with the sessions. You are doing a great job!
I'm afraid it's the latter.. it's the 'I want to be first in everything' syndrome, Uma. If he knows the story beforehand he'll probably not sit at the meeting at all. Yes you're lucky.. rather you're a sensible mum. Habits are often a result of observation. Kudos to you.
I love how you are coming up with ideas and stories for every class 🙂 it must be so engaging and exciting. How about incentive for reading the story? that might encourage them.
It is Rajlakshmi. Great idea about the incentive, thanks. Will start from right-away from tomorrow's meeting.