Airplanes and crazy folk. WMCIR Oct 2nd, 2010

I haven't been around on a Saturday to even think about what the kids have been reading, I am so glad I have the chance today to stop and think about it.



Dude has been rather interested in paper airplanes every since he figured out he could make them himself.  He learned that the science olympiad even has a event centered around paper airplanes!

Last week I requested a few books about airplanes from the library to see what he could learn.  He has been having a lot of fun with 'The Kids Guide to Paper Airplanes"  by Christopher Harbo, and "Paper Airplanes" by David Mitchell. (Amazon doesn't have a picture and I am not sure where my camera is)

Several planes were tested, Dude is just starting to discover his haphazard methods of folding lead to subpar results.  I don't know if he will learn to be more careful, or give up planes.  Still a bit to early to tell.

Princess and I discovered a new seriese thanks to a recomendation by my cousin (Adventures of an Avid reader)  She didn't mention it in her blog, I read it in her personal Facebook page.  Though I wish she would review younger kids books.  Anyway the reading level is a bit younger than Princess is capable of, making it the perfect 'fluff' book in between chapters of Trixie Beldon.  Dude refused to even consider reading it.  I had to surpress a smile at the kid I distictly recall teaching to read (and who was in tears over some nonsensical thing just a second ago) claiming he was 'too old for that'. 


"Miss Daisy is Crazy" is by Dan Gutman, it follows the a second grader as they learn their teacher can't read, spell or do math.  I can't get the file loader to load a photo.  Oh well, this is apparently not my day for computer cooperation.  The book is rather silly, I wouldn't call it educational, though there are times, like when the kids explain how to multiply, that kids might be reminded of some info.  Princess liked it enough to request the second.

Baby Girl enjoyed "My 'a' sound  box " by Jane Belk Moncure.  Little a puts things in his box that start with a.  If I were coordinated we would borrow book that goes with the letter of the week, but I just can't be that organized.

We had to go request another "Otto" book for Little Man, he has read a few including "Swing Otto Swing" by David Milgrim.  It is a simple ready to read book, well beneath his ability.  But I keep telling myself the kids enjoying reading is more important than me actually forcing them to challenge themselves.  I did afterall insist on reading "The curse of the Titans" myself yesterday - before I would let Dude read it, I refused to allow him to steal it till I was done!  I was kind enough to finish it in one day though.  Just because I can read college level books doesn't mean I can't enjoy a nice kid story.

The other day a mother was telling me how her child impressed her by accomplishing something (buttons, or zippers or putting a coat on, something kids find hard) and then there was the battle the next day to make the kid do the new skill by themselves.  Just becuase a kid can do soemthing doesn't mean we have to force them.  Pick your battles, save the energy for the ones that really matter.  Buttoning the kids shirt for another couple weeks, in the long run, wont really matter.

Lining this up with Mous Grows Mouse learns for what my child is reading