Learning to Read

Sam is starting to read. Sam really likes to run around. Sam is easily frustrated. So, I recently asked my Facebook friends for help thinking of activities that combine moving around and reading.

Several people suggested hopscotch with words, but I don't know how to play hopscotch so we haven't tried that. Other suggestions could be grouped under the heading of scavenger hunt. That's something I understand and plan to do.

Yesterday we accidentally bumped into a successful reading moment. Some friends came over to watch the Superbowl and, like millions of other football partygoers, brought some beer to share. As soon as they walked in Sam spotted the box and hollered "Bud Light!"

Lately we've been reading chapter books to Sam and Jude. They loved The Boxcar Children. It's a little saccharine for me, so we're taking a break. Nate the Great, a series of mysteries a la Encyclopedia Brown for the early-elementary set, is the hands-down favorite here. I tried little Tom Sawyer, but it requires a good bit of translation (the vocabulary is very advanced) and Tom is a sassy kid. We don't need to inspire more sass than we come by naturally.