Well color me surprised. The girlies suddenly started to read tonight. We haven’t been trying to teach them, they’ve just shown intermittent interest before, and it certainly wasn’t something that came up this weekend. Actually we snuck away to Tahoe on Saturday, and I thought I’d have minute or two to post some pretty lake pictures tonight. But Ro and Ree had other plans. After dinner, they grabbed some of my mom’s old teaching books that were in the playroom and away they went.
What do they do, learn this stuff while I’m sleeping?
Seriously, congratulations baby girls. This is a huge step and your daddy and I are so proud of you. We are a teeny bit sad that this will soon mean the end of our beloved air spelling, but honestly we are truly ecstatic for you!
PS: We weren’t at all prepared for this, so you’ll notice that the video was really haphazard and the girls are wearing PJs with their hair still scraped back in the quite stylish “please don’t drag your freshly washed hair in your dinner” ponytails. And we didn’t think to separate Ro and Ree so they could each read in peace. Actually I don’t totally regret that one, because my fave moment in the video is at 4:54 when you see my hand come out of nowhere and cover Ro’s mouth to pull her back in her chair. Hee!
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You just need to use code words for certain things. For example, our code word for ice cream was "frozen confections". Our kids had no idea what "confection" meant so they ignored us.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the reading duo!! That's wonderful!
That's awesome! our kiddo was holding out on us too. I was working with her one some site words but little did I know that she knew all 15 of them at school until one day the teacher told me. So I sped home that day and made the kiddo read to me and behold, she was reading away! Have you heard of BOB books? Babygirl (who at 5.5 is not really a baby) tore through the first box.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Teresa, we have code phrases. A potassium stick is a banana. And the open verdant frolicking area is a park.
christina
AMAZING!!! What little smarties your girls are. Congrats on your huge accomplishment, Ro and Ree--wow!
ReplyDeleteSome very wise person has taught them phonics and it was fascinating watching them sound out words. As a former 2nd grade teacher I loved watching this video. It is not uncommon for bright kids to just "get it" and take off with reading. Have them read to each other.
ReplyDeleteThis is just great!
Wow! Isn't in incredible what children can teach themselves when they are provided with a rich and interesting environment.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ro and Ree!
So adorable! I love it when Ree says that Ro helped her a little bit. They are so sweet! My boys would have been yelling at each other to hush! heh...
ReplyDeleteKind of funny to see that it looks like they both use a different strategy!
ReplyDeleteI think this is the first time I leave a comment on your fabulous blog. I'm from Holland and are enjoying your blog for almost two years now. It's always a bright start of the day. You have a wonderful family!
Paulien
Congrats girls! Way to go!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! When your girlies decide it's time to do something they jump in with both feet! Way to go Ro and Ree! Amazing reading!!
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool to watch them sound out the words and to see them thinking as they're oh so close sometimes and then they persevere and figure it out! Wow!!
Heh...air spelling. At the rate they're going they'll be able to spell more than 3 letters at a time and we'll be the ones trying to figure out what they're saying!! :o)
OH THIS IS AWESOME!! MY EMMA DID THE SAME THING..I HAD NO IDEA, WE WERE ON A ROAD TRIP..I LOOK BACK AND SHE'S READING AWAY..UH? WHAT? WOWSA!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSO BLESSED!!!
GO RO AND REE:)
Great job girls. Where did you find the books? Love following your blog.
ReplyDeleteGo girls! A major milestone!
ReplyDeleteWow! Their teachers are going to move them right to the top of the class. :)
ReplyDeleteI can tell they have a solid phonics foundation! Great job, mom and dad! And way to go girls!
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteSuggestion:
ReplyDeleteEach day the child chooses a word that they want to be able to read. Frequently-chosen words include pet names, relatives' names, places visited, and other words not commonly taught at the K-1 level. Place the word(s) on oak tag/file card strips on a big ring or in a shoe box. Review every few days. In just one year, each child will have 300+ sight words/phrases with special meaning to them!
Hi Kathy, they're books that my mom had from the early 70s, I think from when she used to teach preschool. I Googled them, but I don't think they're in print anywhere. The series is the "I Can Read" series by Sullivan Associates, and there are 8 books in the series.
ReplyDeleteYay!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! That's great!! You guys must be bursting with pride!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, I am very impressed!
ReplyDeleteThe payoff for your conscious and conscientious parenting . . .
ReplyDeleteYay!!
ReplyDeleteAbbey started reading this summer too, isn't it exciting!
Love the way they are tracking with their fingers and tackling the words.
I also loved seeing their swim lessons. They are just doing so great.