It could be said that if not for a slightly impulsive email to Andrew Pudewa, the Read-Aloud Revival might not exist.
That’s right – today I am welcoming back Andrew Pudewa from the Institute for Excellence in Writing – who was also the very first guest on the podcast.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- why reading aloud matters
- when to start literary analysis with our kids (the answer might surprise you!)
- what to do if your kids what you to read all their schoolwork to them
Click the play button below:
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More free resources and booklists
Get the best episodes and reources
from the Read-Aloud Revival
Listener Guide
Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast:
- 5:14 How The Read-Aloud Revival was born
- 6:49 Why read aloud with older kids?
- 10:15 What is reading comprehension really?
- 13:03 Encouraging kids to read better books
- 20:16 When should I worry about my late reader?
- 24:09 Should I read aloud my child’s assignments?
- 25:04 When should I start literary analysis?
- 28:43 Homeschooling high school
- 33:23 Let the kids speak
A couple takeaways …
- Treat them like individuals.
“One of the worst things we do is we attach grade level to age, and then we assume because a child is a certain age, he should have certain knowledge or skills or ability and it never works out that way … Let’s treat kids like individuals and not get attached to the age-grade-ability paradigm that’s so destructive.”
- What lights them up.
“It reminds me of the Charlotte Mason philosophy to give your child something to think about, something to do and something to love … Giving them the time and space and opportunities to figure out what’s going to light them up.”
Books from this episode:
(All links are Amazon affiliate links.)
The Bark of the Bog Owl (Wilderking Trilogy)
FROM SARAH:
The whole Wilderking Trilogy is one you don't want your kids to miss. Start here, with The Bark of the Bog Owl. Ideal for kids 8-14, though you'll enjoy it every bit as much as your kids will. The less you know before reading it, the better, so try to skip reading reviews ahead of time, if you can!
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
12-year-old Aidan Errolson, comes from a long line of adventurers. His grandparents were among the first settlers of Corenwald's Eastern Frontier. His father had been one of the kingdom's greatest warriors. Aidan, on the other hand, lives the quiet, comfortable life, of a nobleman's son. He never has any real adventures, and that, he believes, is the one great injustice of his otherwise happy life.
More info →The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 2)
FROM SARAH
If you're looking for a story to inspire heroic virtue, and sweep everyone away in an unforgettable tale, The Chronicles of Narnia cannot be outdone. I recommend beginning the series with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (you can circle back to The Magician's Nephew at the very end.)
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, a series that has become part of the canon of classic literature, drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over fifty years.
More info →
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Leroy Brown, boy detective, not only solves his own cases -- he also occasionally helps out his policeman dad with the biggest mysteries in Idaville.
More info →The Story About Ping
**Description from Amazon: One of the most popular picture books for children, The Story About Ping is the adventure of a young duck in search of home.
More info →Bridge to Terabithia
**Description from Amazon: The story starts out simply enough: Jess Aarons wants to be the fastest boy in the fifth grade--he wants it so bad he can taste it. He's been practicing all summer, running in the fields around his farmhouse until he collapses in a sweat. Then a tomboy named Leslie Burke moves into the farmhouse...
More info →By C. S. Lewis: The Chronicles of Narnia Box Set: Full-Color Collector’s Edition
**Description from Amazon: Experience all of The Chronicles of Narnia with full color pictures throughout in this seven-book heavy-weight paperback box set. Readers of all ages-whether they are experiencing Narnia for the first time or returning once again to the magical world-will love seeing the creatures and landscapes of ...
More info →The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids
Connecting deeply with our kids can be difficult in our busy, technology-driven lives. Reading aloud offers us a chance to be fully present with our children. It also increases our kids’ academic success, inspires compassion, and fortifies them with the inner strength they need to face life’s ch...
More info →Get the printable version
Books boys love
Links from this episode:
- The Institute for Excellence in Writing
- Nurturing Competent Communicators
- Eavesdropping on the Soul, a conversation with Katherine Paterson
- Order The Read-Aloud Family before March 27 to get free access to my new video class
- Get the RAR booklist here or by texting the word BOOKS to 345345