RAR #02: Engaging Conversations with Adam Andrews
Are you hesitant to talk to your kids about books because you don’t know how to do it? In this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, I chat with Adam Andrews from the Center for Lit. He gives us some simple tools to help us have better, more engaging conversations with our children about the books we’re reading together.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- approaching literature from a Socratic perspective
- how to ask the right questions when reading
- Adam’s proven method for discovering an author’s intent and widening our understanding of books
Links from this episode:
- Teaching the Classics by Adam and Missy Andrews
Books from this episode:
(All links are affiliate links.)
I found your podcast after hearing you speak at the 2018 Great Home school Conference in South Carolina. I have thoroughly enjoyed listing to the podcasts. We are starting our home school journey next year with our girls now ages 4 and 7. I have had an insatiable thirst for learning and preparing for our home school next year. Thank you for all you do to promote read alouds in the home and the change of the family culture. May God bless you and your family.
Any Amelia bedelia books. They are quite a play on words and so silly 🙃
Thank you. Very helpful. How may I get a copy of “Teaching the Classics”?
Is there a possibility to win a free copy?
Jenn, Teaching the Classics is available from the Center for Lit: http://www.centerforlit.com/teaching-the-classics/
I listened to this podcast last week. I am thinking I may have misunderstood that a link was going to be in the show notes for getting started with good questions to ask when reading a book. I borrowed Bargain for Francis from the library then came on here for the link but I don’t see one that fits what I am looking for. Did I misunderstand or has it been removed?
It’s been revised and expanded and is available in the RAR Store: https://readaloudrevival.com/product/5-questions-2/
Does anyone have Teaching the Classics that I could borrow? It’s not an investment we can make right now, but would LOVE to learn from it. Thanks!
I really enjoyed this podcast! I am so glad I learned about RAR on one of my Homeschool FB groups!
I took about two pages of notes while listening to this one! I really needed some direction for how to discuss stories with my children. I have recently had the experience with my oldest, who will be graduating from High School next week, of what you talked about…never really learning how to analyze literature until High School, and then having no idea HOW, so being completely overwhelmed, and therefore not doing the assignments. So, I really related to that part of the discussion and recognize the importance of teaching my children while they are young to understand the pattern of analysis.
While listening to the talk about trying to figure out the meaning…what the author was trying to say…and how different people can get different messages out of it, even though the author may have had a different point altogether, it made me think that THAT is what I believe a Classic is! Something that is timeless! Something that applies no matter when you are experiencing it! It reminded me of a quote I had read recently about scripture study. Scriptures are Classics because they are timeless.
“The idea that scripture reading can lead to inspiration and revelation opens the door to the truth that a scripture is not limited to what it meant when it was written but may also include what the scripture means to a reader today. Even more, scripture reading may also lead to current revelation on whatever else the Lord wishes to communicate to the reader at that time. We do not overstate the point when we say that the scriptures can be a Urim and Thummim to assist each of us to receive personal revelation.” Dallin H. oaks
Oh gosh, what a great quote. Thank you for sharing! :) I’m actually working on a free printable guide right now with 5 simple questions you can ask your kids about books without ever asking “did you like it?” — which is such a conversation killer, right? It’ll be ready in a couple of weeks. Or maybe less, depending on how excited I am to get it done. :)
Thank you for this encouraging note!
The link for the center for lit above should be .com.
Thank you for catching that, Michelle!
I’m not a homeschool mamma, but you all inspire me to be actively involved in teaching my daughter.
I want to learn the socratic method and what questions to ask where do you recommend I start?
I’m excited learning the method might give me a different perspective on what I’m reading.
I would recommend Adam Andrews’ Teaching the Classics, even if it’s just to beef up your reading discussion skills around the edges of school. :) In the back of Teaching the Classics, there is a list of tons of questions that lend themselves toward good conversations.
You can find it all here: http://centerforlit.com/Materials/TC.aspx
Adam has a $3 talk, as well, called From Seuss to Socrates, that is really very good and will give you a good idea of what it takes to discuss a book with your kids. :) http://iew.com/shop/products/reading-comprehension-seuss-socrates-adam-andrews
I’ve just discovered your podcast, and it is wonderful!! Adam talked about a list of questions to get started with – does anyone know where I can find that?
I believe he was talking about the extensive list in the appendix of Teaching the Classics, here:
http://centerforlit.com/Materials/TC.aspx
I’ve been homeschooling for 10 years, and I so enjoyed this podcast and what I learned from it. It was very encouraging to me. I would recommend any parent take the time to listen to it. It is well worth your time. Thanks, Sarah, for offering this series.
Finally got around to listening to this Sunday and I thoroughly enjoyed it! :) Your “cheery” voice just puts a smile on my face!! I don’t think I could ever be in a bad mood after listening to your podcasts. ha! Great stuff!
I have truly enjoyed your podcast. My husband also inquired about what I was listening as it piqued his interest as well. I can’t wait to hear more! In fact, I left a review on itunes and I have never done that before, although I listen to a number of podcasts! So be encouraged, Sarah!
Subscribed to Podcast. Enjoyed listening!
Great episode, loved both of them! Thanks for doing these!!!!
Okay I typed out this whole comment yesterday, and I think it disappeared!
Anyway, just chiming in to say how much I enjoy the podcast (just posted about it on my blog). You’re off to a rip-roaring start! I love both Andrew and Adam, and I have to say it’s particularly endearing how when you call the number on the Center for Lit website, Adam himself picks up the phone for a friendly chat. :-)
I wanted to add my endorsement for the Center for Lit online discussion courses. My son, 13, has been taking the courses for two years now and really enjoys them! My 10-year-old will probably take the new course for younger kids in the fall. And I’ve gotten so much help in leading kids’ book discussion groups from the materials that the Andrewses publish. I just forget to do it with my own kids sometimes! The podcast was quite helpful that way.
Finally figured out how to give you a rating on iTunes. I feel like an idiot for taking so long.
anyway, great podcast! Really looking forward to more!
I love your podcasts. Thanks so much for the first two. I can’t wait to listen to more. I am learning so much!
You have done it again! An outstanding show offering suggestions and challenging the reader to delve further into the matter at hand.
You are not only blessed with the ability to keep a conversation on track but you have a lovely voice that makes me smile when I am listening!
Keep them coming they are becoming an integral part if my sewing time!
San xx
PS I did leave a review in iTunes but not sure if it has gone through.
Thanks so much for putting these together. I’m really enjoying them and I would love to read Adam’s book to learn more about their Socratic method of literary analysis. Great job. (I left a review in iTunes)
Subscribed!! I adore these!
Hi Sarah! I was SO giddy to find a new podcast episode on my podcast account today! It’s so great to be able to connect with bloggers in this new way. (I’m finding myself listening to podcasts more than sitting down and reading blogs and I hope more classical educators and homeschool bloggers jump into podcasting). One of the things I’m loving most about this new way of relaying information is how down-to-earth these speakers sound compared to their online articles.
Looking forward to the next one!
Oh, and I thank you for the last segment with the children…The kids are precious and help me with my book lists.
I just discovered this podcast and immediately subscribed in itunes. It was so motivating and encouraging. Thanks!
Sarah, I am LOVING these podcasts! This one was especially wonderful and timely for me. Thank you SO much :-) You have such a lovely voice too. Have a blessed weekend. Cannot wait til the next one comes.
These are just so good!! I can’t wait for the next one. I left a comment in iTunes, hopefully I did it right! LOL Already hoping to use Andrew’s book this fall, so winning it would be awesome!
I can’t tell you how much I love these podcasts! I am sad when I finish listening. :) I have subscribed and can’t wait for the next episode!
Perfect timing! I have to weed the garden this afternoon. Now I have something to listen to. :)
Sarah:
I cannot figure out how to leave a review/rating on itunes, but I am subscribed and I did listen to the two podcasts so far and LOVE them! Thank you so much for putting these together. It sounds like you are having a blast!
Melissa
This was really a great episode! I enjoyed it a lot- thank you.