Reading recommendations

[LMW1990]

Hi All,

Been on MN for a while but first time in the education forum!!

I have 2 DSC ( DSD 7 - year 3 and DSS 3 - will be going in reception next Easter).

It's been a long time since I was at Primary school and everything is very different!! The children live with me and DP 50-60% of the time and I mostly deal with school stuff (letters, homework etc). DSD is extremely bright but can be very lazy! They are currently learning 3 x tables and it's been a battle to say the least. They also have to read at home 3 times per week and we have to write in in their reading record. It can be any book, not just the school book they bring home. I want to take DSD to the library to choose some books to read at home - any recommendations for books that we could all enjoy as a family but are at the correct reading age for DSD?

Similarly, any recommendations for a very boisterous 3 year old (obviously I read to him). He very rarely, if ever, wants to sit down to learn anything and I need to find fun way to make sure he is up to speed with counting and letters before he leaves nursery. Today is one of the days they are with their DM so I have taken the time to rearrange their bedroom and create some wall space for some fun learning stuff. So far I've created an area for times tables, an alphabet caterpillar and a 'C' is for DSS with his name and other words beginning with C (as I'm trying to teach him to write his name).

DSD has Space week coming up at school so we are building a coat hanger solar system this week. According to the school website they will also be studying rocks, light, life process and forces this year in Science. Any ideas for a fun way to display these topics?

I'm also going to ask what they will be doing history wise when we go to parents evening in a few weeks as DSD loves castles and museums so it would be good to tie these in.

I've also made flashcards of the statutory spellings for years 3 and 4. From my understanding they have to be able to know what the words means, in addition to being able to spell them?

Sorry for the long ramble!! Are there any other things you do to aid fun learning at home?

DSC have lived with us for just over a year and a half now and during that time I have increasing become the go to person for school and learning stuff (I don't mind - I actually quite enjoy it!). But I'm no teacher and anxious to do the right things! Any ideas would be great!

TIA!

[BlueChampagne]

Squeebles app is good for spelling and times tables. You can set up your own spelling lists if you like. We also like Professor Mathmo CDs for times tables. My DS2 enjoyed How to Train your Dragon at that age (and so did the rest of us).

[user789653241]

Reading, have no clue what girls at that age reads, I only have ds. But going to the library and let her choose is best, I think. MN seems to be broken at the moment, can't make paragraphs! this video on rockcycle is fab. And these sites have lots of online resources for different subjects. greatsitesforkids, primaryhomeworkhelp, interactivesitesforeducation.

[BlueChampagne]

Phew - not just me who suddenly couldn't do paragraphs!

Come on over to Children's Books for some reading suggestions, tho I second going to the library and letting her loose.

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

Perhaps look through suggestions on badger
www.badgerlearning.co.uk/primary-library-reading-boxes.html

[TwoOddSocks]

Depends what the 7 year old is in to obviously. My eldest loves Dirty Bertie (for puerile humour), Holly Webb (if she's into animals), my naughty little sister for old fashioned humour, the worst which series.

For times tables apps and online resources are great maths rockstars etc.

[AdventuringThroughLife]

You absolutely don't need to be setting up a learning station for a 3 year old!!! He doesn't need to write his name at 3 just recognise the first letter

They learn through play. Count steps as you go up and down them, count splashes in puddles, read lota of lovely bedtime stories. No reason at all they should be "sitting down" to learn anything at that age!

It sounds like you might be pushing too much with the older one if its a battle. What does their dad do/think. If theyre behind, talk to the school. Otherwise just support what they want help with or you may push them away. Fun topic related trips are good though.

They should bring home reading books and books from the school library so you have an idea but just let them choose at the library too. 3 year old can choose picture books to share with you.

[TwoOddSocks]

I also agree that at 3 you should be reading him whatever he wants and learning 100% through play. Formal education too early is actually a hindrance.

[lolarose896]

I agree- let her choose when you take her to the library and get her to pick 3 or 4 books. Reading anything is positive as long as she enjoys it. Reading for pleasure is a big issue in schools at the moment so taking your kids to the library and letting them choose for themselves is a great start to getting them into reading

[LMW1990]

@adventuringthroughlife - The bit for the 3 year old is just a small section with C is for 'his name' so he can recognise the letter. He is actually learning the alphabet, counting to ten and to write his name at nursery so I assumed this was normal (as I say, I'm new to this!). When I say 'sitting down to learn' I don't really mean in a formal way apologies. I mean it's quite hard to interest him in the basics, however he does want to sit with his sister when she is doing something so I try to do something at his level to keep him included.

It's been a battle because she (by the own admission) doesn't like to get the answers wrong and so feels she can't answer - though we encourage her and tell her it doesn't matter so long as she tries. I don't think she is behind - just perhaps not as confident. We will be asking at parents evening though. Their Dad is as involved as I am but I tend to organise the stuff they do, but we all sit together at the table to do it and afterwards we might play a board game.

@Twooddsocks - I'm happy to read whatever the 3 year old wants. I was just looking for recommendations for books for that age which others have enjoyed

[chasingsushi]

My DS learnt letters and numbers, counting, writing his name, reading and writing CVC words at 3 at school nursery. Amongst loads and loads of playing. I think there is plenty of time and space for both.

He loved showing us what he could do at home. I think it's a lovely idea putting a C on the wall with pictures of C things that begin with the same letter. We did a word wall and DS loved picking out his name and asking about the other words.

[HebeMumsnet]

Have you done Roald Dahls yet, OP? They're good for reading aloud practice. Dick King-Smiths are nice if she's into animals. Famous Five and Secret Seven series (there are hundreds of those - should keep her busy for ages) are fun for everyone. Funny books would be good if she's going to read aloud to all of you. Maybe Mr Gum or David Walliams books? Or relive some classics from your childhood. Stig of the Dump is a nice one at this age.

[LMW1990]

@chasingsushi - that's good to hear! I had a little panic just now thinking I was going over the top. I put up a word wall last night where DSD can put her spellings for the week and we can talk about what they mean (as she has a test every Friday on these). They haven't seen their room yet and I'm quite excited! For balance I have also used the IKEA trays storage and table so DSS can keep his beloved wooden train set out and have somewhere to build, turned a car mat into a permanent rug and DSD large wooden castle now has a space to keep out and play with all the time.

I think my first post makes it sound like I make them sit for hours doing sums which is honestly not the case! I love to do crafty things with them but equally they like to play together and alone. It's a good balance I think

@HebeMumsnet - brilliant ideas! Matlida is her favourite film as it happens. I'm taking her to see the live show for her birthday. It's been so long since I had to think about these kinds of books I just got a mental block on what might be appropriate. Thank you