• Feb. 23, 2009
Jordan's 1st Oral Book Report
Jordan's First Oral Book Report!!
We are using Christian Light Education for Language Arts and Reading (both boys) and they are learning alot, although they probably wouldn't admit it. Jordan has been working on a book report for a couple of weeks now. CLE allowed them to pick out their book (with mother's approval of course), and then gave them a period of time to read it. They were instructed on how to take notes and then how to present the report.
Jordan chose The Mayo Brothers for his book. It's a fairly short book but one that I wanted him to read at some point anyway, so when he asked to use it for his report I readily agreed. He finished reading the book rather quickly and then spent several lessons learning how to take notes and present the report. Finally the day arrived that he was to give his report. I'm so thankful it was a day when Mark was home because he was able to experience this special time with us.
The Crowd of Onlookers
Jordan set the room up with a podium and lined the chairs up for us, the audience, to sit. He was a little nervous and excited as he began and he actually started by reading his report to us. That didn't work too well because he had some difficulty reading his writing (he takes after me in that respect). So Mark started asking some simple questions and that set him off on the right path. He took off and explained the book from beginning to end. By the time he was done all of us wanted to read the book for ourselves. Daddy told him that was the sign of a great oral report...when others walked away wanting to read the book.
Watching him nervously give his report brought back school memories for me. Watching timid classmates give their reports while I sat nervously waiting for my turn. Funny how scary it was waiting, but I always enjoyed it when I was doing it (or at least when I was finished and hadn't made too big of a fool of myself 
Comments
• Mar. 2, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by drewsfamilytx
LOL Mark looks so thrilled!
Congrats Jordan on your report!
The oral report or "talk" was one of my most feared and dreaded school assignments back in the day. I still remember being in the 3rd grade and having to give a talk on dogs. We ran out of time before it was my turn and I had to wait until the next class time-- AFTER Spring Break! I remember being sick to my stomach about it and being nervous that whole break about this dumb talk. Oi. I so don't miss public school! But I do plan on working with my boys on becoming comfortable about speaking in public.
Anyhow, enough about that. :-)
I am planning on putting together a short checklist for them to fill out when they read a book. Y'know, basics like title, author, publish date, setting, main character, etc. We'll see-- I always have quite an extensive to-do list that never quite gets done!
• Mar. 24, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by dawnkick
I HATED speaking in public growing up (still not fond of it). What a great idea, to get your son prepared to speak by practicing on your family. My oldest daughter absolutely fears speaking in public. She takes a homeschool science class at my church once a week and has to make a presentation in two weeks in front of the class. She is trying to beg out of it. I will make her practice on us first. Keep up the good work.
