Posted in The School Room

My 9 year old son is just starting to read large chapter books. We do Sonlight for homeschooling and this year he has to read 15 books, and after each chapter he has to answer questions that I ask him, to be sure that he is comprehending the story.

To start with he was finding it difficult to get motivated to read his books (usually a chapter a day), so I thought up this system for him and put it together. It took me 2 days, and I felt like I was back in school again finishing off a project with all that cutting and glue and coloured card, but it was fun!

I copied the covers of the books onto the computer and printed them out in small size. THen for each chapter in the book there is an arrow. When he finishes a chapter he writes that number on the arrow. The arrows lead in different directions, but the last arrow finishes just before the picture of the book he will read next. We have also given him the extra motivation of a reward of up to $50 at the end of the year if he completes all his reading..... (and here's the catch)....... without grumbling!

(See that pen sticking up from behind his chart? That's so it's real handy for writing down the chapter when he finishes it).

This has really worked for him! He is loving it and is actually enjoying the books so much. He recounts the entire chapter to me or his dad at the end of the day (the long version too ), and we haven't even had to ask him what the story is about. I'm so thrilled. It's really great to see him enjoy reading so much, when it doesn't come naturally to him.

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Posted by blessedmomof10

What a great reading chart!! That will be such an encouragement for your son! I do the same things with my early readers and they love it!! They get to place a sticker on the book they have read.......it just really encourages them.
Blessings,
gloria

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Posted by Vickie

I really like this chart. We are changing curriculums and my children are going to be required to read more. I am going to make a similar chart for them. Thanks so much for this wonderful idea!

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