When I was in sixth grade, my favorite time of day was silent reading. I was always an avid reader and there was something so tranquil about an entire classroom falling hush for an entire half hour while I poured into a book.
Sounds pleasant, doesn't it?
Now imagine this is your house.
I have been toying with the idea of using a silent reading time to replace our beloved mid-day rest time now that the boys are getting older. I still firmly believe there needs to be a point in our day where we all refresh and recharge; a time that we hit the pause button.
Silent reading is the answer.
The day I announced this new addition to our schedule, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was sure I needed to be realistic. Asking three rambunctious boys aged five to seven to sit still and read silently is, well, asking a lot!
What about the kids who can't read? No worries; you don't have to know how to read to enjoy a good book. That's what all of those gorgeous picture books are for!
So I laid out the plan...
1. Pick 5 books
This is the core to silent reading...they choose. This is a time for their love of reading to flourish; for them to find and follow their interests. This is not a time for you to check off your curriculum list. The number of books is important, too. Having a variety anticipates requests for a new book or getting bored with what they have.
2. Tell mom
Accountability is a good thing. It keeps me from having to track them down in the lego room and redirect!
3. Pick hideout
This is the part they were most excited about. It's important to make this one really enticing (we also refer to it as their "Super Secret Spot"). I gave them some options to get their wheels turning...a closet, the reading nook, or even the fort outside. The only rule is they are not allowed to be close enough to see each other. That will lead to all kinds of distractions.
4. Stay put until timer goes off
The first day we did this, I set the timer for eight minutes (remember, being realistic!). I have gradually added a minute every day or so and rewarded those who don't yell out "how many minutes left, mom?!" My goal is to work up to that magical half hour mark, even if it takes a few years.
5. Put books in basket
Three boys times five books times five days a week equals...too many books to be laying around the house. Instead I have a basket in the hallway where they stash the books until I re-shelf them by category.
How do you work quiet time into your homeschool day?
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