Thrilled! A Breakthrough.

I truly believed we'd get here.  I just thought it might happen before now...but I'll take it.                             

Prince Go-for-It learning to throw pots
on the wheel from Princess Bossy

When I started homeschooling, I read, "The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook," and other books by famous homeschool pioneers, Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore, who, with much educational experience and research behind them, believe that children orient a lot of their learning around play and work, and that education through activity and social means is much preferable to formal methods at the younger ages.   I want my children to be enthusiastic, lifelong readers and learners, not just people with the ability to read but with no passion for it, and that was the Moores' goal, too.                                                           
I have remembered all these years, the story of one of their sons who was later than the rest in reading on his own. They did a lot of reading aloud to their kids, choosing books that particularly interested them, and one day (at age 9 or 11) their son took off with the book and started reading because he 'just had to know what happened next.'   Their children rose to great heights in their educational and professional careers, so obviously, this late start did their son no damage in that way.                                                                                                       

"See, Mom?  This one is called
 a Red-Legged Frog"

Prince Go-for-It (13) has always been quite social, and eager to learn...about certain things.  He identified frogs in our yard, and figured out the gender of snakes by age 4 or 5.  At age 10, he was finding out what flies to use to catch what fish, and tying his own.  If we entertained Hubby's colleagues, the other kids would huddle upstairs, but Go-for-It was joining in conversations with the adults.  He's athletic and is loved and valued on his baseball team.  But schoolwork discouraged him and dampened an otherwise joyful spirit, due mostly to challenges with reading.  I worked hard to find him other means of learning, and tried to find the books that would connect to his interests.  He was OK with books on fishing, in which he could find little bits of information to answer specific questions, but with books he'd need to read from start to finish, he was having trouble.  He often couldn't remember what he'd read by the time he fought through a page or two.

Making Wooden
Fishing Lures

For Christmas every year, we get the kids books.  Meeting the needs those who are not naturally passionate readers can be a dilemma, but I searched diligently for choices that will engage him.  For Prince Go-for-It this year, I chose 2 books that might appeal to him in different ways.  One was "Making Wooden Fishing Lures," trying to relate to his interest in fishing and hands-on projects, hoping the photos and focus would entice him to read the words.  The other was "Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back" by Josh Hamilton. I had been interested in this book after hearing the compelling testimony he shared as a guest on Family Life Today's radio broadcast...But Prince Go-for-It held him in high esteem after his heroic performance in the playoffs and World Series this past baseball season.  I wasn't sure, though, when it came, if it was the 'right' book to give.  It had a lot of pages and was written in a small print...The types of things that discourage the hesitant reader.  But the Christian role-model/baseball hero combination was strong and seemed so perfect, so I prayed, hoped, and wrapped the books.

Beyond Belief:
Finding the Strength to Come Back

When we've discussed doing projects for school, I've asked Prince Go-for-It about the wooden lures book, and I get a cool response, saying he's looked at it some, but otherwise shrugs it off.  He's been continuing his typical habit of disappearing upstairs as soon as he's completed the minimal amounts of required Math and Language Arts schoolwork.  Usually that means I'll go up to discover he's messing with fishing tackle, playing with the radio, or other task that's distracting him from chores or further studies.  
--But this time, he's been running up to continue reading the Josh Hamilton book!  
He talks about it at dinner...
He tells his dad about it when he comes in from work...
He can cite stats and tell stories he remembers from his reading...
He is amazed that a book can be so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!

I could cry.  Thank you, Lord, that this wonderful boy has discovered the joys of reading.  I am confident this will make such a positive difference in his life.  Now to help him find that next great book...


Further information on Dr Raymond and Dorothy Moore, and "The Moore Formula":
Moore Formula on www.thehomeschoolmom.com
Better Late than Early on www.homeschool.com
The Moore Formula on www.moorehomeschool.com


Books by Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore:

Better Late Than Early
Home Grown Kids
The Successful Homeschool Handbook 
Home-Style Teaching for Parents and Teachers
Homeschool Burnout
School Can Wait
Minding Your Own Business