Summer 2014 Book club!

It is officially Summer where we live.

My youngest son, who is now 8 years old,

 was eager to get his book club started!

As part of our summer book club-

 we are going to be reading a cute series

 by Ron Roy, is called The Calendar Club.

Each book is based around a month.

 

Todays book club is based on the book May Magic.

You should click HERE- so see specifically what we did.

 

If you browse around my blog-site you will notice a few things.

 

1. Hopefully it is not too confusing to navigate.
This is a "blog-site" = 3 blogs (with same template) linked together by buttons

It has some perks and some draw-backs...

 But here are a few tips:

*use side bar buttons to find where you want to go

*at the end of each post are "tags" that you can click to narrow your search
* look at our ABC list (under our header) of all the books we've read with our book clubs.
(story times are not included in this list.)

 

2. There is no set method as to how I set up a book club.

every year I seem to organize it a little different.

 

It depends on the child.

 

Some of my sons wanted their book club to be BOYS only!
One son didn't care- he had boy and girl friends.

One son only wanted to read books-based -on- movies.

(That was a fun book club. EASY Peasy to host!)

 

Sometimes book clubs were held during the school year- when that made more sense.

Now I hold book clubs in the summer.

 

Some book clubs were twice a month.

Others were once a month.

A few times I have held book clubs- only around school holidays.

 

Some books clubs were super organized. (Always the first Friday of every month.)

Some book clubs were "fly-by-the-seat of my pants". (Read the book- date/time TBA each time.)

 

Some book clubs I have each child read the same book.

Other book clubs we each read one book from a series.

 

Some book clubs I provided all the books.

Some book clubs we all ordered the same set (series) from Scholastics.

 

My point is- book clubs are flexible!

Hopefully you have seen that- if you have browsed the book club outline posts.

 

You can create a book club that works for YOU.

 

Don't want a bunch of rowdy kids at your house?

Meet at the park, or some location that relates to the book you just read.

 

Don't feel creative enough to come up with activities?

browse this blog and get ideas

or have a movie- book club. (read the book, watch the movie- EASY!)

 

 

 

It's Summer!
Don't let having a summer book club be one of those things that you

could-a and should-a organized.

 

I am actually feeling pretty lax this summer about book club.

In the past I have held a book club for each of my sons- that was hectic!

This summer I just have one!

 

It's easy- OH and before I forget...

my sons are all reluctant readers.

They love their book clubs regardless of the fact they hate to read~!

 

 

Can you relate?

I have four sons.

All of them - reluctant readers.

 

I feel like it is a never ending task- trying to encourage them to read.

 

Like that Greek tragic character who spends his eternities pushing a boulder up a hill...

 You know that guy? When he is close to the top- he stumbles

 and the rock rolls/tumbles down the hill only to have the task start again. 

 

If I am lucky- I find a series that one of my sons gets hooked on.

He'll read the whole series! I feel, for a month or so, satisfied that "Finally! He has realized the joy, magic, satisfaction of reading!" But then the series is over and back to square one.

 

 It's okay.

 I mean, like I have said before, this is my "mommy mission".

And if you knew me, in person, you would know..

I'm  pretty tenacious.

 

Having illiterate children- just isn't acceptable.

 

{partly- because I HATED to read when I was a child and now I can see how being a poor reader really made schooling and other aspects of my life harder. But more importantly- NOW I love to read! It is something that can be learned!}

 

So - my current up hill battle? My second grader.

We held book club last summer and that really motivated him- yay!

(See what we did- by clicking HERE)

 

But there is no time during the school year to have book club.

He has now fallen in a rut.

Chapter books are just too daunting.

Nothing keeps his interest.

 

Every night was like pulling teeth to get him to read!

 

So- we have gone back to picture books.

 

 

I have decided (long ago) it is better that he reads-- regardless of what he reads.

He likes picture books.

He likes the satisfaction of finishing one, two , or three in one sitting.

He likes the pictures- who doesn't?

 

So while this may seem like a step backwards.. (regressing to picture books from chapter books)..

It's not. What is important is that kids read! And that they enjoy reading!

 

A cute series my second grader loves is..." The Night Before..." there are a few.

The Night Before Christmas,

The Night Before Easter,

The Night Before Halloween,

The Night Before St. Patrick's Day

The Night Before Summer Vacation...

 

I just wanted to share.

Don't give up on your reluctant reader!

It's a up hill battle - worth fighting.

Coming this FALL!

A new category to Bookclub4boys

 Story Time ideas for Preschoolers!

 Book suggestions for Babies

Story Time ideas for Preschoolers! Click HERE

Book Club ideas for beginning readers. (K-1) click HERE





Book club ideas for independent readers (2-3rd grades) click HERE





Book club ideas for Confident readers (4th grade and up) click HERE

Starting this fall I will be teaching preschool and

 I will be sharing Preschool Story Time ideas on Bookclub4boys!

I've taught preschool for many years and have a degree from BYU in Early Childhood Education. If you teach preschool kids be sure to check back often! I will be posting our Story Times and activities- weekly!

If you want to see other preschool ideas, activities etc... click HERE or visit my Preschool Page side bar button.

Thanks for stopping by-- and if you like what you see- don't forget to LIKE us on our side bar! THANKS!

Summer Fun and a GIVE AWAY!

 

 



 

 

My kids are staying busy this summer. Our house has looked like a Lego war zone for weeks! It is hours of fun. While I love the creativity, I have to turn a blind eye to the mess. Why aren't Lego's in your bedroom just isn't as fun as Lego's in our living/great room?

 

So anyone who stops by- gets to see and walk into our creativity- explosion! (If they are neighborhood kids they say, "WOW!" and jump in. If they are neighborhood parents they say, "Whoa!" and back out the door. lol)

 

Watching my kids (and the neighborhood kids) creating with legos reminded me of a book.

One family used their sons passion for legos to help them connect to stories.

 

You know how I am always trying to help my sons connect to books.

You know how I always want to spotlight people who have great ideas

 on how to help kids connect to books...

 

 

Follow this link  to learn more about this creative idea and how you

can win a free book!

Any Method to my Maddness?

So we're thinking about starting a book club this summer for our kids. You are on board with me- right?. Then why can sense your moaning and hesitation right now?
yes... it takes a bit of planning
yes... it means coordinating with friends and neighbors
yes.. it's summer and you would rather spend all day at the pool, or beach (boo hoo) let's not bring up sensitive topics.) Or camping, family fun trips, or reunions.. a million other things than having a group of kids at your house, that you have to "entertain".

I get it. 

Really! I am feeling very lazy about this whole project myself. I mean- I've been hosting book clubs for years now... for three boys... I look at these old posts and pictures and think... "Been there done that!" Isn't it time to give myself a big pat on the back?
Isn't it? No
I have four sons. And my youngest who is finishing up first grade, struggles to read. He really wants a book club this summer. (He actually asked me about it!)

And honestly- book clubs work. Each of my sons, having their own book club, really motivated them to read.

So- Your With Me- Right? We can do this!
If you click HERE- I break it down on how to start a book club for your son or daughter.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY CURRENT SUMMER BOOK CLUB ACTIVITIES- we've started!

If you really are feeling lazy- I have simple book club ideas that require NO major prep. If your book club is for younger kids- try Field Trip type book clubs. (I've done a few- click HERE)

If your book club is for teenagers- try a Movie book club. (Those are fun and simple- click HERE)
If your the type of mom who likes throwing 'theme parties' I've got book clubs ideas for you too.

Really book club meetings can be as simple or complex as you want.
WE really can do this.             (Here my youngest is pictured with his old Hawaii book club gang.)