The Hobbit and a Tooth!

P has finished reading "the Hobbit" today --- within one day!(That's 24 hours, more or less) We've decided that he might try it this summer break but he didn't start reading it right away. It took almost two weeks before he did. 

Teacher Dad and Mom had thought about starting his summer reading list right after the final examination week at school. The first books were "Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell and "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. He first read the Dolphins. Then a few more books in between before he started the Hobbit. 

Personally, I think that the latter should be read a little later. It seems a bit early for him although I know that it will be a delightful read. Nonetheless, with what he has already read so far, he did enjoy reading it. As much as TM would want to do it chapter by chapter, I thoroughly understand that once you start reading the book, you just can't wait to turn to the next page. 

I wouldn't want to have him start on the LotR anytime soon. As much as it was very interesting for me, it is just a bit too dark for him.

Another interesting thing to start the month today is removing his upper incisor, the one right next to his upper right canine (upper lateral incisor). DH noticed it was already loose yesterday and decided to have it removed A.S.A.P.  After checking it closely, I also found that there is already a little whitish tooth coming out pretty soon. It took a lot of convincing and coaxing before P relented to tie a thread around the tooth to remove it. Fortunately, the ice cream-on-a-bike was around our area and it helped to dangle a reward for the ordeal. :D

We have to keep an eye on the other lateral incisor for the next few days as it may be the next one to be removed. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there will be another sweet-cold treat around by that time. 

Homeschool Update

My son's "homeschooling" is back on track. He is more inclined to do coloring and writing nowadays. His coloring skills had improved a bit. He's more aware of the colors outside the pictures and tries to color within the space. Writing letters, numbers and copying printed text he finds everywhere is becoming more often. A few months ago, I would be the one encouraging him to hold the pencil and practice something. He didn't really felt the same. He was more into "reading." It as almost frustrating to know that he can read but he can't write yet. Nonetheless, I took the time off and just let him be. Knowing that he will hear the "writing call" in his own time.
He now colors a lot more pages than before (more or less 10) and more often try to write with his pencil. Unlike before that he complains of "tired" after a short period of time.

His reading skills had improved immensely. He is never scared to figure out how to read stuff that he comes across. We've finished the consonants and vowels long ago and his "sight reading word bank" is growing day by day. As he tried to decipher new words, I keep in mind what part will be our next focus. My bet is on vowel families but I may have to try to figure out another one just in case there will be a better route. We did the "ail" family yesterday and he was so hyped on that. It may be another series to work on for us after the itsy bitsy books. Although, we're also doing the sight word set now, we might do both all together.

Another area that I want to deal with is the Math. I'm no math genius so I'm hoping that I can at least make a difference with my son. ;) I may have to work a little harder to figure out how to make it in this area but we'll see.

Off to check what's next on our "word family" and figure out how to go about fractions.