Monday, September 7, 2009

Welcome Back, Dick and Jane


I have a confession to make. My five-year-old son is reading Dick and Jane stories as part of his reading curriculum. Not only is he reading them, he likes them.

How is this possible? I thought the world of Dick and Jane was dull, poorly written, and unimaginative? Well, first off, we are not reading, "See Spot Run". Thanks to an excellent beginning reading program, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, my kindergartener is reading at a second grade level. He surprises me daily with his ability to sound out new words, even long ones! We are well beyond the early readers that bore children (and their parents!) to tears.

Back to Dick and Jane. Don't they fit into this category? Actually, no. The stories we are reading are quite interesting and entertaining to my son (and his three-year-old sister who likes to listen along). They are delightful stories about putting together a new grill with dad, building a play house out of a cardboard box, and a backyard parade. Yes, the wardrobe is dated, and the male lead has an unfortunate moniker, but otherwise, Dick and Jane stories are good, clean fun. I can't think of a good reason for the educational establishment to have abandoned them.

Except for one.

The world of Dick and Jane is a world of traditional family values. Dick and Jane live with a happily married mother and father, a baby sister, a dog and a cat. They are obedient to their parents, respectful of their elders, and kind to each other. They play well with the neighbor kid, and even invite him over for dinner--but he needs to ask his mother's permission, of course! Perhaps, with so much attention being paid to being inclusive and multicultural, there is no room for the simple innocence of Dick and Jane.

There's room in our house.

Welcome Back, Dick and Jane.

1 comments:

Melissa said...

My now seven yr. old daughter learned to read with Dick and Jane and loved EVERY moment of it! I have a six yr. old daughter who will be starting the same book late this summer. She may be a "late" learner as far as reading goes but she just wasn't ready yet. I am looking forward to teaching her through Dick and Jane. Thanks for letting me know that I'm not the only one using this!

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I'm a Stay-at-Home, Christian, "crunchy" mama. I have been blessed with the calling to be a godly wife and mother. I am passionate about bringing up my children in the discipline and instruction of the LORD, through home education and discipleship. Helpmeet to my best friend and soulmate, Christopher since 1/29/2000, and mama to four little blessings, including a tiny, precious, newborn baby girl.

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Our Curriculum 2010-2011

Bible--Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos, Apologia Biblical World View Book 1, "Who is God and Can I Really Know Him?"
Catechism-- "Training Hearts, Teaching Minds" by Starr Meade
Phonics--Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
(Kindergarten), Year 1 Booklist (1st Grade)
Handwriting--Bible Copywork, made using Educational Fontware
Spelling-- All About Spelling Level 1 (1st grade)
Math--Math-U-See Primer (Kindergarten) , Math-U-See Alpha (1st grade)
World History--Simply Charlotte Mason's Genesis Through Deuteronomy and Ancient Egypt
American History--The Light and The Glory For Children Series
Art--Interest-led projects and handicrafts
Geography and Missions-- "Hero Tales" by Dave and Neta Jackson, as well as various other missionary biographies, incorporating globe and map study
*We will be studying music and phy-ed., participating in a writing club and nature club, as well as attending various field trips, with our church's homeschool group.*

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