Pairing Audio Books with the Hard Copy Book To Get Children Reading

Kwame Alexander, the award-winning author of Lionheart's favorite book

In a rush to get Lionheart ready for his Creative Writing class last fall, I checked out the required book from the library.  Because Lionheart started late and had to cover a lot of chapters in a short amount of time, I checked out the audio book too.  He loves stories, but doesn't always like to sit down with a good book.  I had no idea what would happen next.  He read the entire book in one night.  Actually, I fell asleep and he woke me up at 1 a.m. to excitedly tell me he had finished the entire book.  It was Crossover by Kwame Alexander.  I was on to something.

It filled me with such joy to see him sitting and actually enjoying the book, as opposed to laboring through the assignment because he had to do it.  For some right brain learners, reading uses what Diane Craft calls "a lot of battery energy," and can suck the joy out of reading in the process. No child will learn to love something that leaves them depleted by the time they are done.  When I pair the audio book with the hard copy book, Lionheart listens to the story and he follows along in the book.  In the process, he is developing the skill of creating a movie in his head, which aids in comprehension, according to Diane Craft.  When it was time to finish the last two chapters of The Broken Bike Boy and the Queen of 33rd Street, Lionheart said to me, "I wish this book were a movie!" Then he asked if I could find a sequel. This is just what I wanted.  More importantly, as he follows along in the book, he is exposed to challenging vocabulary and proper pronunciation. What I love most about pairing the audiobook with the hard copy book is that we get to experience the book together.  When it's time for a comprehension discussion, we can have meaningful dialogue because I've essentially read the book too.

When I plunked down the next reading, As Brave As You, by Jason Reynolds, instead of moaning, he was excited about the sheer size of the book.  When I broke out the audio book, he smiled and rubbed his hands together and said, "Let's go!"  That is precisely the reaction I want to elicit about books, not drudgery.  What's extra special about this book is that we'll also get to meet the author, Jason Reynolds, who happens to be the friend of a fellow homeschool dad.

Another important benefit to pairing audio books with hard copy books is that I can help him understand heavy topics.  When we read the story of Claudette Colvin, I'm sure we'll be pausing the CD a lot and I'll be answering lots of questions.  Through this process, I see his vocabulary and reading comprehension expand with each book he completes.  My vocabulary expanded in much the same way.  I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. I had to attend Bible study, Theocratic Ministry and Sunday was the Kingdom Hall (think church service).   To keep from being bored, I followed along in whatever printed material was being used by the speaker and along the way learned all kinds of words.  I recall being the only person in my 2nd grade class that knew how to spell reign, rain and rein - all from reading along.  My goal is to develop a love of reading.  I am confident that eventually he'll gravitate toward the hard copy book without the audio book.  In the meantime, I'll keep digging for great books that have an audio book companion.

African-Centered Reading Comprehension - A Treasure Within

 As a literacy teacher and homeschool parent, I am big on reading comprehension - do you understand what you are reading and what does it mean to you.  I am testing out a few programs, because for some reason, I can't just use one.  LionHeart's reading didn't blossom until he was about 8 years old, which is considered "late" by left brain learning style benchmarks, but right on time for a right brain learner.  I read to him constantly and still do.  In our home, we are surrounded by books, magazines, curriculum - the printed word is everywhere so there is no escaping it.  I took a page from Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook and never stopped reading aloud to my children, even the oldest.  For my older son I am usually sharing an interesting article.  Many parents seem to think that for a child to improve reading, he must practice reading.  That's only part of the story.  Being read to is just as important, if not more.  Sharing the reading experience and hearing words read fluently and expressively also helps a child improve reading, increase vocabulary, as well as develop a love for reading. 

For the new year, we'll be using a few new resources for reading comprehension.  I will examine them in separate blog posts, starting with my favorite, an African-centered resource written by master teacher and educator Dr. Chike Akua. I am almost giddy about this one.

A Treasure Within:  Stories of Remembrance & Rediscovery

A Treasure Within: Stories of Remembrance & Rediscovery is an African-centered book of stories that translate the deep thinking and philosophy of African people into stories for youth creating many opportunities for comprehension discussions. In these stories readers will find popular culture infused with African world view, moral lessons, African history and adventure.  There is no better way to engage a child in reading.  Dr. Chike Akua says that in writing these stories his purpose was clear: "To reintroduce children to the ancient wisdom of African culture."  For that I am so very grateful.  I am looking forward to completing the The Ten Cardinal Virtues activity with LionHeart, especially "control of thought" and "control of action."  The reader includes 3 stories: A Treasure Within, A Reason for Being and Daniel and the Djembe Drum.  I know my little Djembe player will absolutely love this story.

The parent/teacher resource guide is a gem.  There are more than 10 activities for each of the 3 stories in the reader.  You will find the traditional comprehension and literature activities, such as character analysis and discussion questions.  But you will also find culturally affirming activities such as the Kemetic symbols exercise.  This book represents what I have dreamed of for many years and that is a way to teach African deep thought and philosophy in a way that children can understand and incorporate into their lives. I have always believed if developing a particular skill was the desired outcome, then there is no reason why OUR stories cannot be used.  Dr. Chike has included characters the children can identify with in real life situations that require critical thinking.  The adults are not idiots (as in many Disney programs), instead they are culturally and spiritually conscious and of high integrity, which underscores honoring wisdom and elders in our community.  The stories will start with ancient Kemet and end with the culture of West Africa.  Like my favorite meal, I can't wait to dig in with my son!

For more information and tips on reading comprehension, check out this wonderful blog series at This Reading Mama.  It's 10 weeks of reading comprehension strategies.