The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 2

[UP Disney]

I don't homeschool; I need a break from my kids. I was a literature teacher, though and had to come up with ways to make reading a bit less of a chore. With my DD, she has the ability to read WAY above her age level (8 yrs. old), but really just wanted to continue reading Junie B. Jones (not that there's anything wrong with that). I wanted to push her a little, so dug out my old copy of Wizard of Oz. I promised her a special surprise when she finished the book. I'd drop hints each day, and she would buckle down and put in at least 20 minutes of reading. She was so excited when she finished it, and then found out that there was a movie made of it! Ever since then, she's been unstoppable. She's gone through Harry Potter books 1, 2, 3, and is working on 4 right now. She is also re-reading the Chronicles of Narnia. I can't wait to get her started on Mary Poppins.

Now, I've got to find something to get my DS excited about it! He kind of just relies on Katie to read to him. Got to nip that in the bud. Any ideas on getting boys interested in reading?

Both my DD's had learning comprehension disabilities. They both had speech and special reading classes (both my DH and I also had special classes in elementary school). My DH is an engineer and I'm in IT so it didn't stop us in our high school years. Katrina eventually either outgrew or learned to compensate. Becky on the other hand still struggles with the reading & writing comprehension. It is similar to Dyslexia but not Dyslexia I'm told. She is much more intelligent than average (according to the tests) but she doesn't always understand what she reads.

Both girls loved to read so that wasn't a problem. However, Becky was reading 2 or 3 years below her grade level at the time. Well, Katrina loved the Harry Potter books. I decided to read them so she would have someone to discuss it with. I fell in love (after I got through the 3rd chapter of the 1st book - the 1st 3 chapters I kept wondering "Why does she love this book?". My mom decided to get the Harry Potter books on tape for Becky. I told Becky that she had to follow along in the book while she was listening (she wasn't allowed to just listen). She loved it so much that she couldn't wait for Grandma to get the 2nd book on tape so she started reading it on her own. From that point on, she has read books at her own age level. Harry Potter changed my daughters life. I don't know that any other book could have done this for her.

Sorry for the long story.

Glynis, I loved the idea of celebrating when they get done reading.

 

[UP Disney]

I'm happy to share my ideas. I never know if they're any good, but we try a lot of different things. I love to hear what other people do, as well. So, let's bounce ideas off each other. I love the idea of fish 'n chips. I was just going to bake some fish, but maybe I'll give a try at making some fish 'n chips. That sounds way yummy!

I'm not too fond of Turkish Delight myself, but it will be fun to see the kids reactions to it, especially since they thought it looked so good in the movie.

Ok, I really am an educated woman but what is turkish delight? I feel like I'm always asking that question on this thread.

 

[Tammi67]

I'm glad you saw Narnia. We loved that movie. I think that as long as we emphasize that the violence is pretend then it's all good! I can't wait for the movie to come out on DVD. DD is re-reading all the books, and we have a tradition that when she finishes a book, we watch the movie (if there is one), and I come up with a special dinner (themed) and treats. For example, for Wizard of Oz, we ate "haystacks" for dinner, had ruby slipper punch, and Emerald City cookies. For Narnia, I just ordered a couple of boxes of Turkish Delight from one of the websites someone here posted. I still have to come up with a dinner, but I'm thinking fish like the Beaver's serve the children.

Anyway, enough of a tangent. Glad you are home safe and sound!

That is brilliant. I am quite a boring mom compared to a lot of you!

Exactly what is Turkish Delight??

 

[Tammi67]

Are those sunglasses or a bra?

Denise - That is a great design, even though he had b00bs for eyes!

Seriously, I like it alot.

 

[Tammi67]

Welcome Home, Tinkaroo!!

 

[PNO4TE]

Wow! That is awesome. We have another queen in our midst (if it says it in the Passporter, then it is so!) For those of you that don't have a passporter, I'm going to put here what the "Queen of All Planning" has to say.

"Now that our children are older and we have more than 15 family trips to Walt Disney World under our belts, the real draw now seems to be our dining choices! After a few trips with over-the-top food bills we hit on an affordable plan that seems to keep everyone happy. After we decide at which resort we will be staying on our trip, each person puts a main meal choice on a piece of paper and gives it to me. I am the 'Queen of All Planning.' No one is allowed to tell others their choice so that when we get to Disney our lunch or dinner is a surprise to everyone but me. The fun for me is in keeping the surprise!"
- contributed by Elin Havrilla, a winner in our 2005 Dining Tip Contest

This is one of the tips that I had already read and thought was a great one. Our trip is already planned this year but thought I might try it next year. Don't know if it will work for my family because the DD's don't care where they eat (they eat lots of little meals all through the day) and my DH likes to know "the plan". He doesn't have to make the plan but he needs to know the plan. It is one I'll keep in the back of my mind for a future trip.

Congrats! It was a unique idea.

Gee, thanks, Vicki!

ETA: Thanks to all of you for your nice comments. I guess Ithought that I had told you all about it before, but now I see I had not!

 

[UP Disney]

That is brilliant. I am quite a boring mom compared to a lot of you!

Exactly what is Turkish Delight??

I'm so glad I wasn't the only one that had to ask that question!!

 

[PNO4TE]

New one for Spring Break or Summer

How cute, Denise!!

 

[UP Disney]

Gee, thanks, Vicki!

I knew I might get in trouble for that one. I just thought it was awesome that one of my DDA friends is published in something so popular. And she was a winner in a contest to boot. Cool!!!! I know a celebrity.

 

[PNO4TE]

Back in the olden days, when I was a youngin'....

I was going to say it was taffy, but I am not certain that I am right now that I see it in print! Going to go pull a Kate and google it....


ETA: see if this works... it is a jelly-like candy rolled in cornstarch apparently :

 

[tinknme]

Sorry Denise I really do like your design, but this has me

Are those sunglasses or a bra?

 

[tink2020]

Congratulations, Tinkaroo (and DH)! We were rooting for you!

 

[Glynis]

Both my DD's had learning comprehension disabilities. They both had speech and special reading classes (both my DH and I also had special classes in elementary school). My DH is an engineer and I'm in IT so it didn't stop us in our high school years. Katrina eventually either outgrew or learned to compensate. Becky on the other hand still struggles with the reading & writing comprehension. It is similar to Dyslexia but not Dyslexia I'm told. She is much more intelligent than average (according to the tests) but she doesn't always understand what she reads.

Both girls loved to read so that wasn't a problem. However, Becky was reading 2 or 3 years below her grade level at the time. Well, Katrina loved the Harry Potter books. I decided to read them so she would have someone to discuss it with. I fell in love (after I got through the 3rd chapter of the 1st book - the 1st 3 chapters I kept wondering "Why does she love this book?". My mom decided to get the Harry Potter books on tape for Becky. I told Becky that she had to follow along in the book while she was listening (she wasn't allowed to just listen). She loved it so much that she couldn't wait for Grandma to get the 2nd book on tape so she started reading it on her own. From that point on, she has read books at her own age level. Harry Potter changed my daughters life. I don't know that any other book could have done this for her.

Sorry for the long story.

Glynis, I loved the idea of celebrating when they get done reading.

I have heard similar stories from others about Harry Potter. I, for one, love them! I love the fact that it can be read by both boys and girls, and everyone can get something out of them!

 

[tinker1bell]

Well Abi is begging to go back to school tommorow but hasn't eaten a whole lot. Got ahold of Panda Express and if we go through a whole lot of rigamoral(lots of hoops ) to prove that we have food poisoning then they may do something....but more than likely not. I think I will just stay away from Panda Express thanks.

Make sure you notify whoever does restaurant inspections. Our only complaint was they were so slow with their presentation of the food. But there have also been a lot of complaints here in the Lancaster, Pa area about the same chain. Keep complaining, I did that to Redners supermarket when I got samonela poisoning from buying bad chicken because I ended up in the hospital and it is policy to notify the health board. I was compensated because of being out of work and when I started back I could only work half days for a week. And I was still having a hard time readjusting to being back on my feet and being very weak when I went to visit my sisters and could not fully enjoy a day at Epcot. I was not very happy when they tried to brush my complaint off, but I stood firm.

Good Luck
Terry

 

[Glynis]

Ok, I really am an educated woman but what is turkish delight? I feel like I'm always asking that question on this thread.

Turkish Delight is a candy that has a jelly like center, usually flavored with rosewater, however, lately you can find it in fruity flavors, too. It is covered with powdered sugar.

In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, it is the candy that Edmund requests of the White Witch, and she uses it to get Edmund to "work" for her.

 

[tinker1bell]

Are those sunglasses or a bra?

 

[Tammi67]

So like a jelly bean without the hard exterior shell...

 

[UP Disney]

I have heard similar stories from others about Harry Potter. I, for one, love them! I love the fact that it can be read by both boys and girls, and everyone can get something out of them!

They remind me of when I was young and believed that I was "special". I could fly and no one else could. This was my secret. I would dream about it many nights. At one point, I used to believe that my family were from another planet and would live forever. Harry Potter "reminds" me of those idealistic days.

 

[my3princes]

I don't homeschool; I need a break from my kids. I was a literature teacher, though and had to come up with ways to make reading a bit less of a chore. With my DD, she has the ability to read WAY above her age level (8 yrs. old), but really just wanted to continue reading Junie B. Jones (not that there's anything wrong with that). I wanted to push her a little, so dug out my old copy of Wizard of Oz. I promised her a special surprise when she finished the book. I'd drop hints each day, and she would buckle down and put in at least 20 minutes of reading. She was so excited when she finished it, and then found out that there was a movie made of it! Ever since then, she's been unstoppable. She's gone through Harry Potter books 1, 2, 3, and is working on 4 right now. She is also re-reading the Chronicles of Narnia. I can't wait to get her started on Mary Poppins.

Now, I've got to find something to get my DS excited about it! He kind of just relies on Katie to read to him. Got to nip that in the bud. Any ideas on getting boys interested in reading?

My boys love the Magic Treehouse series of books. Hunter read a whole book 106 pages in 2 days. He is 8. They are very entertaining.

Deb

 

[babytrees]

New one for Spring Break or Summer

OOOH!!! I Love this one!!!!