I have set an impossible goal for this homeschool year. It was my hope to read all the books on my kids’ reading lists before they read them. Since I have four different reading lists I didn’t think this would be a goal I could easily achieve.
Our school just started and I have already failed. I started reading Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, which is on my 9th grade daughter’s reading list as well as part of her curriculum. I finished the book in less than a week, only to find out that she has read about seven books to my one!
I don’t think I will be able to read every book before they read them, but I hope to at least read all the books. I had never read Around the World before and I loved it! When I was in high school our assigned reading seemed so boring and out of touch. I can only remember one book I read in high school and that was As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner, and the only thing I remember about the book is that I didn’t like it!
Verne is an extraordinary writer and you are hooked by the second chapter. This book has enough adventure and suspense to excite even the most reluctant of readers. This would also make a great read aloud for younger kids who aren’t quite ready to tackle such a large chapter book.
We are using this book for our first nine weeks of Total Language Plus. Below is a pdf of a quiz for lesson one. It is pretty basic, but covers the vocabulary from the first lesson. Feel free to download and use for your kids.
Around the World in 80 Days Vocab quiz week 1.
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That is wonderful that she is such a reader! I wish my dd were more like me. I love to read! It is a struggle to get her to read, yet she needs to get very good at it to succeed later in life.
We are reading through around the world out loud together and really enjoying it! A chapter a day it takes a while, but it keeps us interested. We did watch the movie before, and of course, the book is much better.
I can’t imagine keeping up with everyone’s reading, especially as they get older, I think just getting them read at some point is a good goal.
~Erin
I can’t keep up with all of the books my high school daughters read, but I do listen to as many of them as I can. Most of the literature they read is on cassette or CD at the library. Wearing a walkman or Ipod, I listen to the books as I do chores and cook meals.
I do try to read everyone’s books – it’s not too hard, yet, as my daughter loves Nancy Drew books, and I’ve already read most of them!
I remember a lot of books from high school, particularly The Last of the Mohicans, which we all despised. Our American Lit class went on strike and refused to finish the book. Now, if the Daniel Day Lewis film had been available then…
I plan to do that as my girls get older, too. I love that idea.
I think you picked the wrong book to read by Fualkner. He is a great writer, though I knew his great grandson, and he couldn’t find a niche with his writing. I found that interesting.