For copy work we work from a book that is biased on Australian poetry and literature (We are Aussies )from http://www.downunderlit.com/index_files/copywork.htm But for younger children I agree with Milehimama, shopping lists, list of plants, copy something that dad could send so that he could sent it back. Look up quotes that are relevant or speak to you. I do like the book that we are using though, because it is there and ready to go, i don’t have to think about it or plan it (I make up a lot of our other curriculum). And although I have not read Charlotte Mason’s writing, from what I have been told it is about quality not quantity. At J age just one or two words written beautifully is better than getting a sentence or more. In saying this maybe he can slowly label things around the house (what belongs where in his drawers???)

As for Audio books there are a few things that I can suggest. Try short burst, and tell him before hand if you want him to narrate back to you. This helps him understand that you really want him to listen. If he still struggles with this, work together and listen to just a few sentences at a time, then stop the cd and talk about what you have heard (just like when you read about something new in a book), as time goes on he will be able to retain more and narrate back long bits of information. Also try letting him listen just for fun, I expect my dd aged 8 to narrate back to me from a read aloud, but audio books are just for fun (or my nana nap time )
He may listen better if he is working on something else. It has been shown that children can retain more audio information if they are playing with something at the same time. So maybe he can paint a picture (even of something from the story) make a model with play dough/salt dough, play with legos, or build with blocks. He wont retain all the story, but as he grows, he will learn to listen more.

Hang in there it is early days yet, you are both still getting the hang of it, and you will both learn, grow and change as you progress along your journey.

Cheers
Natty

Thank you, Natty. We really haven’t listened to any audio books. I’m a book lover that really only enjoys holding a book and sitting down to read it. I will try the blocks/playdough/painting idea while we listen. I only planned this to be listening reading. Peter Pan is one of our Year 1 books for extra reading. I didn’t expect narrations, but I do want him to at least hear the story.

We’ve done copywork on the sycamore tree, which we identified by seed pod in our backyard. Have you thought to have him help you with the grocery list/menu? Select and copy from a master list? Real life seems to work for my boys.

His spelling book also has scripture verses to memorize, and we use those as copywork. Finally, the boy hates copywork and handwriting, so sometimes I will use sentences out of his “fun” reading books.

As for the CD – have you tried making him a worksheet until he gets in the habit of attentive listening? Select a few keywords from the portion you are in, and have him circle them when he hears them. For example for the beginning of the book you might write the words Nursery, Peter, dog, Father, and Wendy. Or needle, shadow, window, etc.
Works for church sermons, maybe it will work for a book on tape!

Milehimama, thanks! I did the list of words today for him to circle and make tally marks every time he heard the word again. I used it for a Parable from Nature which is a bit harder to listen to. He enjoyed it. Thanks for the tip!

Audio Books- We love audio books! Dinner & quiet time doesn’t work for us either. We often listen to them at bedtime, in the dark, after our other read a louds. We are in the car alot… so that works for us. Did J pick Peter Pan or you? You might let him pick (with your guidance) to start with to train his listening skills, then move into your more classical picks. We have gone through the libraries entire 5-10 minute books on tape and are now moving into the novels. We really enjoyed Brer Rabbit & the Tar Baby read by Danny Glover and Junie B Jones. I know those are polar opposite but Junie B is very funny.

Thanks for the link. I’ll try to take time to read it thoroughly. I think my idea is to have it be great thoughts, great sentences, etc. Noble ideas and excellent vocabulary for him to spend time on. I just can’t decide if it should be on a theme or not?
He does just fine with sentences and short poems. He’s already reading and writing because that’s what we spent last year on. So he is ready for more than simple lists or labeling things.