Reading Comprehension

As all parents of literate children know, learning to read is a long stepwise process.  First, you start with letter recognition and sound association.  Shortly thereafter, you nail down a few dependable sight words.  Then, you find as many books as possible that have a high concentration of these sight words and you "read" them to your mother 258 times each, to build your self-esteem as a "good reader."  Once you have established a solid reputation as a "good reader," you move on to books with words that need more attention and problem solving.  Then, finally, sometime later--hopefully before you register for your first college freshman English course--you master the lofty skill of reading comprehension.

See words + Understand them = Reading

As such, I am happy to report that #3 is well ahead of schedule in the comprehension department.  But, it is taking its toll on our 15 minutes of out-loud reading every day requirement. . .

Him:  This.  One.  Is.  Qu. . .qu. . .QUIET!  As. A. M. . .Ah. .Uh. . .SSS.

Me:  Mouse.

Him:  Mouse?

Me:  Yep.

Him:  This one is quiet as a mouse?

Me:  That's right.

Him:  That doesn't make any sense.

Me:  Why?

Him:  A mouse isn't quiet at all!

Me:  Really?

Him:  Yeah, I mean, they always make squeaky noises. (exhibiting squeaky noises, which I'm not phonetically expert enough to type here)

Me:  Oh.  Good point.

Him:  Yeah, they should have just put something that was really quiet. . .like wood.

Me:  Okay.

Him:  Wait. . .no, that wouldn't make sense, because, look!, wood makes noise, too. (knocks on nearest wood)

Me:  Alright.

Him:  I know!  Maybe they could have picked a house. . .a house is quiet.  (a brother comes inside, slamming the kitchen door).  Nope. Definitely not a house.  Maybe just something that can't move or talk and isn't alive or anything.

Me:  Sure, let's move on. . .

Him:  I can't even think of anything quiet!  This just doesn't make any sense at all.