Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters I've Created a Monster....

We've been trying to encourage my 6 year old to read more but he's pretty bored with the "Look at Spot Run" books and is one of those kids that if he's awake he's outside. I gave him an old stack of Wolfe and Sports Afield magazines to read. He's had some trouble with some of the larger words and some of the content is way over his head but we'll talk about an article after he reads it and I'll ask him questions about it. Not has hesitant about quizzes when its a subject he likes and his weekly reading comprehension tests have went from the low 80s to the high 90s in the two months he's been reading the magazines. The down side is that when they made their Christmas list this weekend his list included a Cooper rifle and a moose hunt.....

I say Santa better have those Elves work a little overtime!

Kids ask for the darnedest things. So, start him out with something small like a Cooper M54 and a Whitetail hunt .

So, what caliber Cooper are you getting him?

I was thinking more along the lines of a Savage Rascal and a rabbit hunt. Santa's not going to be able to get enough overtime for the Cooper anytime soon

GOOD for you &

GOOD for him.


Jerry

This will be included in your Father of the Year citation.


Okie John

Great story.

Try the Redwall books by Brian Jaques (I think that is the author) my kids loved them at that age.

The Rascal and rabbit hunt is an awesome idea.
Way to go dad.

He needs a Cooper

I taught 8th grade English for many years and occasionally was given a class of reading challenged kids.

This was the era pre “high interest, low ability” texts and finding materials that were both sufficiently interesting and challenging was difficult, so with my principal’s permission, I distributed my collection of Field and Stream, OL, Sports Afield, Cycle World, Sports Illustrated, and Hot Rod mags to the class. Readings were followed by written summaries, and the technique seemed to be successful for many years.

This was more than a few years ago, and, of course, times have changed.

I’d likely be fired today.

Bob

You'll really be fuucked when he starts reading the optics forum.....grin

Good thing you didn't start him on Playboy.

This is awesome!

Oh boy, are you helpful......I'm sure dad appreciates it.........

Simply amazing, let kids read something that interests them and they do better at reading and comprehension. Whoda thunk it?

I was a teacher and I kept as many as 200 hunting, fishing, and shooting magazines in my classroom. Several of the boys who were having a hard time reading would really get into the magazines. I had several discussions with the boys on the articles and what they learned from them.

Just don't let him read the Kampfar as he will insist on a 6.5 Creedmoor Cooper. My dad read me James Fenmore Cooper and I can't think of a better series of books for you to read to him and then he read to you in turn. Mark Twain would be another good addition. My own monsters have grown up to do well in spite of my parenting skills or lack of. Your doing good.

One of the wisest things my dad did was buy the Book of Knowledge encyclopedia (for kids). I'd ask a question and he'd tell m to look it up. A couple hours later he'd find me reading about something far removed from what I asked - had found all kinds of interesting stuff I wanted to read about while turning to the right page.

I got interested in the outdoors, guns and hunting by reading my uncle's outdoor magazines when we went to his home for visits. Fast forward 60+ years and my interest is as strong as ever and has provided many cherished memories, good on you for getting your son started on the same path. Happy Thanksgiving, do something outdoors with your boy over the holiday weekend.

Look up the youth hunting book series by Lane Walker. Great reads! Both my boys really enjoyed them. Good lessons and the main characters are kids.

What's worse, I have more money into my son's rifle than I've invested into any other rifle the past decade.................

Great Job Dad.
I remember reading the old sports illustrated books on fishing and hunting cover to cover back in 4th grade. They were left on the back shelf in the dusty end of the library. Likely headed for the dumpster soon after I read them.
It was and still is a great way to spend time reading.
Enjoy the hunt.