Our granddaughter, Elena, explained to me this week about the Five Finger Rule in her school library. I thought at first this was going to be a lesson about stealing, since her school focuses on virtuous living. (and sitting up straight. and not chewing gum or wearing flip flops. I like this school).
But The Rule had nothing to do with kleptomania. “When we choose a book from the library,” she said, “we read the first one or two pages. And we hold up one finger for each word we don’t know. If we hold up two or maybe three fingers, then that’s okay. But if we hold up five fingers, then that book is probably a little too hard for us and we should choose another one.”
This. Is. Brilliant.
I am adopting The Five Finger Rule for my life. Starting now.
Two or three fingers, God. That’s about all I’m good for in a day. If we hit five, I’m counting on that “way of escape” showing up. Okay?
I love that rule too. It’s a testament to the type of kiddo they serve in that school because I have much more often heard things like, “Please make sure your child is reading at or above their tested level…” 🙂
I am glad to learn that the five finger rule and the five finger discount are very separate, distinguished concepts. I love this rule. I will try it with my little ones!