Reading - For Pleasure and / or For Knowledge

My fourteen year old daughter is an avid reader. Sometimes we can't get her to put a book down. She devours books like most kids go through video games. So clearly, this concern that I have about her reading is tempered. As I have another child who equates reading with the plague, I do know how blessed I am that she reads anything. But I am in the process of trying to grow her reading list. I have tried to encourage her to beef up her book choice. As she has made college a clear goal in her life, I believe that she has to begin to include some classics and award winning books into her repetoire in order to: 1. be seriously considered by a college 2. aquire the basis for knowledge to converse with other educated people. Below I have cited some booklists that you may find helpful, if you have the same perdicament, but I would also love to hear what books you consider necessary to a proper education.

College Bound Reading List
Compiled by Arrowhead Library System

http://www.phschool.com/curriculum_support/reading_list/high_school.html

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/23628.html

http://www.listsofbests.com/list/23705

A Good Book For Reluctant Readers

As those of you who read this blog regularly know, my DS is a reluctant reader. Yesterday, however you would have thought differently. He took the Scholastic Book of World Records 2009 and refused to put it down. He pummeled us with questions: What is the place with the world’s fastest winds? What is the loudest mammal? What country eats the most potato chips? We almost could not get him to put the book down. It is a good combination of words and pictures. The captions are catchy and he loves trying to catch us on the answers. Although, I think he is surprised at how many answers we came up with.





FYI – Mt. Washington; Blue Whale; United Kingdom

Igniting your Child's Interests by Exploring Your Own

As homeschooling parents, it is important to stay interested and excited about the world too. By keeping up our interests, we may inspire our children or learn something that may interest them. Today, my find came from The Know-It-All.

Have you ever heard of a gnomon? I had not, but in learning about it the whole idea of square roots suddenly made sense. Interestingly, DD is working with square roots in her math – not the simple kind but some of the more advanced which include variables and rational and irrational numbers, but I thought she too would find this very interesting. He explains and illustrates the idea very simply using dots. If you can put evenly spaced dots representing each number, evenly such that you create a square, you have found a number which is a perfect square. The bottom row, or root, when counted is the square root of this number. Wow, that is amazing! Suddenly, strange mathematical terms made sense to the kids and to me.

Of course just like any other homeschooling home, this spurned us off into questions about the beginning of numbers and who created mathematics? I think truly we have discovered how curiosity killed the cat - - -he got so side tracked trying to satiate his curiosity, he forgot to stop and eat.

What would you carry?

Today I had the kids complete a version of "If there is a fire in your house, what would you take?" but with a slightly different bent.

I am reading Suite Francaise. A novel about France as the Germans overtake it. Interestingly, the book is written by a woman who herself was there and was herself deported and later died in Auschwitz.



This book starts in Paris with the Germans on the march. The people of Paris realize that the fall of the city is imanant and that they must leave and so they begin to pack their cars to head to the contryside, so I posed the question to the children - If we had to escape our home quickly and could only take what we could fit in DH's truck, what would you take? They both scibbled down lists.

As the book continues, Petrol or gas runs out and people are forced to abandon their cars. I asked the children to trim their lists to what we could carry on our backs.

Futher along, there is a bombing that causes them to flee for their lives. Many of the characters are happy to make it out with their lives. I asked them to trim again to what they would carry at all times as not to leave something behind. I read them the following section:

She (Madame Pericand) looked again at everything she had brought, "everything she had saved": her children, her overnight cases. She placed her hand over the jewelery and money sewn into her blouse. Yes, during this terrible time she had acted with determination, courage and composure. She hadn't lost her head! She hadn't lost . . .she hadn't . . .Suddenly she cried out in a choked voice. She clutched her throat and fell backwards, letting out a low moan as if she were suffocating.
"My God, Madame! Madame, what's the matter?" exclaimed Nanny.
"Nanny, my dear Nanny," Madame Pericand finally groanded in a barely audible voice, "We forgot . . ."
"What? What did we forget?"
"We forgot my father-in-law," said Madame Pericand, dissolving into tears. (pages 112)

This led to a great car conversation about growing up in fear of Russia and in the importance of relationships and items. We were very happy to see that no only did they see the value and necessity of things, but also of people. They remembered to collect their grandfather (my father) down the street.

Reading Your Way into Good Habits

When I was at work the other night, the Family Consumer Science teachers gave me an article, “Healthful Messages, Wrapped in Fiction” by Tara Parker-Pope. The article discussed the idea of positive messages to girls can be introduced in literature and successfully change their habits. As we have been having problems with DD (teenage issues) and would love to have her get better (more positive) media information, I thought this article may help. I thought it may help me foray into a conversation about the media and its impact on her. Also, I thought perhaps she may read these books.

Impressively, she took to the idea right away. She read the article with interest and then this morning took out not one but three of the Beacon Street Girlsbooks from the library to read and review for me. I thought this was great, because we adults can sit around and discuss what is “good” for kids, but they need to decide if it is really good. When she writes something up, we’ll publish it for your review.

In the meantime, please let me know if you or any of your daughters have read this series.

Library Lock-in

Ok, I’ll go from writing about too much to do to being excited about one of the activities. We received an invitation to a Lock-in at the local library. The homeschooling community is going to have a sleepover with literary scavenger hunts, a video game area, movies, authors’ reading their work. As Regenia said, “Don’t plan to get too much sleep.” I wasn’t too sure how the kids were going to react, but both said they were in so I have signed us up.

Of course since our group is well known for its cooperative management, I now have to think of some activity that might blend with what they have planned. I’ll have to really think on this one.

One of the great things is that it will cost me a whopping $15. $5 for each of us and that will cover the cost of pizza. I love when cheapness collides with fun and education.

I encourage you to find a homeschooling group if you haven’t already. If you have found one but did not mesh with it, I encourage you to look again. We are very lucky that we found a great group right from the beginning.

A Literature Unit Study - World War II

Literature Unit Study
Book: Dear America Series: My Secret War: The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck (Long Island, NY 1941) By Mary Pope Osbourne

Grade Level: 5-8

As this is a diary, entries are made by date. I have attempted to notate relateable sections of the diary to the activities recommended. By no means is this list of possible activities meant to be done 100%, instead it should be large and varied enough to allow families to choose activities that interest and best suit their needs.

WRITING

- Mr. O’Malley quoted from a newspaper column written by Eleanor Roosevelt. “Mrs Roosevelt wants all Americans to ‘pledge to be a little thoughtful every day about the meaning of freedom.’” Think about what freedom means to you. Find a way to express your thoughts to others. Write a poem, song, or story to express yourself. Share your expression. (12-5-41)
- Write and perform a radio script that may have been heard by Madeline and Johnny.
Maddie writes quite a bit to her father, but on April 4th, 1942, she laments “But then I haven’t written him in a while, either. I have to buckle down . . .” Is there someone that you should write a letter to? Sit down and write them a note. (4-4-42)
- Choose your favorite character in the book with the exception of the main character Maddie. Write three diary entries from their perspective.

READING
Choose one of the following:
- Franklin Roosevelt
- Eleanor Roosevelt
- Tojo – the Premier of Japan
- Mary Pope Osbourne, the author
Read biographical information about one of these people. Share what your found.

HISTORY
- Create a timeline of Madeline Beck’s life as portrayed in her diary. Make at least 10 entries. Research WWII. Add at least five more entries to your timeline that are not mentioned in the book.
- Make a poster that shows and explains the differences (appearance and usage) of an aircraft carrier, battleship, cruiser, destroyer, submarine and German u-boat (10-19-41 & 12-29-41)
President Roosevelt proclaims a National Day of Prayer on 1-1-42. What does this mean? When else has a National Day of Prayer been proclaimed?
- Make a list of the allied and axis countries of WWII. (1-1-42)
- Find out who Rosie the Riveter is. Write a compare and contrast report about her vs. the women of today. (1-28-42)
- Maddie believes she met the Germans on Long Island. Find a newspaper article from the time period that relates to the Germans breaching our shores. (6-12-42)
- Research one battle of World War II. Create a model to show what occurred.
- Research the ranks in the military. Write them in ascending order.

GEOGRAPHY
This book is sprinkled with locations of the war and other important events. Find a map (be sure that you have one that is accurate for the 1940’s) and locate the following places (notated by the underlined word):
-Dad’s ship leaves from San Francisco (9-29-41)
-Mrs. Rosenthal & Clara are refugees from Germany (10-11-41)
-US Navy delivered war material to Russia and Great Britain (10-14-41)
-Hitler’s army was in: Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. (10-20-41)
-Her father has been located in California, New Hampshire, Virginia, Florida, Panama, and Far Rockaway. (10-20-41)
-Is Dad going to fight in the Pacific? (11-9-42)
-Theo told Madeline to “keep an eye on Japan.” (11-24-41)
-The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor. (12-7-41)
-Mussolini of Italy declares war on the US. (12-11-41)
-Manila, the capitol of the Philippines, fell to the Japanese. (1-6-42)
-The Japanese had taken over Wake Island, Guam, and Hong Kong (1-9-42)
-The Japanese troops attacked Bataan – (3-26-42)
-Johnny added more Japanese flags to his map: Papua and New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Burma and all of Borneo. (4-2-42)
-Maddie and her mother plan a train trip from New York City to Chicago and then finally to San Francisco. (7-22-42)

ARTS & CRAFTS
- Madaline is touched by Eleanor Roosevelt words, “You are going to have a great opportunity. There will be high moments in which your strength and ability will be tested. I have faith in you.” This quote so inspires her that she writes it down and posts it on her wall.
- Create a poster of your favorite inspiration quote and post it up. (12-8-41)
- Sew a dress for a doll or for yourself (12-18-41)
- Maddie and Johnny decided that they should make special insignias for people that help in the war effort. Create special awards or cards to give to people in your community that help others and deliver them. (2-22-1942)
- Learn about a victory garden (3-7-1942). Plant your own victory garden. If you are short on space or it is winter consider a container garden or spice garden.
Draw, paint, or sculpt a character or setting from the book using the descriptions found in the book.

PHYSICAL EXERCISE –
- The K3F club puts together a calisthenics program. Research calisthenics and create a program for yourself. Follow it for 1 week. (4-1-42)
- Maddie recounts a recital where she forgot all the planned steps and just danced as she pleased. She said she felt like a wind chime. Choose a piece of music and create a dance of your own. Perform it for someone else. (4-4-1942)

VOCABULARY – Look up each of the following words and be sure that you understand what they mean. Write a sentence using each of the words. As this is a long list, you may want to break it into several sections depending on how long you are planning to spend on the unit study.

Exploratory (11-14-41)
Maneuvers (11-14-41)
Negotiations (11-28-41)
Envoy (11-29-41)
Ominous (12-3-41)
Declarations (12-8-41)
Sabotage (12-8-41)
Inspirational (12-8-41)
Infamy (12-9-41)
Premeditated (12-9-41)
Coincidence (2-2-42)
Censored (12-13-41)
Infantile (12-21-41)
Alliance (1-1-42)
Rendezvous (1-1-42)
Periscope (1-18-42
Sympathizers (3-3-42)
Arsenals (3-4-42)
Calisthenics (4-1-42)
Munitions (4-14-42)
Resignation (5-19-42)
Waylay (6-21-42)
Saboteur (6-21-42 – later)
Theoretical (6-23-1942 – later)
Recuperating (6-28-42)


- Explain what Theo meant by her description of Hitler as a “deadly microbe” (12-12-41)

AUDITORY
Pick one of the following songs to listen to:
Freddy Martin and his Orchestra – “To Each his own”
Harry James Orchestra – “You Made Me Love You”
Bing Crosby – “Junk Ain’t No Junk No More” (4-21-42)

Choose one of the following:
- a World War II veteran
- a emigrant from another country
- a refugee from another country
Attend a speech given by one of the people in these categories or arrange for a personal interview. You may be surprised to find people from these categories in your very own family.

VISUAL
Choose one of the following movies and watch it:
Citizen Kane (10-18-41)
Pearl Harbor (12-7-41) – NOTE: This is rated R, but due primarily to the violence which is a reality of war. I would suggest that you watch it first to decide if it is appropriate for your children.
Molly : An American Girl on the Home Front

COOKING
_ Cook and serve a Thanksgiving Dinner. Be sure to share all that you are thankful for (11-27-41)
- Blackouts were scary, but the crew at the Mansion-by-the-Sea were comforted by Mrs. Hawkins Blueberry Pie. Find a good recipe and bake a Blueberry Pie (4-24-42)
-Due to the war rationing, sugar was hard to come by. Therefore, Mom had to make a sugarless desert called a “war recipe”. The recipe is in the back of the book. Bake it and try it. How does it compare to what you are used to? What did the recipe use in lieu of sugar for its sweetness? (5-17-42)

LANGUAGE
- Mrs. Rosenthal sometimes “talks to herself in German”. Learn to count to ten in German and at least 5 other helpful phrases (i.e. hello, goodbye, thank you) (11-11-41)
- Create a code letter like Johnny and Maddie did. See if someone else can “read” it. (1-16-42)

CULTURE / RELIGION
- Maddie is very surprised on her 10-25-41 entry to find out that Clara and her mother are Jewish. If you are not Jewish, try to find someone who is to discuss the similarities and difference in your beliefs. If you are Jewish, find a Christian to compare and contrast with.

BIBLE
- Mom reprimands Madeline for not being charitable and thinking of the sacrifice of others. Find two scriptures that Mom could have used in her argument. (10-11-41)
- Johnny and Maddie decide not to tell anyone about their part in the solving the crime. Maddie writes “Isn’t that what you learn in church – Do good works for their own sake and not for a reward?” To what scriptures might she be referring? (7-9-42)

MISSION / ACTION
- There are many times in the book when Maddie, her mother, and the K3F club give of their time. Fin a worthy cause that you can help. Either raise money to donate to the cause or find a way that you can donate your time to them.
- Johnny and Maddie came up with a motto for their club: “Victory does not come without a price”. Learn about what a motto is and create a motto for your homeschooling group. They also choose a “guiding light” quotation. Find a quote or scripture that your family can use. (2-13-1942 – Later).

POSSIBLE FIELD TRIPS
Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial – Hawaii
WWII National Monument – Washington DC
The National WWII museum – New Orleans, LA
Wright Museum – America at War – 1939-1945 – The Home Front – Wolfboro, NH
National WASP WWII Museum– Sweetwater, TX (WASP means Women Service Airforce Pilots)
Eldred WWII Museum – Eldred, PA

RELATED READING
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Fence Away from Freedom: Japanese Americans & World War II by Ellen Levine – 1st hand accounts of youth and teenagers who endured internment camps during WWII.
Eleanor Roosevelt – A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman – A Newberry Honor Book.
The Moved-Outers by Florence Crannel Means – a Newberry Honor Roll Book about the Japanese Interment camps during WWII
Journey to Topaz by Yoshiko Uchida
Any of Molly books from American Girl

It May Just Be the Book

My son is a very reluctant 11 year old reader. I continue to read to him. I encourage him to read aloud to me. However, even the word, “reading” throws him into fits. He will do almost anything in his power to avoid reading. He is very frustrated reader, but I don’t think he realizes how far he has come. He will tell you that he is not a reader because he cannot read every word that he comes across. My argument of course is the opposite; since he can read most of the words he comes across, he is a reader.

Lately though, he has diverged from his normal aversion to reading. He has actually been calling in books from the library. He has come by a series by Edge Books. The book titles include: Bowhunting, Camping, Canoeing, Deer Hunting, Duck Hunting, Fly Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Hiking, Ice Fishing, Pheasant Hunting, Saltwater Fishing, and Snowmobiling. These titles are right up his alley. The series is only written on a 3rd –4th grade reading level, but he is reading on his own and enjoying it enough to request more. The books are not too long and therefore do not intimidate him. The subject matter touches on his “manly” passions and interests. The print is large and easily readable. It is broken up into reasonable chunks. These books are wonderful. I hope they write more.

Does anyone have other recommendations for reluctant readers? Especially boys?

Quotations I hope my son never finds about reading (notice they are all written by men):

Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought.
Sir Arthur Helps

Reading musses up my mind.
Henry Ford (1863 - 1947)

What we call education and culture is for the most part nothing but the substitution of reading for experience, of literature for life, of the obsolete fictitious for the contemporary real.
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

Summerhill

One of the most interesting books related to alternative learning is Summerhill. I encourage you to read it. You may not agree with all the ideas in the book, but it will open your mind to a new concept in learning. This is especially important for parents considering homeschooling that have never experienced alternative educational ideas. If you do not start to stretch your mind to the possibilities in learning, you will find that you just repeat traditional schooling methods at home.

Some of you may find the premises of Summerhill appalling or too permisive, but you will be impressed by the results. Summerhill is an actual school that still exists today in England. Students, age 5 -18, have been attending this school since 1921. It was founded by A.S. Neill on the premise that children are autonomous units and as so deserve respect and rights. Neither the state nor parents should oversee a child’s learning. A child should be responsible for their own education both in direction and content. While as a homeschooling family, your goal may not be this radical, some of A.S. Neill’s may cause you to think differently about education and thereby how you plan to shape your day.

This is a book which you may wish to purchase, because I will bet that you will dog ear the pages and highlight passages. You will put it down in disgust, but return to it to review the ideas that it presents.

“I would rather Summerhill produce a happy street sweeper rather than a neurotic Prime Minister.” A.S. Neill
Let us know what you think of Summerhill. Would you send your child there? What ideas might you implement from this school into your own life?