We received our copy of "The Father Brown Reader" today. My nine year old was delighted. We read aloud the first story, The Blue Cross, and he gives it a solid two thumbs up. He'd give more thumbs, but he only has two.
I was quite impressed by the adaptation. This is not a "dumbed down" book, even though Mrs. Brown adapted it for younger, contemporary readers. It is recommended on some sites for ages 8-10, but unless your 8-10 year old is a very solid reader, I'd push it up bit for solo reading (10 and up). But as a read aloud, it can go younger.
You can read more about it and order it at FlyingStars
Monday, October 29, 2007
Homeschooling: things I've learned part 3
Below I spoke of trying to find a balance between the duplication of the classroom at home (aka School-in-a-box or full service loads o' texts curriculum), and the learn-from-life-around-you "unschooling" style of homeschooling.
I've found both work, blended.
For the younger children, we needed some formal education, in reading, writing, phonics, and math. That was it. Keeping it simple was the key.
AND blending it all in with what the child was interested in, being alert for those "teachable moments", and leaving lots of time to learn from life itself. If we held off learning from the world around us, because the lesson planner said we had to do page 57 of the History Book, it was a mistake. The child was unlikely to remember what was in the history book, and the lesson they'd remember- perhaps the hummingbirds in the backyard, or measuring ingredients for cookies, was lost.
But those reading and math lessons are important! So what, after years of homeschooling, do I find works?
A bit of time, maybe on the porch in good weather, or in the yard, or around the kitchen table, with the reader, phonics book, or math book (Some children need to avoid distractions, so a regular desk just for school probably is helpful in that case)... Just as much time as was needed to cover a simple lesson for the day, and making sure that time was provided each day (at least as a norm)... But also making sure the time was not excessive. Keep it Simple, keep at it, and don't do too much.
Then read: good books, good poetry that is fun and age appropriate. And take walks. And visit museums. And play with Legos. And dig in mud and collect worms and don't be afraid to get dirty. Talk talk talk with each other. Be alert for the teachable moments. Don't leave your child to be raised by the TV ... be there, be a part of it, model learning yourself, look things up together if someone Wonders.
Blending those two things... a dash of formal education, in limited but consistent amounts, and lots of exploration of truth and beauty... and you've got it.
I've found both work, blended.
For the younger children, we needed some formal education, in reading, writing, phonics, and math. That was it. Keeping it simple was the key.
AND blending it all in with what the child was interested in, being alert for those "teachable moments", and leaving lots of time to learn from life itself. If we held off learning from the world around us, because the lesson planner said we had to do page 57 of the History Book, it was a mistake. The child was unlikely to remember what was in the history book, and the lesson they'd remember- perhaps the hummingbirds in the backyard, or measuring ingredients for cookies, was lost.
But those reading and math lessons are important! So what, after years of homeschooling, do I find works?
A bit of time, maybe on the porch in good weather, or in the yard, or around the kitchen table, with the reader, phonics book, or math book (Some children need to avoid distractions, so a regular desk just for school probably is helpful in that case)... Just as much time as was needed to cover a simple lesson for the day, and making sure that time was provided each day (at least as a norm)... But also making sure the time was not excessive. Keep it Simple, keep at it, and don't do too much.
Then read: good books, good poetry that is fun and age appropriate. And take walks. And visit museums. And play with Legos. And dig in mud and collect worms and don't be afraid to get dirty. Talk talk talk with each other. Be alert for the teachable moments. Don't leave your child to be raised by the TV ... be there, be a part of it, model learning yourself, look things up together if someone Wonders.
Blending those two things... a dash of formal education, in limited but consistent amounts, and lots of exploration of truth and beauty... and you've got it.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Homeschooling: Things I've learned part 2
Balance.
That's a biggie when homeschooling. And in life in general, I'd guess!
I began homeschooling by trying to reproduce school at home. I drove myself nuts, and the kids didn't "progress" as far as "we were supposed to" (that is, we got only halfway through the assigned year).
I lived in a state that required homeschool evaluations each year, and our evaluator- a public school teacher who homeschooled his own children- said while there was nothing wrong with the canned curriculum, there were other ways do to this. He encouraged me to venture away from the Lesson Plan Book.
Moderation not being my strong suit, I did.
I went to a curriculum fair... a huge one... and my brain exploded. I think I probably have multiple personalities anyway, and putting someone like me in a room full of ALL THESE KEWL THINGS just caused me to shatter from about three personalities to 132.
It was fun, though!
But we swung too far in the "cool stuff" direction... I lost the idea of Keep It Simple. Actually, I didn't have that my first year, either, with the BIG LESSON PLAN BOOK with Way Too Much in it.
I followed up with a move to the very simple side... virtual unschooling. Also very good, and it was productive for my one child... BUT... after all these years and quite a few 'mistakes' which my children all successfully survived...
I have found that Balance, Simplicity, and a Joy in God's Creation is what "works".
more specifics in the next post... assuming this personality is still in control... :)
That's a biggie when homeschooling. And in life in general, I'd guess!
I began homeschooling by trying to reproduce school at home. I drove myself nuts, and the kids didn't "progress" as far as "we were supposed to" (that is, we got only halfway through the assigned year).
I lived in a state that required homeschool evaluations each year, and our evaluator- a public school teacher who homeschooled his own children- said while there was nothing wrong with the canned curriculum, there were other ways do to this. He encouraged me to venture away from the Lesson Plan Book.
Moderation not being my strong suit, I did.
I went to a curriculum fair... a huge one... and my brain exploded. I think I probably have multiple personalities anyway, and putting someone like me in a room full of ALL THESE KEWL THINGS just caused me to shatter from about three personalities to 132.
It was fun, though!
But we swung too far in the "cool stuff" direction... I lost the idea of Keep It Simple. Actually, I didn't have that my first year, either, with the BIG LESSON PLAN BOOK with Way Too Much in it.
I followed up with a move to the very simple side... virtual unschooling. Also very good, and it was productive for my one child... BUT... after all these years and quite a few 'mistakes' which my children all successfully survived...
I have found that Balance, Simplicity, and a Joy in God's Creation is what "works".
more specifics in the next post... assuming this personality is still in control... :)
Sunday, October 21, 2007
And Yet More "Shocking" Harry Potter "News"
A certain AP article is making the rounds, right on the heels of the MTV article where the Christian imagery in Harry Potter is revealed to have been intentionally put there by Rowling.
The AP article quotes Rowling as revealing Dumbledore was gay, saying her books were a plea for tolerance, and telling readers to question authority. All in one large distorted lump.
Before people are quick to pass on that article as the absolute unvarnished truth, I recommend reading the full transcript at the Leaky Cauldron site, or go to the Eldrich Hobbit Site for an eyewitness in detail report of what was said, when, and in what context.
When people read the newspapers articles, especially on anything like this, they SHOULD question authority. Especially the authorities who write the newspaper articles. Which, by the way, was part of the context of JKR's comments to "question authority" (she was referring to Nazi like government regimes and Bad and distorted newspaper reporting, specifically. In fact all the comments "quoted" -- and I use the term loosely -- and put in one lump in the AP article were replies to different questions in different contexts at the Q and A event )
The eldrich hobbit
Transcript of comments
The AP article quotes Rowling as revealing Dumbledore was gay, saying her books were a plea for tolerance, and telling readers to question authority. All in one large distorted lump.
Before people are quick to pass on that article as the absolute unvarnished truth, I recommend reading the full transcript at the Leaky Cauldron site, or go to the Eldrich Hobbit Site for an eyewitness in detail report of what was said, when, and in what context.
When people read the newspapers articles, especially on anything like this, they SHOULD question authority. Especially the authorities who write the newspaper articles. Which, by the way, was part of the context of JKR's comments to "question authority" (she was referring to Nazi like government regimes and Bad and distorted newspaper reporting, specifically. In fact all the comments "quoted" -- and I use the term loosely -- and put in one lump in the AP article were replies to different questions in different contexts at the Q and A event )
The eldrich hobbit
Transcript of comments
Friday, October 19, 2007
The 'Christian' Harry Potter
I've been a defender of Harry Potter for years. When I heard the fuss about the books, I pre-read the first one with caution. We don't do "new age" in my home. But fantasy literature we love. And I know that some people respond to fantasy literature, and even classic myth, with fear.
I read the books, and really liked them. They were not perfect (though now that the series is over, I see some of what I found originally problematic was actually an important part of the story and later resolved). But they were good. And there was a tremendous Pro Life message through the books. Christian Virtues (most of which are not exclusive to Christians, of course, and most of which are sadly under-practiced by Christians, none the less they are still "Christian Virtues") abounded. Our heroes did not always practice these virtues, but they were there. And they were VIRTUES. They were aspired to by the flawed characters, some of whom managed to grab em and some of whom never quite got it.
Today, on the wonderful Hogwarts Professor site, I read the best description of the books' Christian influence I've yet read: "As it is, it’s a work of fictional literature that is influenced by Christian belief. " (from a comment by blog reader Travis Prinzi).
Yes, Harry Potter is not a Christian Apology. It's not a Catechetical work. it's a "work of fictional literature that is influenced by Christian belief"
And we don't have enough of that these days.
You can read the
Hogwarts Professor here
I read the books, and really liked them. They were not perfect (though now that the series is over, I see some of what I found originally problematic was actually an important part of the story and later resolved). But they were good. And there was a tremendous Pro Life message through the books. Christian Virtues (most of which are not exclusive to Christians, of course, and most of which are sadly under-practiced by Christians, none the less they are still "Christian Virtues") abounded. Our heroes did not always practice these virtues, but they were there. And they were VIRTUES. They were aspired to by the flawed characters, some of whom managed to grab em and some of whom never quite got it.
Today, on the wonderful Hogwarts Professor site, I read the best description of the books' Christian influence I've yet read: "As it is, it’s a work of fictional literature that is influenced by Christian belief. " (from a comment by blog reader Travis Prinzi).
Yes, Harry Potter is not a Christian Apology. It's not a Catechetical work. it's a "work of fictional literature that is influenced by Christian belief"
And we don't have enough of that these days.
You can read the
Hogwarts Professor here
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Homeschooling - things I've learned, part 1
I have no idea how many "parts" this will have. I just know that after years of homeschooling, and some kids "done" and in college, and some still at home... I'm starting to get the hang of this.
I've gone from canned curriculum to no curriculum to workbooks to unschooling. Sort of the "Sybil" method of homeschooling (and if you get that reference, you're old, like me).
What have I learned? I've learned there are aspects to all those "styles" that are good. I've learned that a total focus on any one is not the best thing (though if I had to err, it would be in the 'unschooling' direction).
Last weekend, my little guy (the last remaining little guy I have! The others are teens or adults now) was looking in a lake. He hung over the edge, hanging onto a branch, looking at the life in the water. He speculated. He thought. He learned.
He didn't know he was "doing school." But he was. And he'll remember that longer than he'll remember chapter 10 of a wordy science book.
more later...
I've gone from canned curriculum to no curriculum to workbooks to unschooling. Sort of the "Sybil" method of homeschooling (and if you get that reference, you're old, like me).
What have I learned? I've learned there are aspects to all those "styles" that are good. I've learned that a total focus on any one is not the best thing (though if I had to err, it would be in the 'unschooling' direction).
Last weekend, my little guy (the last remaining little guy I have! The others are teens or adults now) was looking in a lake. He hung over the edge, hanging onto a branch, looking at the life in the water. He speculated. He thought. He learned.
He didn't know he was "doing school." But he was. And he'll remember that longer than he'll remember chapter 10 of a wordy science book.
more later...
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Where are the Turkeys?
I really do not have a problem with Halloween. For one thing, it's one of ours. It's a Christian day... Hallowed evening... the evening before All Saints Day. And while the neopagans try to claim it was one of theirs, it was one of ours first... Halloween's history is Christian. And I'm all for taking the day BACK.
I also don't mind "fun" scariness for the kids... I don't mind costumes and dress ups... I love when they pick a Saint's costume and go about telling the story of their saint when someone asks "And what are you supposed to be?" But if my son wants to be an M&M or a Pirate or Scary Skeleton that's okay too.
What bugs me is the marketing. Each year, this innocent children's fun day, this historically Christian Feast Evening, when we think of those in heaven with Christ... gets weirder and darker. And worse...
It crowds out the Turkeys.
I can find a glut of Halloween decorations. And I have nothing against Bats. I love bats. Give me a stickie bat window cling and I'll put it up. Anytime of the year.
But what about Thanksgiving?
THANKSGIVING- a day when we give THANKS TO GOD. Used to be able to find all the Pilgrim and Indian decorations. Horns of plenty (a sign of Life, and abundance, and the Goodness of our creative God). Indian Corn. And TURKEYS.
Turkey candles, Turkey table cloths, Big tacky turkey centerpieces.
Where are they? What happened to remembering Thanksgiving?
We rush right from focus on death and greed, to a focus on BUY! BUY! BUY! as the secular version of Christmas takes over.
This week we're making Turkeys out of hand tracings and construction paper. We're talking about the Pilgrims, and the Indians, and why Thanks was given in a BIG FEAST.
And of course, we'll talk about how Mass is Thanksgiving with a Big Feast, too.
God is abundant.
Does anyone know where I can get a Turkey Centerpiece?
I also don't mind "fun" scariness for the kids... I don't mind costumes and dress ups... I love when they pick a Saint's costume and go about telling the story of their saint when someone asks "And what are you supposed to be?" But if my son wants to be an M&M or a Pirate or Scary Skeleton that's okay too.
What bugs me is the marketing. Each year, this innocent children's fun day, this historically Christian Feast Evening, when we think of those in heaven with Christ... gets weirder and darker. And worse...
It crowds out the Turkeys.
I can find a glut of Halloween decorations. And I have nothing against Bats. I love bats. Give me a stickie bat window cling and I'll put it up. Anytime of the year.
But what about Thanksgiving?
THANKSGIVING- a day when we give THANKS TO GOD. Used to be able to find all the Pilgrim and Indian decorations. Horns of plenty (a sign of Life, and abundance, and the Goodness of our creative God). Indian Corn. And TURKEYS.
Turkey candles, Turkey table cloths, Big tacky turkey centerpieces.
Where are they? What happened to remembering Thanksgiving?
We rush right from focus on death and greed, to a focus on BUY! BUY! BUY! as the secular version of Christmas takes over.
This week we're making Turkeys out of hand tracings and construction paper. We're talking about the Pilgrims, and the Indians, and why Thanks was given in a BIG FEAST.
And of course, we'll talk about how Mass is Thanksgiving with a Big Feast, too.
God is abundant.
Does anyone know where I can get a Turkey Centerpiece?
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Book Fair!
Last weekend I found myself wandering around a book fair on the streets of a small artsy town nearby.
The town was interesting... I used the term "bohemian" when describing it to my husband. He said no... this town was "redeveloped" and planned as a "bohemian" town, and therefore it was not. "You can't plan bohemian" he said.
I guess he has a point.
I did find some cool books though.
An illustrator/children's author I like, Dar Hosta, was there. You can see some of her stuff HERE I love her use of color. Plus I've always been partial to those metallic gold and silver pens, since about sixth grade when they were all the rage. :)
I also found some interesting ABC books... homeschoolers are always on the prowl for books that cover more than one subject... boy that sounds formal... "cover more than one subject" ... how can I reprhase? Books about lots of cool stuff?
Well, whatever. I picked up Marcie Aboff's "Guatemala ABCs" The author has a series of ABC books telling about different lands. I flipped open this one to see if they got the Catholic Culture correct- and they did. For example, "D is for Day of the Dead." And they are pretty accurate (but quite simple) in telling about it. "H is for Holy Week" too! It's not a Catholic book... they touch on some Mayan folk lore/mythology.. which is fine by me but I know any hint of folklore or mythology gives some people the vapors.
Did you know the Guatemalan National Bird is the QUETZAL? I do now. And now I have something other than "Queen" and "Quilt" to use for the letter Q when doing alphabet cards.
Which brings me to the second most important letter in an alphabet book.
X
I always liked the Richard Scarry ABC book because he didn't use XRAY for X. (you'll have to pick up his book if you want to know what he used. Hint: It's Aquatic). The Guatemala ABC book has Xelaju.
What's that?
Buy the book and find out! :)
I did say X was the second most important letter. The first, is quite obviously "C".
"C is for Coffee"
The books are put out by picturewindowbooks and also have ABC books for Australia, Canada (eh?), China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Israel,
Italy,
Japan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States. I didn't check the other books so I can't speak for their content, but I plan to learn more about them. My youngest is past the learning ABC stage, but he read the Guatemala ABC book simply because it was interesting.
publisher web site here
The town was interesting... I used the term "bohemian" when describing it to my husband. He said no... this town was "redeveloped" and planned as a "bohemian" town, and therefore it was not. "You can't plan bohemian" he said.
I guess he has a point.
I did find some cool books though.
An illustrator/children's author I like, Dar Hosta, was there. You can see some of her stuff HERE I love her use of color. Plus I've always been partial to those metallic gold and silver pens, since about sixth grade when they were all the rage. :)
I also found some interesting ABC books... homeschoolers are always on the prowl for books that cover more than one subject... boy that sounds formal... "cover more than one subject" ... how can I reprhase? Books about lots of cool stuff?
Well, whatever. I picked up Marcie Aboff's "Guatemala ABCs" The author has a series of ABC books telling about different lands. I flipped open this one to see if they got the Catholic Culture correct- and they did. For example, "D is for Day of the Dead." And they are pretty accurate (but quite simple) in telling about it. "H is for Holy Week" too! It's not a Catholic book... they touch on some Mayan folk lore/mythology.. which is fine by me but I know any hint of folklore or mythology gives some people the vapors.
Did you know the Guatemalan National Bird is the QUETZAL? I do now. And now I have something other than "Queen" and "Quilt" to use for the letter Q when doing alphabet cards.
Which brings me to the second most important letter in an alphabet book.
X
I always liked the Richard Scarry ABC book because he didn't use XRAY for X. (you'll have to pick up his book if you want to know what he used. Hint: It's Aquatic). The Guatemala ABC book has Xelaju.
What's that?
Buy the book and find out! :)
I did say X was the second most important letter. The first, is quite obviously "C".
"C is for Coffee"
The books are put out by picturewindowbooks and also have ABC books for Australia, Canada (eh?), China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Israel,
Italy,
Japan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States. I didn't check the other books so I can't speak for their content, but I plan to learn more about them. My youngest is past the learning ABC stage, but he read the Guatemala ABC book simply because it was interesting.
publisher web site here
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Discovering the Greek Myths
A few weeks ago my little guy used the term "Greek Myth" to mean something made up. I had picked up a copy of D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths , and we cracked it open yesterday for a read aloud. He did not want me to stop. He LOVES the myths. He thought Argus was pretty cool, what with all those eyes.
Monsters and weird looking creatures are ALWAYS cool.
He's writing his own 'myth' now. It started to explain how caterpillars got little bitty legs, and now involves a whole complex cast of characters, only one of whom has realized the "gods" are not real. He eventually becomes a priest (of the one True God, whom he realizes must exist).
So we're wandering out of "myth" territory, but that's where his story went...
Monsters and weird looking creatures are ALWAYS cool.
He's writing his own 'myth' now. It started to explain how caterpillars got little bitty legs, and now involves a whole complex cast of characters, only one of whom has realized the "gods" are not real. He eventually becomes a priest (of the one True God, whom he realizes must exist).
So we're wandering out of "myth" territory, but that's where his story went...
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