1958 Through Golden Windows

Working at a public library has some advantages especially since I homeschool. Resources for teaching are at my disposal. I am always on the lookout for books to supplement the curriculum we use. One great advantage are the used books that come through our library doors any given day. Most of this material is unusable for a public library; therefore, what cannot be cataloged is sold. The staff gets first dibs on what they want to purchase before the public. When this set of books came through the door, I was on them like a "chicken on a June bug" as we say here in Tennessee.

To say these books are great is an understatement. Published in 1958 by Grolier when moral values for children's books were still politically correct, this set of anthologies is chocked full of stories to encourage reading and learning. Taken together, these books represent five large areas of interest: fun and humor, adventure, children everywhere, the story of America and science. For each area there are two volumes, one for children of pre-school and primary age, and the other for intermediate grade readers. As a child grows in reading power, he may move from Mostly Magic to Fun and Fantasy or for the adventurer Wonderful Things Happen to Adventures Here and There. For the history buff: Stories of Early America eventually to American Backgrounds and for the science enthusiasts, Wide Wonderful World to Man and His World.

You will find fairy tales in their original version before it was offensive to toss the witch from Hansel in Gretel into the oven. Just being honest here folks. Creation is referenced in the science books, patriotism is still the main theme in history and cultural differences are viewed in a positive way. These gems are all over E-Bay for different prices depending on the condition. I paid $10.00 for the 10 volume set in good condition but now that I have used them, I would willingly pay five times that amount. They are worth every penny!

Plus, for the completely shallow part of me, they are beautiful and look great on my bookshelf.

These books have worked-for-me and I plan on keeping them and reading them to my grand babies in a land far, far away from now. Visit Shannon at Rocks-In-My-Dryer for more Works-For-Me-Wednesday ideas. Take time to look at her blog while you are there, she is great!

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Works For Me Wednesday - Homeschool Helper

I like "ye ole English" and I love Shakespeare. As a homeschooling parent it is my job to make sure Big I encounters good books. His reading level is high, but Shakespeare, even for adults, can be daunting. Then I heard about the Shakespeare Can Be Fun! series by Lois Burdett and righteth awayeth you better knoweth I put in a quicketh requesteth (say that three times fasteth) at the library where I work to order a few of these jewels! Beautifully written and beautifully illustrated (art work by children), these books are a delight to the eyes and ears. This is a great way to introduce younger children to Shakespeare so that when they are older Sir William will not seem as intimidating. I read them aloud to Big I and we talk about the plot as we go along. Shakespeare would be so proud!

Then there is this treasure! The Dangerous Book For Boys. I saw this and had to purchase a copy for our bookshelf. Beautifully bound, gorgeous illustrations and perfect for boys ages 5 to 105. If you want your son to read, here is the answer. I catch Big I reading our copy under his covers with a penlight. From knot typing, to rabbit hunting and many "how to" chapters between, my boy can not seem to put this book down. The Daring Book For Girls is also available, but not having a daughter, I have not glanced through it.

These have worked-for-me! You can find more "Works-For-Me Wednesday" ideas at Rocks In My Dryer. Give Shannon a visit. You'll be glad you did!

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Day #24 - Not Just For Homeschoolers

When I began homeschooling "Big I" four years ago, I was a novice. I still am. If I can homeschool, anyone can!

I am not a homeschooling parent who changes curriculum every year. I chose A Beka because I was familiar with their program and I have, for the most part, stuck with their curriculum. I think their Language, Spelling, and Math cannot compare to some of the other programs available. It is hard, it is advanced and sometimes we cry.

One thing I did different this year was history. I love history, "Big I" loves history, but we get tired of reading about the same historical events from year to year in the same tiresome format, thus I decided we needed a change. I was not really thrilled with any of my options. How many ways can one teach history? Plus, I questioned, how important is it for a sixth grader to remember all the dates, facts, and time lines at this point in the education process? "What do you remember from your sixth grade history class?" I asked myself. "Nothing," was my answer.

Anyway, I was somewhat familiar with Susan Wise Bauer and her form of classical education from her best selling book The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home. While I am not crazy about the classical teaching method, I do like The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child published by Peace Hill Press. I was delighted to find it was available in audio book format. I purchased Volume 1: Ancient Times, From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, and let me just say it is WONDERFUL! We listen to chapters rather than read them which is a nice change. It not only teaches history but helps with listening skills. We have truly loved Volume 1 and I will soon be purchasing Volume 2. If "Big I" were smaller, I could easily see us listening to the stories before bedtime. The reader, Jim Weiss, has a voice that flows like honey. You do not have to homeschool to enjoy these audios. Children will not even know they are listening to a history lesson, they will just love the storytelling aspect. "It may be used along with the print book, as a supplement to a traditional history curriculum or independently," so says the box. You simply cannot use it wrong.

This has really worked well for me! Check out more Works for Me Wednesday ideas at Rocks In My Dryer.

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

#15 - Couplets and Butterflies

We studied couplets today in creative writing. Big I's assignment was a short poem. The first line was given and he was to finish the poem. Let me just say that twelve year old boys are not thrilled about writing poems. Especially poems about butterflies. Anyway, he persevered and here is the result:

Butterflies fluttering through the air
Land on dogs' noses as if on a dare,
Land gently on flowers without a care,
Folding their wings as if in prayer.

Robert Frost has nothing on this kid!

I am at the half-way mark with the "30 posts, 30 days" challenge and thanks to Big I, I had something worth posting today.

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Creative Writing

I am teaching a creative writing class to Little I this school year. It is so fun to read his journal entries on assigned topics. I thought I would share today's entry with you. The following is from "The Journal of Little I" and I am typing it just as he wrote it. Please do not judge the cleanliness of my house based on this entry!

9-23-08
My Bedroom

My Bedroom is pretty big, not huge, but normal sized. I love it except for one thing, it smells like dog pee. (don't ask.) It's normally very cozy. It sometimes gets hot and sometimes its cold depending on the weather. It has sort of a low roof especially if you're sitting on the top bunk. My beds are very comfortable and are "T" shaped because the upper bunk is a loft which is not connected. My closet is very big and holds tons of clothes but the strange thing is that on the right side there is a white square little stump. I don't know about you but that just blows my mind. The grand prize of all is that my furniture is all cedar and in my cedar locker there are lots of toy guns and two BB guns. One last thing, if you ever come to my house, watch out. I have a pair of bedroom slippers that have a mind of their own so you better "Watch were you step or else you will trip."

Sadly, his room does smell a bit like dog pee. I clean all the time, but it does no good. The white stump in his closet is the central air conditioning's air return. It actually makes a nice little shelf. His room temperature is never just right. It is either hot or cold. I don't know why. Yes, I do allow him to play with toy guns and he does have a couple of BB guns and target shoots in our back yard. The rule at our house is not to point the gun at any living thing. He is a twelve year old boy and that is what they do. If he didn't have a toy gun, he would use a stick and say "Bang! Bang! Bang!" all the time. It is a male testosterone phenomena. Those elusive bedroom slippers are every where I seem to be and I trip over them often. My evil twin sister has been known to throw them. He does not own a "ton" of clothes. He owns a "ton" of Legos and Star Wars action figures. His furniture is cedar and the locker he talks about is actually a chifferobe. There is nothing quite like a child's perspective.

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Homeschooling Little I - Chapter One

Have I mentioned the fact that I homeschool (HS) Little I? I think I have, but only in passing. School (more precisely sixth grade) is in full session at our house, so this is the perfect time to explain our decision regarding homeschooling. Hang on this might get a bit bumpy!

When Little I was attending second grade at the private school where Big C was enrolled he became a very unhappy little boy, so unhappy in fact that we began experiencing many tears in our home. Where Little I had once been carefree, exuberant and comical, he became, worried, withdrawn and serious. Teachers, counselors and other educated folks began telling me that it was perfectly normal for a second grader to begin having separation anxiety. “Ignore him and the stage will pass with time. Let him cry and make him stay at school. He will be fine,” they all said. Let me just say that those kind words of advice went against every maternal instinct that had been created within me! Now I ask you, what good can come from leaving a little seven-year-old boy standing in his classroom crying? How could it not hurt him and cause him not to grow up to be a serial killer? While I appreciated all the reassuring words, I had no peace in my heart.

Alert! Alert! I am going to stop here for a moment, gather my emotions, and give you a short back-story, because they do that on TV. I warned you this would get bumpy!

I had known several families who homeschooled. Some were actually extended family and some were friends. They were perfectly normal people who were not in cults. I admired their moxie and self-discipline and it had crossed my mind (very quickly) well before Little I began Kindergarten that I could homeschool him. A tiny spark had been lit but it would take almost four years before it blazed and I realized that God was actually calling me to this task.

Okay, fast-forward to Little I standing in his second grade classroom crying. Picture his depressed and anxiety prone mother weeping in the car. Visualize MDH telling me I am more than capable of homeschooling this unhappy little boy. Hear Big C saying, “Mom do something!” Imagine us as we trudged through the entire second grade year in sheer misery. It was not a Michelangelo portrait. It looked more like Picasso. Get the picture?

This is the thing; God gently whispered to me for four years. He is a gentleman that way. He used everyday experiences to prepare me to homeschool Little I. He knew that Little I was going to go through a tough time emotionally when he was seven years old and He knew that Little I and myself had a very special connection. He knew I did not have a Masters Degree in Education but He had given me the gift of teaching. He knew that being a Mom and teaching Little I would be my priority and He gave me time to adjust to that fact and then He brought our entire family to a point where there was no question about what He wanted me to do. He placed people in my path to answer my questions. I simply trusted and obeyed. I do not believe in happenstance, fate, luck or karma. I believe in purpose and I believe God gives everyone a purpose. Are you listening for yours?

I have more to say on the homeschool topic. This is only Chapter One of Two-Hundred and Twenty-Five Chapters. Just kidding! Almost.