This kid has turned into a reading maniac! I found myself saying such ridiculous things as “Put down that Tolkien book and do some school!” What was I thinking?
He is working toward Memory Master for Classical Conversations Foundations (for the third and final cycle of information in history, science, Latin, English grammar, geography, and math). He completes an art project and watches a short science demonstration in class weekly. He sits through Essentials class (grammar, writing, and math games) weekly. We diagram an occasional sentence. Choir (and music theory homework) begins in a week or two. He swims at least three days a week. And he organizes my flatware drawer in the kitchen just for fun.
That’s enough “school,” right?!
I can add educational games and documentaries to the list. That helps.
Okay, maybe there needs to be more math and writing in there. Sigh. Math he can do. Writing—well, that’s torture.*
In general, it has looked a lot like “unschooling” around here lately. [In other news, I’m ready to NOT be sick.]
History (and Science History)
Benjamin Franklin: Young Printer (Childhood of Famous Americans)
Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold by Jean Fritz
The Mystery of the Periodic Table (Living History Library)
Historical Fiction
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. This is the audio book the boys are listening to at bed time.
Guns for General Washington: A Story of the American Revolution
Dutch Color
The Great Wheel by Robert Lawson
Literature
Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling
Tales from the Perilous Realm by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Fiction
The Green Ember. I read about this book on Story Warren and ordered it through the Kickstarter campaign. All of the boys loved it!
Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times
Time and the Tapestry: A William Morris Adventure. This time-traveling fictional mystery has some fun history of the arts-and-crafts movement woven in the story similar to Chasing Vermeer or The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett.
I’m sure I’m missing several from his chapter book list this past month.
Plus… a gazillion picture books on all topics (history, art, literature, geography, science, cultures, fables and fairy tales…)
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Today Luke told me that he wants to read all the books in the house by the end of the year.
Good luck with that, Dude.
*Funny story. Luke was required to submit a writing sample for the charter school in which he is enrolled. He had a few prompts to choose from. I told him what he needed to do and gave him some suggestions for getting started, which he promptly shot down. He then proceeded to bang his head on the table for hours, all the while NOT doing the writing assignment. Because torture. “I don’t know what to say. I have no imagination. I can’t write. I hate this.” And so on.
The second day I sat him down again and he commenced with the head banging. After a little while he sat up straight in a sudden motion and a light bulb appeared over his head.
“Mom, if I write three paragraphs, can I have a piece of ice cream cake from the freezer?”
“Um, absolutely son. You bring me three paragraphs and I’ll serve you up.”
Five minutes later…
“I was driving up the long winding road to House Rock Campground when suddenly I heard a rumbling noise. It was a rock slide! I quickly went into reverse but accidentally went off the cliff! Luckily I landed in a deep part of the river right side up. I broke the window before I sank and climbed out.It may not look like much, but for this son it was blood from a rock. And, for this rock, the only thing more powerful than the torture of writing is the promise of sugar.
“I looked around but I couldn’t find a way to get up the cliff. So I swam down to my car and rummaged around until I found some rope. I tied a slipknot and located a tree stump at the top of the cliff. I threw my rope and after a few tries hit the tree stump. I climbed up and finally I was at the top.
“I looked around and saw a car coming. I asked the driver if I could hitch a ride. He agreed and drove to the nearest town. I bought supplies and started hiking to House Rock. When I arrived I set up my new tent and curled up in my new sleeping bag and fell fast asleep.”
5 comments:
First of all, LOVE the story. :)
So tell me about "Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times." I've never heard of it!
Brandy, I picked it up at the library. It's a new book set in an alternate reality late 19th century steampunk London. My boys enjoyed it, but I didn't read it. I need an extra 24 hours in each day just to pre-read books for my boys!!! I remember when I was collecting books before my boys were readers, and I wondered if they'd even get through all the lovely books I was buying. Ha!!! I need more good book lists!
Ooh! I'm putting it on my list. It sounds great!
I know what you mean about needing more books. Of course, at this point I am also going to need more storage! :)
Adding ice cream to the list of tricks. Nicely played! ;)
Unfortunately, tricks often only work once. But when they are successful... I'll take it. :)
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