(on) The Road (to becoming a) Scholar: August 2010

Sunday, August 15, 2010

2010-2011 Book Club for 5th - 8th Grade Boys

Medieval Book Club

UPDATE: We replaced The Mabinogion with Men of Iron by Howard Pyle. The version of The Mabinogion we were going to use was to advanced (in more than one way) for this age group. Men of Iron is an excellent replacement, or you could use Tales of the Mabinogion instead.

Join us as we immerse ourselves in medieval European legend with the stories of King Arthur and Robin Hood. We will meet once a month. We will use the Socratic method of literary analysis to discuss each book. We welcome young men in 5^th – 8^th grade.

Here is our reading schedule. Please have the reading done BEFORE the meeting date:

Oct. - Read Favorite Medieval Tales by Mary Pope Osborne

Nov. - Read the Introduction, Translators Note and Chapters 1-5 of The Mabinogion by Sioned Davies Oxford University Press

Dec. – Read Chapters 6-11 of The Mabinogion by Sioned Davies Oxford University Press (Click to see the link on Amazon.com)

Jan. - Read the author’s note, Book 1 and Book 2 of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green

Feb. - Read Book 3 and Book 4 and the epilogue of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green

Mar. - Read the prologue and Chapters 1-15 of The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green

April - Read Chapters 16-24, plus the epilogue of The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green

2010-2011 Book Club for 9-12 year old girls

Little Women Book Club

Join us in reading the Little Women Trilogy by Louisa May Alcott. We will meet once a month to discuss approximately 200 pages worth of reading. We’ve included the schedule below. Each book discussion will include a Socratic style literary analysis along with some stitching and snacking.

Here’s our schedule:

Oct. Preface and Chapters 1-15 of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Nov. Chapters 16-32 of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Dec. Chapters 33-47 and the Afterword of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Jan. Read the beginning through the chapter called Naughty Nan of Little Men by Louisa May Alcott

Feb. Read from Pranks and Plays through the chapter called Goldilocks Nan of Little Men by Louisa May Alcott

March Read from Damon and Pythias to the end of the book of Little Men by Louisa May Alcott

April Read Chapters 1-10 of Jo’s Boys by Louisa May Alcott

May Read Chapters 11-22 of Jo’s Boys by Louisa May Alcott

2010-2011 Book Club for 6-8 year old girls

Josefina - Catholic American Girl Book Club

Program Outline

October – Book: Meet Josefina

Program overview for the girls
Narration sign up
Historical introduction
Craft – Memory Boxes for All Soul’s Day
Snack – Tortilla chips and dip and a discussion about grinding corn with a stone
Play DESIGNATIONS (Roles will be assigned by picking names out of a hat)

November – Book: Josefina Learns a Lesson

2-3 Narrations
Historical discussion on clothing of the period and culture
Craft – Knitting Looms.
Snack – Bizcochitos
Play practice

December – Book: Josefina’s Surprise

2-3 Narrations
Historical and cultural celebration of Advent and Christmas (Los Posadas)
Craft – Christmas gift for Mom
Snack – Churros
Play practice

January – Book: Happy Birthday, Josefina

2-3 Narrations
Historical and cultural look at medicine
Discuss Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego
Craft – Make a fabric covered book
Snack – Sun butter (made from sunflower seeds) dip with tortilla chips
Play practice

February – Book: Josefina Saves the Day

2-3 Narrations
Historical and cultural look at music
Craft – Lace-up leather pouches
Snack – Sopaipillas
Play practice

March – Book: Changes for Josefina

Historical and cultural look at dancing and art
Craft – Pottery w/Mexican clay
Snack – Nut free Mexican Wedding Cakes
Dress Rehearsal for play

April – Play: Josefina’s Gift

We will have a final dress rehearsal
Refreshments and entertainment for the whole family

The Liberty Girls will present Josefina’s Gift (20 minute play based on the story Happy Birthday, Josephina) and talent show for family and friends. We will display the things we have made in our club. Refreshments will be served.

The Road Scholar

Cathie and her husband are blessed with six children and have home educated them since 2003. Before children, Cathie developed curricula and taught classes for adults around the world on a variety of topics in the computer industry at the corporate and technical school level. She loves to develop curricula, teach homeschool co-op classes and organize book clubs. For five years, she held board positions on a large homeschool support group such as general coordinator, membership coordinator and advisory member.

Workshops, Presentations and Seminars

To arrange a presentation for your homeschool group or convention contact me here.

Topics:

Beginning Homeschooling - Beyond the Basics

Are you new to homeschooling? Where do you start? How do you ensure a very good (not just adequate) homeschooling experience, especially in that important first year? This practical how-to session will help you determine the appropriate first steps on your homeschooling adventure. We'll talk about picking a curriculum, scheduling and strategies for developing an independent child as well as strengthening your family and social relationships.

Get Your Game On!
Using EASY, Almost No-Fuss Games to Help Keep Learning Fun

Kids love games and so much is gained by playing games: learning to taking turns, good sportsmanship, patience and development of relationships. By using games, we can tailor to the needs of the child - not just academically, but socially, too. Come join in the fun yourself and learn how easy it is to put together games for your children—and you don't have to be creative to do it, either! Besides learning how, you will walk away with instructions, tips and resources to make your own games at home.

How to Get Your Kids to See the Light (or Feel it or Hear it)!

Teaching different learning modalities requires different tactics. Learn how to determine which modality your child uses and find ways to present material so that it sticks the first time, especially if it is different than your own learning modality.

This Old Schoolhouse

The school marms and school masters of yesteryear taught several children at different levels and formed many of our favorite American heroes. We will look back at how those school marms ran their one room schools and take some tips on making our school days more successful. We’ll talk about schedules, curriculum, discipline, independence, character development and motivation for the one room school in your home.

Socrates Meets Homeschool Mom

If Socrates could teach you one thing, it would be to use his method (the Socratic Method) for literary analysis. This presentation addresses the fundamentals of literary interpretation from within the accessible world of children’s literature, so even young students can easily identify the language of literary analysis. As they mature they will readily spot these fundamentals in more difficult works, enriching both their understanding of the literature and their appreciation for the author’s handiwork. Learn the aspects of literary analysis and how to help kids appreciate and find the meaning in all the great books they read.

The Motivation Myth

What do sticker charts, time-outs and spelling bees have in common? They are examples of “Carrots and Sticks.” Over the last 40 years, study after study has shown that "Carrots and Sticks" don't work for long term motivation, especially when thought is required in the process. How are you motivating and inspiring your kids to study, do chores and reach goals? Learn about what truly motivates kids, how to mentor them and help them become successful in their endeavors. I will dispel the myths and reveal truths about human motivation and mindset. And here’s a hint. It’s you, not them. I hope you will join me to find out what that means.