"Intellectual distinction is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for election to a Rhodes Scholarship. Selection committees are charged to seek excellence in qualities of mind and in qualities of person which, in combination, offer the promise of effective service to the world in the decades ahead. The Rhodes Scholarships, in short, are investments in individuals rather than in project proposals..."

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 5th – 8th 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.