Weapons of Mass Instruction

This is a very enjoyable book for people like me who enjoy inducing a little paranoia into their day. I had planned to add lots of quotes, but...I will just say the book is out there, those who will gain something probably already know this argument.

It looks at the origins of our modern day compulsory schooling and the driving forces behind it and what keeps it running.

Do you ever wonder why in a supposed "free" country everyone has to go to school? Do you wonder why most of us don't feel free to speak openly in spite of "freedom of speech?"
Do you wonder why it's so hard to buck the mainstream choices. This book made me start wondering.

The Psychology of Harry Potter

Oh my gosh, I love this book! It takes all my undergraduate training and applies it to the Harry Potter books. It's a series of articles by those who study psychology and it's just a lot of fun for a nerd like me.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

I have been trying to post this for several days, only to discover that blogger doesn't seem to support Lunascape anymore. This sucks because Lunascape runs so much faster on this computer.

I am late to the reading the Harry Potter series. I have always enjoyed the movies, but had trouble getting into the first book. Finally, I just forced my way through the first two books. I was happy to see this third book was a lot longer, and in this case, longer=better. I was so much happier with this book. I didn't feel like I was just reading a silly kid's book.

One disappointment in the HP series I have gotten over is Harry's personality. While the movies seem to portray him as a idealist, championing for the cause he believes in, the Harry of the books is an SP plain and simple. He is introverted, but he is not seriously reflective or "deep". I would not paint my hero this way, but I can only imagine this the type the author is, and she is stuck in S-land. Okay, so I am over it.

Don't know what I am talking about? Try the following links:

S vs. N

Or for more Potter specific, try this or this .

I won't go into plot details because you have likely viewed the movie already. I will just say this was my favorite of the books so far. It was much longer and more complex, and even though the characters themselves aren't...deep, they are interesting enough to keep the reader following along.

well

are you working?

working

Testing again

test

Harry Potter Book 3, take 2

Harry Potter Book 3

Mockingbird

In this book, Kaitlin (or Caitlin) has just lost her brother in a school shooting. As she and her dad struggle to pick up the pieces, we are drawn into her literal world as a person with Asperger's. Kaitlin struggles to name and feel the emotions under the surface with the help of the school guidance counselor who strives to help her find a friend.

I loved the way the author was able to "get into" Kaitlin's head, and explain how misunderstandings occur between Kaitlin and the world. It also made me wonder how to relate better with student's who have Asperger's.

This would be a great upper elementary read, or perhaps lower middle school, if the school shooting isn't too disturbing.

Another early childhood book

I ordered this book last week when I was still in the throngs of Waldorf education. I really like the way it explained childhood, although once again, there was a lot I don't believe in. Basically, it is useful to gain some insight and meaning about little ones, but I just can't buy into Steiner's belief system.

Essentially, Steiner, the father of Waldorf schooling, made or was involved in a worldview, which is more or less a religion. I just don't buy into it.
However, there are some aspects that appeal to me. Natural toys and less TV. Most adults can appreciate the quality of a good wooden toy over plastic bells and whistles. Most of us know that letting our children sit passively in front of the TV screen is not helping society or the little ones. So I agree with more active playtime, and better quality, carefully chosen toys. I think bright light colors are appealing to young ones. I just don't buy into the whole "karma" belief system. Sure you get what you sow, but that doesn't apply to children. Period. Are we to say children with lousy parents are in need of spiritual development? That breeds indifference. I still enjoyed this quick read-I am always delighted to find new ideas for learning patience and how to improve time spent with my children.

Summer

I wanted to use a book to discuss the ideas about summer with Liam. This was recommended by certain people, so I went ahead and ordered it.

I was disappointed. First, there are no words in the book. I have found that Liam LIKES the comfort of repetition. I guess I could make my own script to go along with it, but that wasn't really the point of buying the book.
Second, while the illustrations were nice, they weren't as I would have them. What about stargazing on firefly filled nights? The beach was nice but still the scene wasn't quite what I had in mind.

So, while I am sure we will talk about the illustrations, and I suppose I will make up some story to go along with it. I don't really recommend this book. Just find some pretty pictures and print them off the internet, and save ten dollars.

Heaven on Earth

I found Heaven on Earth to be a great resource to helping me through the day with Little Liam. It has helpful hints and lists, ideas for what sort of toys are really useful, and sample schedules to help the fabulously unscheduled like me, organize the day.
I read it in one day (nearly one sitting) and I imagine I will use it as a resource time and again.
The only drawback was the push to Waldorf schools as an educational option. Which they are, but now I am sort of disillusioned with the idea. But otherwise, I enjoyed it!

My Goodnight Book

My Goodnight Book is a short and simple book about the routines of little girl as she readies for bed. The illustrations by Eloise Wilkin are precious. Liam brings this book to me, oh, about a dozen times a day, to be read to him.
I think it is out of print now. I bought when Tierney and Caleb were little at a thrift shop.

Singing Away the Dark

Sweet book, with darling illustrations about a girl who had to walk far, far to the bus stop, in the cold and early dark.
Love this.

Homeschooling and the Voyage of Self-Discovery

I am really loving this book. A collection of essays based on David Albert's thoughts on education and his relaxed "unschooling" approach to his daughters' education, it is informative, interesting, and rings true.
In fact, it backs up every research driven article and book I have read (that wasn't funded by a curriculum or a "charitable" foundation.
Here's an excerpt on reading:
"The kids learn to read if there are lots of children's books in the house, adult books, or just a few old magazines. They learn to read if they are read aloud to from the time they can sit up, or if storytime is ignored......Schools don't want parents to know this dirty little secret. If they did, school administrators wouldn't be able to trumpet school "successes", or mount campaigns for more funds for "failing schools", or hold mom and dad nervously enthralled to hear the report on Susie's progress on parent-teacher night, or blame the parents for lack of it. Stadardized tests would be known to measure the variables they actually do reliably gauge-- neither student not teacher performance, BUT AVERAGE PARENTAL INCOME AND AVERAGE YEARS OF PARENTAL EDUCATION IN THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA SURROUNDING THE SCHOOLS."
Think about that. Of course, thank goodness, there are exceptions.

His chapter on the terrifying game of dodge ball was excellent. Dodge ball was SCARY for me. In jr. high we would line up against a wall, and the boys would try to hit the girls in the breasts or butt as hard as they could (thank goodness, I didn't really have any breasts). I am not quick. I am not agile. I am not exaggerating. I hated it.
"The only argument put forward by the defenders of dodge ball is that it is a fun reprsentation of what life is really all about....Fun for whom, kimo sabe? But I don't think it can easily be denied that dodge ball is, at bottom, an accurate and chillingly dynamic depiction of the sorting and culling mechanisms, built on a foundation of systematic violence, at which American public education excels."

Excellent. And true. This book isn't just for homeschoolers. Although I dislike the author's attempts at humor, I think this book is excellent for teachers who want to make the classroom more humane and less factory-driven for the helpless students bound to attend by compulsory schooling and the dangling allure of free babysitting.
Damn. I wish I could figure out how to work parttime, so I could homeschool.

Storm Chaser

Early into summer vacation, disaster strikes at thirteen-year-old Jessica's ranch. While her family struggles to make ends meet, Jessica struggles to show her father she is old enough to train horses and to cope with the disappointment over having to sell the Paint horse she longs to own.
This book is predictable, and Jessica is a bit too well-behaved to be much fun, but she does offer glimpses of resentment which make her more likable.
Recommended for girls who like horses, but I enjoyed the quick trip to the dry Nevada desert.

Those Shoes

In this picture book, the boy is dying to have "those shoes"- the cool shoes that every kid is wearing. Unfortunately, those shoes are just not in the budget. This sweet book is about wanting to fit in and generosity, and is definitely worth the quick read!

Outside Wonderland ***' (3.5/5 stars)

This was an enjoyable, hopeful read. I enjoyed reading as the characters tripped their way through life, with their dead parents watching.

I didn't care much for self-centered, pretty Alice, until later in the book. The son, Griffin, was a little dull, but I really liked his partner, Theo. Dinah, the youngest, was the most interesting, the most alive. I loved her character for all its naivete and hypocrisy, and faith.
Overall, a recommended read. I would give it

Pulitzer's

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulitzer_Prize_for_FictionA suggestion on The Simple Dollar helped me decide I am going to work my way through the

Pulitzer Prize winning list.



However, I also have a great interest in children and young adult fiction, so I will likely be reading them as well. Perhaps I will alternate between the different areas. Exciting!

I always loved this poem

In elementary, the next door neighbor, Lorree, and I memorized poetry to put on a play for our families (I don't think we ever did, though).
This is one I particularly remember...

Who Has Seen the Wind?

Who Has Seen the Wind?

By Christina Rossetti 1830–1894 Christina Rossetti

Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor you:

But when the leaves hang trembling,

The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?

Neither you nor I:

But when the trees bow down their heads,

The wind is passing by.

Source: The Golden Book of Poetry (1947)

I don't know why it stuck with me. Maybe because of the mysterious magick of swirling winds?

The Garden of Eve

This delicious books begins with 10-year-old Evie on her way to live in an dead apple orchard with her father. Her mother has died within the last several months, and Evie is coping with the loss.
This book has an element of fantasy based on the story of the Garden of Eden, a mystery, and a "dead" boy Evie meets in the cemetery next to her property. It's a lovely, sad, stormy grey and satisfying story.