Isn’t our librarian clever?
{photo by Jenny Bischoff}
Today we will once again hear from our ever-helpful librarian, Emily Ferrarini, who is going to fill us in on SLOCA's supplemental history and literature book lists. Both new and returning families will definitely want to access these, and we can all glean from her suggestions:
Today, I’d like to draw your attention to one of the incredible resources offered to parents here at SLOCA: the supplemental lists. The supplemental history list and supplemental literature list can be found in the password protected area of our website (under the Family Buzz menu, then click “History & Literature” on the left), and correspond to the current year of study. We encourage you to download the files, and refer to them frequently for reading inspiration. Edie Overduin, who mainly works behind the scenes at SLOCA to coordinate all of our history and literature readings, is the woman responsible for these amazing resources. (Click here for last year’s blog post about how our history and literature books are chosen and broken down into weekly readings.)
The supplemental literature list is organized by subject matter and time period. It covers all of the areas we learn about in this cycle of history. For this year, that includes North American Indians, Africa, American tall tales, the Colonial era, the Revolutionary War era, post-Revolution, the War of 1812, Westward expansion, slavery, the Civil War, post-war and Reconstruction, Industrialization, the Wild West, and immigrants. It also covers events that took place throughout the world during the time period that we are not able to cover during the school year, like the French Revolution. It covers subjects such as the lives of Dickens and Darwin, classic novels of 18th and 19th Century literature, and poetry of the era. It spans grade levels from preschool to high school, and it includes everything from historical fiction to biographies of influential Americans. It is an indispensable resource for your home days and for your own studies.
We all want to raise children who love reading. At SLOCA, we don’t leave it up to chance – our children are immersed in wonderful literature at the very youngest levels. Our high school students complete their classical studies with dozens of classic books committed to their minds and hearts. We emphasize reading out loud to children well before they can read on their own, and for many years beyond. But while we are absolutely committed to the study of history and literature, we recognize that sometimes, training children to love reading can be a challenge. Some students aren’t naturally drawn to reading on their own. Sometimes, they have a hard time looking past a favorite genre. I sometimes like to think of educating my own children as stacking the deck in my favor. I can’t force my kids to love history or classic literature, but I can read quality literature aloud to them, I can model a love of reading, I can make a commitment to going to the library with them once a week, I can set the stage for quiet reading time at home by limiting TV and computer time, I can strategically place interesting educational materials on the coffee table, on the nightstand, and even in the car. I can talk to them about what they do love, and seek connections to our studies. I can use the supplemental literature and history lists at home, to find books that connect to our studies, and to give them a sense of independent choice, even as I’m quietly guiding them toward quality reading material.
Some SLOCA parents have their children read one book from the supplemental list per trimester. Some choose one to read aloud as a family, and never let on that they are actually extending learning beyond school hours. You may notice that your child is drawn to a particular subject in your history reading together (pirates, anyone?) but we only spend a short time on it at SLOCA, and you want to go a little further on your home day. That’s the beauty of homeschooling. And that’s where the supplemental lists come in.
I chose a few books from this year’s supplemental literature list to briefly highlight, so you can get an idea of what the lists contain. I decided to focus on historical fiction.
Jefferson’s Sons, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. It is widely (though not universally) accepted that Thomas Jefferson, one of our most revered founding fathers, fathered children with one of his slaves, Sally Hemings. This book takes an uncomfortable topic and presents it with honesty and clarity, tackling some big themes, while remaining appropriate and interesting for children. It is told from the perspective of Jefferson’s secret children, who surely had to grapple with some difficult truths themselves. I would recommend this book for thoughtful, questioning types, ages 10-15.
Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Ryrie Brink. Jim Trelease, author of The Read Aloud Handbook, says, “You take Little House on the Prairie; I’ll take Caddie Woodlawn.” I say: by all means, read them both! Caddie is a brave, adventurous tomboy running a bit wild in the woods of Wisconsin in the 1860s. This coming of age story is so much fun to read, and highlights the tensions between settlers and Native Americans. One thing I look for in a great read aloud book is variety – is there something in here for everyone? Caddie has it all: poignancy, adventure, Tom Sawyer-esque humor, and a loving portrayal of family life. I recommend this one as a family read aloud, as it is sure to be enjoyed by children of many ages.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly. Calpurnia Virginia Tate, called Callie Vee, is another genuinely loveable heroine. I read this one to myself, but kept making my teenagers listen to bits and passages out loud. Just listen to the opening sentences: “By 1899, we had learned to tame the darkness but not the Texas heat. We arose in the dark, hours before sunrise, when there was barely a smudge of indigo along the eastern sky and the rest of the horizon was still pure pitch.” The writing style is rich and Texan, and I wanted to be best friends with the main character. 11-year-old Callie feels a bit out of place in her family. She is the only girl of seven children, governed by a harried, proper mother on a prosperous pecan and cotton farm near Austin. She finally makes a connection with her grandfather, who recognizes in her a fellow scientist at heart. In the ramshackle former slave’s quarters turned laboratory, he introduces her to the ever-expanding world of naturalism. This book would make a fun read aloud, and would be perfect for an Intermediate or LMS student with an interest in science. (Although clearly, I never let those age recommendations stop me from enjoying a great book!)
The Slave Dancer, by Paula Fox. I read this book in fifth grade, and it has haunted me ever since. In this novel, Jesse Boller is kidnapped by slavers in New Orleans and brought on board a slave ship. He is made to play his fife for the shackled prisoners, who are forced to dance to keep their bodies in peak condition, thus increasing their market value. This extremely unsettling story is not for the faint of heart. It is well written with elegant language, and is well deserving of the Newbery it earned in 1974. It ends on a hopeful note, but it is nevertheless a heartbreaking read. I recommend this story for mature students in UMS or above.
Thank you, Emily! What a great reminder that we can download and use these fantastic book lists! And these are excellent tips on raising kids who love reading. Parents, what has been your experience with these lists? Please leave a comment and share…
