Update on Plutarch Lives...

We finished studying Plutarch's Timoleon and have now moved on to Aemilius Paulus.  I'm still using Anne White's Study Notes from Ambleside Online.  Before we started, I printed the notes and bound them with the ProClick binder.  For me, it is much easier to grab my hard copy than to bring it up online every week.

We study Plutarch every Tuesday.  I usually review from the previous week, read the introduction aloud, and we discuss any potential new vocabulary words.  Then I read aloud the assigned section, stopping after 1-2 paragraphs for discussion/narration.  Originally, I read straight through and asked for narration at the end, but this was very difficult, even for me, so I have since broke it into smaller chunks and make more frequent stops. This seems to work much better.

While the kids are narrating, I make notes.  The notes are primarily from their dictation as well as our discussion.  I read it back to them at the very end and they make additions/corrections.  I then use those notes for review the following week.

Overall, our Plutarch study usually takes anywhere from 15-25 minutes, depending on the length and breadth of the passage.  Unfortunately, our kids are really bucking Plutarch.  It's one of their least favorite subjects. Initially, I thought it would pass with time and as their understanding grew.  I even thought there was a small light at the end of Timoleon.  However, they have continued their negativity as we are about half way through Aemilius Paulus.  I attribute this to the level of difficulty of the study.  I do plan to finish Aemilius Paulus, however, I will not start a third life this year.  We will pick up Plutarch again at some point in the future.

Enrichment - Charlotte Mason Style Electives: Studying Plutarch

In Form II, Citizenship becomes a definite subject rather from the point of view of what may be called the inspiration of citizenship than from that of the knowledge proper to a citizen, though the latter is by no means neglected.  We find Plutarch's Lives exceedingly inspiring.  These are read aloud by the teacher (with suitable omissions) and narrated with great spirit by the children.  (Charlotte Mason, A Philosophy of Education, p. 185)

We started last school year with the best of intentions.  I really wanted to study and love Plutarch with Riley.  We began with Timoleon and proceeded for about three weeks.  Unfortunately, Riley was less than thrilled with Plutarch and life took over.  I am sad to say, we did not finish.  In hind site, I think I introduced her to too many new subjects at one time (i.e. Shakespeare, Latin, Plutarch, etc.) and she just wasn't ready. 

However, this fall, as we begin anew, I intend to try again!  We will pick up with Timoleon, more than likely, reviewing a bit, then starting where we left off.  I intend to study one life each term, much the way Ambleside Online recommends here.   We did use Anne White's study guide last year and I plan to use it again.  

Regarding translation, Ambleside recommends North's Plutarch.  However, after purchasing it, I realized that Timoleon was not included in my copy.  Therefore, I ended up buying the Dryden Translation as well, which appears more complete.  You do not need the actual book if you're using White's study guides. Plutarch's Lives is also FREE online.  I personally prefer a hard copy to hold in my hands.  

In Charlotte's schools, Plutarch's Lives was studied as citizenship rather than history.  Although, I see a definite benefit for history as well.  Further on in A Philosophy of Education, Charlotte says this...

Now Plutarch is like the Bible in this, that he does not label the actions of his people as good or bad but leaves the conscience and judgment of his readers to make the classifications. What to avoid and how to avoid it, is knowledge as important to the citizen whether of the City of God or of his own immediate city, as to know is good and how to perform the same.  Children recognise with incipient weariness the doctored tale as soon as it is begun to be told, but the human story with its evil and its good never flags in interest....The boy, or girl, aged from ten to twelve, who is intimate that they influence his thought and conduct, has learned to put his country first and to see individuals only as they serve or dis-serve the State.  Thus he gets his first lesson in the science of proportion.  Children familiar with the great idea of a State in the sense, not of a government but of the people, learn readily enough about the laws, customs and government of their country; learn, too, with great interest something about themselves, mind and body, heart and soul, because they feel it is well to know what they have it in them to give to their country.  

I'd love to hear more about your study of Plutarch.  Please feel free to comment below...

Term Two Review - Including Book List 2014-2015

It's hard to believe we're two-thirds of the way through our school year!  We took a little time off from our book studies this week.  However, the kids were still busy with enrichment activities including LEGO Club, Knitting Club, Keepers of the Faith, Choir, Art, and Piano Lessons.  They did continue math throughout the break and I had a read aloud going.   Speaking of which, here is our list of Term 2 2014-2015 History Read Alouds...

Abe Lincoln Grows Up by Carl Sandburg
Jed Smith: Trailblazer & Trapper by Frank Latham
The Story of John J. Audubon by Joan Howard - We read the first five chapters and decided to stop and read the following book instead.
The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies
The Seasons Sewn: A Year in Patchwork by Ann Whitford Paul 
The Erie Canal by Peter Spier
The Amazing Impossible Erie Canal by Cheryl Harness
Trail of Apple Blossoms by Irene Hunt
The Story of the Santa Fe Trail by Judy Alter
Along the Santa Fe Trail by Marian Russell & Ginger Wadsworth
Young John Quincy by Cheryl Harness
Andrew Jackson by Clara Ingram Judson
Who Let Muddy Boots Into the White House by Robert Quackenbush
Trail of Tears by Joseph Bruchac
Kit Carson Mountain Man by Margaret Bell
Quit Pulling My Leg: A Story of Davy Crockett by Robert Quackenbush
Susanna of the Alamo by John Jakes
Amistad Rising: A Story of Freedom by Veronica Chambers
Nettie's Trip South by Ann Turner
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Zia by Scott O'Dell
Jessie Benton Fremont: California Pioneer by Marguerite Higgins
Patty Reed's Doll by Rachel K. Laurgaard
Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi

Overall it was a good term.  I did switch a few things up that weren't working from our original 2014-2015 curriculum.   With mixed feelings on my part, Riley dropped Latina Christiana I.  She was struggling with this course and is also using Michael Clay Thompson's Town Level, which includes Caesar's English, a study of Latin stems.  I do want her to have some exposure to Latin, but maybe both programs at one time were too much.  She also dropped Logic of English Essentials and went back to All About Spelling.  And, I'm afraid we've grown lax in our Plutarch study, but I aim to get back at it soon.

I'm still using Bible Study Guide for All Ages, however, I changed the way I'm using it.  It just felt too classroom oriented.  I now simply read the recommended passages, the kids narrate, and we discuss.  Occasionally, they complete map work or an activity, but I'm not requiring all the busy work.

After finishing God's Design for Heaven and Earth, Our Planet Earth first term, we were scheduled for Our Universe second term.  However, rather than read it from start to finish, I chose various sections to study, supplementing with Master Books New Astronomy Book by Danny Faulkner.  The full color photos and more up to date information was pleasing. 

Ruben started a new online math program.  ST Math is currently running a pilot for homeschoolers and he was able to sign on for the second semester.  ST (spatial-temporal) Math is game based instruction designed to boost math comprehension and proficiency through visual learning.  It was created from neuroscience research.  I was sold after watching ST Math's TED talk by creator, Matthew Peterson. 

Ruben has also started cursive writing using Logic of English's Rhythm of Handwriting.  Here again, I'm not using the program as written.  I've modified it to meet Ruben's needs.  We've been working through it slow and steady.  If he can give me 2-3 samples of his best writing of 3-4 different letters per day, I call it good.   After learning some new letters, we build words, writing on the chalk board, using the letters he's learned.  For example, after learning how to write "the swing letters", i, t, u, s, j, p, r, and w, we put the letters together, forming and writing words such as it, sit, pit, us, just, etc.  From this approach, he's starting to take note of cursive when he sees it.  The other day, Ruben read a cursive word on the back of a semi while I was driving on the highway.  It's very exciting to see the kids apply concepts they're learning to every day life.  This is one of the many blessings of homeschooling!!

As mentioned above, we've picked up choir, art and piano lessons the last couple of weeks of second term.  These enrichment activities will continue into third term.  We are blessed to have wonderful, organized, extra curricular homeschool activities in our area. The kids are enjoying it and I look forward to time spent with other like minded moms while we wait for our kiddos :)  It's a win, win!

How's your school year going?  I love comments!  Feel free to leave kind words below...