Hello Fellow Book Lovers,
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.–Shakespeare, Sonnet 18
Well, summer’s lease is nearly over, and despite our wish that it could linger just a bit longer, school days will shortly be upon us! So, to give us all a boost (myself included), I am hosting a “Back to School” Literature Soirée on Saturday, September 8. I will cover more literary analysis, but this time we will look at how to analyze historical literature within the context of the heroic quest. This will be a fun adventure as we consider how the heroes and heroines of the eras of exploration, discovery, and colonization provide examples of heroic archetypes fulfilling their own unique destinies.
I will present an overview of the best historical works for children covering the period of the early 1600s up through the Civil War. The concentration will be early American History, but some world history will naturally be a part of that. So roughly speaking, here is how the day should go:
9:30-10 am: Arrival and get acquainted with a cup of coffee or tea
10 am-10:30: a brief session will look at current statistics of American student’s knowledge of history and literature as well as the why’s and wherefore’s of the “notebook approach”
10:30-11:30 am: the best children’s literature of Early American Exploration, Discovery, and Colonization
11:30 am-noon: Analyzing historical literature using the elements of the heroic quest (definition and overview), anthropomorphism, the orphaned child literary trope, and others! (not to worry, I will clearly define all of these before setting you out on your own).
Noon-1:45: Working lunch applying literary analysis to various works of historical literature. This time we will work in pairs to save time
1:45-2 pm: Coffee Break
2:00-3:00 pm: the best Children’s Literature of the American Revolution–the Civil War
3:00-3:30 pm: Wrap up and feedback on take away
So to recap: Saturday, September 8, 2012
At my home: 1306 Mill Street, San Luis Obispo
Time: 9:30 am–3:30 pm
Cost: $30 (which will include lunch– please email me if you need gluten free or vegetarian) You can register here.
Finally, this soiree is already half booked with ladies returning from our summer session. So please register soon, to insure you have a place!
I was sorry to miss this! I attended the Summer Soiree; Rea is wonderful and so inspiring! I will just have to be content to browse the Medieval Literature for Children section on the blog, since my kids are covering that part of history in school this year. 🙂
This was a fabulous, inspirational and educational children’s literature feast! Thank you for doing what you do so very well.
Once again I am inspired by your mastery in literature taught in a beautiful setting and with a beautiful heart! You have changed not only what I teach but how I teach. Thank you for your willingness to share! You have given me a treasure to pull from and give to my children. Amazing.
Thank you, Lisa!
Dear Rea,
Thank you for the stimulating “back to school” presentation, September 8, on the best early historical children’s literature. Having no background in children’s literature, and getting ready to start the early american bf literature pack, the soiree really prepared me for the coming school year. Your approachable, passionate and knowledgeable style really encouraged me and gave me the “bump” I needed to muster the “exciting” energy my son really responds to. He and I are already having so much fun sailing along with Leif the Lucky. Erik and Leif’s travels has already inspired us to study more about early Norway, Iceland, Greenland and North America. Thanks also for mentoring our group as we get ready to study bf as a group this year. See you soon at another one of your events. Warmest Regards, Jestina
Thank you so much, Jestina, and do let me know if there is any way I can help you as your home schooling adventure unfolds!
Your words are a real encouragement. Cheers!