Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Interesting History for Kids

After reading the book from cover to cover and having both my sons check it out, I was inspired to find titles that my younger children would be able to enjoy also.

I went to Amazon.com and found several books that I feel are noteworthy. They are:

  • 100 People who are screwing up America by Bernard Goldberg
  • 100 Native Americans who changed American History by Bonnie Juettner

Both are related to the book just reviewed and are available for very reasonable prices at amazon. See the link for a direct connection.

100 People who changed America was a very informative book. I learned some things that I would never have imagined to be true. For example, Bruce Lee, known to his family and friends as Lee Hsiao Lung, made the two-finger push-up famous. Who knew? My son was just attempting that move for me a few nights ago and trust me, he needs Mr. Lee's help! Lee was also the son of a Chinese opera singer and was born in the United States in San Francisco. Fascinating isn't it. Let's see, what else moved me about this book?

Wow, here's some history to remember. Jonas Salk, a doctor at the University of Pittsburgh is to thank for the polio vaccine used to prevent the the crippling and possibly fatal disease. I had never heard of him before but what I find particularly noteworthy is the fact that he never pursued a patent for his product. According to the book, he said he did not want to profit from the vaccine just make it widely available to all in need. Wow, that is a patriot for America!

Lastly, Rachel Carson is definitely a woman to remember. Born in 1907 Ms Carson was both a marine biologist and naturalist. She had a very strong interest in the pesticides being used in our country and wrote a book about it in 1962 called Silent Spring. In the book she noted the dangerous effects of pesticide use on our crops. After the chemical companies got a hold of the book she was called "a hysterical woman" who was unfit to write such a book. Well, they were wrong because we Americans of today consider her the mother of modern environmentalism.
Thanks for noticing Ms Carson!

I do not usually read non fiction work but I am glad I felt compelled to review this one for you guys. I enjoyed it and learned several new things.
As usual, if anyone is interested in the title we just reviewed, contact Baileysbookworm@yahoo.com

Monday, October 22, 2007

Are they interested?

Well, just as was planned, the book was received by my teens with mixed reactions.
First,
"Mom, why are you doing this to me? Why do I have to read that?" was the response I received from the 15 year old. My 17 year old surprised me though. He not only was interested but actually already knew some of the facts contained in the book. He found the facts relevant to his life today. He realized that one of his favorite snacks was discovered and cultivated by George Washington Carver, the peanut man. He also was impressed with the fact that a man could wait until he was four years old to speak but still earned the Nobel Prize.

I appreciated his enthusiasm and encouragement. Now I know all my work was not in vain.

Thanks son!
More Later on the new book.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

100 People Who Changed America



American History is a subject worth exploring for anyone, especially young impressionable minds. I recently read a book that on the topic that I found very informative. Scholastic published 100 People Who Changed America which highlights some of the greats in American history. Among the subjects covered are Art & Literature, Inventors, Politics, etc.


A very easy read, being published by Scholastic, I went through the small book in about an hour and found out some interesting facts such as:


Madame C.J.Walker was born Sarah Breedlove McWilliams Walker and the C.J. in her name actually stood for her husband, Charles Joseph.

Oprah Winfrey was actually named after Orpah from the Holy Bible book of Ruth. The change came when her name was misspelled on her birth certificate.

Abraham Lincoln, our nation's sixteenth president, once grew a beard because an 11-year-old wrote him a letter asking him to do so.

Albert Einstein didn't speak until he was FOUR YEARS OLD then went on to earn the Nobel Peace Prize in Physics in 1921.


These facts and much more fill the pages of this informative little book. Do you think it will be of interest to my teens? Well, let us do a test. I will present them with the book today and give them a few hours to read it from front to back. Let us check in again by tomorrow and I will have the results of the question, Will my teens be intrigued?

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Getting Children Into Reading

With children of all ages, learning is better achieved when there is some fun to be had. Reading activities are one way that parents and teachers can encourage reading.
Some activities that I used with my teens were to give them an incentive to read. I promised a trip to a movie, a day off from chores around the house, and even that special dessert that was made just for me.

My youngest son reads with me all the time. While we drive he reads the signs that we pass. As we walk he reads the numbers on the houses and the street signs. My two year old has even gotten into the game of reading as we travel so she is constantly asking me "what does that say, Mom?" In my attempt to involve the entire family in a reading activity, I made mandatory reading time every night. No television, music, or any other distractors allowed. We all sit with a book or magazine or newspaper and spend time reading.

I ask my child simple questions, such as: How did you like the book? Who was your favorite character? Did you like how it ended? Would you like to read it again?
Normally, this is when my daughter wants to re-read the same book again!
I never mind reading the same book for them many times over because I realize the more they hear the words the more they will stay in their brains. My 6 year old recalls masses of information because he listens intently when I read to him. He makes my heart fill with joy when he comes home and reads a poem to me he received in school. It really makes a Mom proud!

Check out these articles I found that may be of interest.
http://childcare.about.com/od/volunteerism/a/summerreading.htm

http://www.faithstreams.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?&nm=Get+the+News&type=news&mod=New
This second article relates to animals and reading. Wow

Monday, October 15, 2007

Does it keep your ATTENTION?

So, let's begin. What is it about this book, Fingerprints... that would catch and keep the interest of a teen? Page one already has my attention. GUNS. That is the word we have all been hearing all too often in the media lately. Any teenager would be interested in that subject, right? Well, maybe those bullied teens possibly seeking revenge like the fourteen year old in Plymouth Whitemarsh. Or, maybe not. My boys are not very interested in guns.
But, you know what? I am very INTERESTED.

The striations on the bullets, the fibers found under the nails of the victim, the directionality of the glass, all sound quite fascinating to me. A future law enforcement agent, attorney, or an up and coming scientist may all gain from the knowledge in this book. The book, published in 1997 may lack some recent technological advances of today, but the basics are laid out so simply a ten year old could comprehend.

Reading through the book peaks my interest even more. I desire to move on to the more advanced levels of criminal investigations. Maybe another book on the subject will come down the road for us.



If you are interested in this book and would like to purchase it, you can contact me at
Baileysbookworm@yahoo.com

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Reading is Fundamental TODAY and ALWAYS

As a parent of children ranging in age from 2 to 17, I have spent alot of time reading to them for years. I have learned from parenting experts, reading is fundamental to the growth and development of the young mind. So, I have a question? Why, after years of reading to them, do I have to nearly pull my teenaged sons teeth out of their mouth in order to get them to read for me every night? They have every excuse in the world to avoid reading. Here are a few popular ones:
I read all day at school.
I don't like to read.
I'm not interested in anything that I have to read.
I don't need to read.

The list goes on. Does anyone have similar experiences that can lend assistance to a desperate mom?
Well,
I have an idea. I will go back and review several books that I have in my collection and we will see how much interest is generated. Some books will be informational, some will simply be entertaining. Let's begin with a book about solving real life crimes.
"Fingerprints and Talking Bones, How real-life crimes are solved" is a book by Charlotte Foltz Jones.

This book seems very interesting to me from the start as I am an avid CSI viewer. Such questions as Can a skeleton confess? and Do plants really help nab murderers? will be answered within the pages. Do these sound like things teens might be interested in? Maybe not. However, reading a book such as this will aid in showing them just how vast the knowledge base is for those who do what? READ.