mlchelpka

mlchelpka

Legends of Eerie-on-Sea

As previously mentioned, the reading theme for this summer is “Oceans of Possibilities.” I recently completed The Witch of Blackbird Pond and intended to start The Black Stallion next but I got distracted by a reading suggestion: Malamander by Thomas…

National Arizona Day

Cowboy Poetry & Charles Badger Clark Jr. While Charles Badger Clark Jr. was from South Dakota originally, his poetry was inspired by the alluring beauty of Arizona. Will cowboy poetry survive the 21st century? That remains to be seen. All…

Oceans of Possibilities

The Summer Reading Program theme this year is “Oceans of Possibilities.” There is so much to incorporate with this theme that the possibilities are endless. You could read: swash-buckling adventures of infamous pirates or privateers, science fiction tales of sailing…

The Wise Woman

George MacDonald’s The Wise Woman, also known as, A Double Story is a timeless, moral fairy tale rich in virtue. How can arrogant and entitled parents raise a child to be selfless, patient, caring, and kind? As she grew up,…

National Fairy Tale Day

Let me introduce you to my newest literature guide! Anthology of Wonder: Repentance Features the classic French fairy tale: “Blondine, Bonne-Biche, and Beau-Minon.” …

School Choice

January 23 – January 29 2022 Education isn’t a cookie cutter option where one methodology is right for all. Children learn differently. Whether you prefer homeschool, unschool, charter, public, private, or online, each child has their unique giftings, talents, and…

An Unkindness of Ravens

Collective Nouns My daughter’s English class’ content covered collective nouns. Is there a collective noun for Boston Terriers? I offer to the world: a snorgle of Bostons. (Snore plus grumble equals snorgle.) How many collective nouns do you know? A…

Children Stories

I thought I would share a few resources for classic children stories. By classic: I mean Aesop fables, tales of the Greeks and Romans, and fairy tales. Web The German Project: Well-known children’s stories translated into German and spoken by…

Booker T. Washington

Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington, © 1901 Reading Level: 1320 Lexile I recently completed Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington, which has been on my to-read list for quite awhile now. Earlier this year I read Narrative…

Spoonerisms

The American Heritage Dictionary defines spoonerism as: “a transposition of sounds of two or more words, especially a ludicrous one.” While on an outing with my family, I recalled a time when my uncle recited a famous story from the…