Reading Program

The summer is about half over. My kids had a lot of plans for the summer. Such as housebreaking the puppy and keeping the kitchen clean. Actually, I think those were MY plans for them.

Also on their agendas: The Star was going to write a novel, volunteer at the Historic Reserve gift shop and learn to play the tuba. The Magician was going to make all the household bread and learn to play the alto saxophone. Most of these things have not happened--and won't.

However, they ARE participating in a variety of reading programs. First, their school has assigned a chapter from Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit. Each year, the school has a theme and a focus on a specific art form. This past year, the theme was "a world of truths" and the focus was moving image arts (M.I.A.)--also known as film/video. The kids watched a lot of movies--including the entire Planet Earth series. For 2009, the art form will be dance--hence the reading assignment.

They also always participate in the Fort Vancouver Regional Library's summer reading program--which rewards them with movie passes. New this year however is the Family Reading Program, designed to stretch their choices. You see, The Star is too busy writing to read much and The Magician seems to read the same authors (and often the same titles) over and over, to the exclusion of all others. This new list is to encourage them to branch out, to find books they like in unexpected places. Here's what it looks like:

Choose a book….
(choose 5 of 8)

¨ written prior to 1950
¨ set in the Pacific Northwest or written by a Pacific Northwest author
¨ based on a true story
¨ written by a woman or with a female protagonist
¨ which won a Newbery Medal or Newbery Honor
¨ set prior to 1900 or set in a country other than USA
¨ written by an author who belongs to a cultural minority (African-American, Jewish, Asian, gay, handicapped, etc.)
¨ originally written in a foreign language

Steps:

1. Discuss your reward with mom
2. Select and read the books
3. After each, do an oral book report with mom
4. After 5 books, receive your reward

I think The Artist may also choose to participate. Of course, they thought I needed a list of my own. It starts with "read a book by a living, straight American white guy."