Digests from the KALEIDOSCAPES MONTHLY TOPIC
(HOMESCHOOLING) DISCUSSION BOARD
These are the original digests from Kaleidoscapes' MONTHLY TOPIC discussion boards.
They were hosted by two amazing gals: Giovanna Gomez and Cerelle Woods Simmons.
The boards are no longer available (thus, links to them won't work); you can, however, still
find many of the same wonderful folks who posted on the boards at Network 54.
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Hopefully you will consider shopping through our Amazon links occasionally.
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Back to the Digest Index
HOMESCHOOLING GIRLS: THE JOYS AND
CHALLENGES (Part 2)
#76: The name of the book is "The Girl Pages" (Cerelle)
#77: Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk (Cerelle)
#78: "The Talk" (Giovanna)
#79: Re: the ability to laugh at yourself (Cerelle)
#80: It's hormone 'heck'around here (Ann in NC)
#81: Ha! Yeah, what's the deal with those rolling eyes, (Cerelle)
#82: Re: Happy NOW, but . . . (Cerelle)
#83: Re: "The Talk" (denise in china)
#84: Re: Okay ... everyone here is happy with their gir (Katie in Wi.)
#85: What a beautiful story! (Cerelle)
#86: Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk (Katie in Wi.)
#88: Re: Friends/How are your homeschooled girls differ (Katie in Wi.)
#89: Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk (Giovanna)
#90: Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk (Annette)
#91: Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk (Annette)
#92: Re: Happy NOW, but . . . (maicie)
#93: Thanx for the helpful suggestions . . . (PamS)
#94: Star Trek (dawne)
#95: Failure is IMPOSSIBLE! (dawne)
#96: "Genteel Girlhood" a Victorian website by a homesc (CC)
#97: independence/self-esteem... (Amy A.)
#98: Re: Okay ... everyone here is happy with their gir (alison in ny)
#99: Will my "Daddy's Girl" feel... (Cyndi)
#100: Negative-Strong Willed-Self Esteem Questions (Diane)
#101: my "Daddy's Girl" feel... (LinTx)
#102: good books for girls? (alison in ny)
#103: Re: Star Trek (PamS)
#104: Re: Negative-Strong Willed-Self Esteem Questions (Kim from sidetr)
#105: Still a Daddy's Girl (Kysa)
#106: HS Girl Scout Troop (was: Friends/How are your hom (Debra)
#108: Empowering our Girls (Giovanna)
#109: Re: Failure is IMPOSSIBLE! (Giovanna)
#110: Re: Friends/How are your homeschooled girls differ (Giovanna)
#111: Re: Empowering our Girls (Annette)
#112: Re: Empowering our Girls (Giovanna)
#113: Re: Empowering our Girls (alison in ny)
#114: Re: Empowering our Girls (Annette)
#115: Re: Failure is IMPOSSIBLE! (dawne)
#116: I'm LOVING this book of mine. HAVE to recommend it (dawne)
#117: Let me add that.... (dawne)
#118: Re: Failure is IMPOSSIBLE! (Giovanna)
#119: Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk (Debra)
#120: Yes... (Lee)
#121: So wanna hear about dd #2 now (Kim from sidetr)
#122: "Girl" track vs. "General" education? (PamS)
#123: Re: good books for girls? (Krista)
#124: Re: Empowering our Girls (Marie)
#125: Home Schooled Girls (kate)
#126: "Girl" track vs General education (Giovanna)
#127: Re: good books for girls? (Lisa)
#128: Re: "Girl" track vs. "General" education? (Katie)
#129: Re: good books for girls? (Judy)
#130: Re: "Girl" track vs General education (PamS)
#131: Re: good books for girls? (Paula)
#132: Little Maid Series, Elsie Dinsmore, Mildred Keith (Amy)
#133: Re: Empowering our Girls (Deanne V. in Al)
#134: Re: Empowering our Girls (Deanne V. in Al)
#135: Does this make it harder? (Deanne V. in Al)
#137: Re: Friends/How are your homeschooled girls differ (Deanne V. in Al)
#138: Re: "Girl" track vs. "General" education? (snow NC)
#139: Books for Girls (Laura in TX)
#141: Re: Empowering our Girls (Annette)
#142: But then on second thought... (Annette)
#143: Thanks for all the great suggestions! (Deborah)
#144: Well, here's my opinion... (Lee)
#145: Re: good books for girls? (Deanne V. in Al)
#146: Thanks -- this is good advice NT (Deanne V. in Al)
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#76) The name of the book is "The Girl Pages"
AUTHOR: Cerelle
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 12:00 a.m.
Reply To: (#75) Book recommendation - for girls
Author: psam ordener
Date: Friday, 3 March 2000, at 11:48 p.m.
psam, thank you SO much for coming over here to post info about this book.
After I read the description again, I realized the actual MAIN TITLE of the
book never appears in Susan's quote, so I did a little digging at Amazon.com
and found the title: The Girl Pages.
This sounds like a wonderful book. I'm going to look for it!
Cerelle
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#77) Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk
AUTHOR: Cerelle
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 12:20 a.m.
Reply To: (#71) Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk"?
Author: PamS
Date: Friday, 3 March 2000, at 8:06 p.m.
Pam, I don't know what to tell you about the Star Trek obsession. I've got a
child who has been into Star WARS for a couple of years now, and the interest
shows no signs of abating any time soon. However, that interest has led him
right into to a wide variety of useful (and academic!!!) skills . . . so I
really can't complain.
Now -- onto the other part of your post -- I have to admit that our sex-ed
conversations around here started VERY early. For one thing, we're a bit of a
farm family, and these things tend to be pretty straightforward when you live
in the country, with goats and chickens and sheep and rabbits, et al. :-D
But I also considered early sex-ed an important safety precaution. I will
never forget an article I read years ago, before I ever had children. It was
written by a woman who (together with her husband) had given her 5-year-old
son quite a bit of information about human reproduction. She said it paid off
in spades when he told her that the teenage boy who babysat him had attempted
to molest him. Her interpretation of the situation was that the information
her son possessed enabled him to understand that the babysitter's intentions
were wrong, and he had the presence of mind to refuse the sitter's advances
and tell his parents what had happened!
I have never regretted giving my children simple information (and accurate
terminology) concerning human biological function. To my way of thinking,
that's all part of the wonder of the world and nothing to keep secret or
hidden. I am not suggesting that this is what everyone else should do -- only
that this is how I approached it, and that I've been pleased with the results.
Cerelle
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#78) "The Talk"
AUTHOR: Giovanna
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 1:01 a.m.
Reply To: (#71) Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk"?
Author: PamS
Date: Friday, 3 March 2000, at 8:06 p.m.
I have a five year old daughter and we have already begun our "talks."
Because we live out in the country and own ducks she has seen the ducks mate
and lay eggs. Spring is in there air here in Florida so the ducks have been
mating A LOT recently. She has always been very fond of babies, animals and
the whole thing about nesting, eggs hatching, baby ducks is extremely
interesting to her. So she asks questions and I answer them.
So far she understands that the boy duck and the girl duck must get together
close so that the girl duck's eggs can get fertilized. Her curiosity up to
this point has been satisified and she hasn't asked any more questions...at
least not yet. When she sees the ducks mate she very matter-of-factly informs
me that they are mating. I have always been very candid with her, used proper
terminology and she already knows about a woman's monthly cycle. She doesn't
necessarily understand the how's and why's totally just yet but she has asked
questions and I just simply answer them. I don't necessarily give more
information that what is asked.
So I guess if you need a starting point then I would suggest you start off
doing a little unit study on animal reproduction and then take it from there.
Giovanna
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#79) Re: the ability to laugh at yourself
AUTHOR: Cerelle
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 1:26 a.m.
Reply To: (#69) the ability to laugh at yourself
Author: LizMessick
Date: Friday, 3 March 2000, at 2:48 p.m.
: So many of the mistakes I made as a young
: mother had their roots in taking myself way
: too seriously.
Boy, that's the truth! Me, too! In my own defense, a lot of my problem was
that I took my JOB (as a mother) very seriously. I r-e-a-l-l-y wanted to do my
job well, and there's nothing wrong with that! But that determination to be a
wonderful mother was sometimes so powerful that it prevented me from taking
things in stride. I really think I started out believing that it was possible
to be a "perfect mother." HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!! Now THAT's really funny!
Cerelle
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#80) It's hormone 'heck'around here
AUTHOR: Ann in NC
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 7:38 a.m.
Reply To: (#58) Re: Okay ... everyone here is happy with their gir
Author: Annette
Date: Friday, 3 March 2000, at 12:27 a.m.
With three adolescent daughters? YIKES!! Somedays I really wonder if I will
make it...I try to be calm...I try to keep my sense of humor...but it ain't
easy!
I take one college course a semester, just for fun. It's wonderful....the only
hour of the day when I know no one is going to roll their eyes at me, no one
is going to imply that I'm stupid, no one is going to burst into tears in
front of me. Ahh.....
Ann
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#81) Ha! Yeah, what's the deal with those rolling eyes,
AUTHOR: Cerelle
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 9:53 a.m.
Reply To: (#80) It's hormone 'heck'around here
Author: Ann in NC
Date: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 7:38 a.m.
I have a 14-year-old son who has never ONCE rolled his eyes at me...but there
were times when I thought his older sisters' eyeballs might roll right on out
of their sockets! Is this a girl thing? It seemed to hit its peak from 11 to
13. Used to drive me nuts! LOL!
I remember some pretty fierce arguments I used to have with my oldest, in
which she would insist that a facial expression was fundamentally different
from verbal expression and shouldn't be criticized...while *I* would argue
that some of her facial expressions were equal to a thousand words -- and
hateful words, at that! Whew! I think I was wasting my breath. But honestly,
if looks could kill, that girl would have been on death row before she turned
14.
Cerelle
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#82) Re: Happy NOW, but . . .
AUTHOR: Cerelle
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 9:58 a.m.
Reply To: (#65) Re: Happy NOW, but . . .
Author: maicie
Date: Friday, 3 March 2000, at 10:53 a.m.
Maicie, I had to e-mail your post to my daughter because I knew she'd
appreciate it. Sure enough, when I talked to her last night, she said she'd
been telling the story to everyone she knew all day because it totally cracked
her up. "Saxon strikes again!" she said. Ha ha ha! It's a wonder any of us
survive the Saxon years! (In our case, it was only a few weeks, but it's still
a miracle we lived to tell the tale...)
Cerelle
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#83) Re: "The Talk"
AUTHOR: denise in china
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 10:11 a.m.
Reply To: (#71) Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk"?
Author: PamS
Date: Friday, 3 March 2000, at 8:06 p.m.
We started talking early too around 7 years I guess with my first daughter. We
used a book called,Period, that was very good. I can't find the book right now
to tell you the author etc :( But when she started to notice the boys (this
was at 11yrs. !!, we took a weekend away at a hotel, went shopping etc and
talked about values and how it was important to stay pure. I gave her a chain
with the chinese character for love on it. She wears it to remember her
committment to purity. She is now 13 and a joy to be around. She has come to
me with girl friend relationship problems and has sworn off boys for now :) We
have a ways to go, but so far so good. I guess I need to do more talking with
my next daughter now, she is not asking ANY questions, so this conversation is
a good reminder. Denise
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#84) Re: Okay ... everyone here is happy with their gir
AUTHOR: Katie in Wi.
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 12:04 p.m.
Reply To: (#53) Okay ... everyone here is happy with their girls .
Author: Kim from sidetr
Date: Thursday, 2 March 2000, at 8:30 p.m.
: my oldest is 10 next week ... No hormonal
: clashes at ANYONE else's house ? I'm the
: only one ? =8-|
I'm happy,
My 10 yr. old daughter is wonderful. When I was upset yesterday about a
mistake in my checking account(NOT what I need right now) and I was crying and
trying to balance everything, she did all her chores, set the table
beautifully for dinner and started dinner for me without being asked. She's
emotional when Dad gets on her case but with me she is so helpful and kind. 8
yr. old dd, on the other hand... oh well she'll grow out of it.
Katie in Wi.
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#85) What a beautiful story!
AUTHOR: Cerelle
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 12:16 p.m.
Reply To: (#84) Re: Okay ... everyone here is happy with their gir
Author: Katie in Wi.
Date: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 12:04 p.m.
Isn't it amazing how much empathy children can have? I've been astounded by
the sensitivity mine have shown me on innumerable occasions. Sometimes when
things seemed completely overwhelming, I'd look up and realize my kids were
knocking themselves out to make MY life easier!
Also, I sincerely believe that by focusing on those beautiful, touching
moments (and quickly forgetting the stressful ones!!!), we encourage the best
in our kids . . . AND in ourselves.
Cerelle
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#86) Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk
AUTHOR: Katie in Wi.
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 12:33 p.m.
Reply To: (#71) Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk"?
Author: PamS
Date: Friday, 3 March 2000, at 8:06 p.m.
Hi,
I LOVE Star Trek too, always have, I still love the old episodes the best but
I stay up every night to watch Voyager @ 11:00, can't keep awake for "Next
Gen" and "Deep Space 9".
As for the talk, I started with all my kids when they were young. Of course it
helped to have them see me pg. with siblings. My mom gave us a book called, "A
child is Born" and the kids loved it. It shows what the sperm and egg look
like, a fertilized egg, a developing Zygote and then the fetus' development
ea. month. It talks about when the brain startes to function, what the
plecenta and umbilical cord do. The purpose of amniotic fluid, the mothers
need for exercise, etc. And then it shows the baby being born. My kids were
fascinated with the book and they used their play doctor's kit to listen for
the baby's heart beat. They went with me to the midwife and heard the
heartbeat for real. We/they were always looking up our baby's dev. each month,
"That's what our baby looks like now," Now that my oldest daughter is 10 and
could start her cycle any year now, I told her I'd help her put together a
girls kit with everything she'll need, tampons, pads, etc. + facial cleanser
and moisturizer,(fun stuff). And when she actually starts we'll have a
"women's day" together, go out to lunch and a movie or something to celebrate
her becoming a woman. She's a little leary about it but the special stuff also
helps her be excited about it too. I'm just glad we home school and she
doesn't have to worry about it in that respect. I hated my cycle when I had to
go to school, Yuk. If you're too embarrassed to bring it up, find some books
w/pictures for her to read and to look at and she'll ask you what she wants to
know. We've never actually had to have "The Talk" because it's been a natural
part of life for them.
Good luck.
Katie in Wi.
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#88) Re: Friends/How are your homeschooled girls differ
AUTHOR: Katie in Wi.
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 12:57 p.m.
Reply To: (#34) Friends/How are your homeschooled girls different?
Author: LizMessick
Date: Thursday, 2 March 2000, at 12:49 a.m.
: I have noticed that my daughter (12) is very
: different from most of the girls she knows.
: She has always been homeschooled, and has grown
: up very closely with a brother and a best
: friend, both male, both homeschooled through
: age 12ish, both two years older than she is.
: They grew up together virtually all the
: time. We have at times had some contact with
: other homeschooling families, been in
: groups, etc., but the two boys have been her
: "peer group" and best friends, and
: she has never had a close female friend.
: She has two female friends now, both of whom
: she met through mutual interests. (One was
: at acting camp with her; the other is a
: fellow violinist.) But her friendship with
: them doesn't extend much beyond those mutual
: interests. I think she likes them because
: they take these activities seriously,
: enjoying them to the fullest.
: She is impatient with the "silliness"
: of many of the girls she knows (through
: Scouts, orchestra, sports teams, etc.) It
: frustrates her when they are involved in
: some activity (say, a rehearsal), and the
: others act bored.
: So, some questions. How important is it (to
: you, and/or to your daughter) to have close
: female friends, or one close female friend?
: Do you notice that your daughter has little
: in common with girls her own age? Does it
: bother you if that is the case, or are you
: glad? (or some of both!?)
: Liz Messick
My kids went to school for a few years. My son doesn't have many friends
except through church. My girls have kept in touch with a couple of friends
from school ea. and they have friends in the neighborhood. My kids seem to be
more honest than most and more respectful. I like the girls they are friends
with. They wish they had more friends but I think the select few they have are
enough. Katie in Wi.
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#89) Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk
AUTHOR: Giovanna
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 2:16 p.m.
Reply To: (#86) Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk
Author: Katie in Wi.
Date: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 12:33 p.m.
: We've never
: actually had to have "The Talk"
: because it's been a natural part of life for
: them.
Yes. I understand this and I hope because of questions that my daughter brings
up and through our conversations and the course of everyday life we won't have
to have a "TALK" per se.
Now my son? That's totally different. He doesn't ask and doesn't care to know.
But I'll save that story for next month! :-)
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#90) Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk
AUTHOR: Annette
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 3:05 p.m.
Reply To: (#71) Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk"?
Author: PamS
Date: Friday, 3 March 2000, at 8:06 p.m.
: As my kids ask questions I answer them. It has really been pretty simple and
not awkward at all. My kids have all known since they were very small...like 2
yo that mom's have periods. They would see the box of tampons on the counter
in the bathroom and ask what it was for and I told them. My son kind of
figured out what sex was on his own....it was so hilarious. He had this mouse
and one day on the way to the library he started talking about getting a girl
mouse (don't ask me how he knew the other mouse was a boy..I think he just
assumed) so it could mate with the boy. All of a sudden it was like a
lightbulb went off in his little cute blonde head and said, "Oh my gosh!
Mating is having sex isn't it?! You and dad have mated before! And so and so
has done it 7 times!! (Our friend with 7 children) Oh my gosh, how do you do
that? Are you naked, is that what you do while we are asleep at night?!" On
and on he went....I was laughing so hard I couldn't even answer him. He was
probably about 8yo at the time. We still laugh about that. A friend of his one
tiem told him abotu homosexuality. He asked if it was all true and I told him
yes and we talked about it. I did wish he had been a little bit older on that
one but since someone had already brought it up I thought it was better that I
explain what the truth is and how I feel about the topic. I really do think it
is soo important to be open with our children and give them age appropriate
information. If the conversation can naturally be brought up...not a sit down
on the side of bed and heave a sigh and say, "I have something to tell you"
but more of a "did you know how babies get inside their mom's womb" kind of
conversation. Anyway..just my .02
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#91) Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk
AUTHOR: Annette
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 3:15 p.m.
Reply To: (#86) Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk
Author: Katie in Wi.
Date: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 12:33 p.m.
:Katie, What a great post..... Far more tactful than mine was! You are right
abotu being pregnant around our older kids. My kids also saw me pregnant and
nursing for years. That did help for it naturally to just be discussed. Also I
love your idea of putting together a little care package for yoru daughter. I
am going to borrow your idea and do that for my 11yo dd. I love the women's
day out too. You must be a really fun mom. Thanks for the great ideas.
Hi,
: I LOVE Star Trek too, always have, I still love
: the old episodes the best but I stay up
: every night to watch Voyager @ 11:00, can't
: keep awake for "Next Gen" and
: "Deep Space 9".
: As for the talk, I started with all my kids
: when they were young. Of course it helped to
: have them see me pg. with siblings. My mom
: gave us a book called, "A child is
: Born" and the kids loved it. It shows
: what the sperm and egg look like, a
: fertilized egg, a developing Zygote and then
: the fetus' development ea. month. It talks
: about when the brain startes to function,
: what the plecenta and umbilical cord do. The
: purpose of amniotic fluid, the mothers need
: for exercise, etc. And then it shows the
: baby being born. My kids were fascinated
: with the book and they used their play
: doctor's kit to listen for the baby's heart
: beat. They went with me to the midwife and
: heard the heartbeat for real. We/they were
: always looking up our baby's dev. each
: month, "That's what our baby looks like
: now," Now that my oldest daughter is 10
: and could start her cycle any year now, I
: told her I'd help her put together a girls
: kit with everything she'll need, tampons,
: pads, etc. + facial cleanser and
: moisturizer,(fun stuff). And when she
: actually starts we'll have a "women's
: day" together, go out to lunch and a
: movie or something to celebrate her becoming
: a woman. She's a little leary about it but
: the special stuff also helps her be excited
: about it too. I'm just glad we home school
: and she doesn't have to worry about it in
: that respect. I hated my cycle when I had to
: go to school, Yuk. If you're too embarrassed
: to bring it up, find some books w/pictures
: for her to read and to look at and she'll
: ask you what she wants to know. We've never
: actually had to have "The Talk"
: because it's been a natural part of life for
: them.
: Good luck.
: Katie in Wi.
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#92) Re: Happy NOW, but . . .
AUTHOR: maicie
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 4:40 p.m.
Reply To: (#82) Re: Happy NOW, but . . .
Author: Cerelle
Date: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 9:58 a.m.
: totally cracked her up.
Cerelle, I'm glad she liked it. Sometime I'll tell you the story of the
magnifying glass lesson and 2 acres of charred pasture grass. My parents are
saints...and we have pretty nice firemen,too.
Can you believe my daughter decided to stick with Saxon anyway? She's just
zipping through the books now. Saxon 7/8 took over two years to complete.
Girls!?! Maicie
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#93) Thanx for the helpful suggestions . . .
AUTHOR: PamS
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 5:18 p.m.
Reply To: (#77) Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk
Author: Cerelle
Date: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 12:20 a.m.
Sounds like what we need to do is move to the country and have some more
babies :)! Wish we could. Anyway, since my 10yodd is pretty introverted and
doesn't ask questions often (even if something is on her mind), I will be on
the lookout for "teachable" times . . . And the idea about the "kit" is great!
I read through the American Girl's book, "The Care and Keeping of You," with
her as a health text & it had the same idea. But not about the facial stuff,
etc. A "women's weekend" somewhere special would be fun in a couple of years .
.. .
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#94) Star Trek
AUTHOR: dawne
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 8:50 p.m.
Reply To: (#71) Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk"?
Author: PamS
Date: Friday, 3 March 2000, at 8:06 p.m.
: She's very day-dreamy, but she's always been so. She has recently developed
an obsession with Star Trek and watches tapped episodes at every TV
opportunity, which is quite strange and I
: have no idea why.
As a devoted fan of Star Trek I just *have* to say something here. This, of
course, isn't really my business but it may give you something to consider.
To me Trek has always been the epitome of "intelligent entertainment". As a
philosophy student I just love delving into some of the issues raised in some
of the episodes. There's a lot of meaty discussion there just waiting to be
applied to current events or historical events. Star Trek encourages a person
to think in ways that other shows just do not. You say she's day- dreamy. To
me that means she is creative and thinks about things. My own dear son is 7.5
and just waits for the times when I let him watch an episode. [Hubby and I
screen the Voyager ones since they are new to us] The discussions that follow
are some of our most enjoyable family times.
Obsession for anything can surely be a bad thing. Don't get me wrong - your
concern for your daughter's behavior is well placed. I just wanted to leave
you with the thought that the show itself might bring out some great
discussions on religion, culture, tolerance, poloitics and cosmology. Dawne
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#95) Failure is IMPOSSIBLE!
AUTHOR: dawne
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 8:51 p.m.
What a motto!! Do you know what famous American women lived by that credo?
I'll give you a hint....she accomplished great and incredible things facing
obstacle after obstacle. Dawne
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#96) "Genteel Girlhood" a Victorian website by a homesc
AUTHOR: CC
DATE: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 10:48 p.m.
Hi!
Genteel Girlhood is a site hosted by a Homeschooled 16 year old girl. She has
articles on manners & etiquette, cookery and "Led by the Lord" biographies.
She also lists some interesting links, one to Godey's Ladies Book of 1850.
Perhaps some of you with girls and teenage girls, too, might like to see it...
CC
http://www.titus2ministry.com/genteel_girlhood.htm
Link: Genteel Girlhood
URL:
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#97) independence/self-esteem...
AUTHOR: Amy A.
DATE: Monday, 6 March 2000, at 10:55 p.m.
What do you think about your girls' sense of self? Do you see examples of
independence, assertiveness, or self-assuredness that differ from your own
experience or those of ps girls? How much of it do you attribute to
homeschooling?
I'm particularly thinking of Susannah Sheffer's book (A Sense of Self:
Listening to Homeschooled Adolescent Girls) and how she found that
homeschooled girls don't seem to go through the whole self-image crisis and
the loss of voice and perspective that schooled girls seem to fall prey to.
Personally, I remember being socialized at home and school to be a doormat and
have spent the better part of my adult life working to overcome that :(
Any examples or stories you might like to share? (I realize I haven't phrased
this whole thing as clearly as I'd like; my apologies, it's past my bedtime!)
Amy A :)
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MESSAGE: (#98) Re: Okay ... everyone here is happy with their gir
AUTHOR: alison in ny
DATE: Tuesday, 7 March 2000, at 9:13 a.m.
Reply To: (#53) Okay ... everyone here is happy with their girls .
Author: Kim from sidetr
Date: Thursday, 2 March 2000, at 8:30 p.m.
: When we moved from suburban Long Island, NY "to the country" 7 years ago,
everyone asked my dh what he was going to do with 100+ acres. He told them in
the year 2000 he would have three adolescent daughtes, (15,14, and 10) and a
menopausal wife and would need every inch,( And he was right.!!)Three girls,
all so different. 15 was most difficult before puberty and now is fairly easy
to get along with,(at least to me, she is not to her father), 14 was a lamb
until puberty and then got so dopey sometimes I feel like I could scream, and
10 is just on the verge of major change and it's sort of like waiting for the
other shoe to drop to see what she'll be like. I love having girls, even with
the rolling eyeballs and moodiness. Its a little stormy now , but nowhere near
as bad as people used to warn me when they were small. I only hs the youngest,
but I wish I had kept them all home with me,at least for elementary school.
Love hearing these other stories, (esp the math book one). It reminds me that
I can have some very bad days and still be overall doing a good job.!!
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MESSAGE: (#99) Will my "Daddy's Girl" feel...
AUTHOR: Cyndi
DATE: Tuesday, 7 March 2000, at 10:32 a.m.
Will my "Daddy's Girl" always feel closer to Dad then to me?? As far as I see
alot of you have girls who are older. Mine is just 7 next week and has always
been very close to her Dad. I am waiting for that connection between us. Not
to say we are not close but I do see a very different bond between them. She
and I seem to clash on just about everything. I know that this is pretty
normal but I wanted others experiences on this. TIA Cyndi
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MESSAGE: (#100) Negative-Strong Willed-Self Esteem Questions
AUTHOR: Diane
DATE: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 4:36 a.m.
My 14yo daughter often has a rather negative outlook and I'm not always sure
how to handle it. She sees the negative to any given situation before she sees
the positive. She's very strong willed and often gets herself into trouble
because of that will and lately I find myself wondering if the two are
related. Could it be part of self esteem? And how do you channel a strong will
in a positive direction? Any suggestions would be helpful. Diane
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MESSAGE: (#101) my "Daddy's Girl" feel...
AUTHOR: LinTx
DATE: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 8:13 a.m.
Reply To: (#99) Will my "Daddy's Girl" feel...
Author: Cyndi
Date: Tuesday, 7 March 2000, at 10:32 a.m.
My dd was very much "Daddy's Girl" until she hit her teens. His wanting to
protect her is percieved as interfering and causes some conflict. I find her
much easier to talk to now that she is a teen so we have grown closer.
The opposite has happened with my second daughter who was my "baby" and is now
much closer to her daddy and enjoys spending time with him more than me. She's
not much of a talker and enjoys being babied.
A lot changes when they become teens, not necessarily negative, just
different.
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MESSAGE: (#102) good books for girls?
AUTHOR: alison in ny
DATE: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 8:39 a.m.
Having devoured all 36 American Girl books, since September, we are looking
for other good "girl" books for a 10 yog. Specifically looking for ones ones
she can read herself,although I read aloud to her also. My older (ps) girls
are both reading the Mists of Avalon series. Basically it seems to be the
Arthurian legend from a feminist perspective (Morgaine as heroine, not
villain)What have your girls enjoyed?
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MESSAGE: (#103) Re: Star Trek
AUTHOR: PamS
DATE: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 2:00 p.m.
Reply To: (#94) Star Trek
Author: dawne
Date: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 8:50 p.m.
You've got a good point. She's a pretty deep thinker for her age & maybe
that's why she enjoys the "intelligent fantasy" of Star Trek. I'm not really
*worried* about this, I just think it's a bit unusual. Just a couple of years
ago she wouldn't watch it because it gave her nightmares! Which could all be
part of that imagination and intelligence which now makes it fascinating for
her.
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#104) Re: Negative-Strong Willed-Self Esteem Questions
AUTHOR: Kim from sidetr
DATE: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 2:11 p.m.
Reply To: (#100) Negative-Strong Willed-Self Esteem Questions
Author: Diane
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 4:36 a.m.
:And how do you channel a strong
: will in a positive direction? Any
: suggestions would be helpful. Diane
One of the great mysteries of the universe ... I wish *I* knew ... also
waiting to hear suggestions.
I think it is a self esteem thing. But with my daughter... she always
perceives things negatively (ie. she is always getting the short end of hte
stick - she's NOT !)
I am often wondering if any amount would EVER be enough, though ?? Am I making
sense ??
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MESSAGE: (#105) Still a Daddy's Girl
AUTHOR: Kysa
DATE: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 6:32 p.m.
Reply To: (#99) Will my "Daddy's Girl" feel...
Author: Cyndi
Date: Tuesday, 7 March 2000, at 10:32 a.m.
and I am 42. It has more to do with my personality and that of both my
parents. I have a wonderful relationship with my mother, but still enjoy my
father more. We are both "scientists" and very logical in what we do and say.
My mom is too emotional for me. I have a very close relationship with my own
daughter and I think she would say she is closer to me than her father--just
the way it is.
I do think that homeschooling encourages close realtionships with all family
members and am glad I decided to homeschool.
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MESSAGE: (#106) HS Girl Scout Troop (was: Friends/How are your hom
AUTHOR: Debra
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 8:03 a.m.
Reply To: (#34) Friends/How are your homeschooled girls different?
Author: LizMessick
Date: Thursday, 2 March 2000, at 12:49 a.m.
: So, some questions. How important is it (to
: you, and/or to your daughter) to have close
: female friends, or one close female friend?
: Do you notice that your daughter has little
: in common with girls her own age? Does it
: bother you if that is the case, or are you
: glad? (or some of both!?)
: Liz Messick
WOW! I forgot about this topic going on, I should have been over here more.
THIS is exactly the problem or concern I have had recently about my 6 year old
girls (twins).
Not that there is a current problem, but when I think about homeschooling and
what it has to offer, the "Pros" out weigh the "Cons" by far.
BUT when I looked at the "Cons" the one thing that really concerned me (even
saddened me) was the fact that my girls would not have this 'group' of friends
to group up with. Their 'clique' (so to speak), their 'gang'.
When I grew up with the same kids from Kindergarten through High School (even
married the boy that sat behind me in 1st grade ).
Both of my parents passeed away recently and when I returned to my hometown
those friends whom I had had little contact with for years rallied around me
and helped me through this very difficult time.
I want SO much to find a way for my daughters to have a similar experience.
That is why I took on the HUGE task of forming a small Homeschool Girl Scout
troop. I only wanted 10 girls (I ended up with 11, but that is it, I don't
want it any bigger than that) and the idea behind doing this was to give the
girls a 'group' to call their own. To be with these girls and experience 'girl
things' together, like sleepovers and going to a play and parties, etc.
My co-leader has a daughter my girls age and she too had this same concern.
NOW we are only 2 months old with our troop. So far it has been remarkable the
enthusiam these girls have shown for this troop. They are all VERY excited
over it (more than either my co-leader or I expected).
Of course I have no idea what will happen in a few years. But right now,
things are looking good. My girls have 'new' friends within this group that
they never had before. And because they belong to this 'group' all the girls
feel a bond already.
I am running the troop in an 'old fashioned' way. We are going to do a candle
ceremony for our investiture and I have already taught them the Flag Ceremony.
Without even asking them to do so, they ALL have uniforms and wear them
proudly.
So anyway, what I am saying here is that YES I had this concern. My co-leader
and I talked about this VERY concern for 4 months last year before we decided
to start this troop. She and I are both hoping that our 11 girls will feel a
bond and a connection with the rest of the troop (and as I said, so far their
reactions have been overwhelming).
I might add here that I have 5 year olds to 9 year olds. I wanted a multi age
group so that sisters could be together AND because I don't like age
segregation. I think it is good to have friends at various ages.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that 'yes' I had this concern'. But now I am
hopeful that we won't have this problem. I have had some of the moms tell me
that they too had had this same concern also but did not know what to do about
it. They have thanked me over and over for forming this troop and they too
feel that things are looking good for the group.
NOW, I will add one word of caution here. It is a lot of work to be a GS
Leader. More than I realized.
If anyone is interested I would be happy to share some of what I have learned.
But if you are thinking about it my FIRST piece of advice is don't do it
alone. Find a compatiable mom to be your co-leader.
Honestly, if I lost my co-leader I would lose the troop. She and I compliment
each other in so many ways. Our strengths are TOTALLY different. But we get
along beautifully. Where my skills lack, hers just seem to pick up (and visa
versa). Having a good co-leader makes all the difference in the world.
Anyway, YES I had this concern. But now I am hopeful for the future. I plan to
take these girls all the way through to Cadettes!
Debra
Link: Homeschoool Troop 463
URL:
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MESSAGE: (#108) Empowering our Girls
AUTHOR: Giovanna
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:12 a.m.
Can't help but bring this up because to me, this is probably one of the most
important books ever written about girls, but has anyone here read REVIVING
OPHELIA by Mary Pipher? Awesome book but a real hard read---painfully eye
opening, and also a hurtful trip down memory lane to my school years. It takes
the blindfolds off the eyes, that's for sure.
I heard the follow up book IN THE SHELTER OF EACH OTHER (I think that's the
title) is has a more positive tone and it is also very good.
Anyhow, I think all mothers (and fathers) of girls should read these two
books. You may not agree with all of what the author has written but it is
certainly food for thought.
Giovanna
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MESSAGE: (#109) Re: Failure is IMPOSSIBLE!
AUTHOR: Giovanna
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:18 a.m.
Reply To: (#95) Failure is IMPOSSIBLE!
Author: dawne
Date: Saturday, 4 March 2000, at 8:51 p.m.
: What a motto!! Do you know what famous American
: women lived by that credo? I'll give you a
: hint....she accomplished great and
: incredible things facing obstacle after
: obstacle. Dawne
Ok. I give up! WHO?
I came across one of those Scholastic News flyers (the one for second grade)
and it was featuring a new book called AMELIA AND ELEANOR GO FOR A RIDE. It is
based on the true story of Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt. It talks
about their friendship and a special plane ride they took together one night.
Amelia Earheart was one of the first people in the world to fly at night. The
author is Pam Munoz Ryan. I imagine this book is geared toward younger
children but it sounds interesting enough for ME! :-) I never knew these two
ladies had a close friendship.
Giovanna
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MESSAGE: (#110) Re: Friends/How are your homeschooled girls differ
AUTHOR: Giovanna
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:24 a.m.
Reply To: (#34) Friends/How are your homeschooled girls different?
Author: LizMessick
Date: Thursday, 2 March 2000, at 12:49 a.m.
:
: She is impatient with the "silliness"
: of many of the girls she knows (through
: Scouts, orchestra, sports teams, etc.) It
: frustrates her when they are involved in
: some activity (say, a rehearsal), and the
: others act bored.
Gosh, you daughter sounds an awful lot like ME growing up. I always seemed to
have boys as best friends (I'm happily married to one of my best friends from
middle school even).
I have female friends now. Not many though and it doesn't bother me in the
least. I have two femaile friends that I know I can count on for everything. I
don't need anything else.
Looking back I don't feel deprived of female friendships at all.
Giovanna
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MESSAGE: (#111) Re: Empowering our Girls
AUTHOR: Annette
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:33 a.m.
Reply To: (#108) Empowering our Girls
Author: Giovanna
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:12 a.m.
I have been slowly reading through Ophelia. Very very sad. Piphers outlook is
pretty dismal. I am referring to her ideas about the one girl who is doing
great through her adolesence. She is soaring, not peer dependent, confident,
able to navigate her way through the challenges her life brings. Pipher says
that even though the girl is doing fine she does not have much hope of things
continuing to go so well. It is just almost impossible for girls in this
society to be ok through adolesence.
I see her point but I don't agree with her extreme view. Maybe it is wishful
thinking on my part and since my oldest dd (11yo) is not in school, I do still
believe that girls can make it through adolesence intact. It is an eye opening
book and has most certainly showed me there are things going on out there that
I had no idea about.
Can't help but bring this up because to me,
: this is probably one of the most important
: books ever written about girls, but has
: anyone here read REVIVING OPHELIA by Mary
: Pipher? Awesome book but a real hard
: read---painfully eye opening, and also a
: hurtful trip down memory lane to my school
: years. It takes the blindfolds off the eyes,
: that's for sure.
: I heard the follow up book IN THE SHELTER OF
: EACH OTHER (I think that's the title) is has
: a more positive tone and it is also very
: good.
: Anyhow, I think all mothers (and fathers) of
: girls should read these two books. You may
: not agree with all of what the author has
: written but it is certainly food for
: thought.
: Giovanna
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#112) Re: Empowering our Girls
AUTHOR: Giovanna
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:44 a.m.
Reply To: (#111) Re: Empowering our Girls
Author: Annette
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:33 a.m.
: I have been slowly reading through Ophelia.
: Very very sad. Piphers outlook is pretty
: dismal.
Dismal, depressing, indeed.
: I am referring to her ideas about
: the one girl who is doing great through her
: adolesence. She is soaring, not peer
: dependent, confident, able to navigate her
: way through the challenges her life brings.
: Pipher says that even though the girl is
: doing fine she does not have much hope of
: things continuing to go so well. It is just
: almost impossible for girls in this society
: to be ok through adolesence.
Her follow up book, IN THE SHELTER OF EACH OTHER, is much more positive. I
have not read it but I have been told that she does mention homeschooling.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
You know what though? The sad part about this is that as I read this book I
could identify so well with it. I saw almost everything this author writes
about in the school halls of my middle school. I was even the victim of sexual
harrasment but back then I was not wise enough to recognize it as such and too
young and powerless to do anything about it. The experiences she writes are
totally, 100% real. That's what is so horrible about it. I tell you what
though.... if I ever had a doubt about homeschooling this book took care of
it! That's for sure.
REVIVING OPHELIA will leave you depressed. It doesn't give you any answers,
just case study upon case study or girls she has personally counseled and yes,
you almost feel there is no hope. The follow up book, as I mentioned before,
has a much more positive tone.
Giovanna
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MESSAGE: (#113) Re: Empowering our Girls
AUTHOR: alison in ny
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 10:08 a.m.
Reply To: (#112) Re: Empowering our Girls
Author: Giovanna
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:44 a.m.
: I read that book about a year or two ago and felt it was pretty one sided in
its outlook. Maybe because the author counsels troubled girls, she has a
different perspective. I have two teenage daughters, in ps, and neither they
nor most of their friends are anywhere near as troubled as this book would
lead you to believe that all teens are. Actually my oldest girl (15) seems to
be way more self-assured and less swayed by peers than I and my friends a
generation ago. I didn't know there was a sequel, I'd like to read it.
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#114) Re: Empowering our Girls
AUTHOR: Annette
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 10:11 a.m.
Reply To: (#112) Re: Empowering our Girls
Author: Giovanna
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:44 a.m.
: I also have In The Shelter of Eacxj Other and you are right...what I have
read of it, it is not such a downer. Unfortunately I am spending lots of my
time reading books on dyslexia and other reading issues right now trying to
plan my attack for next school year when my youngest comes back home to be
schooled. I have so many books I want to read like Margaret Mead's bio, And
the Skylark Sings to Me which I have begun but have put aside, Ophelia which I
have begun but put aside, Jane Goodall' bio which I have begun but put
aside....I think you get the picture here. :o)
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MESSAGE: (#115) Re: Failure is IMPOSSIBLE!
AUTHOR: dawne
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 10:16 a.m.
Reply To: (#109) Re: Failure is IMPOSSIBLE!
Author: Giovanna
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:18 a.m.
: Ok. I give up! WHO?
Susan B. Anthony!
: I came across one of those Scholastic News
: flyers (the one for second grade) and it was
: featuring a new book called AMELIA AND
: ELEANOR GO FOR A RIDE.
I'm a Scholastic teacher. Grade 2 is the Lucky club. Did you get a Lucky club
flyer for March or April? I'll look again so that I can buy it.
dawne
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MESSAGE: (#116) I'm LOVING this book of mine. HAVE to recommend it
AUTHOR: dawne
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 10:22 a.m.
If you get a chance try to get your hands on "The Day Women Got the VOte: A
photo history of the Women's Rights Movement" by George Sullivan.
I stumbled onto mine in a small bookstore. It is a Scholastic book that is
marked $5.95 USD
Scholastic number - 0-590-47560-6
I bet the library would have it.
I cannot stress enough how much *I* have learned from this book. My son likes
the pictures and the fact that overall each person or accomplishment has a
short description. [a few pages, big print]. I have found it to be perfect for
learning more and then passing that knowledge onto my 7.5 yob.
Dawne
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MESSAGE: (#117) Let me add that....
AUTHOR: dawne
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 10:27 a.m.
Reply To: (#116) I'm LOVING this book of mine. HAVE to recommend it
Author: dawne
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 10:22 a.m.
this 92 page book starts in the events leading up to Novemeber 2, 1920
[meaning late 1800's] but goes well into the 1990's. Dawne
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MESSAGE: (#118) Re: Failure is IMPOSSIBLE!
AUTHOR: Giovanna
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 10:32 a.m.
Reply To: (#115) Re: Failure is IMPOSSIBLE!
Author: dawne
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 10:16 a.m.
: I'm a Scholastic teacher. Grade 2 is the Lucky
: club. Did you get a Lucky club flyer for
: March or April?
No. I saw this as the "feature article" on the Scholastic News Classroom
Newspaper for March. But I betcha it is probably being offered for sale
through the book flyers.
Hmmm..... I wonder if the library has it. Giovanna
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MESSAGE: (#119) Re: Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk
AUTHOR: Debra
DATE: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 6:15 p.m.
Reply To: (#71) Star Trek obsession & when/how to do "The Talk"?
Author: PamS
Date: Friday, 3 March 2000, at 8:06 p.m.
She has recently developed an obsession with Star Trek and watches tapped
episodes at every TV
: opportunity, which is quite strange and I
: have no idea why.
Well I haven't done the 'talk' yet either because my twins are 6 and it really
hasn't come up yet (unlike Giovanna, I don't have mating animals around
sparking that interest so the subject doesn't really come up and I haven't
brought it up).
BUT as for Star Trek, now THERE is something I am interested in.
You know for year my husband watched it and I wouldn't because I HATE Science
Fiction stuff. But when I became pregnant, I was put on bed rest and had to
'stay put' , so I found myself watching it with him.
You know that is one great show! The issues they bring up and the ideas are so
interesting. I like the 'social' issues that it brings up (and the neat thing
is it can bring them up with species from other planets so you don't offend
anyone in our culture ).
Now, for me, I don't like Star Wars and I see that as as totally different
thing. That is more about fighting and battles and the bad guy versus the good
guys (sort of in the same tone as the Westerns). There is nothing 'wrong' with
it, my husband likes them. But for me, I find the social issues in Star Trek
at be VERY interesting.
There is even a book on Leadership Styles from Star Trek called "Make It So"
and I used parts of it in my lectures when I taught in the School of Business
at our University.
Anyway, I am with your daughter on Star Trek. We watch it every evening too
before bed (it has become our evening bedtime routine). And I really enjoy it.
Now as for any OTHER Science Fiction, No! Not for me, I still don't like it .
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#120) Yes...
AUTHOR: Lee
DATE: Friday, 10 March 2000, at 7:16 a.m.
Reply To: (#97) independence/self-esteem...
Author: Amy A.
Date: Monday, 6 March 2000, at 10:55 p.m.
I see self-assured, independent teen girls at our homeschool functions as well
as here at home. It has been apparent to me that homeschooled girls are free
of that peer-pleasing foolishness that ps girls are dependent upon. A group of
ps girls will all be wearing the same style of clothing and hair while in a
group of hs girls, each has her own style independent of the others. It's
wonderful to see these girls demonstrating their own sense of self-worth
rather than looking and acting like clones of the group leader. Yes, I think
it has everything to do with being homeschooled.
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#121) So wanna hear about dd #2 now
AUTHOR: Kim from sidetr
DATE: Saturday, 11 March 2000, at 10:36 a.m.
You know about the head spinning , pea soup spitting, strong willed and
unbelievably confident Tenyka .... Now let me introduce you to the Anti-Tenyka
..... Natalya :-)
she is everything that Tenyka is not ... which on the surface SOUNDS good .
but - for example - there is nothing in her portfolio because she won't keep
anything - it's not good enough, it's ugly, everyone's is better than mine,
etc.
She gets to a word she doesn't know and STOPS. and won't read any more! She
can't read. I told her to plow over it or sound it out or whatever and keep
moving ... you don't lie down and DIE cuz you don't know a word ... you know
all the other words !!
She is VERY compassionate though and a people pleaser and will sometimes try
at things to make me happy. I've tried to explain to her that she is a people
! and she could make herself happy, too ...
Anyway - you probably all know me well enough to know that Tenyka GETS IT
somewhere (me ... with a dose of stubborn and opinionated from dh ) and
Natalya ... =8-/ She must get that from my grandma on my mom's side ???
I swear they were born that way and I didn't do it !!
PS> feeling like a parental failure PPS> boys are easier !! All they want is
stuff to build and conquer with and they are happy :-/
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#122) "Girl" track vs. "General" education?
AUTHOR: PamS
DATE: Saturday, 11 March 2000, at 6:24 p.m.
Does anyone have any thoughts (HA--need I ask?) about steering girls or at
least giving girls an option of steering their education in a more
"traditional girl" direction in jr/sr high years rather than staying with a
classical or "regular" college-prep-type curriculum? I guess it would depend a
lot on an individual girl's desires. I know there are some HS families that
really stress the domestic arts for their teenage girls and even curricula
geared specifically for homemaking skills.
I think everyone should know basic homemaking skills but I know I never
learned them . So now I'm wondering if we should just tack them on, as daily
chores, etc.; or should we go all out and really learn this stuff right? I
could see at least a year's curriculum here. But then again, I don't want my
girls to miss out on learning all the history, science, etc. that may go by
the wayside with this approach.
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#123) Re: good books for girls?
AUTHOR: Krista
DATE: Saturday, 11 March 2000, at 8:50 p.m.
Reply To: (#102) good books for girls?
Author: alison in ny
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 8:39 a.m.
My 11-year-old daughter loves reading. She especially enjoyed all the books by
Marguerite Henry (horses) and Black Stallion books, Nancy Drew mysteries,
books from the Dear America series, Little Women, The Secret Garden, The
Chronicles of Narnia, Heidi, biographies - the Childhood of Famous American
series, the Signature series, and the Landmark series all have good bios for
young readers - Louisa Mae Alcott, Amelia Earhart, Betsy Ross, Molly Pitcher,
Queen Bess, (she likes to read about famous men, too, but she's always
enthused to read about girls who are successful! When she was younger she
enjoyed the Bobbsey twins (the older series, not the new/modern), although
they're predictable. You get to "travel" with them all over the globe. There
is also a series of books that includes Addie Across the Prairie. One of her
all-time favorite books is The Phantom Tollbooth. Enjoy!
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#124) Re: Empowering our Girls
AUTHOR: Marie
DATE: Sunday, 12 March 2000, at 1:20 p.m.
Reply To: (#114) Re: Empowering our Girls
Author: Annette
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 10:11 a.m.
Hi, I am new here. I enjoy this board very much. I finished Shelter of Each
Other a few months ago. It does mention homeschooling in a very positive
light. It is much more positive than Ophelia because it explains the problems
but also it gives you solutions and homeschooling was one of the examples that
she offered as a solution. I found that really uplifting.
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#125) Home Schooled Girls
AUTHOR: kate
DATE: Sunday, 12 March 2000, at 2:26 p.m.
Reply To: (#108) Empowering our Girls
Author: Giovanna
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:12 a.m.
I too have read Reviving Ophelia, but have any of you read A Sense of
Self:Homeschooling Adolescent Girls by Susannah Sheffer? Sheffer is the editor
of Growing Without Schooling and friend and mentor to many young women. She
started with the premise that the studies which Reviving Opehlia, etc. are
based on were all made of schooled girls, so she took the exact same set of
questions and did a study of homeschooled adolescent girls. Her findings with
entirely different and very encouraging. Over and over again these girls
showed a very strong sense of self, self-esteem, better relationships with
their parents and much more. I won't try to summarize completely, but you
should check it out !!!
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#126) "Girl" track vs General education
AUTHOR: Giovanna
DATE: Monday, 13 March 2000, at 9:36 a.m.
Reply To: (#122) "Girl" track vs. "General" education?
Author: PamS
Date: Saturday, 11 March 2000, at 6:24 p.m.
: Does anyone have any thoughts (HA--need I ask?)
: about steering girls or at least giving
: girls an option of steering their education
: in a more "traditional girl"
: direction in jr/sr high years rather than
: staying with a classical or
: "regular" college-prep-type
: curriculum? I guess it would depend a lot on
: an individual girl's desires.
I think EVERYONE -- boys AND girls -- should be trained in the "domestic
arts". Sons and daughters should leave home knowing how to do their laundry,
how to cook, how to clean a bathroom. Girls should leave home knowing how to
perform "traditionally male things" like minor car repairs, how to use simple
tools, etc. regardless of whether they decide to pursue college, an
apprenticeship or learn a trade they can build a home/self employed business
with. This is just bare minimum stuff we need for every day life.
I wish my parents had taught me these things!
So my opinion? (You asked me for it, didn't ya? -- grin) Yes. These things
should be learned. Whoever you choose to address it (with a curriculum or
without) is up to you but I do believe in the importance of this.
Giovanna
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#127) Re: good books for girls?
AUTHOR: Lisa
DATE: Monday, 13 March 2000, at 9:37 a.m.
Reply To: (#102) good books for girls?
Author: alison in ny
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 8:39 a.m.
We found some good suggestions on the link below. My daughter (10) especially
likes the Patricia Wrede Dragon Quartet (we've only read the first 2 so far),
which begins with DEALING WITH DRAGONS. ~Lisa
Link: Brave Girls & Strong Women Booklist
URL:
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#128) Re: "Girl" track vs. "General" education?
AUTHOR: Katie
DATE: Monday, 13 March 2000, at 2:58 p.m.
Reply To: (#122) "Girl" track vs. "General" education?
Author: PamS
Date: Saturday, 11 March 2000, at 6:24 p.m.
: Does anyone have any thoughts (HA--need I ask?)
: about steering girls or at least giving
: girls an option of steering their education
: in a more "traditional girl"
: direction in jr/sr high years rather than
: staying with a classical or
: "regular" college-prep-type
: curriculum? I guess it would depend a lot on
: an individual girl's desires. I know there
: are some HS families that really stress the
: domestic arts for their teenage girls and
: even curricula geared specifically for
: homemaking skills.
: I think everyone should know basic homemaking
: skills but I know I never learned them . So
: now I'm wondering if we should just tack
: them on, as daily chores, etc.; or should we
: go all out and really learn this stuff
: right? I could see at least a year's
: curriculum here. But then again, I don't
: want my girls to miss out on learning all
: the history, science, etc. that may go by
: the wayside with this approach.
I agree with Giovanna. I'm including all these in my high school curriculum.
Katie
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#129) Re: good books for girls?
AUTHOR: Judy
DATE: Monday, 13 March 2000, at 6:06 p.m.
Reply To: (#102) good books for girls?
Author: alison in ny
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 8:39 a.m.
: Having devoured all 36 American Girl books,
: since September, we are looking for other
: good "girl" books for a 10 yog.
My older daughter (11) has read "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean C. George at
least 5-6 times--when I asked her for a recommendation, this is the book that
immediately came to her mind. My younger daughter (9) loved "Baby Island" and
"Caddie Woodlawn" by Carol R. Brink (as readalouds). The Anastasia Krupnik
series is a favorite of our whole family. The author is Lois Lowry. The
American Diaries series is quite good for this age group. We especially
enjoyed the one about a young girl on the Titanic.
Have fun!
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#130) Re: "Girl" track vs General education
AUTHOR: PamS
DATE: Monday, 13 March 2000, at 7:23 p.m.
Reply To: (#126) "Girl" track vs General education
Author: Giovanna
Date: Monday, 13 March 2000, at 9:36 a.m.
Of course you're right. I don't have any boys so I don't dwell on the "other"
gender much in terms of training but I'm sure my daughters would appreciate it
if the parents of their future spouses would teach them these things now! I
guess what I'm wondering is how people incorporate this training into their
lives/school. My oldest DD just turned 10 and can help with some of the
basics. My dh & I are just trying to come up with a plan for more in-depth
training. Logically, I'm telling myself that I need to get organized and have
each daughter help me with household tasks in turn as things come up. But in
reality by the time we're done with "school" we all need a break from each
other and I just want to get this stuff done, not spend another hour being a
patient teacher :). So I'm thinking maybe we can take some time to do "unit
studies" on running a household . . .
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#131) Re: good books for girls?
AUTHOR: Paula
DATE: Monday, 13 March 2000, at 9:47 p.m.
Reply To: (#102) good books for girls?
Author: alison in ny
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 8:39 a.m.
My daughter really likes the America Adventure Series, My America Series, and
American Doll book series. I have found them all to be good books that young
girls will love to read. Try the Box car children, or little house on the
parie, I know I enjoyed reading them. Paula
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#132) Little Maid Series, Elsie Dinsmore, Mildred Keith
AUTHOR: Amy
DATE: Monday, 13 March 2000, at 10:29 p.m.
Reply To: (#102) good books for girls?
Author: alison in ny
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 8:39 a.m.
Barnes & Noble carries the Little maid series (Alice Turner Curtis), reprinted
from the early 1900s. They take place during the Revolutionary War. They go by
names such as "A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia", "A Little Maid of
Virginia", etc. The 'Yankee Girl' series she has is during the Civil War.
Elsie Dinsmore & Mildred Keith are about the most wholesome reading I've come
across for my daughter. Mantle Ministries (Little Bear Wheeler) has reprinted
the whole Elsie series and is offering a deal on the set if you buy all 28
volumes. They've never been reprinted like this before (usually just volumes
1-12) and he's phasing them out soon. He also has all 7 volumes of Mildred
Keith (I haven't found these anywhere else). Little Bear's site is at:
www.mantlemin.com
Hope these help! Blessings, Amy
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#133) Re: Empowering our Girls
AUTHOR: Deanne V. in Al
DATE: Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 6:25 a.m.
Reply To: (#108) Empowering our Girls
Author: Giovanna
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:12 a.m.
(snip)
: Anyhow, I think all mothers (and fathers) of
: girls should read these two books. You may
: not agree with all of what the author has
: written but it is certainly food for
: thought.
: Giovanna
:-) I think parents of BOYS especially should read this book.
Deanne :-)
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#134) Re: Empowering our Girls
AUTHOR: Deanne V. in Al
DATE: Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 6:46 a.m.
Reply To: (#111) Re: Empowering our Girls
Author: Annette
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 9:33 a.m.
I read this book when my daughter was about 10 or 11 and I felt exactly the
same way. I did think it was a depressing book and I really didn't agree with
it. But then...something happened. We spent almost two months living at my
sister's home while my dad was in the hospital one summer. My sister has four
boys and no daughters.
Up until this point my daughter wasn't perfect, but she was fairly confident
and also happy with being a girl. She was feminine, but also "tomboyish" for
want of a better word. That time spent in that all-boy environment really
changed her, though the changes didn't take place all at once. My sister's
boys loved my daughter and were always kind to her, but they were full of
remarks about how she was fun "for a girl" and everything they did and said
implied that boys were "better" and boy things were better, etc. They also
told her she cried too much and that was too "girlie" -- that sort of thing.
If she wanted to play, she really had to act more "boy-like."
At the time, I honestly didn't see anything hurtful to her happening because
my sister's boys are about the nicest you'd ever meet, but I just know that
her view of herself began to change from that time onward. The worst thing was
that she was also just starting puberty at this time. For a while she wanted
to BE a boy. :-( Later on she just wanted to be less feminine and even now she
sort of accepts that the male view of things is the "better" one.
I feel like I have spent the last three years or so, though, sort of
"counteracting" this in my daughter. I was so careful to raise my children
somewhat nonsexist in that I didn't differentiate toys or types of play or
chores. Yes, my daughter wore dresses but that was always her choice. She was
very much a GIRL, but also "rough & tumble." I don't know what else I could
have done differently except that I wish we hadn't stayed at my sister's house
for such a long time.
I have never told my daughter my thoughts on this, but in the past few months
she has opened up to me on this topic and she, too, sees this as the "pivotal"
experience. She said that was when her eyes were "opened" to the fact that
girls weren't as valued as boys and that sons were considered better than
daughters, and more.
Before this, though, I read aloud to the children from whatever books I
thought were well-written and didn't really pay much attention to this issue
in what we read. Now, however, I wonder if I should have. I wonder if having a
stronger sense of "girl power" would have insulated her against this message.
That's the only thing I can think of that might have helped before. Since,
that is what we have done. I specifically look for books about girls who are
strong characters both for me to read to the kids and for her to read.
This has made adolescence more difficult for my daughter, I think. Now she
says she is a feminist and she gets very offended at any injustice or
prejudice that she sees. VERY unfortunately, other people who like and love my
daughter (family and friends) see this as a big joke and just LOVE to tease
her about it--or to seriously try to "enlighten" her about the way things were
or "are." My daughter (age 13 at the time) was reduced to tears when her
grandmother was taking her and her 10-year-old brother on an outing and
grandmother asked my son to be "the protector" or something like that. :-( I
never realized before how some chance remarks like this could be so hurtful.
The worst is the teasing, though. Everyone just seems to think it is so funny
to tease her about this and my daughter is frustrated and hurt that people
don't take her seriously. My daughter also doesn't understand why when most
people wouldn't dream of making an ethnic joke, they think it's funny to joke
about females in that same way. I know it's just a joke, but it is hard for
her to understand why one kind of prejudice is taken seriously and another is
not. I honestly never thought of this before and I'm sure I'm not explaining
what she means as good as she could. :-)
I've recently read Reviving Ophelia again, though, and now I can see that I
missed so much the first time. :-) I also got In the Shelter of Each Other and
A Sense of Self to read, but haven't yet.
Deanne
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#135) Does this make it harder?
AUTHOR: Deanne V. in Al
DATE: Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 7:19 a.m.
Reply To: (#120) Yes...
Author: Lee
Date: Friday, 10 March 2000, at 7:16 a.m.
I have always been glad that my daughter was independent and had her own sense
of style. However, she refuses to conform even in a small way. Here is an
example. We used to walk in the woods a lot back home and there were ticks.
One thing we always did was pull our socks up over our pants to keep the ticks
out (hopefully). Well, we live somewhere else now and my daughter, after two
years, still wears her socks over her pants. Her girlfriend has tried in vain
to get her to stop doing this. My husband used to try, too, until I convinced
him that this was not an issue worth making an issue over. :-)
Anyway, my daughter's friend told her that all the other kids make fun of her
behind her back because of the sock thing and her other clothes. I don't see
what is so odd about my daughter's clothes. She likes to wear big t-shirts and
just regular pants/jeans. Is that weird for nowadays? Another girl who is sort
of a friend to my daughter wears the "giant" clothes--giant pants, giant
shirts, etc., and that is "normal"? hehe
The other thing they sort of make fun of is her hair. :-( My daughter has very
long, very beautiful hair. She usually wears it hanging down, but sometimes in
a braid or ponytail. I guess that is "weird" now, too?
I just wonder if this makes it harder for her. My daughter has had a hard time
"bonding" and is not part of the group of kids that live around here. She only
has a couple of friends and is not really too close with them all the time. We
don't know any other homeschoolers. We have moved twice in the last 2 1/2
years (military family), and that has made it hard, too, I think. But my
daughter really doesn't care. I have wondered if this is a strong sense of
self or a sign that I should be worried that she really doesn't care what
anyone else thinks (though thinking that others make fun of her is hurtful, of
course--I still can't figure out why her friend would tell her this, whether
or not it was true).
Deanne
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#137) Re: Friends/How are your homeschooled girls differ
AUTHOR: Deanne V. in Al
DATE: Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 7:35 a.m.
Reply To: (#34) Friends/How are your homeschooled girls different?
Author: LizMessick
Date: Thursday, 2 March 2000, at 12:49 a.m.
:My daughter had a close female friend when she was about 8 and 9, but that
friend moved away. Since then, she hasn't had any close friends at all other
than her brother. Currently we have a next-door neighbor who is about 1 1/2
years younger, but they seem about the same "level." As you said, they share
some common interests and so get together for that (mainly doing crafts
together), but my daughter definitely is not interested in just "hanging
around" and at times wants to avoid this girl because of the other girl's
interest in boys. If they are outside together, it's not long before the boys
all come around and a lot of teasing and sometimes nastiness happens.
Sometimes it's fine and the whole "gang" plays an informal game of football or
baseball. Sometimes my daughter will play, but more often she'd prefer not to.
We are moving again in a month or two--staying in the same town, but moving to
a different neighborhood and I can easily see this "friendship" dying out.
Then we'll be back where we were last year--no friends at all. Both the girls
my daughter is friends with now will be moving--one is leaving the island and
the other is just moving further away as we move further in the other
direction.
At times it does make me sad that my daughter doesn't have a close friend. I
think that if my daughter had one really close female friend it would make her
adolescence easier. I remember how much more confidence I would have if a
friend was with me, no matter what it was. My daughter sees herself as
"different" from all others her age and from all other girls. I have made it a
point to find books with characters she could identify with and she does, but
it's not the same as a real live person. She just still sees herself as
"different" and she sort of protects that difference. She likes it, for the
most part.
My daughter really dislikes things like scouts or 4-h or even homeschool group
meetings where the main reason for going is to get together with others. She
would prefer to do a class or something with more of a focus. She loves karate
and gets along well with everyone, though she doesn't have any real friends in
the class.
She also doesn't have patience for the "silliness" (though she can certainly
act silly in play!) and sort of "lightness" of other kids at times. I do think
this is because of being HSed, but maybe only partly. :-) I felt this same way
to a certain extent when I was a teen, and I wasn't homeschooled.
Deanne
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#138) Re: "Girl" track vs. "General" education?
AUTHOR: snow NC
DATE: Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 8:56 a.m.
Reply To: (#122) "Girl" track vs. "General" education?
Author: PamS
Date: Saturday, 11 March 2000, at 6:24 p.m.
Here are some sites to consider for teaching life skills (these are christian
sites, have not found others):
*~* http://doorposts.net /
Polished Cornerstones - Projects for Daughters on the Path to Womanhood
http://doorposts.net/polished.htm
also for boys: http://doorposts.net/plants.htm
*~* Keepers of the Faith http://www.keepersofthefaith.com /
see Keepers Clubs (Keepers at Home & Contenders for the Faith) for girls &
boys which can be used in a family setting
*~* One woman's journey of coming home and teaching her children life skills:
Living Life on Purpose http://www.openarmsmagazine.com/lifeonpurpose.htm
also Unit Studies and Magazine http://www.openarmsmagazine.com /
*~* Here is one for teens: The Courtship Connection - Dating or Courtship?
http://www.courtshipconnection.com /
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#139) Books for Girls
AUTHOR: Laura in TX
DATE: Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 11:26 a.m.
Reply To: (#102) good books for girls?
Author: alison in ny
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 8:39 a.m.
My daughter likes high adventure and animal stories, so she reads a fair
amount of books with boy heroes as well as girls, but here are some 'girl'
favorites of hers and mine:
The Four Dolls, The Doll's House, Miss Happiness and Miss Flower and others by
Rumer Godden
Stories from Grandma's Attic and sequels by Arleta Richardson
Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Lovelace
Little Princess and Secret Garden by Frances Hodges Burnett
The Princess and the Curdie and others by George MacDonald
The Borrowers and sequels by Mary Norton
Strawberry Girl and others by Lois Lenski
Thee, Hannah and others by Marguerite de Angeli
The Wizard of Oz and others by Frank L. Baum
Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
For older girls:
A Lantern in Her Hand and others by Bess Streeter Aldrich
National Velvet by Enid Bagnold
Anne of Green Gables and sequels by L.M. Montgomery - her other novels like
The Blue Castle and A Tangled Web are good also.
Little Women, Eight Cousins and others by Louisa May Alcott
Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Christy by Catherine Marshall
Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Lady Grey by Bronte (I can never keep Charlotte
and Emily straight, so I just lumped their books together)
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#141) Re: Empowering our Girls
AUTHOR: Annette
DATE: Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 1:37 p.m.
Reply To: (#134) Re: Empowering our Girls
Author: Deanne V. in Al
Date: Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 6:46 a.m.
: Hmmm, this is interesting. It makes me wonder if things are affecting my
daughter and I am not even aware of it. She seems to be fine. I also wonder
how these attitudes have affected me as when I was a child I was raised in a
fmaily where boys were all but worshipped. Girls were defintely considered
second rate. My moms' mom did this to here and then she did it to me without
even realizing it. Even now if someone in our family gets pregnant she will
say, Oh, I hope its a boy." HA...we have 7 girls and 1 boy in our extended
family. You've got me thinking.
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#142) But then on second thought...
AUTHOR: Annette
DATE: Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 1:39 p.m.
Reply To: (#134) Re: Empowering our Girls
Author: Deanne V. in Al
Date: Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 6:46 a.m.
: I think she is doing ok. Her goals and aspirations are awesome..to becoem a
vet, open an animal refuge somewhere in the world, become a car collector and
own a Harley Davidson with a side car for her husband to ride in. lol
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#143) Thanks for all the great suggestions!
AUTHOR: Deborah
DATE: Wednesday, 15 March 2000, at 12:46 a.m.
Reply To: (#102) good books for girls?
Author: alison in ny
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 8:39 a.m.
Wow! My daughter is a voracious reader also so I am just loving this thread.
:)
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#144) Well, here's my opinion...
AUTHOR: Lee
DATE: Thursday, 16 March 2000, at 6:54 a.m.
Reply To: (#135) Does this make it harder?
Author: Deanne V. in Al
Date: Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 7:19 a.m.
If your daughter isn't concerned, I don't think you need to be either. Those
girls who make fun of her are shallow-minded, run-with-the-herd types. Who
cares what they think? Your daughter's hair sounds lovely. Could it be
jealousy?
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#145) Re: good books for girls?
AUTHOR: Deanne V. in Al
DATE: Thursday, 16 March 2000, at 6:03 p.m.
Reply To: (#102) good books for girls?
Author: alison in ny
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 8:39 a.m.
I would highly recommend the Dear America series. We have only read 2 or 3 of
these, but both of my children (10-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl) have
loved them.
Some other books my daughter has loved, though I'm not sure of the age or
reading levels:
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple The Fledgling The Trumpet of the Swan Charlotte's
Web
I don't know why I am finding this so hard. My daughter is a voracious reader,
but it's hard to know of the kind of books she likes will be appropriate for
others. She loves fantasy and adventure. Lloyd Alexander is one of her
favorite authors. One of his series that has a strong female main character
is:
The Illyrian Adventure The ElDorado Adventure The Drackenburg Adventure The
Jedera Adventure The Philadelphia Adventure
Her favorite series by Lloyd Alexander is The Prydain Chronicles. The Wizard
in the Tree is another book with a main female character, but I have not read
this one myself. My son had this book and he likes it too, though.
My son is 10 now. He's not a girl, but is not averse to reading books with
girl characters. :-) He also loved the Prydain Chronicles and all the books by
Lloyd Alexander. He is currently reading Forest by Janet Taylor Lisle (has a
female as one of the main characters--a young girl).
Other books both my children enjoyed were The Boggart and The Boggart and the
Monster.
I also highly recommend the Anastasia books by Lois Lowry. These books take
Anastasia from about 4th grade through junior high. My daughter read several
of these (all our library had at the time) when she was about 9 and 10 and
absolutely loved them. Later on I read the whole series (except the last book
because our library didn't have it) as a readaloud for the family. These books
were hilarious. My husband didn't listen to them all, but when he was there,
he laughed along with the rest of us. I saw my daughter on every page and I
think she saw herself, too. :-)
I also highly recommend looking through the Sonlight catalog. They have an
excellent reading list. Many of the books, even for the first and second grade
level, are longer books that even my teenage daughter still enjoys reading.
They use a lot of historical fiction for their history and readers, so I would
look through the first through 5th or 6th grade levels for good books that
your daughter might like. Take the catalog to the library! :-) That's what I
do. :-)
Deanne
***************************************************************************
MESSAGE: (#146) Thanks -- this is good advice NT
AUTHOR: Deanne V. in Al
DATE: Thursday, 16 March 2000, at 7:40 p.m.
Reply To: (#144) Well, here's my opinion...
Author: Lee
Date: Thursday, 16 March 2000, at 6:54 a.m.
NT
***************************************************************************
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