I really enjoyed Holy Parenting: Making the Common Sacred by Benjamin Kerns. There were parts I couldn't say I agree with, but even still, I took away a lot that I can apply to my own life. Of all of the parenting books I've read, this one gives the most practical tips for fulfilling Deuteronomy 6 - that of bringing the LORD into every part of the day, impressing His Word on our children.
His basic premise is this:
"Instead of being crushed by guilt and shame for not being able to get up and shower and have a quiet time before your kids wake up at 6:00, maybe it's time to stop and ask God what sort of new rhythms of relationship and growth He is inviting you into." (Kindle Location 210)
"There is no such thing as quality time. Raising a toddler is all about quantity time. During all the time we have together, we add little bits of sand and dirt to the concrete mixture. Little by little these conversations, experiences, and activities build the foundation for kids' love and trust in you --and in God." (753)
"Spiritual discipline is not about us working harder. It is about us responding with an open heart to invitation to walk even closer with our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer." (953)
"What if this invitation that God has for us is not one more thing that we are to add onto our plate, but simply an invitation to become aware of something we're already doing, to become aware of our spiritual breathing?" (1042)
He is much influenced by Brother Lawrence's Practicing the Presence of God, which I also loved.
"Practicing the presence of God is reminding ourselves that we are spiritually breathing. More than oxygen for our lungs, we are connected to God through the breath of the Holy Spirit." (1085)
And now for the application of this:
1 - In the morning - Eat breakfast together. "These tastes and smells, combined with the reality of us sitting together as a family, looking at each other, and interacting, are creating deep pathways for memories of value and love between our children and us. The simple act of saying grace and attempting a family question sets patterns for prayer and interaction that cereal in front of the television can never replicate." (1181)
2 - During the day - Get off the computer and focus on each other. This could take the form of a fast from Facebook for certain times of the day or one day a week.
"The way our children understand that they are valued and known is not by comments on their Facebook photos, but by us -- their parents -- speaking their love language." (1254)
and
"It would be an awful thing to ingrain in the psyche of our children that our computers and phones are more important t us than the actual interaction and presence of our children." (1310)
and
"We too are helpless children who are in desperate need of love and affection, and God is our parent who is never too busy or distracted to get down onto our level and care for us." (1328)
3 - At night - Create a sacred rhythm of putting the kids to bed, including a time for daily reflection.
"We reflect back on the places where we saw God show up, the places where God probably did show up but we missed it in the moment, the places we partnered with God in His values and purposes, and the times in the day when our selfishness, pride and rebellion got the better of us." (2337)
"By simply asking them what was the best part of their day, we get to help shape the story of their day with God as the hero, pouring out His love and blessing on them. When we ask them to reflect on the worst part of their day, this usually provides an opportunity to reflect on conflict or them not getting their way." (2353)
"The best part about helping our kids reflect on the best and worst part of the day is that we are helping them develop a worldview where God is in the center and gets to be thanked for His numerous blessings. We also help our kids unload the sin and garbage in their lives." (2358)
4 - Finally...the Bedtime Prayer.
Our kids can learn to pray with some easy starters: Dear Jesus, today I am thankful for...some of the things I love about you are...Please forgive me for...Tonight I would like to pray for... then he suggests we end with saying the Lord's Prayer.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
I Saw The Angel in the Marble
This book is a collection of essays by The Elijah Company, most of them by Chris and Ellyn Davis. The title is based on a quote by Michelangelo: "I saw the angel in the marble, and I carved until I set him free." I have had this book on my wishlist for over a year, so was happy to receive it as a Christmas gift.
The main thought throughout this book is that God has created our children in a specific way, for His specific purpose and it is our job as parents to "set them free". We do this through discipleship and this book deals specifically with how homeschooling fits into His plan. We are encouraged to put academics in its place. Before we do anything in our day, we need to focus on relationships (first to God, then to each other), then responsibilities (chores, life skills, etc.) and talents (areas of gifting). THEN, academics come in. They are not saying that academics are not important, but that they are not the *main* thing.
I think this is a great reminder to homeschoolers and to me specifically because we feel the pressure to get "through the curriculum". But, in so doing, it can be easy to skip God (thinking, we'll get to Bible readings later, after math, but then it doesn't happen) and skip our relationships with each other ("do those math problems or else!" instead of first dealing with our hearts and the strain on our relationship.) We also don't want to raise students who are merely intellectual but have no idea how to survive in the world (life skills, responsibilities).
This is really first about our hearts. And second about not being so tied to a curriculum, but instead be seeking God and looking for His plan for their lives. If we notice one child has no interest in math, we don't skip over math, but we also don't make it the focus of his academic career. A child who is obviously gifted in writing should have time to cultivate this gift. We can look to what interests our children as well as where we see them excelling to get a glimpse of what God may be preparing them for as adults. The only drawback to this is that *sometimes* God chooses to use us in ways that are not easy for us (Moses comes to mind). I think the key is to be abide in Christ and listen to His leading.
Other ideas I gleaned from reading this book are:
"We do not want our children to be taught to think and act according to society's concept of the ideal man. Why? Because our ideal man is not a politically correct, self-actualized wage-earner, He is Jesus Christ." (pg 7-8)
"It was quite a shock to realize that it isn't the ungodliness in the world that threatens our children, it is the ungodliness in us!" (pg 26)
""What if we see [education] as part of the "equipping of the saints...for the work of service?"" (pg. 39)
Action points:
This book was just what I needed as we started school back up in January after taking off for Christmas. It was a reminder of where to put my priorities. I love curriculum - oh, how I love it! I love researching and engaging with others about what they use for the different subjects. But for me, personally, I was convicted to *stop* the curriculum search. To pray about everything first. And then to use what is works for *our* unique family - not someone else's. For us, I think that means switching over to Ambleside Online, which would be consistent with Charlotte Mason's principles of education (I adore!). This is in place of what we do now, which I love, but takes a lot of time to pick and choose what (living) book would work for each course. I know the advisory at AO has worked very diligently in choosing the best books for each level. And if we try one and it doesn't work for us, *then* I can switch. I need to replace my energy from planning academics to looking at my children as whole - to consistently put God first, relationships second, and then responsiblities and talents before academics. The nice thing about AO is that it doesn't take a ton of time each day, which allows for time for these other, important pursuits. Also, it is very strong academically, so I know my children will get a wonderful education. I also am saying this with the caveat that God can change those plans at any time. If He leads us to throw out AO, we will need to obey.
Note to self: this is a good book to reread perhaps next winter. Also, it had good insights into the teen years, so refer to it again when my kids are older.
The main thought throughout this book is that God has created our children in a specific way, for His specific purpose and it is our job as parents to "set them free". We do this through discipleship and this book deals specifically with how homeschooling fits into His plan. We are encouraged to put academics in its place. Before we do anything in our day, we need to focus on relationships (first to God, then to each other), then responsibilities (chores, life skills, etc.) and talents (areas of gifting). THEN, academics come in. They are not saying that academics are not important, but that they are not the *main* thing.
I think this is a great reminder to homeschoolers and to me specifically because we feel the pressure to get "through the curriculum". But, in so doing, it can be easy to skip God (thinking, we'll get to Bible readings later, after math, but then it doesn't happen) and skip our relationships with each other ("do those math problems or else!" instead of first dealing with our hearts and the strain on our relationship.) We also don't want to raise students who are merely intellectual but have no idea how to survive in the world (life skills, responsibilities).
This is really first about our hearts. And second about not being so tied to a curriculum, but instead be seeking God and looking for His plan for their lives. If we notice one child has no interest in math, we don't skip over math, but we also don't make it the focus of his academic career. A child who is obviously gifted in writing should have time to cultivate this gift. We can look to what interests our children as well as where we see them excelling to get a glimpse of what God may be preparing them for as adults. The only drawback to this is that *sometimes* God chooses to use us in ways that are not easy for us (Moses comes to mind). I think the key is to be abide in Christ and listen to His leading.
Other ideas I gleaned from reading this book are:
- The importance of Dad being involved in our homeschool. This is especially important as we have sons who will need his discipline and instruction.
- Teenagers are at the place in life where they are seeking an identity, and our job as parents is to *speak* their identity to them. "You are so good at piano." "I can see God is working on your heart in the area of..."
- If there is an area of tension in my home/homeschool, I should stop and take some time to think through some solutions. This sounds obvious, but in the busyness of being a wife, mom, homemaker, teacher, etc. I can settle into being content or apathetic (lazy) with an area of disorder that I could do something about.
"We do not want our children to be taught to think and act according to society's concept of the ideal man. Why? Because our ideal man is not a politically correct, self-actualized wage-earner, He is Jesus Christ." (pg 7-8)
"It was quite a shock to realize that it isn't the ungodliness in the world that threatens our children, it is the ungodliness in us!" (pg 26)
""What if we see [education] as part of the "equipping of the saints...for the work of service?"" (pg. 39)
Action points:
This book was just what I needed as we started school back up in January after taking off for Christmas. It was a reminder of where to put my priorities. I love curriculum - oh, how I love it! I love researching and engaging with others about what they use for the different subjects. But for me, personally, I was convicted to *stop* the curriculum search. To pray about everything first. And then to use what is works for *our* unique family - not someone else's. For us, I think that means switching over to Ambleside Online, which would be consistent with Charlotte Mason's principles of education (I adore!). This is in place of what we do now, which I love, but takes a lot of time to pick and choose what (living) book would work for each course. I know the advisory at AO has worked very diligently in choosing the best books for each level. And if we try one and it doesn't work for us, *then* I can switch. I need to replace my energy from planning academics to looking at my children as whole - to consistently put God first, relationships second, and then responsiblities and talents before academics. The nice thing about AO is that it doesn't take a ton of time each day, which allows for time for these other, important pursuits. Also, it is very strong academically, so I know my children will get a wonderful education. I also am saying this with the caveat that God can change those plans at any time. If He leads us to throw out AO, we will need to obey.
Note to self: this is a good book to reread perhaps next winter. Also, it had good insights into the teen years, so refer to it again when my kids are older.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Olive
I half listened to/half read Olive by Dinah Maria Mulock while I was sick with strep throat this fall. I found it first on Librivox and then for free on my Kindle at Amazon. Oh, this was a good, good story! I love this author and want to read more of her books.
Olive is about a girl who is born with a defect that makes her ugly. But through the story, she becomes beautiful - not necissarily on the outside, but in her character, through loving others. I love this because, of course, there are features in myself I wish I was not born with. Doesn't everyone feel this way at times? And yet, she loves and is loved. Here's my favorite quote:
For dispelling all doubts, healing all wounds, fell the words of her betrothed husband - tender, though grave: "Olive, if you love me, and believe that I love you, never grieve me by such thoughts again. To me you are all beautiful - in heart and mind, in form and soul." Then, as if silently to count up her beauties, he kissed her little hands, her soft smiling mouth, her long gold curls. And Olive hid her face in his breast, murmuring, "I am content, since I am fair in your sight, my Harold - my only love!" (Kindle Location 5398)
I would love for my girls to read this when they are going through the teenage years. I remember when a teen (and even now) on days I felt particularily ugly to look at, I would ask God to at least let my husband think I was beautiful. Jared tells me I'm beautiful all of the time, but it is hard to believe it. I could relate to Olive learning to accept that her husband thought her beautiful. And to be content in his love and opinion of her. And of course, Christ's opinion is what matters most of all - and He thinks a gentle and quiet spirit - one humble to Him - is beautiful. Sometimes, I just have to shut out what the world defines as beauty, and trust that God didn't make a mistake when He formed me in my mother's womb. I have to trust in His definition of beauty and praise Him for answering my prayers for my dear husband.
Olive is about a girl who is born with a defect that makes her ugly. But through the story, she becomes beautiful - not necissarily on the outside, but in her character, through loving others. I love this because, of course, there are features in myself I wish I was not born with. Doesn't everyone feel this way at times? And yet, she loves and is loved. Here's my favorite quote:
For dispelling all doubts, healing all wounds, fell the words of her betrothed husband - tender, though grave: "Olive, if you love me, and believe that I love you, never grieve me by such thoughts again. To me you are all beautiful - in heart and mind, in form and soul." Then, as if silently to count up her beauties, he kissed her little hands, her soft smiling mouth, her long gold curls. And Olive hid her face in his breast, murmuring, "I am content, since I am fair in your sight, my Harold - my only love!" (Kindle Location 5398)
I would love for my girls to read this when they are going through the teenage years. I remember when a teen (and even now) on days I felt particularily ugly to look at, I would ask God to at least let my husband think I was beautiful. Jared tells me I'm beautiful all of the time, but it is hard to believe it. I could relate to Olive learning to accept that her husband thought her beautiful. And to be content in his love and opinion of her. And of course, Christ's opinion is what matters most of all - and He thinks a gentle and quiet spirit - one humble to Him - is beautiful. Sometimes, I just have to shut out what the world defines as beauty, and trust that God didn't make a mistake when He formed me in my mother's womb. I have to trust in His definition of beauty and praise Him for answering my prayers for my dear husband.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Dreaming of the Next Generation...
I finished another (temporary) Kindle freebie Dreaming of More for the Next Generation: Lifetime Faith Ignited by Family Ministry by Michelle Anthony. This book is written by a children's pastor who felt the Lord convicting her to change the focus of her ministry from children to the parents...to equip the parents to disciple their own children. My copy is well-highlighted - this book is applicable not only to those who lead children's ministries, but also to parents.
Some quotes:
"God's intent for the family is for each generation to pass on faith to the next. So not only did He say that faith was the primary thing that He would expect from us someday, but He also set up an infrastructure that He envisioned would be best for this type of replication: the family." (Page 22)
This is the basis for her change in ministry. I kept thinking how I would love to visit her church and be mentored!
"Even today, we can create environments where we put God on display in all things." (Page 23)
Her vision is to equip the family, but the family is not her idol. I love the idea of putting God on display!
"We will equip and disciple parents with the same intentionality that we have equipped and trained our volunteers in the past." (Page 38)
Quite a bit of the book is devoted to the idea that God can speak to children.
"...when do the children get to be with Jesus?" (page 65)
So much of Sunday school can be a distraction to actually knowing Him. I love her ideas - very applicable to the home setting as well.
"We need to make Him central, the focus of all we do. We need to resist getting distracted by doing things about Him and instead create an environment where children encounter Him." (Page 68)
"So if God's Spirit is teacher, what is our role? We can think of our role as creating environments that allow the Holy Spirit to do what He does best: transform lives." (Page 90)
"One such assessment led us to remove our Bible Buck Store and place a prayer wall, cross, and giving box as worship centers for parents and kids to visit before and after the service." (Page 95)
"One church I know has a "storytelling wall" where kids, after checking in, can simply write how God has been writing their story over the past week or weeks." (Page 134)
Other ideas that I want to remember to try in some form with my children:
Asking questions: "I wonder...(how did God put the stars in the sky, etc.)" Page 165
Writing His praises in stones in a jar (Page 167)
Prayer walls (page 167)
Words to describe God on the refrigerator (Page 168)
She also discusses how to go about change in a church ministry, being sensitive that with any change, some people will be grieving the loss of what the ministry used to be. She encourages us with the example of the early church: "They were concerned with being of one mind, with making sure that each other's needs were met, and with ensuring they were operating as a "whole" rather than as individuals." (Page 182)
I have to confess this particular section of the book was very convicting. I don't "do change" well myself, especially when I think I know better...*eep!* I want to be gracious and supportive of the leaders at my church when they make changes, and not be a discouragement to them. If I don't agree, I can pray for them and pray for a change of heart for me if they are indeed doing what God's will is for our church. But I must not gossip or be difficult.
After I finished this book, I wanted to create the space for my children to worship...truly worship and listen to God, of course judging everything according to His Word.
"...
Some quotes:
"God's intent for the family is for each generation to pass on faith to the next. So not only did He say that faith was the primary thing that He would expect from us someday, but He also set up an infrastructure that He envisioned would be best for this type of replication: the family." (Page 22)
This is the basis for her change in ministry. I kept thinking how I would love to visit her church and be mentored!
"Even today, we can create environments where we put God on display in all things." (Page 23)
Her vision is to equip the family, but the family is not her idol. I love the idea of putting God on display!
"We will equip and disciple parents with the same intentionality that we have equipped and trained our volunteers in the past." (Page 38)
Quite a bit of the book is devoted to the idea that God can speak to children.
"...when do the children get to be with Jesus?" (page 65)
So much of Sunday school can be a distraction to actually knowing Him. I love her ideas - very applicable to the home setting as well.
"We need to make Him central, the focus of all we do. We need to resist getting distracted by doing things about Him and instead create an environment where children encounter Him." (Page 68)
"So if God's Spirit is teacher, what is our role? We can think of our role as creating environments that allow the Holy Spirit to do what He does best: transform lives." (Page 90)
"One such assessment led us to remove our Bible Buck Store and place a prayer wall, cross, and giving box as worship centers for parents and kids to visit before and after the service." (Page 95)
"One church I know has a "storytelling wall" where kids, after checking in, can simply write how God has been writing their story over the past week or weeks." (Page 134)
Other ideas that I want to remember to try in some form with my children:
Asking questions: "I wonder...(how did God put the stars in the sky, etc.)" Page 165
Writing His praises in stones in a jar (Page 167)
Prayer walls (page 167)
Words to describe God on the refrigerator (Page 168)
She also discusses how to go about change in a church ministry, being sensitive that with any change, some people will be grieving the loss of what the ministry used to be. She encourages us with the example of the early church: "They were concerned with being of one mind, with making sure that each other's needs were met, and with ensuring they were operating as a "whole" rather than as individuals." (Page 182)
I have to confess this particular section of the book was very convicting. I don't "do change" well myself, especially when I think I know better...*eep!* I want to be gracious and supportive of the leaders at my church when they make changes, and not be a discouragement to them. If I don't agree, I can pray for them and pray for a change of heart for me if they are indeed doing what God's will is for our church. But I must not gossip or be difficult.
After I finished this book, I wanted to create the space for my children to worship...truly worship and listen to God, of course judging everything according to His Word.
"...
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Praying Circles Around Your Children
I loved Praying Circles Around Your Children by Mark Batterson. Although this wasn't a freebie, I paid a whole $1.99 for it for my Kindle! Here are some of the highlights:
"You'll never be a perfect parent, but you can be a praying parent." (Location 39)
"You don't become a praying parent by default. You do it by design, by desire, by discipline." (Location 94)
"You can't choose Christ for your kids, but you can pray that they choose Christ." (Location 152)
"What other option do we have? To pray or not to pray - these are the only options." (Location 154)
"Drawing prayer circles is a metaphor that simply means, "to pray without ceasing." It's praying until God answers. It's praying with more intensity, more tenacity. It's not just praying for; it's praying through." (Location 177)
"And for the record, prayer is the way we fight our battles." (Location 210)
"You can't practice the spiritual disciplines for your kids; you have to practice them with your kids." (Location 509)
"In fact, I want to give each of my children a Bible that was prayed through specifically for them....My friend Wayne has done the same thing for his children. He prayed through the entire Bible with each of his children in mind, starting with his oldest son, Timothy. He circled and underlined verses that were Timothy-specific. He wrote notes in the margins. He literally prayed every promise for his children." (Location 543)
"100 percent of the prayers I don't pray won't get answered." (Location 578)
Aren't these wonderful words of wisdom? This is a book not just to read and mentally agree with, but to put into practice. I love love love the idea of praying through the entire Bible for each of my children. It seems overwhelming, but if I start now, I could finish by the time each graduates from high school. And what better thing could I do as a parent but to pray every promise for my children? Time to get a Bible for my firstborn and start praying!!
"You'll never be a perfect parent, but you can be a praying parent." (Location 39)
"You don't become a praying parent by default. You do it by design, by desire, by discipline." (Location 94)
"You can't choose Christ for your kids, but you can pray that they choose Christ." (Location 152)
"What other option do we have? To pray or not to pray - these are the only options." (Location 154)
"Drawing prayer circles is a metaphor that simply means, "to pray without ceasing." It's praying until God answers. It's praying with more intensity, more tenacity. It's not just praying for; it's praying through." (Location 177)
"And for the record, prayer is the way we fight our battles." (Location 210)
"You can't practice the spiritual disciplines for your kids; you have to practice them with your kids." (Location 509)
"In fact, I want to give each of my children a Bible that was prayed through specifically for them....My friend Wayne has done the same thing for his children. He prayed through the entire Bible with each of his children in mind, starting with his oldest son, Timothy. He circled and underlined verses that were Timothy-specific. He wrote notes in the margins. He literally prayed every promise for his children." (Location 543)
"100 percent of the prayers I don't pray won't get answered." (Location 578)
Aren't these wonderful words of wisdom? This is a book not just to read and mentally agree with, but to put into practice. I love love love the idea of praying through the entire Bible for each of my children. It seems overwhelming, but if I start now, I could finish by the time each graduates from high school. And what better thing could I do as a parent but to pray every promise for my children? Time to get a Bible for my firstborn and start praying!!
The Furious Longing of God
I enjoyed a free copy on my Kindle of The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning. Love those special deals! This was a quick read. Here are a few favorites:
"For His love is never, never, never based on our performance, never conditioned by our moods - of elation or depression." (Location 318)
Good for me to hear this, even though it's something I "know". I have been struggling with anxiety lately, and with that can come thoughts that He doesn't love me, or if I was a better Christian I wouldn't feel this way. But I need to think on what is true...
"So much of what was presented to me as real in bygone days, I now see as fictitious. The splenetic god of alternating moods, the prejudiced god partial to Catholics, the irritated god disgusted with believers, the warrior god of the "just" war, the fickle god of casuistic morality, tut-tutting our little weaknesses, the pedantic god of the spiritually sophisticated, the myriad of gods who imprisoned me in the house of fear; I could go on." (Location 350)
Just love his use of words here!
"The invitation to union is extended not only for Christians of iron will, austere seekers of God, those who preach the gospel and get doctorates in theology.
"For His love is never, never, never based on our performance, never conditioned by our moods - of elation or depression." (Location 318)
Good for me to hear this, even though it's something I "know". I have been struggling with anxiety lately, and with that can come thoughts that He doesn't love me, or if I was a better Christian I wouldn't feel this way. But I need to think on what is true...
"So much of what was presented to me as real in bygone days, I now see as fictitious. The splenetic god of alternating moods, the prejudiced god partial to Catholics, the irritated god disgusted with believers, the warrior god of the "just" war, the fickle god of casuistic morality, tut-tutting our little weaknesses, the pedantic god of the spiritually sophisticated, the myriad of gods who imprisoned me in the house of fear; I could go on." (Location 350)
Just love his use of words here!
"The invitation to union is extended not only for Christians of iron will, austere seekers of God, those who preach the gospel and get doctorates in theology.
"It is not reserved for those who are well-known mystics or for those who do wonderful things for the poor....[It is for] those poor enough to welcome Jesus." (Jean Vanier)
(Location 667)
"What would I do if I had it to do all over again? Heeding John's counsel, I would simply do the next thing in love." (Location 755)
"In those days, I knew I couldn't distinguish myself by my virtues, so I distinguished myself by my clothing; I always wore the collar." (Location 1090)
I especially loved this quote. Wouldn't it be something if all Christians were known for their virtues? Not for what we're against, or for a political party, or for outward apparel. But for love. All pointing to Jesus.
"The gospel is absurd and the life of Jesus is meaningless unless we believe that He lived, died and rose again with but one purpose in mind: to make brand-new creations. Not to make people with better morals, but to create a community of prophets and professional lovers, men and women who would surrender to the mystery of the fire of the Spirit that burns within, who would live in ever greater fidelity to the omnipresent Word of God, who would enter into the center of it all, the very heart and mystery of Christ, into the center of the flame that consumes, purifies, and sets everything aglow with peace, joy, boldness, and etravagant, furious love." (Location 1451)
Friday, June 29, 2012
McGuffey
Yet another "nerd" book for me! I loved A History of the McGuffey Readers by Henry H Vail. Yes, this is a book about a book (or rather, a set of books). What I have found special about the McGuffey Readers is that the aim was not only to promote reading, but to build character. We used one of the readers last year in our homeschool and had some wonderful conversations along with it. We stopped using it as I didn't quite know how to continue. I hope to bring our McGuffey Readers back...especially after reading this book.
There are several different versions of the McGuffey Readers and this book helped to explain the versions and also clarified how the McGuffey Readers were used back in their time. They were the readers used all across the United States. Sure, there were others (such as the New England Primer), but none appear to be as widely used as these. This book also shed light on the history of American education. So, now to the quotes!
"The school readers are the proper and indispensable texts for teaching true patriotism, integrity, honesty, industry, temperance, courage, politeness, and all other moral and intellectual virtues. In these books every lesson should have a distinct purpose in view, and the final aim should be to establish in the pupils high moral principles which are at the foundation of character." (Page 2)
"As late as 1840 the Bible was read daily in all the schools of the West." (Page 7)
"Even up to the opening of the Civil War, whatever the faith or the practice of the adult inhabitants of the country, the Bible story and the Bible diction were familiar to all." (Page 7)
"In the texts authorized for the study of English classics, Biblical allusions are very common. These have little meaning to pupils who have not read the Bible, unless the passage is pointed out and hunted up. From the pages of these readers the pupils learned to master the printed word and obtain the thought of the authors. Without conscious effort they received moral instruction and incentives toward right living. Without intent they treasured in their memories such extracts from the authors of the best English Literature as gave them a desire to read more." (Page 7-8)
"If the pupil obtained from the printed page the very thought the author intended to convey, the pupil was expected to read orally so as to express that thought to all hearers. If the correct thought was thus heard, no questions were needed. The test of reading orally is the communication of thought by the reader to the intelligent and attentive hearer, and the words of the author carry this message more accurately than can any other words the pupil may select." (Page 11)
"The readers that deal simply with facts - information readers - may lodge in the minds of children some scraps of encyclopedic information which may in future life become useful. But the readers that rouse the moral sentiments, that touch the imagination, that elevate and establish character by selections chosen from the wisest writers in English in all the centuries that have passed since our language assumed a comparatively fixed literary form, have a much more valuable function to perform. Character is more valuable than knowledge and a taste for pure and ennobling literature is a safeguard for the young that cannot be safely ignored." (Page 46)
"One of the wise men of the olden time cared not who wrote the laws if he might write their songs. Among a people devoid of books the folk-songs are early lodged firmly in the mind of every child. They influence his whole life. The modern schoolbooks - particularly the readers - furnish the basis of the moral and intellectual training of the youth in ever community." (Page 51)
Other People Mentioned in this book (contemporaries):
Dr Joseph Ray - Ray's Arithmetic (Page 24)
Dr. Lyman Beecher - father of Harriet Beecher Stowe (Page 25)
Dr. Timothy Stone Pinneo - grammar books (Page 34)
Mr W.B. Thalheimer - history books (Pg 37)
Willson Readers - to teach reading and science - (Page 45)
"
There are several different versions of the McGuffey Readers and this book helped to explain the versions and also clarified how the McGuffey Readers were used back in their time. They were the readers used all across the United States. Sure, there were others (such as the New England Primer), but none appear to be as widely used as these. This book also shed light on the history of American education. So, now to the quotes!
"The school readers are the proper and indispensable texts for teaching true patriotism, integrity, honesty, industry, temperance, courage, politeness, and all other moral and intellectual virtues. In these books every lesson should have a distinct purpose in view, and the final aim should be to establish in the pupils high moral principles which are at the foundation of character." (Page 2)
"As late as 1840 the Bible was read daily in all the schools of the West." (Page 7)
"Even up to the opening of the Civil War, whatever the faith or the practice of the adult inhabitants of the country, the Bible story and the Bible diction were familiar to all." (Page 7)
"In the texts authorized for the study of English classics, Biblical allusions are very common. These have little meaning to pupils who have not read the Bible, unless the passage is pointed out and hunted up. From the pages of these readers the pupils learned to master the printed word and obtain the thought of the authors. Without conscious effort they received moral instruction and incentives toward right living. Without intent they treasured in their memories such extracts from the authors of the best English Literature as gave them a desire to read more." (Page 7-8)
"If the pupil obtained from the printed page the very thought the author intended to convey, the pupil was expected to read orally so as to express that thought to all hearers. If the correct thought was thus heard, no questions were needed. The test of reading orally is the communication of thought by the reader to the intelligent and attentive hearer, and the words of the author carry this message more accurately than can any other words the pupil may select." (Page 11)
"The readers that deal simply with facts - information readers - may lodge in the minds of children some scraps of encyclopedic information which may in future life become useful. But the readers that rouse the moral sentiments, that touch the imagination, that elevate and establish character by selections chosen from the wisest writers in English in all the centuries that have passed since our language assumed a comparatively fixed literary form, have a much more valuable function to perform. Character is more valuable than knowledge and a taste for pure and ennobling literature is a safeguard for the young that cannot be safely ignored." (Page 46)
"One of the wise men of the olden time cared not who wrote the laws if he might write their songs. Among a people devoid of books the folk-songs are early lodged firmly in the mind of every child. They influence his whole life. The modern schoolbooks - particularly the readers - furnish the basis of the moral and intellectual training of the youth in ever community." (Page 51)
Other People Mentioned in this book (contemporaries):
Dr Joseph Ray - Ray's Arithmetic (Page 24)
Dr. Lyman Beecher - father of Harriet Beecher Stowe (Page 25)
Dr. Timothy Stone Pinneo - grammar books (Page 34)
Mr W.B. Thalheimer - history books (Pg 37)
Willson Readers - to teach reading and science - (Page 45)
"
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