I'm reading The 5000 Year Leap
It is an excellent book about the fundamental ideals held by our founding fathers. If I were teaching American Government, I would make this required reading. As it is, my kids are going to read it after me. An incredible amount of information in a very readable format. The thing that strikes me most is how much knowledge our founding fathers had about different philosophies and histories of political systems. I fear we, as a nation, have undermined our own system by failing to teach history better. In my county, in middle school, students with low reading scores are pulled out of social studies to have remedial reading. Obviously reading is important, but now these students will enter high school with no foundation of understanding about history, social systems, or politics on which to build. It really is an easy read.
Another book I'm working with, I don't say reading because it isn't set up to be read page 1 through to the end, is The Love Dare. It is a type of workbook for one person of a married couple to read and act upon. The ideas presented in the book inspire me. The book describes what love is and looks like very well. It would be good to read if you're having trouble loving your spouse, your child, your co-worker or your parent. Obviously some of the ideas need tweaking to apply to others besides a spouse, but the basic concepts are Truth about love which stay true no matter the situation. Hubby and I are happily married. I can't imagine a better man for me. Meditating on this book is making me a better wife, heck a better person.
I've also been reading large chunks of the Bible because of The Great Adventure Bible Study which gives an overall picture of salvation history by reading 14 books of the Bible over 24 weeks. It's been extremely interesting, eye-opening and a challenge for me to change my life. The concept of obedience is ever-present. And the examples of disobedience and its negative consequences are on almost every page. For too many people, I think being obedient is seen as being unintelligent, lazy or worse. But obedience is the one big thing God asks of us. Being obedient requires humility and true humility requires a truthful view of self in relation to God. I've been letting this idea of obedience percolate in the back of my mind and haven't come to any earth-shattering conclusions, other than we need to value obedience for obedience's sake more than we do. [I'm thinking of the Imp and her aversion to uniforms.]
Yesterday, I saw a movie on TV, The Nun's Story
Whereas the synopsis of the movie focuses on Hepburn's inability to stay neutral during World War II, I saw the theme of obedience to be much greater. Hepburn's character, Sr. Luke, struggled with obedience, especially when she thought her way of doing things was "better" (more efficient, better use of her talents,etc).
So today I'll be thinking of obedience, of love, and of the beliefs of our founding fathers, as I mop the floor and drive carpool. And I'll thank God I have the ability to do so.
2 comments:
Students need social studies and science content to become effective readers. Check out and comment on What Remedial Reading Teachers Want (A Manifesto).
As a social studies teacher, I KNOW students need these courses. The Manifesto is on target.
Team teaching with a content area and reading specialist would be a great set up to address many reading deficiencies.
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