Tuesday, July 15, 2008

The Education of Me

As a scientist I don't have alot of experience with subjects like literature and history. I took what was required in highschool and in college I opted for much more interesting science and math courses! So now that I am faced with teaching ancient history next year I'm realizing that I have a lack of background knowledge. I could just use what I have, it's all very good, but I want more. I want to be able to add to our studies in a relevant way just like I can with science. So being the well taught college graduate I am (ha,ha), I began to research (mainly because going back to school is just too expensive). So here it is, The Education of Me project, a self-study of those subjects that I feel weak in.

I have started by reading Bauer's History of the Ancient World this summer. I'm about 1/4 of the way through and I am enjoying what I'm learning. I hope to finish this before we start in August. I also recently I ordered a Western Civ. textbook used by a local college to go through in preparation to teach. I put together a reading list for the following school year of ancient literature I would like to read. I'm sure that I have read parts of the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Aenid, but I don't remember them, so for the most part this will all be new. I plan to get all the books from the library to keep the cost down!

My plan is to stay a week or so ahead of princess so that I will have lots to add to our studies. I also hope to keep a journal of what I'm learning and my thoughts about the books I'm reading. I'm hoping to keep you all updated weekly about the Education of Me. I'm also hoping to get a few more books about teaching language arts in as well. So, if your feeling weak in a subject are and want to join me in the Education of Me project, leave a comment and we will keep each other accountable!

5 comments:

Catherine said...

I love your idea (got to your blog from the SL boards). My kids are 10 and 13 right now and I'm learning right along with them. I read a lot, so I'm getting a deeper education in some ways since I'll read a history book or historical fiction book to go along with what they're studying. Check out my blog for what I'm reading (although it seriously needs updating!).

Blessings,
Catherine

Ms Eva said...

Have you read The Well-Educated Mind? It is all about providing a classics based education for yourself. After reading it, I started a "Education of Me" project as well. :D

Paige said...

Makita-

Reading the Well Educated Mind is part of what got me thinking in this direction. I agree it's a great book!

Catherine-
I added your blog to the list, let me know if that's a problem!

Anonymous said...

I have been having these same kind of thoughts lately! I know there are a lot of areas I'm weak in, especially science, latin, and art, but I feel ok about those for now. Right now I really am feeling stupid when it comes to history which is actually one of my favorite subjects. I did ok this past year, but in prepping 2nd grade and SOTW 2, I'm finding so many topics that I've never ever studied before.

I don't have a plan mapped out yet, but I'd love to join you in the Education of Me project. :) I'm looking at going through some Teaching Company courses and History channel dvds over books at the moment. I also want to start Henle Latin for myself and maybe start brushing up on math, which I was always good at and enjoyed, but I haven't had to take since high school.

I'll have to think about a blog post for this sometime soon. Thanks for the prodding!

Jonnia Smith said...

I've been doing the very same thing over the past several weeks!! We are just beginning with SL Core 1 and I always feel better armed with knowledge - there can never be too much. I looked up Tapestry of Grace's recommended resources for the rhetoric (high school) level, thinking those books would give me enough info and still be easy to read fairly quickly. I've got one going on Ancient Egypt and another on the Greeks at the same time. I just finished a Henty novel set in Egypt and have another lined up next. (If my little one gets to enjoy living historical fiction, I can too. right?!)

I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one doing this! My husband thinks I'm a total geek!