Monthly Archives: January 2009
Book Review: Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid
Mohsin Hamid brackets his first novel, Moth Smoke, with the story of Aurengzeb, the brutal ruler of the Mughal Empire. On his deathbed, he regrets his life of cruelty and tells his sons not to follow his example. But it … Continue reading
Filed under Literati
Are Great Books Really That Great?
Now the paralysis sets in. I feel like we’re getting nothing done at school. My son is tired all the time, and so am I. We’re both anticipating that big jump from middle school to high school. I try to … Continue reading
Filed under A Teacher's Journal
How I Lost a Part of Myself
Everyone needs a good epiphany once in awhile. An epiphany can knock you out of a rut, turn your head around, open new possibilities you thought weren’t possible. The very best thing about having an epiphany is the spill-over. … Continue reading
Filed under A Teacher's Journal
Little Boy Going on Big
The cutest little boy used to live with us. My husband and I were talking about him just the other evening. He wasn’t with us long. In fact, his stay flew by. He used to hold my hand and climb … Continue reading
Filed under A Teacher's Journal, Learning With Your Child
Great Resources for Internet Safety
The Internet opens new horizons for any student. But its vastness is also its pitfall. Children need guidance about how to analyze information they find on the Internet, how to determine for themselves whether information is valid or junk. Supervise … Continue reading
Filed under Learning With Your Child, The Heart of Learning
Tips for Teens on the Internet
The Common Sense website has tons of information on internet safety. Here is a list that they suggest you print and hang near your computer to give your child rules for internet use http://www.commonsense.com/internet-safety-tips Internet Survival Tips for Kids … Continue reading
Filed under Learning With Your Child
Review: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
As a nerd might say it, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is a “cornucopia” of cultures, social status, body images, and abusive relationships. Junot Diaz’s second book (first was a collection of short stories called Drown)stars Oscar, … Continue reading
Filed under Literati
Internet Safety and Children
Who bothers with the mall anymore? That’s so ten minutes ago. The Internet is the new “mall” — as much a kid’s hang out as the malt shop was for the Richie Cunningham and the Fonz. Yet, the internet is … Continue reading
Filed under Learning With Your Child, teaching
I Drove Him to Tears
I made my son cry yesterday. I decided over the last couple of weeks to up the ante in home school. My son will be in high school and I want him to be ready for that. Because we home … Continue reading
Filed under A Teacher's Journal, Learning With Your Child
Review of Trespassing, by Uzma Aslam Khan
Review of Trespassing, by Uzma Aslam Khan, Picador, 2003 Uzma Aslam Khan’s character driven tale of two young Pakistanis, Trespassing, lays out in sweaty detail the tension between the old adage “you can’t go home again” and the one that … Continue reading
Filed under Literati, The Heart of Learning
