Here they are!  Hopefully the reading will be well paced enough for 
these students to keep up with their American History reading.  These 
should be common, easy to find books.  Sadly I have no extra copies 
to loan this year.  But, a few of these are repeat 7th/8th titles, so 
those of you with extra copies on your shelves may want to speak up 
and bless someone with a loaned copy.  : )

The amazing Laura and equally amazing Kirsten will have the reading 
schedule on the website for you to print by the first week of coop.   
I encourage you to print a copy for yourself and a copy for each 
student you have enrolled in this class, so you're "on the same page".

You'll notice on that calendar that the week we return from Christmas 
vacation will have "book report" listed.  Lord willing, we will have 
our annual Pizza Book Report party for kids in Kind-8th grades.   
Parents assign reading appropriate for their student, and a book 
report appropriate for their student.  The student brings it to coop 
our first week back in exchange for a pizza party.  **For 7th/8th 
grade students the book itself should come from a list of suggested 
titles that I will send home early in the fall.  There will be a 
variety of genre and reading levels, encouraging your kiddo to try 
something new.

Also on the calendar "Projects" will be listed as the assignment for 
the last week of coop.  Students in grades 5-8 are asked each year to 
respond in some creative way to any of the literature they've read 
during the school year.  This is always incredibly fun and should not 
be viewed as stressful, rather an opportunity for your child to use 
their God-given creativity and talents to represent something they've 
read and enjoyed from a given school year.  Also, it's just good old 
fashioned dead line and thinking practice!

While only two of the books would be considered "above" grade level, 
as always, those of you teaching students that struggle more with 
reading should take great liberty and creativity in making this class 
work for you.  Search iTunes for downloadable versions of these 
books, amazon, etc. so they can "listen" as they read.  Or choose to 
read aloud to them.  This is  by far the best way to instruct their 
character and enhance your relationship while they cover necessary 
material.  You may find yourself learning right along with them!   
Your student will get zilcho from the wasted hour in class each week 
(and ultimately serve as a distraction) if they're completely 
unfamiliar with the reading.  Having said that, everybody has a bad 
week here and there.  : )  You're always the "real" teacher, this is 
just a pep talk!

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Amos Fortune Free Man by Elizabeth Yates
The Hiding Place Corrie ten Boom with John and Elizabeth Sherrill
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

One more quick explanation!  Because there was not room in the 
schedule this year for an elective choice, this class will make an 
attempt to add some elective flavor.  We are hopeful to include short 
opportunities for such things as cooking, wood working, sewing, art, 
archery, sign language, and even shooting/gun safety within the 
year.  Ideas and suggestions are VERY welcome, especially if you can 
teach your suggestion!   : )  Reply back if you have questions!

Christie ]