Learning About You
Developing Self Knowledge Through Children's Literature
To begin this unit study, all you need is a simple folder with pockets and three prongs
(the lovely ones in the 10 for 10 cents from Target) and place white
paper in it, about 10 pages. You will also need markers, crayons, colored pencils, watercolors - whatever art medium your child(ren) love.
The folder will be dedicated "Learning About You" and become a book to record of your child's developing self-awareness and perceptions of the world around him/her. Depending upon your child's age and artistic interests, feelings and
impressions of ideas experienced from reading the books can be written
about, drawn, sculpted - any medium that affords a child freedom of
expression.
Once a week, or how often you both enjoy, read a book from the list below or those found from the links shared, and then listen as your child discusses his/her feelings about the subjects shared.
Then, ask your child(ren) to draw pictures about his/her impressions of each story, a page
each or so.
Books that offer wonderful topics for knowing the Self and are my personal favorites include:
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge written by Mem Fox, illus by Julie Vivas.
(Empathy and Compassion)
What Does Peace Feel Like? by Vladimir Radunsky and CARE
(Peace - global and internal)
The Way to Start a Day by Byrd Baylor, illus by Peter Parnall
(Thanks Giving)
I Am An Artist by Pat Lowery Collins, illus by Robin Brickman
(Creatively Being)
Appelemando's Dreams by Patricia Polacco
(The Gifts of Individuality)
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
(The Significance of Our Names)
Mrs. Biddlebox by Linda Smith, illus by Marla Frazee
(Dealing with Negative Feelings)
Additional titles that you can pick
and choose from that best suit your child's interests:
Spiritual and Philosophical Books
engaging children's spiritual knowing
Self Knowledge Books
thinking about, accepting and embracing the self
Loving Books
sharing the love of family, others and the world
You may also consider adding your own ideas for subjects and questions for artistic expression such as:
- What is your
favorite pet or animal?
-
What is your favorite book and why?
- What was your worst nightmare?
- What does God look like?
A fantastic supplement to this unit are the Anti-Coloring Books by
Susan Striker
.
January Events to Explore in Children's Books
New Year's Day - January 1
Happy New Year, Everywhere by Arlene Erlbach; illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - January 21
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, illus by Bryan Collier
Full Moon - January 22 - Wolf Moon
Long Night Moon by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Mark Siegel
Creative Writing and Telling Inspiration
In keeping with the exploration of Self, look through family picture albums and choose a few that are your child's favorites. Ask he or she to write or tell a story about the picture - either non-fiction or fiction - and enjoy sharing his or her perception of the events and people.
Articles and Interest for Preteens to Adults
Link Repository - For the past ten years I have been collecting links related to world mythology, story, cultural anthropology, Jungian theory, graduate studies in both and related subjects. I invite you to explore the repository and find web sites that inspire, instruct and enliven.
OneWomansMind.net Highlight: 10 Year Anniversary!
OneWomansMind.net was born 10 years ago this year! Originating as The Anthropology of Mysticism, morphing to The Anthropology of Mythology and finally becoming OneWomansMind.net. The site began while in the throws of my collegiate studies in world mythology, global spirituality and cultural anthropology. I needed an outlet for my scholastic and creative expression, dearly wanting to marry the images and thoughts dancing in my mind and to share them with anyone of like interest. Inspired and enlived by Joseph Campbell and Clarissa Pinkola Estes, I created my site and have met the most remarkable people along the way.
Today OneWomansMind.net reflects ten years of maturing and change from young woman to Mother, swimming deeply within the magic of myth and story with my daughter and husband. I have experienced the power of story as guide and influence in the lives of my family and am grateful for the knowledge of those who have come before and left their tales from love and strength. The Ten Year Anniversary of OneWomansMind.net is dedicated to the First Peoples worldwide who paved the way for our spiritual growth and created the stories that continue to enrich our lives.
Please enjoy exploring through the various areas of OneWomansMind.net. There is something for every person -
A preview of what's coming in February 2008
Further winter exploration including books about snow and all its wonder
Valentine' Day fun
African American History Month
Book review submission guidelines for ages 4-8 and 9 to adult
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Would you like to share your favorite children's picture book or review? Would you like to share a great creative writing suggestion? Please email me. I'd love to hear from you.
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Awareness
First Book - giving low income children the opportunity to read and own their first new books.
CharityUSA.com - CharityUSA.com, LLC. owns and operates The GreaterGood Network, a family of online activism sites that harness the power of the Internet to help people, animals, the global environment and causes in need. The GreaterGood Network sites include the hunger site, the breast cancer site, the child health site, the literacy site, the rainforest site and the animal rescue site. You can help by just visiting and clicking.
