On The Ranch today, we talked about the role of biographies and autobiographies as ways of teaching your kids (and yourselves) about real lives. People who came up from nothing, had real challenges and solved them. They never gave up or gave in on the way to fulfilling their dreams. It's a chance to see these lives through their eyes.
The fantasy world of video games and animated movies have their place in terms of inspiring kids and teaching valuable lessons. I especially like the message of the movie, "Inside Out". But, kids need to learn about real lives and people with real feelings. Animation and movies about fictional characters can remove kids from personally appreciating the message. They can always say, "Oh that story was made up. It's not really real." They can't say the same thing about biographies and autobiographies.
I grew up in south Florida. When I was in the 4th grade, our teacher took us to Cape Canaveral to see a liftoff of a manned space flight. It was beyond thrilling (now THERE are some great biographies about these folks). But we heard nothing about this woman or her team.
This woman, Katherine Johnson, now 98 years old, served as a "human computer" for NASA. She, along with other woman, made all of the calculations necessary for these successful flights. Can you just imagine the pressure and responsibility? And, this at a time when many were marching in the streets to get equal rights.
Have you ever heard of these women? Well, many, many decades later, a movie about them is ready to premiere. It's called Hidden Figures and the movie is based on the book by Margot Shetterly. The good news? There's a "Young Readers" version of the book!
This woman, Katherine Johnson, now 98 years old, served as a "human computer" for NASA. She, along with other woman, made all of the calculations necessary for these successful flights. Can you just imagine the pressure and responsibility? And, this at a time when many were marching in the streets to get equal rights.
Have you ever heard of these women? Well, many, many decades later, a movie about them is ready to premiere. It's called Hidden Figures and the movie is based on the book by Margot Shetterly. The good news? There's a "Young Readers" version of the book!
My point here is that many people who have made very significant contributions to our history aren't mentioned in the the textbooks. As we've learned, it may take decades to appreciate them. There are so very many books about these "unknowns" that there is likely to be one that will inspire your kids and their specific interests. There are a great many people from diverse fields of accomplishment that there is surely something for everyone of all ages.
You may want to make learning about the lives of interesting people a special activity you share with your child. If you read the auto/biography to your child, you can make sure that they understand the important features of the events. You can also facilitate the lessons by relating them to people that your child knows. This process enhances meaningfulness and "connection".
Consider choosing figures that are as contemporary as possible to your life and/or your child's life in order to allow you to revisit the messages and lessons as the person's name comes up again. If there are shows about them, you can reinforce their life stories.
As I explored this topic, I did an internet search for auto/biographies for young readers and a gazillion sites came up. Information overload to the max. Yippeee! Lots of choices. Get ready. You and your kids are going to learn a lot and have fun doing it.
You might want to "hire" (or barter for privileges/freedom) your older kids to read the books to the younger ones. Whatever it takes to get the family engaged will likely make the effort more fun.
If you find books that were helpful to your kids, let me know so I can pass them along. I get the "best stuff" from "my parents!
TTFN, Claudia
You might want to "hire" (or barter for privileges/freedom) your older kids to read the books to the younger ones. Whatever it takes to get the family engaged will likely make the effort more fun.
If you find books that were helpful to your kids, let me know so I can pass them along. I get the "best stuff" from "my parents!
TTFN, Claudia
