Preparing your child for a lifetime of learning

I read Hirsch's "Cultural Literacy" book not too long after it came out and thought that it all made so much sense and I remember thinking "I would have loved this when I was a kid!" (Yes, I was one of those kids who loved filling out workbooks and reading textbooks). I was a good student right from the start, loved to learn, but somehow felt, even then, that my schooling was haphazard, and the further I got in school, the more so. It seemed to me there was no continuity from one year to the next and no relation between what we learned in English class versus history versus biology. As a good reader, the school (elementary) decided to put me in a "Great Books" reading program. I was really excited at first. But then, all they did was hand me the first book of the "Great Books" series for my age group, and that was it! No background information, no discussion group to talk about we read, no teacher to guide us through the readings, no questions or essays or anything to make what I was reading more comprehensible. Needless to say, I didn't get very far in those books. I bought this book so that when my daughter started school (also an early reader), I could make sure there were no gaps and maybe even use it if I were to home school her. Well, neither I nor my daughter were made for homeschooling, but the Montessori elementary school she went to did a good job of covering most of what was in this book anyway. So how would one use this book. It is not a textbook, but rather a collection of readings and information for six subjects that a kindergartner should have been introduced to during that 1st year of school. The subjects are: Language and Literature, History and Geography, Visual Arts, Music, Mathematics and Science. And if that sounds overwhelming for a 5 year old, the information is appropriate for that age group. For example in science they learn, what a plant is, how it grows, seasons and weather, the five senses and your body, plus short biographies of 3 scientists. Unfortunately (or not), my daughter had no interest in reading this book either herself or with me. I like that each section has a list of books (longer stories, coloring books, magazines, etc.) that expands on the ideas or themes of each subject if desired. Also, this edition had many beautiful color photos. ( )

This book is an excellent guide for parents wanting to make sure their children are getting the best and most consistent education possible. My son has autism and is therefore put in special education; this book helps me fill in the gaps that sometimes get overlooked because so much attention must be paid to helping him assimilate better in his classes. It is sometimes frustrating seeing the difference between what my son is learning and what friend's children of the same age are learning, and this book is a useful guide. This is not intended to be a guide for homeschoolers; it does depend on interaction between school and home. It helps acknowledge that education does not end when the schoolbell rings.

This would be particularly useful for parents who move frequently, for children who have to be out of school alot or who must change schools, and for children who are in an inclusive classroom part time and a special ed classroom part time. ( )