Category: Parent Guide

See It Through

This week in class, we’re reading “See It Through” by Edgar Guest.

In this poem, a speaker encourages one to face any challenge and “see it through.”

As we read, we will be discussing the theme of Resilience & Success as it relates to the text. We are trying to answer this big question :

“How does a person overcome adversity?”

Ways to support your child:

When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer

This week in class, we’re reading “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” by Walt Whitman.

In this poem by the “father of free verse,” the speaker prefers nature to the astronomer’s cold, organized lecture.

As we read, we will be discussing the theme of Technology, Progress & Industry as it relates to the text. We are trying to answer this big question :

“What are the costs and benefits of technology?”

Ways to support your child:

The Man in the Well

This week in class, we’re reading “The Man in the Well” by Ira Sher.

Ira Sher is a contemporary author who writes short fiction. In this story, a man in a vulnerable position asks a group of children for help.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Morality and Power & Greed as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“Why do people do bad things?” and “How does power corrupt?”

Ways to support your child:

The Dangers of Tradition

This week in class, we’re reading “The Dangers of Tradition” by Bakari Bosa.

In “The Dangers of Tradition,” Bakari Bosa discusses how traditions work in society and the potential dangers involved.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Community, Morality, and Social Pressure as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“How are communities formed?”, “Why do people follow the crowd?”, and “What is good and how do we know?”

Ways to support your child:

How an 11-Year-Old Boy Invented the Popsicle

This week in class, we’re reading “How an 11-Year-Old Boy Invented the Popsicle” by Shelby Pope for NPR.

In this article, the young innovator responsible for inventing the popsicle at 11 years old is discussed.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Growing Up and Resilience & Success as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“Why should we value our youth?” and “Why do people succeed?”

Ways to support your child:

Examination Day

This week in class, we’re reading “Examination Day” by Henry Slesar.

In Henry Slesar’s short story “Examination Day,” a boy takes an intelligence exam administered by the government.

As we read, we will be discussing the theme of Fear & Paranoia as it relates to the text. We are trying to answer this big question :

“How does fear drive action?”

Ways to support your child:

The Veldt

This week in class, we’re reading “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury.

In Ray Bradbury’s short story “The Veldt,” Mr. and Mrs. Hadley become concerned when they realize how dependent their children are on the technology in their futuristic home.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Friendship & Family and Technology, Progress & Industry as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“What are the costs and benefits of technology?” and “What makes a family?”

Ways to support your child:

Excerpt from “Where Lovers Dream”

This week in class, we’re reading “Excerpt from “Where Lovers Dream”” by Anzia Yezierska.

In “Excerpt from ‘Where Lovers Dream’” Anzia Yezierska tells the story of a woman who runs into someone she used to know at a wedding.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Loneliness & Isolation and Love as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“How are we changed by love?” and “What does it mean to feel alone?”

Ways to support your child:

All Summer in a Day

This week in class, we’re reading “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury.

In this classic Ray Bradbury short story, the children on planet Venus wait to see the sun for the first time in seven years.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Fear & Paranoia, Honor & Courage, and Loneliness & Isolation as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“How does fear drive action?”, “What does it mean to be brave?”, and “What does it mean to feel alone?”

“Is it sometimes better to hide parts of ourselves so we can fit in?” “If someone doesn’t fit in, is it their fault?”

Ways to support your child:

The Kohlberg Dilemmas

This week in class, we’re reading “The Kohlberg Dilemmas” by Lawrence Kohlberg.

Lawrence Kohlberg was an American psychologist best known for his theories of moral development. Kohlberg explains there are six distinct stages of human moral development, and that a person may go through these stages throughout his or her life.

As we read, we will be discussing the theme of Morality as it relates to the text. We are trying to answer this big question :

“What is good and how do we know?”

Ways to support your child: