Are the Bigger readings engaging?

[Johanna]

I hope this doesnt come across the wrong way by me asking this....because I find the two main american texts very interesting that are used in Bigger
....but, I was wondering (for those that are doing Bigger with the younger s...age 6 or 7....especially boys) if you found that they were interested in the readings.
I will be doing this with my dd8 and ds7. I have no concern for dd8 but, my son tends to be a little harder to get to concentrate on my reading alouds.
I am a bit concerned at the "text bookish" look of specifically American stories and American heroes.
But, again...I havent read them....so I am just judging by appearances....
I guess that i am just looking for some encouragements or experiences that can assure me that the readings are interesting and engaging...especially for wiggly young boys...lol!

[Tansy]

ah the beauty of the web! have a sneak peak print out a story and see...

http://www.mainlesson.com/displayauthor ... =eggleston

My little wiggler (female) listens some days and others well not so good. but she loved the poem about Ben Franklin today.

here it is. Its in public domain so I feel free to post it.

TOO MUCH FOR THE WHISTLE

As Ben with pennies in his pocket
Went strolling down the street,
"Toot-toot! toot-toot!" there came a whistle
From a boy he chanced to meet,

Whistling fit to burst his buttons,
Blowing hard and stepping high.
Then Benny said, "I'll buy your whistle;"
But "Toot! toot-toot!" was the reply.

But Benny counted out his pennies,
The whistling boy began to smile;
With one last toot he gave the whistle
To Ben, and took his penny pile.

Now homeward goes the whistling Benny,
As proud as any foolish boy,
And in his pockets not a penny,
But in his mouth a noisy toy.

"Ah, Benny, Benny!" cries his mother,
"I cannot stand your ugly noise."
"Stop, Benny, Benny!" says his father,
"I cannot talk, you drown my voice."

At last the whistling boy remembers
How much his money might have bought.
"Too many pennies for a whistle,"
Is little Benny's ugly thought.

Too many pennies for a whistle
Is what we all pay, you and I,
Just for a little foolish pleasure
Pay a price that's quite too high.

[6timeboymom]

My boys enjoy them, and sit through them. They are short enough to keep them interested, but long enough to contain plenty of info. Plus it's story format, so not text book-ish at all, IMO!
They do interrupt me sometimes, "Oh, like how Columbus's dad was a weaver? like that, mom?"

[Johanna]

it is a relief to hear that the stories are in story form. Thanks for the encouragement! Also, thanks for posting the link for the free books to read them online....since i dont have them in my hand yet.

[Carrie]

Johanna,

Here's a couple of links to past threads that may help answer your question:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=451

http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=451

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

Johanna -
My son was 7 and just turned 8 in Dec. doing Bigger... He really enjoys the history. In fact, I wrote a post about how I found he'd snuck away with one of the Egglston books to read further ahead on his own. It's very "outdoorsish", full of awesome heroic stories about good men making a big mark in history. It's written in a a very living manner. My ds just started reading them on his own. He loves to cuddle up on the couch with his big blanket and enjoy reading it. Then he rushes back to tell me whatever thing peaked his interest. There are terrific hands-on activities that link with the theme as well as a ton of other connections that further enhance it too. You'll have to check out my "weekly check-in" pics this week! That's a perfect example of what I'm trying to say here, and probably not doing such a good job of!

HTH!
In Christ,
Julie