Day By Day - How to Read a Book

May. 10, 2006

How to Read a Book - Chap 1 Comments

I joined a Reading Partnership this week. The first book we are reading is called "How to Read a Book" by Mortimer Adler. I totally scoffed at the title the first time I read it - but three chapters later I'm really enjoying it. I'm taking notes as I read and posting them on the Reading Partnership blog - but I'm going to post them on my blog too. Since others are commenting too - I'm not sharing everything I learn, just the things that haven't been shared yet or that I was to particularily highlight!

I am an avid reader...I read anything and everything! However, in the past few years I find I'm skimming more than reading. I think it's due to the internet and other 'easy' informative avenues. Why excercise my brain to gather information when I can drink at the firehose of the internet!

So, as I started this book - it is with a bit of fear of not finishing or worse yet, not comprehending. The first chapter seemed to be written just for me!! When I consider this book was first written in 1940 - well, think how much easier "information" is to gain now. But understanding - ah, now that is a different story! I can quickly tell you how much the oil prices are today - but understanding WHY the oil is that much money - that takes some more work!

Since the other ladies have covered so much of what I was struck by - I wanted to share something else I found interesting. The author said, "we can learn only from our "betters". We must know who they are and how to learn from them." For some reason that has made me pause everytime I reread it. I think I really need to better consider who I'm learning from - and, online, who knows who wrote something!

I really like the idea that "being informed is prerequisite to being enlightened." Doesn't that sound so much like how we teach our children!

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Comments

May. 11, 2006 - Glad you decided to blog again...

Posted by ClassicalMamma

So you scoffed when you saw the title? My dh is still scoffing...his loss. Your children are adorable! thank you for all your help, I don't think I'll ever be able to tell you how grateful I am for you. Yes, I can. I thanked God for you today.

Jessica

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About Me

Day by Day....we strive to learn together, love each other and have some fun. Day By Day.... we strive to raise our boys to be knights and warriors for the Lord. Some days it's a struggle...

Cast of Charaters

Me - I like to read and knit. I've been a Christian for many years and loving learning about God and seeing the Lord work in our lives! I also post on my other blog, "Journaling Back To Joy"
DH - Is a theologically trained teacher of 4th graders at a Christian school. He loves astronomy, LOTR and playing with the kids! He is the funniest man I know.
J1 - 12 - our oldest. He came to live with us when he was 16 mos old and completely turned our lives inside out! While he is struggling with self-control right now - he is the one who can brighten the room just by smiling! He loves creating things from our recycling and anything that allows him to move (trampoline, skateboards, inline skates, etc)
J2 - 11 - our middle son. He is the one who I am currently homeschooling. He loves to create things from Legos and he loves movies. He would watch movies all day if I let him :( He has just had a major breakthrough in reading - for which we are praising the Lord!
J3 - 6 - my joy. He has a very tender heart for me and really works hard to make me happy. He loves to cuddle and is just learning about Legos. He wants to be with his big brothers so much, but the age difference is a big hurdle right now.
Joshie - 5/29/02 - 2/22/03 - Our surprise! Our only pregnancy that the Lord allowed - and we were blessed to have him for those short mos. We are all still grieving his loss - you'll hear alot about that from time to time. We look forward to getting to know him someday.

Curriculum Choices

• Math: Modern Curr. Press
• Language Arts: Apple Tree, Pathway Readers & Phonics Pathway
• History: California History (Beautiful Feet)
• Science: Exploring Creation Through Astronomy
• Current Read Aloud: Redwall
• Current Audiobook: Blue Dolphin