From Shannon Whiteside:
It is summer time, and for me that means more time for reading! I am looking forward to reading at the beach, reading in the hammock, and reading on the back porch. However, I do get overwhelmed when I look at my bookshelves and realize there are so many books that I have not read. I recently came across a Japanese word that describes this situation: tsundoku–which means “leaving a book unread after buying it, typically piled up together with other unread books.” I must admit I am guilty of tsundoku. However, Charlotte Mason has a great solution for that. In a Parents’ Review Article, she wrote, “The wisest woman I ever knew–the best wife, the best mother, the best mistress, the best friend–told me once, when I asked her how, with her weak health and many calls upon her time, she managed to read so much, ‘I always keep three books going–a stiff book, a moderately easy book, and a novel, and I always take up the one I feel fit for!’” That is the secret; always have something “going” to grow by.” That is a wonderful plan, and maybe one day I will get over my case of tsundoku! Currently, the three books I have going are Literature and the Brain, A Place to Belong and The Scent of Water. What books in these categories (stiff, moderately easy, and novel) are you reading or planning to read this summer? Head on over to the Hive and let us know!
Notes
1. CMI Conference: We are looking forward to seeing many of you at Asbury University next week for the CMI Conference. Please introduce yourselves to your Alveary team members. We would love to meet you!
2. The Buzz: There will be no Buzz next week (June 17) due to the conference.
3. 2021-22 Memberships: “30 days hath September, April, June, and November. . .” Please remember that all 2021-22 memberships expire on June 30, 2022. You have until 5:00 p.m. EDT on that date to download any lesson plans you wish to save. Please do not wait until the last minute, as we are unable to honor late requests for access.
Queries
1. Handicrafts: The circle string art is sold out. Will the other shapes suffice? They are hexagon and square.
We have spoken with the company and more are on the way. You can wait or the hexagon one would be just fine. The only difference is that the hexagon has more points and therefore is more suitable for grades 3 and up. However, the designer of the products said he knows first graders that have handled the hexagon one just fine.
2. Handicrafts: The Circle String art kits are listed as $21 but are actually $27. Is there an Alveary discount?
Their prices just went up this week but we secured a discount with them. They are offering a 5% discount. Use the promo code MEMBERS on the checkout form to receive this discount and also the option to choose one of two items for FREE! Alternatively, there is a 15% discount for first-time orders over $30 if you submit your email address. By the way, one art kit per family (not per student) is adequate.
3. Office Hours: Please note our schedule for next week:
- June 15 No Office Hours – travel to CMI Conference
If you have questions you would like our team to address, please submit them at least 24 hours in advance by commenting on the event in The Hive.
Have a great weekend!
The Alveary Team
