Thoughts on Government Author: John Adams

BIO: JohnAdams

ThoughtsonGovernment

The following link is considered part of the 100 Classics list suggested by the George Wythe College. Many homeschooling families will find this blog useful in planning their curriculum. The intent is to have instant access to all of the great classics, available online through the public domain. I hope this is helpful. Chareine Carlson Barker

TheHistoryofFreedom,

The Highway Man

This dramatic poem written in 1906 by Alfred Noyes, has a rhythm that will capture the feelings and attention of both the reader and those to whom it is read.

The HighWay Man

BIO Alfred Noyes

The Fourth Wise Man/The Other Wise Man

This beloved story is well-known during the Christmas Season. It is the story of service, compassion and coming to know the true meaning of Christmas and coming to know the Savior of mankind. The Fourth Wise Man

Born November 10, 1852, in Ger­man­town, Penn­syl­van­ia.Henry Jackson van Dyke attended Princeton University and then went on to become an ordained minister. His reverence for the spiritual can be found in his classic story--The Other Wiseman. Further information on Mr. vanDyke can be found at Van Dyke Bio

The Emperor's New Clothes

At first glance, the whimsical children's story "The Emperor's New Cloths is just a fun story. But like much of classical, well-written literature, there are layers of meaning. Peel one layer back and there is something hidden underneath or in the next layer.
The Emperor's New Clothes

Born in 1807, Hans Christen Andersen is of Danish lineage. During his life-time of 70 years, Andersen wrote over 150 short stories. A further biography can be found at Andersen Bio along with a complete list of his published works.

A Christmas Carol

Published in 1843, Charles Dickens' novel "A Christmas Carol" is perhaps one of his best known novels. Although written in the romantic period of literature, it is easier to read than his novel "A Tale of Two Cities". "A Christmas Carol" is the story of greed, humility, redemption and charity. It has the potential to change lives as one applies it to one's own life.

The book can be found in its completeness at this link:A Christmas Carol

A biography of Charles Dickens can be found at the following link, along with links to some of his other works. Enjoy!
Dickens bio

Chicken Little

Chicken Little is an enchanting story written in 1915. It was designed to entice and encourage children to be able to read and enjoy it just shortly after starting school. The entire story is below:

Chicken Little

Chicken Little was in the woods. A seed fell on his tail. Chicken Little said, "The sky is falling. I will run."

Chicken Little met Henny Penny. He said, "The sky is falling, Henny Penny." Henny Penny said, "How do you know, Chicken Little?" Chicken Little said, "Some of it fell on my tail." "We will run," said Henny Penny.
"We will run and tell the king."

They met Turkey Lurkey. Henny Penny said, "The sky is falling, Turkey Lurkey." "How do you know, Henny Penny? "Chicken Little told me. "How do you know, Chicken Little?" "I saw it with my eyes. I heard it with my ears. Some of it fell on my tail." Turkey Lurkey said, "We will run. We will run and tell the king."

They met Ducky Lucky. Turkey Lurkey said, "The sky is falling, Ducky Lucky." "How do you know, Turkey Lurkey?" "Henny Penny told me." "How do you know, Henny Penny?" "Chicken Little told me." "How do you know, Chicken Little?" "I saw it with my eyes. I heard it with my ears. Some of it fell on my tail." Ducky Lucky said, "We will run. We will run and tell the king."

They met Goosey Loosey. Ducky Lucky said, "The sky is falling, Goosey Loosey." "How do you know, Ducky Lucky?" "Turkey Lurkey told me." "How do you know, Turkey Lurkey?" "Henny Penny told me." "How do you know, Henny Penny?" "Chicken Little told me." "How do you know, Chicken Little?" "I saw it with my eyes.
I heard it with my ears. Some of it fell on my tail." Goosey Loosey said, "We will run, We will run and tell the king."

They met Foxy Loxy.Goosey Loosey said, "The sky is falling, Foxy Loxy." "How do you know, Goosey Loosey?"
"Ducky Lucky told me." "How do you know, Ducky Lucky?" "Turkey Lurkey told me." "How do you know, Turkey Lurkey?" "Henny Penny told me." "How do you know, Henny Penny?" "Chicken Little told me." "How do you know, Chicken Little?" "I saw it with my eyes. I heard it with my ears. Some of it fell on my tail." Foxy Loxy said, "We will run. We will run into my den, And I will tell the king."

They ran into Foxy Loxy's den but they did not come out again.

The following link is a great resource for classical stories. It contains stories written about the same time as "Chicken Little". So if you liked Chicken Little and would like to encourage you children to read more such literature, this book contains many stories in their entirety. Chicken Little-Early Reader

Carlotte's Web

The whimisical, tender book of Charlotte's Web was first published in 1952. It is authored by E.B. White. It is the story of a pig, a spider, a little girl, love and unselfishness.

Because this story is relatively recent, it is not available online. However, it is a very popular book for children in the public school system and so I thought maybe it would be helpful to find a site that had lesson plans and ways to use this delightful book in a curriculum setting. I found the following link to be interesting:
Charlotte's Web lesson plans

Charlotte's Web is not Mr. White's only work. The following link will take you to an in depth biography of Mr. White and some of his additional works.

White bio

I hope you enjoy this delightful, intuitive book.

Casey at the Bat

Since 1856 baseball has been known as an "American" sport. "Casey at the Bat" was written in 1888 and first published in the San Francisco Examiner. It is a tale of the passion and enthusiasm of the supporters of baseball.

Casey at the Bat

The author, Ernest Lawrence Thayer was born in 1863 in Massachusetts. A detailed biography can be found at the following link:
Biography Thayer

The Blind Men and the Elephant

This childhood tale can be read on many levels and understood under a multitude of circumstances. I hope that you enjoy this poem written by John Godfrey Saxe.

The Blind Men and the Elephant

Mr. Saxe was born in the mid 1816 in Vermont. The following link will take you to a short biography and several different ways of looking at this well-known story. It also has some of his other works listed so be sure to scroll through the whole site for detailed information on this whimsical gentleman.John Godfrey Saxe.