Aesop's Fables

We had one of those naturally unfolding unit studies with Aesop's Fables.

We went to see a show put on by Jim West's Puppets.  It was a fantastic show and the kids were fascinated by both puppets and Aesop.  We got into reading Aesop's Fables.  Actually this isn't exactly the edition we have.  Ours is older and hard back and has no cd.  We also liked Ann McGovern's retellings.  We also got into Arnold Lobel's own fables. 

Finally, we had fun putting on these plays.  I highly recommend this resource even though it is rather obscure.  It is great for your own kids, playdates, play groups and co-ops.

If you the parent or an older student are interested in Aesop's Fables from a more scholarly point of view,  you might enjoy this collection of 358 of these ancient stories.

Robin Hood

Have a child come to you saying she is bored. Be preoccupied with something else. Hastily shove a book at her that you'd been meaning to read aloud but have never gotten around to. The book is Robin Hood by Ann McGovern. Doubt that she will actually read it because usually any book suggestions from you are the kiss of death to this particular daughter. Bustle off to do something with younger children or housekeeping or whatever it is that is distracting you. Some time later, realize you haven't seen older daughter for a while. Look around the house for her but don't find her. Wander out to the yard to see if she's there. Fight down panicky feeling when you can't find her. Call and call her. Wander down to the patch of woods behind your house. Find daughter perched on a tree fallen over the creek there, completely engrossed in reading Robin Hood.

Turns out sitting in your own little patch of Sherwood Forest is the best place ever to read Robin Hood.