This article is the second of 3 in a series for computer based homeschooling African American children and any other children whose parents want to give them an above average education. Its aim is to suggest a standards goal for teaching our children at home in order to provide them with an exceptional education to insure their future. Homeschooling using a computer to bring the enormous amount of information into our children's classroom can be a critical tool to reaching a parents goal for a quality education. Phyllis Wheatley was America's first African American poet. At thirteen she wrote her first poem and could read Greek and Latin classics. Upon reaching the age of twenty, 39 of her poems were published in London - it was the first book published by an African American. Poetry lovers around the world and those who are continually inspired by Phyllis Wheatley celebrated her birthday last month on the 11th of July as a day to inspire others to join the ranks of poets. An old African proverb powerfully intones - 'Use of brains begets wealth', with words like that in mind our ancestors raised kings and queens, prophets and poets. All parents should endeavor to insure that their children can not only read and write, but to flourish both of these fundamentals they should write poetry. It can start with a simple purchase of a book on Phyllis Wheatley poetry or any poetry that will open their young minds to the possibilities of what words can be when brought to life. Parents who choose to read to their children early will reap the rewards when the child grows to like reading for the rest of their life. Even if you can't read well at the very least read your own personal favorites that you can read, for the mere example of reading will sow into their young minds a habit that will describe their future. If you can't write well, then practice writing the bible so that your children will see a prime example of what will cause their future to be written the way they choose instead of the future others have written for them. The book of Psalms written a few thousand years ago has continued to inspire not only poets, but writers, actors, orators, publishers, leaders and followers. A simple way to train up a child is for them to practice writing poetry, writing passages from the bible or a favorite book they enjoy. Motivating children while they are at their youngest can blossom the mind in the best of ways, encouraging students to make books of poetry or especially a book of fun for them to read with the students name on the front cover to personalize their favorite book. A better gift for children when holidays or other special events come is either a book or books on cd read by a favorite actor or actress. Phyllis Wheatley poems, speeches by famous African Americans and other literature should be made into a personal library. If that proves to a challenge, then several visits to the library can be a valuable substitute. A computer with internet connection can be used as an additional source as poetry sites abound for children and adults. A few sample sites to visit: poetry4kids.com, gigglepoetry.com - has ideas on teaching poetry, and poetryarchive.org - with hundreds more via Google. While working to grow children into poets keep another African proverb in mind - 'Patience can cook a stone.' |
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