Seeds of Ideas

Kellyann and Steve were probably both right in connecting my current lack of purpose to the transition from a very busy structured time back to the reality of my sparsely structured life.  But I do think I’m making a little progress in figuring out what to do next.

I will soon start giving piano lessons to 8-year-old Margalen, the daughter of the woman who used to clean our house.  Although I play the piano, I haven’t a clue as to how to teach someone, especially a child, to play.  We will be learning together.  The next step will be to come up with a reasonably priced piano so she has a way to practice.  But first maybe we’ll try a few lessons and see how she likes it.

I’m most excited about another idea having to do with reading.  Sometimes when we show up to read to the younger children at the shelter, some of our “graduates” look longingly at the reading room.  I think they miss sitting in that circle.  So I’m thinking of starting a book club for the kids who can no longer come to the Thursday night read-alouds.  I’m also considering a book club for the mothers of these children, some of whom really enjoy reading.

I’ve run these ideas by our coordinator at The Reading Connection and she is totally supportive, to the point of helping me figure out how to get the books.  I’m trying to recruit another volunteer or two.  But basically a book club simply requires the members to read the book and then show up to talk about it, so there shouldn’t be much work for anyone.

Do you have book suggestions for 4-6-graders?  How about moms living in a shelter for victims of domestic violence?