Our history this year (in addition to Classical Conversations) is Story of the World Volume 4. We love this as a history source; it's our fourth year doing it and first year doing alone. I love the Activity Book, the Audio CD narrated by Jim Weiss, and all the corresponding literature suggestions in the Activity books. Last chapter, about Mao gaining control of China, we saw "Red Scarf Girl" listed as a corresponding literature suggestion. That is a great book, but definitely for12 year old on up, about a girl's true story of living through the Cultural Revolution in China during the 1950s and 1960s.
Today, we had a chapter about Communism in Asia, primarily Vietnam and Korea. We learned that Ho Chi Minh, eventual communist leader of N. Vietnam, proposed these 12 Recommendations (6 dos, and 6 donts) to help his Resistance gain power. I liked a lot of them just as general good guidelines. Okay, maybe not the ones about the hens, but most of them. Our 12-year-old got really mad when I told her I liked them (I think she secretly didn't want to play the memory game we had set up for them), because "they are Communist suggestions and we believe in Democracy!" Yes, that's true, but as I told her, even Communists can have some good ideas.
So here there are, and I have added my comments to make it a meme--as I look through it it is really a mommy meme. Enjoy and let me know if you do it as a meme!
1. Do teach people basic hygiene.
Brush your teeth, wash your hands after using the bathroom, drink plenty of water, etc.
2. Do not say anything that would make a person believe you do not like him or her.
If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
3. Do help people with daily tasks (plant crops, fetch water, mend clothes, and so forth).
Pitch in with chores, without complaining.
4. Do not do anything that would offend a person's beliefs or customs.
Don't make fun of your siblings love of Star Wars, or Jane Austen, or Ranger's Apprentice, or whatever they love.
5. Do act well-behaved, hard-working and disciplined.
Always do your best.
6. Do not bring living hens into the homes of those people who live in the mountains.
No matter how hungry you are, no food in the bedrooms.
7. Do tell interesting and amusing stories that put the Resistance (the Viet Minh) in a good light--just be sure you don't share any secrets!
Funny and interesting stories about the family are good; talking about the dust and clutter behind the schoolroom door, not so much.
8. Do not damage the land, homes or property of any people.
Keep your hands to yourself.
9. Do learn the customs of each region so the people will trust you; THEN you can gradually teach them not to be superstitious.
If your little brother loves Star Wars, maybe you can try to enjoy it too, before introducing him to Jane Austen. Or you can both love Ranger's Apprentice books together, if you can't love each other's loves.
10. Do not force anyone to sell or lend you anything.
If your sibling doesn't want to share, he/she doesn't have to share.
11. Do buy useful items like pens, paper, needles and thread for those people who live far from the market.
This is for DH, a recommendation he never breaks, I might add: When you go to Chicago, always stop at Trader Joe's and give me a call to see if I want anything.
12. Do not break your promises.
Do not break your promises.
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