Classical Greece read-aloud for 6th grade & 10th grade girls

[ereks mom]

I plan to read a chapter or two aloud each day and then assign a chapter or two to be read independently. I want to select a book that will appeal to both the 6th grader and the 10th grader, but that is not too difficult or "mature" for the 6th grader. (In case you're wondering, I will also require the 10th grader to read and research using other materials and books, so she won't be getting off too lightly :).)

 

Here's what's on my list of choices for the read-aloud to do with both girls:

 

Archimedes and the Door of Science

Lion in the Gateway

Theras and His Town

 

Would you choose one of these, or is there another that you think would be better?

[mcconnellboys]

I like Coolidge's Trojan War as a more comprehensive story (with back stories):

 

http://www.amazon.com/Trojan-War-Olivia-E-Coolidge/dp/0618154280

 

I like the others, but I think Archimedes is way too simplistic for the tenth grader.

 

Lion in the Gateway is good if you want to cover the Persian Wars.

 

It seems to me that Theras was more simplistic, too....

 

Oh, duh. You said Classical Greece, didn't you? So I guess I'd go with Lion, then.....

[regentrude]

I don't think Archimedes is a good choice, for two reasons:

it would probably not hold the attention of a tenth grader.

Also, I personally find it hard to follow any *science* discussions by just hearing them read. If I remember correctly there were a number of illustrations. Don't think the book is ideal to be read aloud (just my and my kids learning styles - YMMV)

 

For reading aloud I would choose Lion in the Gateway.

Another suggestion would be any collection of Greek mythology stories such as the Golden Fleece - there must be many at various levels.

 

Agnes

[maryr]

I agree with the suggestion for using The Trojan War. I just got the student guide for this book from Memoria Press and it looks like such a good book for that time period. I haven't read it but have read Caesar's Gaillic War by Coolidge and liked it. We will be using The Trojan War for our 8th grade girls and I think it looks a bit challenging, which is what I wanted. Archimedes would be a great book to assign for them to read alone but it is a bit young for a 10th grader.

That's just my 2 cents worth :0)

 

mary

[In The Great White North]

Is Lion in the Gateway as R-rated as Mary Renault's other books?

[ereks mom]

Is Lion in the Gateway as R-rated as Mary Renault's other books?

 

I hope not! This blog says that it is her only work for children, which I would take to mean that it is "clean". Maybe I should pre-read...