Project Three Four Modes...

Book: Surviving the Applewhites, by Stephanie Tolan

For the book I used Surviving the Applewhites by Stepanie Tolan because it supports my research paper's topic on how homeschooling can work for children who do not fair well in traditional styles of education. Although the main character, Jake Semple, does not suffer from ADD, but is instead a social misfits on account of being thrown out of every public school into which he was ever placed, the story fits the subject matter very well.

Given its realistic and yet humorous content the book seems more directed towards readers ages 12 and up. For the younger audience it makes for an interesting read, while the older audience will most definitely understood its content.

Song: Socialization Blues by Israel Wayne (Youtube).

For the song I selected Israel Wayne's Socialization Blues because it satirically addresses, from an insiders view, the myth that homeschoolers are the socially underdeveloped odd balls of society. Although my paper had absolutely nothing comedic about it, the song nevertheless fits perfectly while it renders effective comic relief. The younger audience may not be able to fully appreciate the song since it relies heavily on lyrical rather than musical communication, and because the topic is not something of which the elementary student will probably be aware.

Many believe those who were homeschooled for the greater parts of their young lives grow up to be inept and socially handicapped citizens. Israel Wayne essentially pokes fun of said belief. The song itself is mostly aimed towards those who are old enough to be aware of the differences between homeschooling and traditional schools. In short, the song attempts to explain the fact that homeschoolers are just as normal as the every day and average school children.

Film: Thanks to a comment placed by Israel Wayne: see comment below, the film Mysterious Ways, by Manual F. Edwards.

For the film piece I chose Manual F. Edward's Mysterious Ways on account that it deals with the issue of homeschooling legality almost as staunchly as my project two topic. The story details a family's struggle against a government that is pressuring them to place their troubled child in public school systems, claiming homeschool illegal and irresponsible, and threatening to take custody of their children, effectively tearing the family apart.

Much like the film piece, Mysterious Ways is aimed towards the older audience who, from experience and learning, will be able to understand and fully appreciate the events which occur in the movie as it pertains to the topic.

Visual Piece: "By the Fireside" print, by William Blacklock ( found in All Posters.com).

For my visual piece I picked William Blacklock's "By the Fireside" print for its incredible depiction of homeschooling's positive and family oriented atmosphere. The print is warm, pleasant, and of course, instilled in the home. It shows the original children's educational method and location: home.

What struck me the most was how the teacher is not at all the mother, but instead the grandmother. Something that makes the viewer understand just how far a child's schooling may extend within the home/family itself. The print says: even grandmothers carry the ability to teach if and when the mother is not present. The fact that there is more than one child and that the teacher is of advanced age also speaks of the how effective a general person can actually be as a tutor provided that said tutor harbors good learning qualities and quantities.