Inspiring vs. Requiring
Natural vs. Systematic
 
Try, Try Again
by T.H. Palmer
 
'Tis a lesson you should heed,
    Try, try again;
If at first you don't succeed,
    Try, try again.
 
Then your courage should appear,
For, if you will persevere,
You will conquer, never fear.
    Try, try again.

Dr. Gordon Neufeld's talk
 
Home Song         by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
 Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
    For those that wander they know not where
    Are full of trouble and full of care,
To stay at home is best.
 
Weary and homesick and distressed,
They wander east, they wander west,
    And are baffled, and beaten and blown about
    By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;
To stay at home is best.
 
Then stay at home, my heart, and rest;
The bird is safest in its nest;
    O'er all that flutter their wings and fly
    A hawk is hovering in the sky;
To stay at home is best.

Math-Mother's University
 
I didn't mention it in the podcast, but www.imdb.com/title/tt4846340/?ref_=nv_sr_1Hidden Figures is a great movie to watch with the family. It's about math and the space program.
 
A Mortifying Mistake         by Anna Maria Pratt
 
I studied my tables over and over, and backward and forward, too;
But I couldn't remember six times nine, and I didn't know what to do,
Till sister told me to play with my doll, and not to bother my head.
"If you call her 'Fifty-four' for a while, you'll learn it by heart," she said.
 
So I took my favorite, Mary Ann (though I thought 'twas a dreadful shame
To give such a perfectly lovely child such a perfectly horrid name),
And I called her my dear little 'Fifty-four- a hundred times, til I knew
The answer of six times nine as well as the answer of two times two.
 
Next day Elizabeth Wigglesworth, who always acts so proud,
Said, "Six times nine is fifty-two," and I nearly laughed aloud!
But I wished I hadn't when teacher said, 'Now, Dorothy, tell if you can."
For I thought of my doll and --sakes alive!-- I answered, "Mary Ann!"

The Children's Hour by Eva March Tappan (1906)
You can access some of the volumes here.

How to Teach Children Through Stories
by Elizabeth McCracken (1916)
No available copies.
 
Heartwarmers
 
My Creed  by Harold Arnold Walters
 
I would be true, for there are those that trust me;
    I would be pure, for there are those who care.
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
    I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
I would be friend to all--the foe--the friendless;
    I would be giving, and forget the gift;
I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
    I would look up--and laugh--and love--and lift.

Click here to access the Character Traits Audios.

The Teaching Company
Learn about the Delphian Course in Podcast #4

"A commonplace life," we say as we sigh.
But why should we sigh as we say?
The commonplace sun in the commonplace sky
Makes up the commonplace day.
The moon and the stars are commonplace things,
And the flowers that bloom and the bird that sings.
But dark were the world and sad our lot
If the flowers failed and the sun shone note.
And God, who studies each separate soul,
Out of commonplace lives makes His beautiful Whole.

Dr. Gordon Neufeld's talk
S2 online library for rhymes
HECOA Part 1
HECOA Part 2
Mother's Boys
Yes, I know there are stains on my carpet,
    The traces of small muddy boots;
And I see your fair tapestry glowing,
    All spotless with flowers and fruit.
 
And I know that my walls are disfigured
    With prints of small fingers and hands;
And that your own household most truly
    In immaculate purity stands.
 
And I know that my parlor is littered
    With many odd treasures and toys,
While your own is in daintiest order,
    Unharmed by the presence of boys.
 
And I know that my room is invaded
    Quite boldly all hours of the day;
While you sit in your unmolested
    And dream the soft quiet away.
 
Yes, I know there are four little bedsides
    Where I must stand watchful each night,
While you may go out in your carriage,
    And flash in your dresses so bright.
 
Now I think I'm a neat little woman;
    And I like my house orderly, too;
And I'm fond of all dainty belongings,
    Yet I would not change places with you.
 
No! keep your fair home with its order,
    Its freedom from bother and noise;
And keep your own fanciful leisure,
    But give me my four splendid boys.

Notebooking presentation:
 
Abou Ben Adhem by Leigh Hunt
 
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight of his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:--
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
'What writest thou?'  The vision rais'd his head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answer'd, 'The names of those who love the Lord.'
'And is mine one?' said Abou.  'Nay, not so,'
Replied the angel.  Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said:  "I pray thee then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."
 
The angel wrote, and vanish'd.  The next night
It came again with a great awakening light,
And show'd the names whom love of God had bless'd
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

Little Journeys to the Homes of Great Teachers by Elbert Hubbard
"Men who govern should be those with a  reasonable doubt concerning their own infallibility, and an earnest faith in men, women and children.  To teach is better than to rule.  We are all children in the Kindergarten of God."
"Every day is a fresh beginning...Take heart with the day, and begin again."  --Susan Coolidge