Issue 7: POPCS Hits the Books!

Resource Recommendations from Prince of Peace Faculty

Are you ready to lay by the pool with a good book? If you’re like me, you’ve been ready for that for a few weeks now. For this month’s issue of the Eagle Counseling Newsletter, we reached out to our Prince of Peace faculty and asked what books and resources have impacted them the most that they would love to share with you. Dr. Bobby Moore, CEO of EPIC Impact Education Group, likes to say, “The smartest person in the room is the room," and I’m constantly amazed at the collective wisdom of the team of teachers and administrators at POPCS. We hope that this issue of ECN gives you a resource that blesses you in a way that you can’t help but share with someone else.

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Parenting Resources

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch

​Recommended by Ashley Ashcraft - Upper School Theology Teacher
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My kids are blessed to have everything they need and a whole lot of what they want, but over the last year my husband and I noticed some unhealthy expectations and behaviors that bordered entitlement. I enjoyed Kristen Welch’s down to earth approach and philosophy of how she dealt with similar issues in her own family. Each chapter ends with practical ideas to cultivate gratefulness for preschool, elementary, and high school age kids.

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The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis--and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance by Ben Sasse
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Recommended by Rebecca Weiss - Social Sciences Department Chair and
Sharla Schimelpfenig - Upper School English Department Chair
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The Vanishing American Adult by Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska offers practical parenting advice including challenging our children to become a meaningful part of a diversified community, to embrace a purposeful work ethic, and to value service to others.  Sasse examines the emergence of a new generation that lacks grit, self-reliance, and problem-solving, all of which has resulted in their “failing to launch” as productive and responsible adults. The piece not only identifies the root causes of this new phenomena but also offers tangible ways to avoid the trend. Although Sasse is a U.S. Senator, The Vanishing American Adult veers away from politics and instead focuses on how families can cultivate virtue in their children. The necessity of this character development, according to Sasse, is important not only for our own children, but for the sake of the American republic. 

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Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay

Recommended by Michelle Dwyer - School Counselor and Middle School Theology Teacher
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In preparation for raising a toddler this year, last summer I read Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. While the system takes practice and intentionality, many of the core principles behind the overall concept really work with our two-year old. Cline and Fay keep their strategies simple and realistic enough that my husband and I have used them with our daughter in many public meltdown moments. I’ve found myself less resentful of discipline and more appreciative of the opportunities to help my daughter manage her choices and big emotions. I would recommend this to parents of young children, but I don’t believe that it’s ever too late to try something new especially if your old discipline and conflict management strategies aren’t working for your family anymore.

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CommonSenseMedia.org

Recommended by Tammy Lawson - Lower School and Middle School Computer Teacher
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This website presents their mission as: "the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. We empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives."

The site has tabs for Parents, Educators, and Advocates. POPCS has been using their curriculum for years in the Lower and Middle School. The Parent tab has information related to movies, video games, apps, and other technology that kids and teens use. This is not a Christian based site but I feel it is an incredibly valuable tool for parents to use as they try to navigate the constantly changing media landscape.

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Faith Based Resources

The Other "F" Word: When Faith Fills the Gap by Sara Stamp (POPCS parent)
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Recommended by Lani Hawk - 2nd Grade Teacher

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The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian

Other books in the series: The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Husband by Stormie Omartian
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Recommended by Kathy Moore - Preschool 2s Teacher

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Personal Growth

Drive by Daniel H. Pink
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Recommended by Lisa Chase - Middle School Science Teacher

Excellent book about the differences in motivation techniques between 20th Century vs. 21st Century brains. I used this book repeatedly during grad school and I learned so much in regards to how to motivate today's student. It is written for corporate America, but very applicable for educating young people.

The Shallows by Nicholas Carr

Recommended by Lisa Chase - Middle School Science Teacher

24/7 internet and screen access is changing neural pathways and the way that the brain processes information. This book explains what is happening to this generation's brain development in an easily understandable way. This is not an internet bashing book! It is simply explaining to those of us who didn't grow up with the internet or at least not as much, how we must change the way we educate and train this generation.

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David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
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Recommended by Jeremy Lowe - Upper School Principal
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In a nutshell, we need to adopt different strategies to "win" in life and business.  Just like David slew Goliath using non-traditional means, we can change the rules to achieve. Playing by the Giant's rules will always end in defeat, so make your disadvantage your advantage and beware the vice-versa!

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Leisure Reads

​Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
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Recommended by Kacie Innes - Middle School English and Theology Teacher

Hello, Universe is an excellent novel for middle school families to read and discuss together. Kelly's novel follows four kids in the first days of summer after sixth grade. The 2017 Newbery Medal winner shifts perspectives in each chapter, portraying the experiences of Virgil, a Filipino American who struggles with math and feels like he lives in the shadows of his "perfect" older brothers; Valencia, an independent lover of science who is deaf and questions the existence of God; Kaori, an outgoing older sister who thinks she can predict the future but forgets to celebrate the joy of the present; and Chet, the neighborhood bully who refuses to attempt to understand anyone who is different from him. Our middle schoolers are struggling with some of the same things, from finishing math to making friends to growing in faith, and this story provides an approachable way for parents to discuss those topics with them.  Kelly reveals a unique story about growing up, overcoming fears, making friends, and recognizing ignorance while also celebrating different cultures and acknowledging learning differences so students can reach their fullest potential.

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Physics for Future Presidents by Richard A. Muller
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Recommended by Rick Moser - Upper School Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering Teacher
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A very clear discussion (with almost zero math) about the physics reasoning supporting political decisions which will be made by future presidents - intelligent people who may not have a science background. Present and future presidents need to know if North Korea's nascent nuclear capability is a genuine threat to the West, if biochemical weapons are likely to be developed by terrorists, if there are viable alternatives to fossil fuels that should be nurtured and supported by the government, if private companies should be allowed to lead the way on space exploration, and what the actual facts are about the worsening threats from climate change. This is "must-have" information for all presidents―and citizens―of the twenty-first century.

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The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

Recommended by Marianne Schnell - Middle School History and Language Arts Teacher

Michael Shaara's character studies are rich, and the reader can almost feel the stress and strain experienced by those who endured this momentous event in history, the Battle of Gettysburg. The Killer Angels has usurped Stephen Cranes' The Red Badge of Courage as the definitive novel of the American Civil War with good reason.  The vivid language will transport you to circumstances that will make you feel a wide range of emotions.  What more could you ask of a novel?

The Civil War by Ken Burns - Documentary Mini-Series
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Recommended by Marianne Schnell - Middle School History and Language Arts Teacher

This unapologetic history nerd must recommend this PBS masterpiece that debuted in 1990.  The entire documentary is comprised of nine episodes for a total viewing time of eleven hours and thirty minutes.  Before your eyes glaze over at the prospect, try the first episode. You will be hooked. The personal letters and speeches composed by historical figures known and unknown will reel you in.  You may just find you are an unapologetic history nerd, too!

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Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
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Recommended by Colleen White, Ed.D. - Upper School English and Crossroads English Teacher
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It's a wonderful book! I first read it while I lived in Germany with my family. Since then, I have read the book several times. Every time I read the book, I feel as if I am sitting on the floor in my bedroom reading it for the first time. It's truly a magical book. It's a great read for young girls in middle school.

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The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
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Recommended by Colleen White, Ed.D. - Upper School English and Crossroads English Teacher

Love, Love, Love this book! I read this book all the time to children at the library. It reminds me of my youth and playing in snow. Ezra Jack Keats has a way with saying so much with so little. The pictures in the book, also, allow any person to see themselves gently playing in the angelic snow and gliding along snow-covered mounds.

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