Do You Plutarch??

SO??? We have started, re-started, jump-started many different versions of the infamous PLUTARCH and alas, each time he is met with glazed over eyes and looks of distress when narrations are requested following a reading....

We're using this lovely tome at the current moment:

We have tried a few other versions online that have been met with the same semi-tepid enthusiasm, sigh.  

My question is this, IF you Plutarch, do you read aloud, have your kids read and narrate to you, which volumes have you tried, did you stick with it and are you STILL enjoying your Plutarch experiences????

Awaiting responses with a cold compress on my brow, not that I am ill any longer, but I am in wont of some commiserating dear Plutarch lovers :)

Comments

[Angel]

You might have already tried it, but my kids liked The Children's Plutarch: Tales of the Greeks, and The Children's Plutarch: Tales of the Romans. (You can find the editions we used on yesterdaysclassics.com http://www.yesterdaysclassics.com/catalog/displaycatalog.php?catalog=greece ). I read aloud, and sometimes my 6 yo would demand that I read multiple chapters. :-) But everyone was interested in ancient history at the time (that's what we were studying last year) and I think that's one reason they went over so well.

[Julia S.]

I wish I could say we were successful with Plutarch here, but I wimp out every time. I'll be watching here to find out what others think too.

[Meredith]

Angela, thanks for the links, I do believe we've tried that one, or something similar at Baldwin project. Maybe it will fit in better when we go back to Ancients next year :)

[Marcia]

stalking this thread as we've yet to pick it up! ideas are appreciated!

[Nancy Kelly]

We have done Plutarch and I think, slowly but surely, it can be a rewarding experience! I'll come back tonight when I have more time - looking forward to chatting about this...

[Nancy Kelly]

I have used unabridged Plutarch, Robinson's 10 Famous Lives and the Weston copy that you are using. Until I did research on "Citizenship" for a CM speech, we, too, stumbled along with Plutarch. It was when I was doing research on what was used for "Citizenship" and the point of the subject itself, that I finally began to "get Plutarch". Another words, I really understand why we are reading him and what we should be gleaning from him. (I'm feeling a new blog post coming on...) I think this purpose and confidence is transferred to the students, the same as nervousness or uncertainty can be picked up by the littles.So, I think my first question would be:
1. Why are we reading Plutarch?
I guess I'm not sure where you are coming from in using Plutarch. I'll see if you respond here and if you want to dialog any more. But do know that you are not alone, as I have stood and wondered the same thoughts in the past.

[Meredith]

"1. Why are we reading Plutarch?
I guess I'm not sure where you are coming from in using Plutarch."

Nancy, my first reason for wanting to read Plutarch with my children is to expose them to the readings of another time, just like when we read about ancient greece and rome, etc. As much as learning about Church history, we want well-roundedness in our living books curriculum, and Plutarch always comes to mind when speaking of citizenship, morals and values from old that still should be in place today but are sorely lacking.

So we stab at it now and again, but it is met with a bit of trepidation whereas I can pull a Bethlehem book of ANY kind off the shelf and read to them for hours without any complaint :) My children are also of such varying ages that it's really the older two I'd like to capture at the current moment.

I so appreciate your popping in and would love to chat more here!!

Anyone else Plutarching????