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Study Questions for [em]The Old Man and the Sea[/em] by Ernest Hemingway


Essay/Discussion Questions:
We are unable to supply an answer key to these study questions. Original thought is looked for in answering many of these questions for which there is no "one right answer". We hope these questions will assist parents in discussing the book with their children. Those who haven't read the book themselves could still discuss these questions and ideas in a general way with their children, have their children discuss it with others who have read the book, or seek summaries of the book online to better understand it.
Day One

1. How long had it been since Santiago had caught a fish?

2. Santiago's eyes were not old- they were the colour of the ______, and______?

3. How did the other fishermen react to Santiago?

4. What was on the walls of Santiago's shack? What used to hang there?

5. How did Santiago get his dinner that night, and what was it?

6. What does Santiago say is "his alarm clock"?

7. In his dreams, how did the lions play?

Day Two

1. How did Santiago and Manolin meet in the morning? What did they eat for breakfast?

2. Did Santiago realize that he was going "far out"? (give page reference)

3. Did Santiago speak of the sea as feminine or masculine?

4. When did Santiago think he would catch 'the big one'? (give page reference)

5. What did Santiago use for bait?

6. How did Santiago keep his bait lines?

7. When the man-of-war bird dove into the sea, what happened?

8. Did Santiago like the Portuguese man of war?

9. What did Santiago like to watch eat the Portuguese man of war?

10. Use one word to describe how Santiago 'works' his big fish.

11. The lights of what city are visible on the horizon?

Day Three

1. Who did Santiago wish was with him?

2. In what direction was the fish pulling?

3. What did Santiago hope the fish would do? Why ?

4. What added drag to the line, and pleased Santiago?

5. What did Santiago eat for breakfast?

6. Santiago considered the fish his _______?

7. What was the biggest fish that Santiago had ever caught? Was he alone those times?

8. What did Santiago promise to do if God allowed him to catch the fish?

9. What did Santiago do to convince God to allow him to catch the fish?

10. What had happened in Casablanca?

11. What did he dream about that night?

Day Four

1. What woke him up?

2. How many times had the fish jumped?

3. What did Santiago eat for breakfast?

4. When was Santiago going to say 100 Our Fathers and Hail Marys?

5. What was on Santiago's head?

6. What was the fish doing all this day?

7. What did Santiago kill the fish with? What time was it?

8. What did he do with the fish?

9. What did Santiago drink throughout this ordeal?

10. What attacked his fish enroute?

11. What did Santiago taste on his return trip?

Day Five

1. Who met him in the morning? What did he do when he saw the old man?

2.How big was the fish? Did the fish beat Santiago?

3. What is Manolin determined to do now?

4. Who did Santiago give the fish head to? Why?

Questions courtesy of Kathie McGann

Study Questions for [em]The Sign of the Green Falcon[/em] by Cynthia Harnett


Essay/Discussion Questions:
Originally titled: Ring Out, Bow Bells
We are unable to supply an answer key to these study questions. Original thought is looked for in answering many of these questions for which there is no "one right answer". We hope these questions will assist parents in discussing the book with their children. Those who haven't read the book themselves could still discuss these questions and ideas in a general way with their children, have their children discuss it with others who have read the book, or seek summaries of the book online to better understand it.
1. In Chapter One, Dickon rescues a Fishmonger's apprentice from some bullies. Why was he eager to help this particular boy? How does this event cause him trouble throughout the story?
2. Why do the other apprentices give Dickon the task of removing a head from the gate of the Bridge? Why does he agree to do it?
3. Dickon's godfather, Master Whittington, is an important man in London and sponsors Dickon as an apprentice. How does his guidance prevent more trouble for Dickon?
4. Why was Master Saloman Gross so friendly with Adam?
5. Who is the leader in England at the time of this story? What part does that ruler and his endeavors play in this story? What is remarkable about his return to England at the end of the book?

Study Questions for [em]The Winged Watchman[/em] by Hilda Van Stockum


Discussion/Essay Questions:
We are unable to supply an answer key to these study questions. Original thought is looked for in answering many of these questions for which there is no "one right answer". We hope these questions will assist parents in discussing the book with their children. Those who haven't read the book themselves could still discuss these questions and ideas in a general way with their children, have their children discuss it with others who have read the book, or seek summaries of the book online to better understand it.
The Winged Watchman is one of those books which can be enjoyed by people of many different ages. The story is appealing even to fairly young children (I read most of it aloud to my five year old) and yet some of the ideas it brings up can be rather heavy. Consequently some of the following questions may even be challenging for a high schooler.
1. What is a landwatcher? Why are they despised by the Dutch?
2. In chapter 2, Mr. and Mrs. Verhagen are discussing a neighbor's son who was made a landwatcher. Why is Mrs. Verhagen so shocked? What does Mr. Verhagen respond? Disuss how being a Catholic should be reflected, not only in fulfilling one's religious duties, but also in one's behavior "outside of church."
3. How did Joris discover that Hendrik Schenderhans was not trustworthy? Consider the significance of telling lies even in trivial matters.
4. What is an underdiver? Why were there underdivers staying at the Winged Watchman?
5. How did Trixie get to be part of the Verhagen family? Why did Leendert's questions about Trixie make Mrs. Verhagen nervous? What happened to Trixie after the war was over?
6. Who was Hildebrand? Why was Uncle Cor irritated by Hildebrand? How does Hildebrand respond to the following question from Uncle Cor on page 142? "But how is one to love one's enemy, when he acts like the Germans?" Explain the answer and discuss whether you think it is true.
7. What is the Winged Watchman? What role did it play in the story? Why is the name appropriate?

Study Questions for [em]To Kill a Mockingbird[/em] by Harper Lee


We are unable to supply an answer key to these study questions. Original thought is looked for in answering many of these questions for which there is no "one right answer". We hope these questions will assist parents in discussing the book with their children. Those who haven't read the book themselves could still discuss these questions and ideas in a general way with their children, have their children discuss it with others who have read the book, or seek summaries of the book online to better understand it.
1. From whose point of view is this story told? Why do you think the author chose this character instead of Jem?

2. How does Jem look on his father early in the book? (give at least one example) Does his view seem to change by the end? If so, how?

3. Who is Mrs. Dubose? Why do the children hate her so? When Atticus realizes how angry Jem is over Mrs. Dubose's comments, he says: "You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it's your job not to let her make you mad." What does this comment tell you about Atticus's character and how he tried to raise his children? How did the children end up helping Mrs. Dubose?

4. In chapter 11, Atticus and Scout briefly discuss why he feels he must defend Tom Robinson. Atticus says, "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." Explain what he means by this and how this belief causes conflict for him within the community.

5. How was the Finch's family life different than others they knew? How did other people view the way their father was raising them? What do you think of Atticus Finch as a father?

6. Who was Tom Robinson and how did he find himself on trial for his life? Why did Mayella accuse Tom Robinson of rape? Why did the community overwhelming accept Mayella's accusation? Why was Tom Robinson's case so hopeless? What did it say about the judge that he asked Atticus Finch to represent Tom Robinson?

7. What is the meaning of the title of the book? Why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird? Who is the mockingbird in the book? (Feel free to mention more than one if you think it appropriate). Given this title, what do you think the author would consider to be the most important point of the book?

8. What do you think this book might teach parents about raising children in difficult times and under difficult circumstances?

Extra: Saint Thomas More was a great man who gave his life rather than go against his conscience. Try to rent the movie "A Man for All Seasons" (1966 starring Paul Scofield is better than the later one) Discuss the similarities between Atticus Finch and Saint Thomas More

Study questions by Alicia Van Hecke

Study Questions on [em]St. Francis of the Seven Seas[/em]


Discussion/Essay Questions:
We are unable to supply an answer key to these study questions. Original thought is looked for in answering many of these questions for which there is no "one right answer". We hope these questions will assist parents in discussing the book with their children. Those who haven't read the book themselves could still discuss these questions and ideas in a general way with their children, have their children discuss it with others who have read the book, or seek summaries of the book online to better understand it.
1. When the Spanish soldiers came to destroy Castle Xavier, they saved a small part of it for Francis' family. Why?
2. What kind of a person was Francis Xavier during college? What made him change?
3. Who was Ignatius Loyola? What role did he play in Francis' life?
4. How did Francis become a Missionary? When he came to a new land, how did he begin to teach the people about God?
5. How was Francis' faith tesetd while he was doing Missionary work in Japan?
6. Investigating miracles associated with a particular person is an important part of the canonization process. What were some of the miracles (before and after his death) related to St. Francis Xavier?

test of whizzywig paste and clean

Maria Rioux began her undergraduate studies at Thomas Aquinas College, where she met her husband, Jean. Jean is a professor and chair of the philosophy department at Benedictine College, where Maria is a theology major slowly completing her degree. They have been blessed with eight children, and are eagerly awaiting the birth of their youngest son in January.

Together they have been home educating their children for the past 19 years. In those early days of homeschooling there were not many resources available. As a consequence, they developed their own curriculum which reflects their love for classical education as well as their affection for Charlotte Mason. It is now available upon request and will soon be available online (no cost) : www.shirreware.com.

Thoughts About Science

Saint Albert the Great (circa 1200 AD) said:

In studying nature we have not to inquire how God the Creator may, as He freely wills, use His creatures to work miracles and thereby show forth His power: we have rather to inquire what Nature with its immanent causes can naturally bring to pass.

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 159:

Faith and science: "Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth." "Consequently, methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are."

Alexander Graham Bell said:

Leave the beaten track occasionally and dive into the woods. Every time you do so you will be certain to find something that you have never seen before. Follow it up, explore all around it, and before you know it, you will have something worth thinking about to occupy your mind. All really big discoveries are the results of thought.