It’s not surprising 5th graders, being on the verge of adolescence, might begin demonstrating teenage behavior that can dismay and frustrate parents. The research on the subject is vast, but parents can lend themselves a hand with an excellent “manual” by Anthony Wolf, Phd. While this book doesn’t promise to fix the strong-willed child overnight, it gives parents tools to recognize and effectively deal with the behavior. This book was indispensable to me when raising (or attempting to raise) my own boys, and since then I’ve recommended it frequently. So, before your pre-teen gets the better of you, give this book a try. The first half is a bit clinical, and Dr. Wolf doesn’t shy away from reality, but those who read it through to the end and put into place these methods are sure to find it valuable. Click on the cover for more info about the book.

The primary focus in Room 15 this week will be preparation for two Black History Month play performances on Friday. At 10:30, Bailey B. and Clay B. star in The Daring Escape of Henry “Box” Brown, the true story about a man who escaped slavery by mailing himself in a crate to the North. At 11:00,  Kendra B. and Falon S. star in Freedom for the First Time. The play is based on actual slave narratives and depicts the end of the Civil War from the slaves’ perspective. Family members are welcome to attend.