Mrs_JWM Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 My MIL gave my daughter an advent calendar with a couplet from this classic holiday poem behind each door, so just for fun, we started memorizing it. We're 1/3 of the way though it now, and I have been astounded at the number of topics we've discussed based on what we've learned. I wrote them all down - including our actual discussions - and I covered the front and back of a piece of notebook paper. Just a sampling: Spelling and grammar ('twas, using parts of speech to clarify meaning and improve retention) Poetic structure (meter, anapestic tetrameter, Shakspearean sonnets, iambic pentameter) Proving authorship through stylistic similarities Evolution of Christmas in America and Washington Irving; influence of Dutch, German, and English Sugar-plums - you've had some every time you've enjoyed M&Ms or jelly beans! Historical figures - fact and fiction Vocabulary and diction - lustre, "settled our brains," "on the breast of the new-fallen snow" Thomas Bowlder Allusions to the poem in other works, such as Stuart Little Fractions - on day 6, we were 1/4 of the way through, but on day 8, we've done 1/3! We've also used in for diction and copywork, and all this stuff is just extra, really - my main point was simply the memory work. This has been so fun, and although I started a little mini-marshmallow bribery system, it has been completely unnecessary...but great for earning extra marshmallows for hot cocoa! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBasil Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 Wow! Sounds like a lot of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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