DragonFaerie Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 My DD (currently 3rd but I'm looking for next year) is an advanced reader. She reads on about an 8th grade level. Thus far, I have not done any literature studies with her, aside from choosing quality books for her to read. This year she's done Anne of Green Gables, Call of the Wild, and is now reading Jekyll and Hyde. But, she hasn't "studied" any of them, just read. I'd love to have something a little more formal for next year, maybe a predetermined list of books with assignments to complete during the reading or something. I was looking at Lightning Literature but it starts at 7th grade. She can read at that level. Does anyone know what the work/assignments are like? Any other suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 What about something like Figuratively Speaking? It's a great intro to literary analysis that isn't as formal as Lightning Lit. The issue I have is that my DD's reading is way ahead of her writing. She can read jr. high and even high school level books (assuming the content is appropriate) but she is at the paragraph-writing level rather than full essays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted March 27, 2011 Author Share Posted March 27, 2011 What about something like Figuratively Speaking? It's a great intro to literary analysis that isn't as formal as Lightning Lit. The issue I have is that my DD's reading is way ahead of her writing. She can read jr. high and even high school level books (assuming the content is appropriate) but she is at the paragraph-writing level rather than full essays. My daughter is in the same place. She has written five paragraph papers but she still needs lots of help and prompting to do it. I'm working on Story Grammar with her right now but she's definitely not at a Jr. high writing level. Thanks for the suggestion of Figuratively Speaking. I'll check it out. Anyone else have more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Robyn Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 My ds reads well above grade level as well. I've decided to use K12 at grade level (just the literature portion) for the sake of learning the literary terms and such. I imagine he could do it at least a grade ahead, but I figure if the reading is easy for him he can concentrate on just learning the terms and what they mean. I combine that with novels at his reading level. He has a list of novels to choose from to read independently and he reads novels of my choosing aloud to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsiew Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 I'm sure you'll get some great ideas, just make sure you don't skip over excellent children's literature in favor of "harder reading" right now. Remember, your dd is still a child and there are SO many beautiful picture books out there to read and learn from. At some point she will need to be reading the tougher stories, but for now it might do her well to at least put in a few well done children's books before she passes this phase. My kids all read above grade level, but we take time to enjoy children's books right now because soon they will think they are "too old" for them.... even though I still enjoy them as an adult! Just something to think about! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted March 28, 2011 Author Share Posted March 28, 2011 I'm sure you'll get some great ideas, just make sure you don't skip over excellent children's literature in favor of "harder reading" right now. Remember, your dd is still a child and there are SO many beautiful picture books out there to read and learn from. At some point she will need to be reading the tougher stories, but for now it might do her well to at least put in a few well done children's books before she passes this phase. My kids all read above grade level, but we take time to enjoy children's books right now because soon they will think they are "too old" for them.... even though I still enjoy them as an adult! Just something to think about! :D I don't think either of us are interested in "picture books" but I'd love to hear some suggestions for quality literature on 4th and 5th grade reading levels. But still, I'd like some type of literature study guide to go with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I'm using K12's 6th grade course with my son this year (he's 9 and advanced). It has been a good match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Teaching the Classics by Adam and Missy Andrews includes excellent videos and written materials for beginning lit analysis. He explains character, setting, conflict, theme, exposition, rising action, climax, denouement, and conclusion. There is a handy story chart for all these elements, that you can use for any book you choose to analyze. We have really enjoyed it. Ask Capt. Uhura how Lightning Lit 7 is working for her 5th and 2nd graders. I think she did most of Teaching the Classics first and then moved right into Lightning Lit. Also you might like to read Deconstructing Penguins yourself. It has an excellent explanation of protagonist/antagonist that supplements Teaching the Classics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Robyn Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 (edited) I don't think either of us are interested in "picture books" but I'd love to hear some suggestions for quality literature on 4th and 5th grade reading levels. But still, I'd like some type of literature study guide to go with them. Grade levels are 4.0-5.9 based on the scholastic book wizard for these. Charlotte's Web Trumpet of the Swan The Invention of Hugo Cabaret Shiloh Mr. Popper's Penguins The Borrowers Misty of Chincoteague Sarah, Plain and Tall The Sign of the Beaver Runaway Ralph Socks The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane The Indian in the Cupboard The Story of Dr. Dolittle Pippi Longstocking the Henry Huggins series Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery The Courage of Sarah Noble The Cricket in Times Square Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Dear Mr. Henshaw the Little House books I'm using K12's 6th grade course with my son this year (he's 9 and advanced). It has been a good match. This is good to know. I hope I'm not hijacking with the next questions since it seems this information would be useful to the OP too. Did you do a placement test to decide what level to place your ds in or did you purchase and cross your fingers? I know you can return the materials unused within 30 days, but avoiding a hassle is nice. Also, do you think "skipping" to grade 6 means some literary terms will be missed, or do you think everything is repeated every year so it wouldn't matter? Edited March 28, 2011 by crstarlette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Did you do a placement test to decide what level to place your ds in or did you purchase and cross your fingers? I know you can return the materials unused within 30 days, but avoiding a hassle is nice. Also, do you think "skipping" to grade 6 means some literary terms will be missed, or do you think everything is repeated every year so it wouldn't matter? I used the placement test with him when he was in K and he placed into their grade 2 course. He used that course and then parts of the 3rd and 4th grade courses. I don't particularly like the format of the 2-5 courses (offline), but the 6-8 courses are online and much better (I'd used their 7th and 8th grade courses previously with my older son). K12 repeats a lot from year to year (at least they do in their literature and science courses). I'm pretty happy with how things are going and I don't think my son has missed anything by (re)entering at grade 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue G in PA Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Have you looked at DITHOR? You can use any books you want with it (any level). You can look at it at http://www.heartofdakota.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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