What do you use for literature?

[A home for their hearts]

We haven't done any formal literature studies. My dd11 is my reader, ds10 and ds 7 are both struggling readers so my main focus with them has just been the mechenics of reading. I would like to add some actual literature study to our day but I don't know what to use. This is new territory for me!

 

Thanks!

[KarenNC]

For my daughter (11) we are using Lightning Lit 7, which has been good. She also participates in a couple of book clubs at the library (one for 5th/6th grade, one for teens when the book is appropriate).

 

A tool I have found very helpful is the audiobook. I play those in the car, and, as we spend a good bit of time in the car, we get a lot of exposure to a variety of books. It's also fairly easy for me to stop the audiobook and discuss points with her as they come up, for some reason more so than when I'm reading aloud. With struggling readers, this may be useful for you. I know that my daughter has always been able to comprehend at a much higher level than she could necessarily read at a given age (or is interested in reading, given the option ;)). She is a proficient reader, but would much rather stick to graphic novels.

 

An example: We started "Here Lies the Librarian" today. I stopped several times in the first bit to ask her questions about setting, showing her how the clues refined our knowledge of the setting (and what those clues were). Things like:

"Since they are going into a storm cellar to avoid a tornado, where in the country do you think they might be?"

"They are working in a gas station, but their neighbor is The Colonel, who still thinks he's fighting the Civil War, so when might it be set---now, around the time of the Civil War, early 1900's?"

"They have a gas station, but the road is still full of hoofprints--does that narrow it any?"

"Her mother's tombstone says she died in 1907 and Peewee says she's been gone half her life. Since Peewee said she's 14, what year is it?"

 

I don't always go into this much detail. It might be as simple as stopping and asking if she saw what just happened coming based on what else we've heard or if she remembers this from earlier in the book. You might look at "Deconstructing Penguins" by Lawrence Goldstone for ideas. Here's the description from Amazon:

Book Description

“Books are like puzzles,†write Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. “The author’s ideas are hidden, and it is up to all of us to figure them out.†In this indispensable reading companion, the Goldstones–noted parent-child book club experts–encourage grownups and young readers alike to adopt an approach that will unlock the magic and power of reading. With the Goldstones help, parents can inspire kids’ lifelong love of reading by teaching them how to unlock a book’s hidden meaning. Featuring fun and incisive discussions of numerous children’s classics, this dynamic guide highlights key elements–theme, setting, character, point of view, climax, and conflict–and paves the way for meaningful conversations between parents and children. “Best of all,†the Goldstones note, “you don’t need an advanced degree in English literature or forty hours a week of free time to effectively discuss a book with your child. This isn’t Crime and Punishment, it’s Charlotte’s Web.â€

[Jaz]

My ds is using Lightning Literature 7 too. He likes it.

[Harriet Vane]

Lightning Lit is absolutely fabulous.

[hmschooling]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Drawn Into the Heart of Reading. Multi-level so you could teach to both at the same time. Each would have their own level of workbook and reading material.

[coffeefreak]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Drawn Into the Heart of Reading. Multi-level so you could teach to both at the same time. Each would have their own level of workbook and reading material.

 

:iagree:

I think it's the BEST place to start. LOVE IT!!!!!

Dorinda