prim*rose Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 I was looking for a literature program for my 12 year old - she reads Moby Dick, Nicholas Nickelby, and other classics, but I want to be able to discuss with her without reading the books myself as I work nearly full-time. I found the Excellence in Literature program, which seems like it might be a good fit. Then I realized that there are several "optional pre-requisites" like TWSS, The Elegant Essay Writing Lessons, Teaching the Classics: A Socratic Method for Literary Education and Windows to the World. My 12 yr old is pretty advanced for her age, and is finishing up WWS. But now I feel inadequate and am overwhelmed with all these choices and wondering what I need to do. I started looking at the IEW Teaching Writing packages, and was thinking maybe I should go that route? But then what about Elegant Essay, Teaching Classics, etc? I'm overwhelmed right now and feel like my child is facing essay-writing and literary analysis failure :) Would love suggestions, input, support, criticism, whatever. Some general guidance in any direction is much appreciated. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmmm Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 I suggest posting this to the IEW yahoo group or calling them. They are helpful in talking it through with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishMum Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prim*rose Posted June 25, 2013 Author Share Posted June 25, 2013 I suggest posting this to the IEW yahoo group or calling them. They are helpful in talking it through with you. Thanks, I was worried they might try to up-sell me. Guess it's worth a call though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murrayshire Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 Bumping up and listening in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 I'm wondering why you couldn't just discuss the literature with her and use what she learned in WWS about literary analysis to assign some writing based on what you know she is capable of. You have lots of time to work on refining the writing, which WWS will do if you stick with it. There's no reason not to pursue more advanced literary discussion. Have you considered using sites like shmoop to give you the tools to discuss without having to read the lit yourself? I use shmoop for both my older girls and we love it's background info, synopsis, analysis, and essay question, which we use for discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 I am definitely interested in IEW high school products and will hopefully use some thing in the next few years. However, I think WWS is definitely worth its weight in gold and the 2nd book is coming out in August. If she is high ability, you can do WWS 2 and add in SWI-C for starters. then Elegant essay. Then SICC-level C, and the other IEW products. I would definitely put more emphasis on WWS though since I think she would get more benefit from it and you have plenty of time to explore the IEW stuff later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 The yahoo group is wonderful and they won't upsell you anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 TWSS - This will teach you how to teach writing. The Elegant Essay Writing Lessons- this is how to write essays- my older kids did it on their own. Teaching the Classics Windows to the World. : -Lit Analysis Excellence in Lit : teaches how to read a book and write critically about it. It sounds like what you wanted was how to read a book and write critically about it. In that case, the Excellence in Lit series would be a perfect fit. The rest is about teaching writing (which you've done with WWS) and Lit analysis. What I don't like about the Teaching the Classics is that it is bone dry boring. My kids couldn't stand it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prim*rose Posted June 26, 2013 Author Share Posted June 26, 2013 Wow, great feedback, thank you! Have you considered using sites like shmoop to give you the tools to discuss without having to read the lit yourself? I use shmoop for both my older girls and we love it's background info, synopsis, analysis, and essay question, which we use for discussion. I'm not familiar with schmoop so I checked it out. Looks like you have to pay for each literary guide, which might turn out to be more than I'd want to spend. I'll have to investigate further. Thanks for the suggestion! TWSS - This will teach you how to teach writing. The Elegant Essay Writing Lessons- this is how to write essays- my older kids did it on their own. Teaching the Classics Windows to the World. : -Lit Analysis Excellence in Lit : teaches how to read a book and write critically about it. It sounds like what you wanted was how to read a book and write critically about it. In that case, the Excellence in Lit series would be a perfect fit. The rest is about teaching writing (which you've done with WWS) and Lit analysis. What I don't like about the Teaching the Classics is that it is bone dry boring. My kids couldn't stand it. Yes! ^^ This! Thank you for that, that's exactly what I needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 The bulk of Shmoop is free. Here is a link to Hamlet, which we did last year. All those orange tabs across the top of the page, except for the one marked Teaching, are free to use and give you plenty of information for a thorough literary study of a book. The only thing you would have to pay for would be if you want the Teacher Lesson Plan, which I can't imagine gives you much more than what they offer for free. Not trying to push it on you, just wanting to clarify for those unfamiliar with Shmoop that may want to utilize it. Good luck in finding the best fit for your dc. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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