Windows to the World: what is its purpose exactly?

[fluffybunny]

I know you annotate, and I know it's about literary criticism, but what is its actual purpose and goal? Does it improve comprehension?

 

I've only got 8 weeks left so I'm trying to work out what is best for our remaining time. We already do VP Omnibus, and I don't want to start something that will prove to be redundant. 

 

Thanks

[Lori D.]

I see WttW as a guide into how to do literary analysis -- learning the tools used in literary analysis and how to go about using those tools and applying them to a work of literature:

 

1. learn how to read and annotate a work

2. detailed step-by-step instruction on how to write a literary analysis essay, using your annotations as supporting examples

3. exposure to about 8-10 of the most common literary elements and how they are used in literature, esp. how they are used in the 6 short stories included in the program

4. specific exercises and writing assignments to guide the student into how to use those literary elements to think about the "meat" in a work of literature -- finding themes, the author's worldview

 

And -- implicit, if not directly stated -- the idea of personal engagement: we read literature to engage in The Great Conversation, and to find meaning, value, spiritual epiphanies, personal application for ourselves.

 

I would suggest checking out the sample pages and table of contents to get more of a feel for what's in the program.

 

WttW is a 1-semester (18-week) program that is pretty full. JMO: I would be hard-pressed to squeeze WttW into 8 weeks -- too many concepts that require time to settle and gel in the student's mind, if the student is new to these ideas. We actually spread the units out over 2 years -- do a unit or two; practice it and get comfortable with the concepts or methods presented and practice them in other works of literature; then do a few more units, and let those concepts take root using them with other works, before moving on.

 

Just our experience, with two average readers/students. BEST of luck in making the most of your last 8 weeks! Warmest regards, Lori D.

[fluffybunny]

Thank you Lori! I have the program here, but I'm weighing up whether to use it. Is it worth doing just 8 weeks of it? And does it improve a teen's comprehension ability? Mine tests slightly below average for comprehension (but above for everything else). 

[foxbridgeacademy]

I would think if I only had 8 weeks to work on reading comprehension I'd use SWB method from the WWS books.  Read a passage pick X number of important facts/information (5-7 usually) combine those into 3-5 sentences that are basically a comprehensive summary of the passage.  Also from the WWS is the one or two level outline method.  Once you have a decent amount of practice at outlining and narration doing it in your head to answer questions and short response essays on tests becomes easier.  There's a 9 week sample on Peace Hill Presses website.  Not knocking IEW, we really like it (no experience with WttW) but if I only had a couple months I'd go with something more intense and to the point,like doubling up on WWS, which is what we're doing for my DC.  

 

 

[Lori D.]

Thank you Lori! I have the program here, but I'm weighing up whether to use it. Is it worth doing just 8 weeks of it? And does it improve a teen's comprehension ability? Mine tests slightly below average for comprehension (but above for everything else). 

 

Don't know how it would work specifically re: comprehension. Possibly just being forced to annotate -- go slower, re-read, and mark things that stand out to you -- might all on its own encourage more comprehension. ;)

 

If you already have it and are thinking you have time to do some of it, then I would pick just one "chunk" that you think would best help *your* student.

 

If your DS has not done any literary analysis essays, then I do think the chapters on how to annotate / practicing annotation on the short story "The Most Dangerous Game", and then writing a literary analysis using those annotations on that story to be very practical and helpful. Learning how to write a literary analysis essay is invaluable for upper level high school Lit. classes and the college Writing 101 and 102 courses that everyone has to have, as the student has to write a lot of reader responses (like gentler versions of literary analysis essays) -- and, of course, a literary analysis essay or two.

 

If you feel that you're already getting a lot of practice in literary elements and using them to "dig deep" into works of literature, then you might just skim through the last half of the program to see if there are any useful tidbits. If DS is weak in that area, then maybe use that part of the program and do the exercises to practice digging deeper. Some of the exercises cover things like: allusion (very useful!) and character analysis (also very useful). A few poems are also analyzed, which is very nice if you've not covered any units on poetry before.

 

Or, if most of the program looks like repeat/overlap, no harm in skipping it and using whatever does help you fill the last gaps you want to "plug" before DS moves on. :)

[Lori D.]

I would think if I only had 8 weeks to work on reading comprehension I'd use SWB method from the WWS books.  Read a passage pick X number of important facts/information (5-7 usually) combine those into 3-5 sentences that are basically a comprehensive summary of the passage. 

 

I think it also depends on what *kind* of comprehension you mean:

- comprehension of basic plot and connections (in fiction) -- or of facts (expository writing/non-fiction)

- OR, comprehension of indirect themes and ideas, literary elements, etc.

 

If the first type of comprehension, then foxbridgeacademy's suggestion could work very well to double dip in focusing on comprehension of what a passage literally says, as well as working on basic writing skills.

 

If the second type of comprehension, then you'll need to focus on learning to find and use those literary analysis tools and spend a lot of time in guided discussion -- perhaps together doing something like Teaching the Classics?? And the unit from WttW on how to write a literary analysis essay, if that has not been attempted before by your DS, or is a type of writing he is tentative with. You could get a lot of practice in with short stories -- several a week! ;)

[fluffybunny]

Thanks so much Lori: that has really helped. And not being one to waste any time, I started it with ds this morning  :laugh:

 

I will be tailoring it to suit us and doing a shortened version of it. 

[goldberry]

I would think if I only had 8 weeks to work on reading comprehension I'd use SWB method from the WWS books.  Read a passage pick X number of important facts/information (5-7 usually) combine those into 3-5 sentences that are basically a comprehensive summary of the passage.  Also from the WWS is the one or two level outline method.  Once you have a decent amount of practice at outlining and narration doing it in your head to answer questions and short response essays on tests becomes easier.  There's a 9 week sample on Peace Hill Presses website.  Not knocking IEW, we really like it (no experience with WttW) but if I only had a couple months I'd go with something more intense and to the point,like doubling up on WWS, which is what we're doing for my DC.  

 

DD is in 11th grade and scores poorly on reading comprehension.  She is a science/math kid who has always fought me on both reading and writing.   I looked at WWS3 and I really like the looks of it, would it be worth spending next semester on that?  I like your ideas, not sure how to implement.  Thanks!