Lisa in the UP of MI Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Sixth grade dd and I are both ready for her to begin formal literature study. She has done some of the Kolbe Academy Elementary Literature course, as well as some work with Connecting with History. For the most part, she has been doing vocabulary and comprehension questions. We would like to begin to study the elements of literature and spend time analyzing literature. I thought that Lighting Literature would be a strong contender, but after looking at the book choices, most of them have either been read already or don't appeal to us. We would love any other ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 I would suggest taking another look at Lightning Literature, honestly. I don't think it matters whether you have already read the books. There is a lot of instruction in LL on working with literary elements, and the stories are used as a basis, but not the only medium, of instruction for those elements. Also, my dd was certain she would hate most of the LL books. It turns out she has liked most of them quite a bit, except for one she really disliked ... one that she was certain she would love! If you're set against LL, then I would suggest looking at Garlic Press literature guides or something I found that looks totally fun but way beyond what I would reasonably put effort into: Litwits. You could also start with Figuratively Speaking, but I've read that some of it is difficult for kids younger than about 8th grade. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 (edited) Agreeing with Tara the Liberator! :) And -- just a side note about having already read some of the books -- it can be a big benefit having already read a book and then doing it later more deeply as part of a Lit. program. Since the student already "knows" the book, it allows the student to focus on the literary devices and analysis rather than being frustrated in wanting to "just read" the book. And… the odds are pretty high that no matter *which* lit. program or class you choose, there will be a few book "repeats" when you're a well-read family. ;) JMO: 6th grade can be young to do a formal Lit. program; perhaps consider waiting a year to allow a bit more brain maturing and instead for 6th grade do some good early "prep" work for later literary analysis -- for example, you could go through Figuratively Speaking together to learn some literary devices, and pick 4 books and get a really good individual lit. guide to go with each one. Then, throughout the 6th-8th grades, pick some of the terrific young adult books out there which contain so much good discussion-material in them that it makes beginning formal Literature study and discussion very easy and natural. And you can also include the occasional "classic", to give your student a little more to "chew on" as far as author's use of language and more subtle or more adult themes. BEST of luck in your Literature adventures, whatever you decide! Warmest regards, Lori D. Ideas for 6th grade Redwall -- Garlic Press Discovering Lit. guide; Progeny Press guide My Side of the Mountain -- Garlic Press Discovering Lit. guide Tuck Everlasting -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide The Horse and His Boy -- Progeny Press guide Sounder -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide The Cay -- Progeny Press guide The Westing Game -- Blackbird & Co. guide The Witch of Blackbird Pond -- Blackbird & Co. guide; Glencoe Lit. Library guide; Progeny Press guide Johnny Tremain -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide; Progeny Press guide Call of the Wild -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide, Portals to Lit. guide The Outsiders -- Garlic Press Discovering Lit. guide Anne of Green Gables -- Progeny Press guide Ideas for 7th grade The Hobbit -- Garlic Press Discovering Lit. guide Eagle of the Ninth -- Progeny Press guide The Bronze Bow -- Progeny Press guide Amos Fortune, Free Man -- Progeny Press guide Island of the Blue Dolphins -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide; Garlic Press Discovering Lit. guide; Progeny Press guide Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry -- Garlic Press Discovering Lit. guide Maniac Magee -- Progeny Press guide The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide A Wrinkle in Time -- Blackbird & Co. guide; Glencoe Lit. Library guide; Progeny Press guide Where the Red Fern Grows -- Garlic Press Discovering Lit. guide; Progeny Press guide Bridge to Terebithia -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide; Progeny Press guide The Adventures of Tom Sawyer -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide; Portals to Lit. guide; Progeny Press guide Ideas for 8th grade The Giver -- Garlic Press Discovering Lit. guide; Portals to Lit. guide; Progeny Press guide Across Five Aprils -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide; Blackbird & Co. guide; Progeny Press guide I Am David -- Blackbird & Co. guide Julie of the Wolves -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide Walk Two Moons -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide Treasure Island -- Blackbird & Co. guide; Where the Red Fern Grows -- Garlic Press Discovering Lit. guide; Progeny Press guide Animal Farm -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide; Portals to Lit. guide The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide To Kill a Mockingbird -- Glencoe Lit. Library guide; Garlic Press Discovering Lit. guide A Christmas Carol -- Portals to Lit. guide The Time Machine -- Portals to Lit. guide Formal Literature courses MCT Royal Fireworks trilogies (guides to 3 works each as a set): Search, Time, Shadow, Dickens Mosdos lit. programs (uses short stories/works written by the publisher): 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade Memoria Press lit. programs: - 6th grade (Adam of the Road, Robin Hood, Door in the Wall, King Arthur) - 7th grade (Anne of Green Gables, The Hobbit, The Trojan War, The Bronze Bow) - 8th grade (Wind in the Willows, Tom Sawyer, Treasure Island, As You Like It) Center for Lit online classes Brave Writer Arrow (ages 11-13) or Boomerang (ages 13-18) online Lit. classes Other resources: Reader's Odyssey -- helps you in creating your own lit. program Teaching the Classics -- teaches you how to guide your student through reading/analyzing/discussing Literature Edited February 15, 2016 by Lori D. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa in the UP of MI Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 I would suggest taking another look at Lightning Literature, honestly. I don't think it matters whether you have already read the books. There is a lot of instruction in LL on working with literary elements, and the stories are used as a basis, but not the only medium, of instruction for those elements. Also, my dd was certain she would hate most of the LL books. It turns out she has liked most of them quite a bit, except for one she really disliked ... one that she was certain she would love! If you're set against LL, then I would suggest looking at Garlic Press literature guides or something I found that looks totally fun but way beyond what I would reasonably put effort into: Litwits. You could also start with Figuratively Speaking, but I've read that some of it is difficult for kids younger than about 8th grade. DD is the one who didn't want to do the seventh grade level of Lightning Literature. I was quite surprised, as she has enjoyed the three books that she has read and I thought she would like the fourth. I think part of it is that, though she normally doesn't mind rereading books, she sees her literature course as a way to read some new books. She is a voracious reader and dh and I have been having a hard time keeping on top of getting new books for her (we are picky about what the kids read and pre-read most books before she reads them). I'm not against her using it, but I did tell her she could help pick what we used and we won't be doing something she is set against. I actually own Figuratively Speaking and I like it, but I was hoping for something with literature included. With 3.5 other students to teach, I don't have much time to plan lessons and will need her to do most of the work herself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 My kids have learned a lot through Center for Literature online classes. We have not done any of the writing components. The students read a book then about once per month have a two hour guided literature discussion online. It's fairly low-key, but I've been impressed with how much they've learned and retained and apply to everything they read. My 11th grader requested to do another Center for Lit class this year (after doing one in 9th) as he says it makes him think differently about everything he reads - and he's a voracious reader. I've had younger kids do both the elementary and jr high class. I would recommend picking a class based on the books and not the age range. Also there are some sample classes online you can try out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa in the UP of MI Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 Agreeing with Tara the Liberator! :) And -- just a side note about having already read some of the books -- it can be a big benefit having already read a book and then doing it later more deeply as part of a Lit. program. Since the student already "knows" the book, it allows the student to focus on the literary devices and analysis rather than being frustrated in wanting to "just read" the book. And… the odds are pretty high that no matter *which* lit. program or class you choose, there will be a few book "repeats" when you're a well-read family. ;) JMO: 6th grade can be young to do a formal Lit. program; perhaps consider waiting a year to allow a bit more brain maturing and instead for 6th grade do some good early "prep" work for later literary analysis -- for example, you could go through Figuratively Speaking together to learn some literary devices, and pick 4 books and get a really good individual lit. guide to go with each one. Then, throughout the 6th-8th grades, pick some of the terrific young adult books out there which contain so much good discussion-material in them that it makes beginning formal Literature study and discussion very easy and natural. And you can also include the occasional "classic", to give your student a little more to "chew on" as far as author's use of language and more subtle or more adult themes. BEST of luck in your Literature adventures, whatever you decide! Warmest regards, Lori D. I certainly don't feel that all or maybe even most 6th graders need to study literary analysis, just that dd is ready and interested so I'm wanting to start. I am trying to be more realistic about myself, though. I love the idea of just reading and discussing literature with dd, but in reality I would need support to do so, as I'm more of a math and science person. I was hoping for a program to guide the way. Literature guides might work, though I will have to check what is covered. DD wants interesting discussion, not more comprehension questions. Thanks for all of your ideas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa in the UP of MI Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 I think what dd wants most of all is the more analytical, interesting discussion. She also wants exposure to more books. I think I need to try again to get dh involved in reading and discussing with dd. Everyone involved would enjoy it, just finding the time is the problem. I'd still love to hear more ideas if you have them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa in the UP of MI Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 My kids have learned a lot through Center for Literature online classes. We have not done any of the writing components. The students read a book then about once per month have a two hour guided literature discussion online. It's fairly low-key, but I've been impressed with how much they've learned and retained and apply to everything they read. My 11th grader requested to do another Center for Lit class this year (after doing one in 9th) as he says it makes him think differently about everything he reads - and he's a voracious reader. I've had younger kids do both the elementary and jr high class. I would recommend picking a class based on the books and not the age range. Also there are some sample classes online you can try out. Thanks for your suggestion. I have been thinking that it might be time for dd to start taking some online classes. She would enjoy the interaction with other teachers and students, and it would be one less course to plan and teach. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 You might also check out Center for Literature's Teaching the Classics. It is a dvd series directed at parents in instructing you how to lead your kids in literature discussions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourisenough Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Thanks for your suggestion. I have been thinking that it might be time for dd to start taking some online classes. She would enjoy the interaction with other teachers and students, and it would be one less course to plan and teach.Take a look at Homeschool Book Study. This is DDs second year in the JH class. We quite like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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