Preparing our dc to read The Great Books?

[Greta]

Let's say you take Great Books of the Western World to be a pretty good collection of works that a well-educated person should read (if anyone has other collections or definitions of "The Great Books", please tell me about them. I am sadly uneducated myself, so I feel incapable of creating such a list myself. I'm depending on those wiser than myself!). What do you do now, while your children are young, to prepare them to be able to tackle these pretty heavy-duty books?

 

I use LCC and the SOTW AG as guides for choosing what I read to my 9 yo dd. But I feel like we're behind, because I went through this relaxed child-led phase which I think was a mistake (not judging anyone else's style! just a mistake for us!), and so I'm just never sure that I'm doing enough. I really want to get her ear accustomed to hearing older language, which is so much more beautiful and complex than what the modern ear has grown used to. But right now it's hard for her. I feel like I have failed her and we need to catch up!

 

What should we be reading? How do you choose what you read to your dc (or have them read)?

[Hathersage]

you could start with the "good books" list (listed by grade)

 

http://www.angelicum.net/html/the_good_books_in_print_list.html

 

Or this list of books here :

 

http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000.html

[Greta]

Thanks! I had not seen either of these lists before.

[Chris in VA]

I don't settle for twaddle--tuning the ear is very important. Otoh, enjoying reading is also important, and not everyone is ready for complex sentences and vocabulary in elementary school (though far more kids could handle it if given the chance, I think).

 

WTM says to let kids become familiar with the plots and characters of some of the GB's by using children's versions of them. I think this works with books like The Odyssey, The Illiad, Pilgrim's Progress, Shakespeare--but there are no "children's versions" of many GB's. I want to wait for some of the GB's, too, so my dd won't be bored by reading the real thing--I like to be surprised by the plot, occasionally!

 

I think just start from where you are, and don't let them read too much that is not well-written.

[Greta]

I think just start from where you are, and don't let them read too much that is not well-written.

 

That sounds like good advice. Thank you! :)

[Laura Corin]

I recommend books by E Nesbit, either as read-alouds or for her to read herself. Arthur Ransome is good too. The books are appealing and adventurous, but the language is rich.

 

Laura

[Hathersage]

Oh and if you want quick audio way of listening to good literature, check out Lit2Go http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/index.htm, you find them on ITunesU as well.

Although don't limit your to reading/grade level. There is lots of good stuff there!!

[Greta]

Thanks for these suggestions, Laura and Hathersage. I really appreciate your help!

[Hathersage]

Your welcome. :)

 

A College Professor of mine directed me to the Great Books Foundation, they have a junior books series, so if your looking for curriculum,

http://www.greatbooks.org/programs-for-all-ages/junior.html

Or just take the table of contents for suggestions too!