figurativley speaking

[ABQmom]

How have you used this, and did you like it? I'm thinking of using it with my 8th grader this year.

[jibaker103]

How have you used this, and did you like it? I'm thinking of using it with my 8th grader this year.

I would like to do the same before we dive into literary analysis of the books being read.

Jennifer
Mother to Noah Age 13

[Lori D.]

We found "Figuratively Speaking: Using Classic Literature to Teach 40 Literary Elements" to be an enjoyable, interesting and informative middle-school introduction to literary elements.

The layout:
Three pages for each element, with:
- a description/definition
- examples from classic literature
- exercises for either seeing the element or practicing using it
- a few writing assignment ideas or additional resources

How we used it:
We used it out loud together, doing 1, sometimes 2, lessons a week; once introduced, we starting looking for that element in our reading for practice. A lesson would take us about 10 minutes aloud together. We never used the additional writing assignment ideas included, but you could use those as occasional substitute assignments for your writing program.

We also used Walch's Prose and Poetry (also geared for middle school) for more poetry-based literary elements and poetry forms. You can see the table of contents and sample pages for both Figuratively Speaking and Walch's Prose and Poetry at: www.rainbowresource.com

You can easily use Figuratively Speaking at the same time you start reading literature and do beginning analysis, or do it before you start any formal literary analysis -- very flexible resource. BEST of luck! Warmest regards, Lori D.

[ABQmom]

We found "Figuratively Speaking: Using Classic Literature to Teach 40 Literary Elements" to be an enjoyable, interesting and informative middle-school introduction to literary elements.

The layout:
Three pages for each element, with:
- a description/definition
- examples from classic literature
- exercises for either seeing the element or practicing using it
- a few writing assignment ideas or additional resources

How we used it:
We used it out loud together, doing 1, sometimes 2, lessons a week; once introduced, we starting looking for that element in our reading for practice. A lesson would take us about 10 minutes aloud together. We never used the additional writing assignment ideas included, but you could use those as occasional substitute assignments for your writing program.

We also used Walch's Prose and Poetry (also geared for middle school) for more poetry-based literary elements and poetry forms. You can see the table of contents and sample pages for both Figuratively Speaking and Walch's Prose and Poetry at: www.rainbowresource.com (http://www.rainbowresource.com)

You can easily use Figuratively Speaking at the same time you start reading literature and do beginning analysis, or do it before you start any formal literary analysis -- very flexible resource. BEST of luck! Warmest regards, Lori D.

Lori, thank you for this great review!