Self Ed: Should I follow WTM or WEM?

[Pooh Bear]

In an effort to educate myself before ds gets to high school level I want to work my through the Great Books and others that I have never read.

I have a copy of the new WTM and a copy of the WEM.

Whilst I like the thought of reading books by subject, Literature, Poetry, History and so on, I also like the idea of reading them chronologically.

Which way do you find is the best to tackle these books?

And do you have any tips for reading all these books?

[MamaT]

I tend toward the WTM way, just because that is how my brain works. When I am studying a certain period of history, I like to read the fiction, the philosophers and historians, and also the scientists from that time period. It just makes more sense to me.

[Kleine Hexe]

:lurk5:

[Eliana]

Both ways are wonderful... which you should choose would depend upon your goals and your reading style.

I prefer the chronological approach - I love the interconnections, the contrasts, and the immersion effect - but I'm not trying to systematically build skills, and I am already comfortable reading/studying the various genres... and I tend towards a more immersive reading style in my general reading (I spent several months one year reading everything I could find that connected to Burma!).

Otoh, I have spent many happy weeks doing just poetry - sometimes reviewing a favorite spine (Perrine's Sound and Sense, for example), other times exploring from a different angle....

My eldest daughter chose a more genre oriented approach for her American Lit reading. She did the earlier works chronologically, but then went through by genre. I think that worked as well as it did, however, because American Lit covers such a (relatively) short time period (and she wasn't doing any really modern works).

If I were trying to blend the best of both approaches, I would do Ancient Lit roughly chronologically (though I would group all the Greek Lit, for example, together), and do Medieval & early Renaiisance Lit chronologically, but by region (so Western Europe would all be together, Chinese would all be together, but chronologically within those groupings), but after the mid-Renaissance period, I could see a benefit in proceeding by genre (but, as SWB recommends, chronologically within each genre).

Which approach most appeals to you? If you were to draw up a list of the first ten things you would be reading, one for each approach, which list brings more of a sparkle to your eye?

I don't think there's a wrong way to this! So, I would recommend poking at your own reactions/preferences a little more to see what speakks to *your* heart and mind!

[Janice in NJ]

In an effort to educate myself before ds gets to high school level I want to work my through the Great Books and others that I have never read.

I have a copy of the new WTM and a copy of the WEM.

Whilst I like the thought of reading books by subject, Literature, Poetry, History and so on, I also like the idea of reading them chronologically.

Which way do you find is the best to tackle these books?

And do you have any tips for reading all these books?

Just don't forget to WRITE in your books. ;)
(I never did check back with you; did you enjoy scribbling in your book? :001_smile:)

Peace,
Janice

Enjoy your little people
Enjoy your journey

[Pooh Bear]

Just don't forget to WRITE in your books. ;)
(I never did check back with you; did you enjoy scribbling in your book? :001_smile:)

Peace,
Janice

Enjoy your little people
Enjoy your journey


I am very much enjoying writing in my books. I just have to remember not to write in library books. :001_smile:

[Pam L in Mid Tenn]

A comment about Great Books study in light of your other post about religious works:

In Moby Dick, there is a whole chapter called "The Sermon" about Jonah. One really would not completely understand that chapter without having read the book of Jonah in the Bible. There is some cultural knowledge in the children's story of Jonah and the Whale though.

Personally, my time is limited and I prefer the WEM method. (But, I've never completely followed it! LOL)

[LoriM]

I don't guess I see it as an "either/or" proposition.

Yes, I read and study whatever chronological period of history/science my students are studying. I read their books, and I read *my* books--books that stretch my understanding of the material, articles from journals, and any random related thing I find on the Internet. :)

I also embed great literature from the period, or biographies about great men or women from the period, and I read them the WEM way. I read them through, take good notes, answer some analytical questions, maybe even jot down a paper (nothing like a documented MLA formatted paper, or anything like that!). I put great quotes in my chapbook, sketch organizational charts or graphs if that helps, and connect it to things the Holy Spirit is revealing in my quiet time about the nature of God. Then I think about it when I'm in the garden, or when I'm sitting on the deck feeding the fish. :) I talk about it over the dinner table, and I recommend the books to friends. (They often look at me strangely.)

I think self-education for an adult learner is very holistic.