Literature guide questions for highschoolers

[Love2Smile]

My 9th grader loves to read but we are having a difficult time with guides such as Light Lit, and BJU Lit courses. Even the Jr. High ones.

What can we use for highschool which teaches the basics, is not too difficult?

Do progeny Press guides fit the bill? Do any of you NOT use Lit. guides or curriculum?

[lisak]

We have used Progeny Press guides in the past. My daughter really likes them, but we haven't used any high school level. They do discuss elements of literature, have discussion questions, and there are additional writing activities. I was just looking on their website and it has a note that says their guides are becoming interactive where the student can type answers into the computer and have them graded immediately; that could be interesting. Anyway, I would purchase the guide and discuss the questions with my daughter. It seemed to work better for her that way. We are using the same approach with Lightening Literature this year. Rather than just answer the comprehension questions, we discuss those together. She is just getting to the first paper assignment, so we will see how it goes, but so far it is working fine.

Another option is to use the Well Educated Mind book. I read it during the summer and if I remember correctly, it takes you through the ways of discussing literature.

If you are an IEW person, they have the Teaching the Classics product which guides you through literature discussion and you pick the piece of literature. I haven't used this, so I have no opinion of it. It is just another option.

[Love2Smile]

Another option is to use the Well Educated Mind book. I read it during the summer and if I remember correctly, it takes you through the ways of discussing literature.


Okay thanks, You mean the Well Trained Mind book??

[atozmom]

You could also use Sparknotes online for free. They have summaries for each chapter; discuss plot, theme, motifs, etc.; study questions and quizzes. If you would prefer to have a hard copy in hand they are available in download form for a reasonable price.

sparknotes.com

[Love2Smile]

You could also use Sparknotes online for free. They have summaries for each chapter; discuss plot, theme, motifs, etc.; study questions and quizzes. If you would prefer to have a hard copy in hand they are available in download form for a reasonable price.

sparknotes.com
thanks, those are the same ones they sell at Barnes and Noble right?

[willowcreek]

If you have great book you really want to dig into deeply, I sugges that you looke at www.novelunits.com (http://www.novelunits.com).

They have a huge seclection of good novels and they produce a couple of products--Novel Units and Novel-ties which do in-depth vocabulary, comprehension and then lots of work on foreshadowing, symbolism, setting, etc. Novel-ties are the most in-depth. Worth a look--especially for a novel that deserves deep analysis.

[periwinkle]

Another option is to use the Well Educated Mind book. I read it during the summer and if I remember correctly, it takes you through the ways of discussing literature.


Okay thanks, You mean the Well Trained Mind book??

No, although both are written by SWB, they are different books. See TWEM here:

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/about-the-well-educated-mind/

hth:001_smile:

[atozmom]

thanks, those are the same ones they sell at Barnes and Noble right?



Yes, they sell them at Barnes and Noble as well. Don't forget to use your educator's discount if you go to buy them there. But if you don't mind using them off of the computer, they would be free.

[Kareni]

You might also find Deconstructing Penguins (http://www.amazon.com/Deconstructing-Penguins-Parents-Kids-Reading/dp/0812970284) to be a worthwhile read. It is about literature analysis with younger children. It could be a worthwhile introduction for you.

Regards,
Kareni

[Nan in Mass]

We just use The Well Educated Mind. There are good directions on how to use it for high school literature in TWTM. We thought it was fantastic.

[Alyce]

They're free and fairly good. They have a lot of book choices.

[Julie in MN]

My 9th grader loves to read but we are having a difficult time with guides such as Light Lit, and BJU Lit courses. Even the Jr. High ones.

What can we use for highschool which teaches the basics, is not too difficult?

Do progeny Press guides fit the bill? Do any of you NOT use Lit. guides or curriculum?


I am really wondering what you had trouble with in Lightning Literature junior high level? That would help me answer appropriately. And wondering if you are a new homeschooler?

Julie

[Love2Smile]

I am really wondering what you had trouble with in Lightning Literature junior high level? That would help me answer appropriately. And wondering if you are a new homeschooler?

Julie
Yes! We are new homeschoolers. I took my oldest out of public school in 6th grade, she went back in 8th and now home for good with 9th and beyond.

I guess we are just not familiar with all the lit terms. I purchased Light LIt grade 9, and the books are just over her head. She tried reading the Benjamin Franklin book but has never read a book like that in her life, and was in tears! I think I should start her out in Light Lit grade 7 or 8?

I guess this is why my girls both prefer textbooks. We used SL for one year and the amount of reading did us all in. I loved SL but it was just too heavy in reading.

[Julie in MN]

Yes! We are new homeschoolers. I took my oldest out of public school in 6th grade, she went back in 8th and now home for good with 9th and beyond.

I guess we are just not familiar with all the lit terms. I purchased Light LIt grade 9, and the books are just over her head. She tried reading the Benjamin Franklin book but has never read a book like that in her life, and was in tears! I think I should start her out in Light Lit grade 7 or 8?

I was thinking you sounded like me when I first brought home my 10th grade dd. I brought a LLATL book to our local support group & asked, "What do you DO with this?" Everyone looked at me like it was so simple, they didn't even know what I was ASKING! That was back in 2000... I survived :)

I am doing LL7 & 8 with my 8th grade son this year. LL7 is really at a 7th grade pace & if you use it, I'd suggest going faster. It's a general intro to literature terms.

If money is an issue (as far as getting both LL7 & 8), you can find an inexpensive book to explain those terms. I know even my Writing Strands book has a list of literary definitions in the back. It should go fairly quickly at her age. My dd didn't know them either, when I brought her home in 10th grade.

Ben Franklin's autobiography is a great one to read, but maybe not the first one. I started my dd with some easier books like The Pearl and Old Man & the Sea. The first goal is for them to realize we can look at books as more than just a fun series of events, but as having a structure. Eventually the goal is to see deeper meanings, themes, & such.

As for the books, themselves, I find that reading the first chapter together (me using lots of expression) helps my student get into the setting and tone of the book. I can discuss what's really going on & the fun undertones I see in the story line.

Audio books also do this for you. Especially for books with strong stylistic speech, such as Shakespeare or Mark Twain, an audiobook can "get it right." Interestingly, I just heard Mr. Stobaugh speak and he suggests audiobooks helps both slow readers (speeds them up) and fast readers (slows them down)! Libraries have tons of audiobooks. LibraryAndEd often has them inexpensively, too.

Anyways, I feel for you, but it's all worth it!
Julie

[Love2Smile]

I was thinking you sounded like me when I first brought home my 10th grade dd. I brought a LLATL book to our local support group & asked, "What do you DO with this?" Everyone looked at me like it was so simple, they didn't even know what I was ASKING! That was back in 2000... I survived :)

I am doing LL7 & 8 with my 8th grade son this year. LL7 is really at a 7th grade pace & if you use it, I'd suggest going faster. It's a general intro to literature terms.

If money is an issue (as far as getting both LL7 & 8), you can find an inexpensive book to explain those terms. I know even my Writing Strands book has a list of literary definitions in the back. It should go fairly quickly at her age. My dd didn't know them either, when I brought her home in 10th grade.

Ben Franklin's autobiography is a great one to read, but maybe not the first one. I started my dd with some easier books like The Pearl and Old Man & the Sea. The first goal is for them to realize we can look at books as more than just a fun series of events, but as having a structure. Eventually the goal is to see deeper meanings, themes, & such.

As for the books, themselves, I find that reading the first chapter together (me using lots of expression) helps my student get into the setting and tone of the book. I can discuss what's really going on & the fun undertones I see in the story line.

Audio books also do this for you. Especially for books with strong stylistic speech, such as Shakespeare or Mark Twain, an audiobook can "get it right." Interestingly, I just heard Mr. Stobaugh speak and he suggests audiobooks helps both slow readers (speeds them up) and fast readers (slows them down)! Libraries have tons of audiobooks. LibraryAndEd often has them inexpensively, too.

Anyways, I feel for you, but it's all worth it!
Julie
Thank you so much for your help and understanding! Right now, like I said we are using Abeka. I am pleased with the curriculum. I had to just accept that that was what my girls like and make the most of it. They are learning from it and we are not having arguments. However...I am not too pleased with the Lit part of Abeka. I don't know if it gets into more depth in 10th and beyond, but her just reading for 10 min. and answering 4 or 5 questions orally is NOT learning or taking away anything.
Besides she is literally done with school in 2 to 3 hours. I want her more busy! She is a good reader and I want her really learning and absorbing material. That is WHY I took her out of school.
So, I think I may just start her out with Light Lit 7th grade and progress from there. I can just get the guides and borrow the books from the library.
Or maybe she can start at the 8th grade level. I will have to decide. But this Abeka curriculum, albeit good is not filling our day! I did get her Wordsmith, another writing program to use along with their grammar/comp and even though Abeka requires 6 book reports, all they are is a paragraph summary.
So thanks again. One final question. In your opinion does Light Lit 7 teach more of the basics of Lit analysis or if I think she can handle the 8 books could I start her there?

[Julie in MN]

In your opinion does Light Lit 7 teach more of the basics of Lit analysis or if I think she can handle the 8 books could I start her there?

Here is a list of topics from LL7: http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/book/blight8.asp

and LL8: http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/book/blight7.asp

Both are good, but LL7 starts earlier & goes slower. If you scroll down to page 15 on this link, you'll see the LL7 schedule:
http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/pdfs/3250.pdf
My 8th grader had no problem doing the first unit in about 9 days instead of 3 weeks, and your 9th grader may be able to go even faster.

By the way, I've heard the first short story in LL8 is one of the harder lessons, so don't be surprised on that one. Also, there's a Yahoo group for Hewitt_Homeschooling, where I got that information :)

Julie

[Love2Smile]

Here is a list of topics from LL7: http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/book/blight8.asp

and LL8: http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/book/blight7.asp

Both are good, but LL7 starts earlier & goes slower. If you scroll down to page 15 on this link, you'll see the LL7 schedule:
http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/pdfs/3250.pdf
My 8th grader had no problem doing the first unit in about 9 days instead of 3 weeks, and your 9th grader may be able to go even faster.

By the way, I've heard the first short story in LL8 is one of the harder lessons, so don't be surprised on that one. Also, there's a Yahoo group for Hewitt_Homeschooling, where I got that information :)

Julie
Thanks Julie,
I am going to go with the 8th grade. She has read about 3 of the 7th grade books on her own. Tom Sawyer when she was in about second grade! She is an excellent reader.
Now what to do with my 6th grader who *hates to read* LOL
That's why Abeka is working great with her! She may be ready for Light Lit 7 when she hits 8th grade!

[Kareni]

I was thinking you sounded like me when I first brought home my 10th grade dd. I brought a LLATL book to our local support group & asked, "What do you DO with this?" Everyone looked at me like it was so simple, they didn't even know what I was ASKING! That was back in 2000... I survived :)



What a wonderfully supportive post, Julie. I never cease to be amazed at the help that is available here.

Regards,
Kareni

[Julie in MN]

What a wonderfully supportive post, Julie. I never cease to be amazed at the help that is available here.

Regards,
Kareni

:blush5: Thanks Kareni