Has anyone used Suppose the Wolf Were an Octopus?

[melissel]

I'm thinking about making this (http://www.amazon.com/Suppose-Wolf-Were-Octopus-Primary-Grade/dp/0880922478/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205797547&sr=8-1) the core of our LA for first grade next year (DD is already reading fluently and is spelling pretty much naturally, so I'd like to focus on reading comprehension and basically just absorb ourselves in good literature. Has anyone used this--incorporated into their lesson plans, etc.? Can you share your experiences?

TIA!

[ack25]

I sitll haven't had a chance to use this with my kids, though it is sitting on the shelf just waiting....
You are welcome to borrow it for a few weeks to get a feel for the book. I think you could use it as a basis for "rowing" a book a la FIAR.
I also recommend reading through The Writer's Jungle for some ideas on incorporating laid-back literature, narration and writing.

[Laurel]

I can't share experiences, as we haven't used it yet, but I just bought this last week, with plans to use it next year. I really like the book selections for Level One (I haven't examined the ones for Level Two, and don't recognize most of the titles). The books suggested for Level One are mostly traditional stories and fairy tales, with great authors and illustrators, and several Caldecott Medal winners. I can't tell you how we will enjoy it, or even use it yet, but I do know that even if we get nothing else out of it, at least we have a selection of good books to read.

Interested to hear others' replies...

[melissel]

I sitll haven't had a chance to use this with my kids, though it is sitting on the shelf just waiting....
You are welcome to borrow it for a few weeks to get a feel for the book. I think you could use it as a basis for "rowing" a book a la FIAR.
I also recommend reading through The Writer's Jungle for some ideas on incorporating laid-back literature, narration and writing.

Ha! I knew you'd chime in here. I know I can borrow it from you, but heaven knows when I'll see you next, with our schedules. I'm torn between satisfying my need for instant gratification and waiting to look at your copy :D


I can't share experiences, as we haven't used it yet, but I just bought this last week, with plans to use it next year. I really like the book selections for Level One (I haven't examined the ones for Level Two, and don't recognize most of the titles). The books suggested for Level One are mostly traditional stories and fairy tales, with great authors and illustrators, and several Caldecott Medal winners. I can't tell you how we will enjoy it, or even use it yet, but I do know that even if we get nothing else out of it, at least we have a selection of good books to read.

Interested to hear others' replies...

Thanks Laurel, I actually got the book list from a link you provided for me in another thread :D I'm hoping someone will chime in with how it worked for them on a daily/weekly basis. I'm starting to put next year's materials together so I can start making lesson plans (without which I'm desperately :confused:, it seems).

[ack25]

bumping this up...

Hasn't anyone used this resource regularly?

[Colleen in SEVA]

Sorry I'm late to the discussion, someone just brought this to my attention. We have used parts of the K-2 book, and I plan to use the 3-5 book starting next school year.

This book will accomplish your goal of "reading comprehension and basically just absorb ourselves in good literature", but it is not something that could form the core of a LA program. It is simply a list of questions to discuss after reading the book. The questions can be part of a one-on-one discussion about the book, or they can serve as jumping points for writing topics (for older kids), but IMO they are best suited for a discussion with more than 1 student such as a book club.

We used this book this past year for 2nd grade, so we skipped all of the fairy tales (though I will use the book again with my younger boys). We did this every couple of weeks as "Book Talk" -- he had to read the book on his own, then we would sit and talk, using the list of questions as the basis of the talk.

For the grade 3-5 level, most of the books (except those written in the last 20 years) I read and discussed in a similar format when I was in 3rd-6th grade. I can't wait to go through them with Blue!

This series is a good fit for us because:
1. Blue has a high-for-age reading level, with even higher comprehension, and some of the questions really make him think (it is not just asking him to regurgitate facts like other reader guides we tried).
2. No writing is required, but it could easily be added.
3. There's not any planning involved, there's nothing complicated to prepare, just read the book before the discussion.
4. We *could* go in-depth with certain books if we wanted to.
5. The books it covers have the younger, gifted reader in mind.

Overall, I'm happy with this series.

[ack25]

:) Thank you!

[Melissa H. in GA]

We haven't been very consistent with it as ds just recently turned 7 and I've been focusing on phonics and reading.

That said, what we have used, we like. It has different types of questions for different levels and makes him think. I want him to be more active, not just passive when I'm reading to him. (If that makes sense.)

All in all, I'm glad I've purchased it and now that his reading has really taken off, I will be using it more frequently.

HTH,

Melissa

[rowan25]

Sorry I'm late to the discussion, someone just brought this to my attention. We have used parts of the K-2 book, and I plan to use the 3-5 book starting next school year.

This book will accomplish your goal of "reading comprehension and basically just absorb ourselves in good literature", but it is not something that could form the core of a LA program. It is simply a list of questions to discuss after reading the book. The questions can be part of a one-on-one discussion about the book, or they can serve as jumping points for writing topics (for older kids), but IMO they are best suited for a discussion with more than 1 student such as a book club.

We used this book this past year for 2nd grade, so we skipped all of the fairy tales (though I will use the book again with my younger boys). We did this every couple of weeks as "Book Talk" -- he had to read the book on his own, then we would sit and talk, using the list of questions as the basis of the talk.

For the grade 3-5 level, most of the books (except those written in the last 20 years) I read and discussed in a similar format when I was in 3rd-6th grade. I can't wait to go through them with Blue!

This series is a good fit for us because:
1. Blue has a high-for-age reading level, with even higher comprehension, and some of the questions really make him think (it is not just asking him to regurgitate facts like other reader guides we tried).
2. No writing is required, but it could easily be added.
3. There's not any planning involved, there's nothing complicated to prepare, just read the book before the discussion.
4. We *could* go in-depth with certain books if we wanted to.
5. The books it covers have the younger, gifted reader in mind.

Overall, I'm happy with this series.
What would you add to round a LA program for the child who isn't ready for the amount of writing in MCT other programs? I know it's an old thread, but I figured with the amount of MCT users around here, someone might have an idea! :D

rowan

[happymom]

I like FLL. I think after finishing it a child would be ready and do well with MCT. Not a lot of writing especially in the first half of the book. Covers 1st and 2nd grades.

[Spy Car]

An old thread, but I'm going to :lurk5:

Bill :bigear: