Lightning Lit 7 -What did your child gain from this?

[awanama]

I am considering this for next year for my 7th grade son. I was wanting to use it for lit analysis but have heard it doesn't contain much. So, what has your child gained from using Lightning Lit?

Thanks

[Dayle in Guatemala]

I plan on using this with my 7th grade dd next year as well. We've done LL8 this year and really loved it. I felt like it was one of the best choices we've made because of all the good stuff in it.

I guess I assumed that LL7 would be the same. If it isn't, is it still worth the money? Should I think about something else?

[Mama Lynx]

We are using this right now. I wanted something light, and this fits the bill.

We have read some interesting and good things that I would not otherwise have thought to assign. My son has learned the basics of plot, subplot and audience. He has learned a little about different forms of poetry, and about rhyme.

This is not deep stuff. It's light and, for us, easy. I would call it a gentle introduction to literary analysis. It is perfect for my needs. If you want something meatier, this might not be what you want.

[Mama Lynx]

duh, let me try answering your question.

What did he gain? So far he has gained the ability to identify and think about plot elements and subplots in a story, has increased his understanding of poetry, and has read some fine works. (We're just beginning unit 4 - we're probably not even halfway through the program.)

[awanama]

Thanks. My ds hates school and something that starts out light would be a good thing for him.

[Lori D.]

- Enjoyable intro to both classic literature and works not previously known to us.
- Exposure to a variety of types of works (realistic novel, fantasy novel, biography, poetry, short story).
- Gentle and written to the student (though we did it together aloud and REALLY enjoyed it!).
- Workpages help student practice/re-inforce the literary elements discussed, and really "hold your hand" as you begin some basic literary analysis.


We did both LL7 and LL8 last year with our 7th grade and an 8th grade boys. The 7th grader will do LL8 next year in 9th grade, as we took a detour this year for the 2 of them to do the Literary Lessons from the Lord of the Rings study.

The Student Book has 2 parts:

1. Student Guide; each of the 8 units has:
- a page intro about each author, and tips on what to look for as you read.
- vocabulary list with definitions to make reading the book easier.
- comprehension questions to help student focus on key details.
- 6-10 teaching text pages (written to the student) about a literary element and examples of how that literary element is used in the work being read to go with that unit.
- a 2-3 page "mini-writing lesson" with information/tips on various aspects of writing (examples: how to cite sources; how to take notes; etc.)
- choice from 4-8 longer writing assignment ideas for finishing up each unit

2. Workpages
- 8-10 worksheets per unit to help student practice the literary element, occasional grammar aspect (punctuation, capitalization, etc.), or beginning analysis of an excerpt from literature.
- Sometimes a short story or a segment of a longer work is reproduced for the student to read/analyze.

To see an entire sample unit, go to Hewitt Homeschooling at: http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/book/blight.asp -- scroll down the page and click on the link within the text to see samples of LL7 or LL8. Below is the list of what LL7 or LL8 covers. Hope that helps! Warmest regards, Lori D.

LL7
1 = "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" (short story)
literary lesson: plot line
mini writing lesson: openings

2. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (novel)
literary lesson: plot line in a novel
mini writing lesson: outlines

3. poetry unit -- 7 poems
literary lesson: rhyme
mini writing lesson: limerick and haiku

4. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (fantasy work)
literary lesson: creativitiy
mini writing lesson: nonce words

5. "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" (short story)
literary lesson: saying it with style

6. The Story of My Life (autobiography)
literary lesson: autobiography
mini writing lesson: brainstorming

7. poetry unit -- 6 poems
literary lesson: sound
mini writing lesson: cinquain and the list poem

8. All Creatures Great and Small (novel)
literary lesson: character sketch
mini writing lesson: choosing a topic


LL8
1 = "A Crazy Tale" (short story)
literary lesson: author's purpose
mini writing lesson: taking notes

2. Treasure Island (novel)
literary lesson: setting
mini writing lesson: rewriting in your own words

3. poetry unit -- 6 poems
literary lesson: vivid imagery
mini writing lesson: free verse and ballad

4. A Day of Pleasure (autobiographical sketches)
literary lesson: sharing your culture
mini writing lesson: rewriting your own words

5. "Wakefield" (short story)
literary lesson: details in writing
mini writing lesson: citing sources

6. A Christmas Carol (novella)
literary lesson: character development
mini writing lesson: the narrator

7. poetry unit -- 8 poems
literary lesson: figurative language
mini writing lesson: fun poems

8 The Hobbit (fantasy work)
literary lesson: conflict
mini writing lesson: genre fiction

9. "Reflections" (short story)
literary lesson: symbolism
mini writing lesson: sentence structure

10. My Family and Other Animals (novel)
literary lesson: humor
mini writing lesson: bibliography

11. poetry unit -- 8 poems
literary lesson: meter
mini writing lesson: the sonnet

12. To Kill a Mockingbird (novel)
literary lesson: writing a literary analysis
mini writing lesson: writing a conclusion

[Mama Lynx]

Thanks. My ds hates school and something that starts out light would be a good thing for him.

Oh, definitely. I think my son actually enjoys it.

FYI, we do *not* do the writing projects at the end of the units. Asking my son to write a paper about the parts of a plot would kill any enjoyment he might be having. I pick and choose through the worksheets and assignments, just keeping the ones I think he'll enjoy/I think are important.

[awanama]

Lori D. -Thank you so much for giving such a detailed post! :) I'm so glad I asked on here before throwing out the thought of using it. I think I will stick with my plan to use it.

[Lori D.]

We read the books aloud together, which helped *a lot*! While a lot of middle schoolers are strong readers and would have no problems, my son would not have had the patience for "Story of My Life" (flowery, Victorian language and sentence structure), and would have lost a LOT of the humor of Tom Sawyer (written with the vernacular accent).

The other benefit was that we could hit vocabulary in context (give definition in the moment, as it was used), and could discuss AS we read. As a result, we didn't need the comprehension or discussion questions.

Doing the readings (and reading the teaching text page aloud together) was something we REALLY enjoyed and looked forward to! We read about 30 minutes a day, 4x a week, "popcorn" style ("you read a page, I read a page"). Sneaky way to work in some nice together time with those young teen boys! ; )

Hope LL will be enjoyable to your family, too! Warmest regards, Lori D.

[Brindee]

I plan on using this with my 7th grade dd next year as well. We've done LL8 this year and really loved it. I felt like it was one of the best choices we've made because of all the good stuff in it.So these are not written sequentially, neccessarily?

I have a question. I was thinking of combining this next year with my two that I'm homeschooling. Problem is, one will be 14 & 15 and in 10th grade, the other will be 11 and in 7th grade. We haven't really done "formal" Lit. with them (though they read a wide variety of books on their own). Would LL7 or LL8 be too easy for the 14yo or too hard for the 11yo?

[Stacy]

as the thread I started yesterday about LL left me not even wanting to consider it any longer. I still have to think it through, but thanks to everyone who took the time to share!

[Brindee]

So these are not written sequentially, neccessarily?

I have a question. I was thinking of combining this next year with my two that I'm homeschooling. Problem is, one will be 14 & 15 and in 10th grade, the other will be 11 and in 7th grade. We haven't really done "formal" Lit. with them (though they read a wide variety of books on their own). Would LL7 or LL8 be too easy for the 14yo or too hard for the 11yo?Anyone have any comments on my above questions?

[mchel210]

I plan on using LL7 over the summer to continue working with my son. I just bought it. I had planned on using it next year...but we are going to start Sonlight instead.

But my son doesnt know how to do lit. evals or find plots and such. I am sure this will be a great fit for him. I need him to continue working over the summer and this is just enough with math. I may throw in latin and do 3 subjects with all 3 kids. I just cant have them sitting around all summer or they drive me nuts. They need some structure to continue.

I am hoping we can start breaking down the books we read, understanding the plots ect so next year when we are reading with sonlight he will be more prepared. Then we will be established in our routine to continue with both.

[sandra in va]

Anyone have any comments on my above questions?


I think you should call Hewitt and talk to the person there who is their LL specialist. She is really helpful and can answer your questions. The Hewitt Homeschooling yahoo group is also great. The author of the jr. high programs responds to your questions herself.

hth,

[Tina in WA]

as the thread I started yesterday about LL left me not even wanting to consider it any longer. I still have to think it through, but thanks to everyone who took the time to share!

Stacy,

Which thread did you start yesterday? I can't find it. I wanted to see what others were saying that left you to not consider it. For my own knowledge, I like to read pro's and con's of a program I am using.

I am using it and LOVE it.

Thanks in advance for directing me to the thread. :)

~Tina

[nutmeg]

Stacy,

Which thread did you start yesterday? I can't find it. I wanted to see what others were saying that left you to not consider it. For my own knowledge, I like to read pro's and con's of a program I am using.


Found it! (I'm watching this thread as we will probably do LL7 next year)

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19271

[Brindee]

I think you should call Hewitt and talk to the person there who is their LL specialist. She is really helpful and can answer your questions. The Hewitt Homeschooling yahoo group is also great. The author of the jr. high programs responds to your questions herself.

hth,Thanks! :)

[Mostlyamom]

Since we are also in a book discussion group, I wondered whether I was overdoing it to use the LL7 materials this year, but found that it was a great deal of fun and "easy." Yet, it challenges the students to think and analyze in ways beyond their initial impressions.

I read about this curriculum on this board, and I've already purchased LL8 for next year, as I think it was worth the time and money for it.

Pat