Reading Strands: has anyone read/used this book?

[Mamabyrd]

What can you tell me about it? Is this something I could use as a literature program with books of my choosing? Did you find the book helpful? Thanks.

[Melissa B]

I don't know how helpful this will be.

I purchased it some time ago and was not impressed. I don't really remember why now.

I read it and sold it without taking any notes on it and remember thinking it wasn't worth the money. :)

I think a majority of people here like Teaching the Classics for building your own literature program - or The Well Educated Mind for older students.

I use ROMAN reading.
I don't know if it will link.

http://static.scribd.com/docs/c9k2zf3tmokaq.pdf

He also has a website and the above work can be found somewhere on the website.

http://www.romanreading.com


And I plan to have my children read and apply Adler's How to Read a Book when they are a bit older.

I also like Classics in the Classroom by Thompson, but that is obviously geared toward a classroom setting and I use it more as a guide.

[Kat in GA]

We use Reading Strands with Writing Strands. It is more of a book for the parent...it has explanations of various literary techniques (from plot, conflict and resolution, characterization, point of view, etc...) and then an explanation on how to have a socratic dialogue with your child about said topics.

Absolutley, you could use Reading strands as a guide with books of your choosing. That is basically how we use it. We do a three week Writing Strands cycle: one week of writing strands, week two we discuss topics from Reading strands, and week three my daughter reads a book - and at the end of the week she writes about the book in relation to the Reading strands topic.

I think the book is adaptable to most any level. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Beth in Central TX]

I still have an older version that I picked up at a used curriculum sale. Here are a few of the Table of Contents entries:

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Image Visualization
Prior Knowledge
Ways to Understand Fiction
Talking About Characters
Examining Situation
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Types of Stories
Literary Terms (defined)
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Suggested Books & Stories

I agree with Melissa that Teaching the Classics is a better resource for building your own literature program. Just flipping through my copy, I don't find the format appealing or inviting. Of course, this is just my opinion. HTH!