Teaching literature

I really wanted to change things up this summer. Our regular routine was losing its pizzazz. I decided we were going to read a book together and just learn from that for a while. They would still do math and spelling, but we would put off the English book for a while.

I used to teach literature and English, and even writing, but I think I have forgotten so much. Also, I tend to get in the habit of doing things a certain way, like pulling out the Shurley English book and just going through the lesson. Changing things like this was as good for me as it was for them.

I chose Little House on the Prairie because I’ve been wanting them to read it for years. Mentioning it, encouraging it, talking about it, and they failed to pick it up. Also, we already had two copies. So I assigned it, a chapter a night.

My 10 year old has taken a while to get to the point of reading for fun. This was somewhat of a challenge for her, especially the vigorous reading schedule which eventually became two chapters a day.

They read their chapter each night and each day we’d have a quiz. This part they liked. I asked about 5 questions and they hurriedly scribbled their answers down. My girls love a competitive challenge at times.

Of course, you know, there is so much stuff a novel can offer. We talked about setting, metaphors, alliteration, foreshadowing and characterization. We learned more about malaria, Indians, life on the prairie and traveling in a covered wagon.

I also had them do either dictation or copywork from the book, depending on my mood.

About halfway through the book a friend loaned me The Institute for Excellence in Writing: Structure and Style. Now, we added writing to our daily work. The book begins by teaching key word outlines.

By the time we finished Little House on the Prairie, the IEW was teaching summarizing from narrative stories. It was perfect timing. I had the girls make an outline for the book report they were going to be writing.

IEW suggests choosing key words that communicate the story sequence, and had an outline guide which really helped them get stared. The guide looks like this:

I. Who is in the story?

  When does it happen?

  Where do they live or go?

II. What do they need or want?

   What do they think?

   What do they say and do?

III. How is the need resolved?

   What happens after?

   What is learned?

Using this guide for their outline, both my girls were able to write their book reports. I was happy to be able to combine two subjects!

We’re going to do this again. I’m excited about it, and they enjoyed it too. Now I’ve just got to decide which book we’ll do next.

Any suggestions?