Maureen Wittman on High School Literature
-- the comments are not to be missed.
I haven't read all the suggestions yet, but my high school lit core is based on Kolbe Academy's and I wrote out some of it a couple of years ago at the Classical Co-op. Check out the other families' plans as well. Plus, Lene Mahler Jaqua has a list of 20th century literature for jr high/high school at her Classical Christian Homeschool Digest (the link is at the top and leads to a pdf document)
Someday I need to write out in more detail how we flexed this for the individual students. My 2 oldest sons have both graduated and each took the basic core curriculum and expanded/rabbit trailed on it in different ways. Here's a post about my oldest's senior year. My daughter, presently a high school junior, is mostly designing her own. She loves literature and I don't think I could make a better plan for her than she is making for herself. I will try to write it out or ask her if she would like to.
3 comments:
Willa-
Nice post- I am printing Maureen's comments to add to my book list binder. Thank you! And am printing Liam's Sr. year for ideas. Would love to hear Clair's plans too, if she is so inclined.
I am always looking for ideas of good lit.
Jove.. I really enjoyed your comment. I may have to post this on my journey blog.. it definitely qualifies for the 'real' and 'authentic' thread.
My high school lit was a blank pretty much, too. I was assigned things and read them (being the Straight A Girl I was) :0 but remmeber little. Make connections with none. I do remember reading a story called The Rocking Horse winner (in 9th grade in 1973) and being told the theme was mastur----tion. Sigh.
So, I am careful about what we choose around here. We read several American short stories last year ala Bravewriter, but even some of those were a bit dark. I agree that perhaps the lit can bring all elements of humanity to us, but I have somewhat sensitive dc, so are taking it at our pace.
And there is so much beauty in the world!
I think my goal with lit is to search and offer things to which my boys can make connections. I look through lists, preveiw them myself if I dont' have an iron clad recommedation (but I like preveiwing anyway!) then suggest they try.
If they can connect to just 3 or 4 more books like they have LOTR I will be happy and they will be way farther ahead than I was when I was their age.
What a gift I have in these online homeschool friends who suggest lists and personal recommedations.
Oh Cindy, I read that short story in college and that interpretation was not suggested. I think some profs go a bit far. Sigh. However, I did not hand that particular story to my son either. I found it a bit dismal and Freudian even without that specific motif.
In high school, in addition to the obligatory Shakespeare, I remember reading "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. Not American lit -- but I did like it, though I don't remember it well now. The title's based on a Yeats poem called the Second Coming.
http://www.potw.org/archive/potw351.html
I think a lot of modern American short stories ARE a bit dark.
JoVE, I think you are so right about the form of literature being integrally related to its meaning (my BA is in English lit). Several of the "lit analysis" books on Liam's list were to do with that indirectly or directly. It's a theme that continues to interest him.
I could go on and on about this topic, no doubt.
I agree with you both that it's a privilege of the homeschool to be able to tailor the books to the child... and to your own interests and relationships, as the mom.
Hi Willa-
I do find you such a resource.. and now know partially why.. didn't know you had a BA in Lit. I never read a piece of fiction in college being and Economics/ Geography then Business major! But I guess we have current events covered around here. lol
I rarely read as a child or in high school either. A few books here and there.. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, then just the sssigned stuff. How cool to have a whole trearuy to offer as you do for your dc.
But, I am enjoying exploreing *with* them. I love books on tape for that as I preview a lot while doing housework (I can do that with no littlies to listen for anymore).
I read my first Jane Austen last year... and am now rushing to finish LOTR.
I am thankful, too, that I found CM who introduced the concept of living books to me. Why i a writing all this here? You know all this, Willa!
lol
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