World History (10th grade) Literature

[mendaymom]

It appears that the WH guide uses only books for Lit this year (as opposed to Bob Jones Lit). How are the elements/analysis of literature taught? Is there a separate guide that comes with each book?
Lisa

[LynnH]

The Bob Jones Lit taught the elements of Lit and the 10th grade lit puts them more into practice. I have to say the lit in the WH guide is my absolute favorite year of lit my son has ever done. Each day the lit box has an Introduce section where Carrie gives some background information or key historical information and asks them to think about something as they read such as "what is foreshadowed by this line..." . Then they are to read and annotate. Often she tells them what one annotation should be. Often these are biblical references or a character's reasoning for an action etc. Then they sometimes have a select section where they pick something meaningful to copy.
Finally they have my favorite part of the plans. Each day they write in their lit journal. Carrie gives them an assignment to do. These assignments are varied. Sometimes they are writing 2 characters names and listing qualities and descriptors of both, sometimes she takes quotes from the reading and asks them to reflect on the meaning, sometimes it is comparing the story in the reading to something else. In Ben Hur there is lots of biblical parallels so she has them reflect on the similarities between Ben Hur and the story of Joseph as told in Genesis. This is also where the written and oral narrations are done. Every other week they do a 3-4 paragraph written narration on the lit reading, but it isn't the typical written narration. There is always a specific assignment. For example when they read Julius Caesar one of the written narration assignments is to compare the differing Roman and Christian views of suicide. They are to draw from the book for the Roman view and she gives Biblical references for the Christian view.

At the end of each book they do a Plot Diagram. They are to list characters, time period, inciting events, rising action, climax, falling Action, resolution, pick out the types of conflict and give the theme for the story. There is an answer key for the parents to use. There are also discussion questions at this point for the parent to discuss with the student.

All of these assignments have resulted in my son interacting with literature in a way he never has before. In the past lit has been his least favorite subject. Getting him to answer the Bob Jones questions was like pulling teeth. This year he would say the lit is one of his favorite subjects and the discussions and the things he comes up with absolutely amaze me. He made the comment this week that he is amazed how Carrie managed to tie the lit books in with the history, and that is true. The time period of the lit books ties in very well with what he is studying in history. This also helps his overall enjoyment and understanding of the books.

I just love how all the lit terms and things he learned last year are now being put to very practical use. Also in the Living Library assignments they fill out a Literary Synthesis sheet that also covers those things like theme, tone,plot, setting, and conflict.

[annaz]

Oh I like this, LynnH. I'll be looking forward to this for sure!

[LynnH]

Annaz I think you will love it! To have him say he likes lit and also to not even complain about reading 30 pages is something of a small miracle in my eyes. He likes knowing what he is supposed to be looking for as he reads and the background information helps him to understand things that might have gone over his head otherwise. He just finished Pearl Maiden and came in when he was done saying "Wow that was another good book!".

[Gwenny]

Wow, thanks LynnH for that description. That sounds incredible. Carrie is amazing. That is so fantastic that she put that all together-think of how much time and thought went into that. And that is just one part of the whole guide! I'm so grateful we have found this curriculum. I want to do the high school guides, my education was nothing like this. And people wonder if it's enough for them to go to college.

Thank you Carrie!!

I'm so happy for you and your son also LynnH. You two have persevered through much.

[annaz]

That's great, LynnH! I love that your son is doing so well! I think it's also helpful that we see all those years of their work (and ours) come together in high school!

[Tiffini]

I just want to chime in here and add how much we love the Lit in WH as well! It is our second time through it already this year and I can't say enough good things about it. We are also reading Pearl Maiden right now - both my twins say how much they love this book! And my son who really struggles with keeping up with the reading amounts each day really enjoys all the books - but this one is SO good! And it brings so much history to life!

In addition, they just finished Silas Diary for Living Library and both of them were amazed at what they learned. They are so excited about their freedom in Christ after reading this book!! Reading Galatians at the end was so cool. I am so thrilled with the spiritual growth and maturity they are gaining through these books. To think that these are school assignments just blows my mind. They would be missing all of this if they were just doing the standard textbooks found in school. I mean - they are talking about their excitement about their freedom in Christ after reading an assigned book. I love it!! Can you tell I'm excited?