| Skill Requirements/Prerequisites |
Can read at 3rd/4th grade level (See description for links to comparable texts). Ability to be quiet, to listen, take turns speaking, share ideas. There will be reading, writing, and discussion. Participant should want to take this study group. Completion of homework assignments required. |
| Description |
Junior Great Books
We will read, enjoy, and study stories from the Junior Great Books (Series 3, Book 1, new 2006 version). See www.greatbooks.org. This anthology is diverse culturally, with folktales from Haiti, Japan, Nigeria, Korea, Ethiopia, as well as Europe. The stories are selected for their richness in ideas and language. This book is targeted for 3rd grade, but I think it would be a great introduction to the study of literature for older participants as well.
I will be following the suggested activities in the leader's book, adapting it to fit our weekly meetings. In the 1992 version of this program, the teacher's guide suggests that each story is studied intensively over 5 sessions/meetings, but I expect we will cover a story and some of the suggested activities every two weeks.
I expect to study each story on a two-week cycle. In the first week, I'll read the story aloud while the participants follow the text in their anthologies. Then the participants will discuss ideas, language, and interpretations of the story. As part of the homework that week, the participants will read the story on their own (with parental involvement). At the next meeting, they will draw or write about the story, perhaps taking notes or writing poems or essays. The focus will NOT be on polished essays but in writing to "help think about the characters and themes in the story". There may be a writing or drawing assignment as homework, before we start a new story cycle the following week.
I will ask children and parents to commit to reading the stories at home (possibly twice a week) along with thinking about take-home questions about the story. With multiple readings, the children really get to know the story and can participate more actively in the discussions when we meet.
Note: Participants are required to do the weekly homework. Parents are expected to help children with readings, questions, etc.
Parents, please make sure the reading and comprehension level is right for your child. Children should be able to read and understand the comparable stories below. Complete fluency is not required for participation. Please contact me if you have any questions.
http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=lang&book=blue&story=puss
http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=ransome&book=russian&story=daughter
http://hca.gilead.org.il/ugly_duc.html
[These versions/translations are very like the ones in the out-of-print 1992 edition. We won't be reading these stories in the new 2006 anthology.]
Materials for the study group:
Student Anthology, $19 ($17 + $2 toward S&H fee) - included in materials fee, non-refundable after books are ordered. Books will be ordered 2 weeks before session begins.
Student Reader's Journal (optional, NOT included in materials fee), $11 ($16 minus $5 copy fee credit). I will photocopy my copy of the Reader's Journal for activity pages as needed, but this is a great way to keep your child's work in one place. If you would like me to order a copy of the Student Reader's Journal for your child, please pay me $11 separately in advance, at least 2 weeks before the session begins, when I put in the book order.
I'll be making one order for the books from www.greatbooks.org to minimize shipping and handling fees for participants.
Please email me at c.m.chin@comcast.net if the cost the book is an issue. We can discuss possible options.
Chris |