| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Literature-Based Learning for Homeschoolers by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006 There are several homeschool methods and curricula that recommend avoiding textbooks and worktexts where ever possible, and using works of high-quality literature in their place. Eclectic Homeschoolers may also choose to use real books, where ever practical, to keep learning fresh, fun, and interesting. "Quality" in a book is defined by literary excellence, and includes "the classics", "real" books (non-fiction or fiction) written by respected authors about subjects in which they are truly interested and knowledgeable, relevant ancient texts, and original source material, such as historic eyewitness accounts, journals and correspondences. "High-quality literature" is referred to in different homeschool methods as "real books", "Living Books" and "Great Books". "Low-quality literature" is variously termed "dumbed-down", dry, low-interest, and useless "twaddle" not worth one's time. High-quality literature offers a rich tapestry from which to learn vocabulary, grammar, and word usage and sets an example for good writing skills and strategies. Biographies, historic fiction, popular best sellers, and ancient texts are an excellent way to learn about history, geography, philosophy, and cultural studies. Check out resources in the Learning Social Studies thru Literature section. Many find it surprising that math and science concepts can be learned -- from preschool thru high school topics -- by reading interesting books written by real experts. But it is true! Children's books, chapter books, biographies, popular best-sellers, online magazines, and journal articles can enhance the understanding of complex topics in science and math. Check out the Homeschool Diner's Literature-based Science section. There are two very helpful Yahoo! Groups dedicated to parents who wish to use living books to teach wherever possible: The Living Math Forum Yahoo! Group, which has an accompanying website called Living Math!, and the Living Science Yahoo! Group Well-chosen books can make any topic "come alive" and lead a student to be interested in further research. Most importantly, high-quality literature promotes a desire for independent reading, which is, of course, the first step to becoming a "Life-Long Learner". A Literature Based approach to homeschooling is an excellent choice for children and parents who already love to read and write. This may not be the best choice for use with very active hands-on learners or with a child who struggles with reading or writing, unless parents are willing to make major adjustments and adaptations in the methods to meet their child's needs, interests, and abilities. Curriculum Suppliers and Other Resources: Charlotte Mason Method - a Christian-focused literature-based approach to learning developed by Charlotte Mason in 19th Century England, and introduced as a homeschooling method in 1987 by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay in her book, "For the Children's Sake". A more recent review of the method is presented in the book, "A Charlotte Mason Home Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning" by Karen Andreola. The method recommends using "classics" and other "real" books written by quality authors, in their entirety, rather than standard textbooks or "dumbed-down" reading passages. Instead of learning thru lectures, children are required to narrate back what they have learned from reading or observation. Formal lessons are delayed until age 6 and written narration is not required until a child is age 10 - 12. Children use "copy work" and dictation to practice handwriting. History is taught chronologically, using historic fiction, and a history time-line is constructed. Nature walks are encouraged, and a nature notebook and personal journal are kept. Emphasis is on literature, art, music, poetry, bible-study, and history. No workbooks, study guides, tests or competition. Recommends short, focused lessons, that aim to instill a love of learning. "Let the parent ask "Why?" and the child produce the answer, if he can. After he has turned the matter over in his mind, there is no harm in telling him - and he will remember it - the reason why." -- Charlotte Mason (1935) Ambleside Online - A free Charlotte Mason online curriculum is available at Ruth Beechick - in her book "You CAN Teach Your Child Successfully" educator Ruth Beechick describes her approach to a Christian-focused, literature-based, eclectic style of homeschooling that encourages unit studies and pulling together curriculum from the library. She also wrote the "Three "R's" Series" for teaching K - 3rd at home. Her books include when to teach various topics within the general subject areas. Five in a Row - by Jane Claire Lambert - (preK - 6) a literature-based unit study approach, provides 5-day lesson plans and activities for each book covered, for ages 2 - 12, arithmetic not included, optional Bible supplement available Moving beyond the Page - (currently K - 3) a literature-based approach, provides lesson plans and activity sheets that are built around four themes each year, incorporates a variety of children's books (fiction and non-fiction), that are included in the curriculum packages Great Books Academy - (preK -12) a literature-based liberal arts curriculum used in some charter cyber schools, can be used independently or by enrolling in the academy, also issues high school diplomas, an ability-based curriculum that allows for mix-and-match of grade-levels, a "real world" approach to math is taught in lower grades, science is minimal (with a "poetic" approach) before 7th grade, Greek or Latin is taught beginning in 1st grade, history is taught chronologically, using historical fiction and (in upper grades) ancient texts, children's classics are read, optional online discussion groups available. Oak Meadow - (K - 12) a Waldorf-inspired, literature-based, "delayed academics" curriculum, can be used independently, or by enrolling with teacher support, if used independently - parent needs to prepare for the week by reading ahead and gathering supplies, encourages hands-on projects, no workbooks, child can pick assignment options based on learning style, emphasizes journaling, arts and crafts, story-telling, and music, strives to educate the "whole child", online high school option available - http://www.oakmeadow.com/ Sonlight Curriculum -- (preK-12) a widely used, Evangelical Christian-focused, literature-based liberal arts curriculum, also discusses other beliefs in their "world studies" units, provides "Instructor's Guides" to implement daily lessons (minimizes parent prep time), complete and partial curriculum packages available, language arts includes copy-work and dictation, children's classics (including many Newbery Honor books) and historic fiction are read, offers a choice of three math curriculum options, science consists of pre-packaged science kits, an advanced reader option is available, doesn't require hands-on projects and activities, no quizzes or tests, 80% of the materials are reusable with other students Goddess Moon Circles Academy - (preK - 12) a pagan-focused curriculum with an emphasis on literature and the humanities, can be teacher or student led, offers full package or partial "framework" option, uses online texts and packaged curriculum, uses Spectrum Math and standard science texts in upper grades Home2Teach -- a nice guide to literary analysis, with example An Old-Fashioned Education -- links to hundreds of free online texts (fiction and non-fiction) that were published before 1923 and are now in "the Public Domain" (have no copyright restrictions), includes history, social studies, language arts, math, science and nature, drama and public speaking The Baldwin Online Children's Literature Project - complete online texts of books now in the public domain (1880 to 1922), a wealth of material, including: Nursery Rhymes, Fables, Folk Tales, Myths, Legends and Hero Stories, Literary Fairy Tales, Bible Stories, Nature Stories, Biography, History, Fiction, Poetry, and more, includes titles commonly used in Charlotte Mason and Waldorf homeschooling, plus nature stories by Clara Dillingham Pierson (for Froebel Kindergarten) EDSITEment -- free lesson plans based on various and diverse works of literature, a project of the US National Endowment for the Humanities |
| "It is books that are the key to the wide world; if you can't do anything else, read all that you can." ~~ Jane Hamilton (1957 – ) "Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all." -- Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) |