Teaching the Classics, the literary analysis program by Adam and Missy Andrews, is one of the most perennially popular courses we offer at Exodus Books, but it doesn't go far enough. Lesha Myers' Windows to the World takes up where the Andrews' course leaves off, but it's more of a general than a particularcurriculum, offering literary analysis guidance to be applied to literature in general rather than to specific works.
High school students, however, are at the stage where they can begin thinking creatively and originally, but they still need guidance and parameters. Jill Pike's A Syllabus for Introduction to Literary Analysis is meant to be used with both Teaching the Classics and Windows to the World, and offers the needed guidance both for teachers and students. Instead of simply letting users apply general principles, Pike shows them how using specific texts (and a movie).
How Does This Work?
This is not meant to replace either the Andrews' or Myers' texts, but to unify them into a single workable whole. Pike stresses that the Teaching the Classics portion of her syllabus (which takes up the first five weeks) is optional; but if your students have had no formal introduction to literary analysis before, we highly recommend completing these initial lessons. Windows to the World is a lot more challenging, and kids having to learn both the concepts and the vocabulary simultaneously are more likely to get frustrated.
A Syllabus for Introduction to Literary Analysis is intended for use with high schoolers, and is best completed as a one-year program, though you could compress it into a single semester by striking some of the content. Teachers should plan on teaching once a week for about two hours; students should plan on three hours of homework. This is not a student-directed course; it requires teacher preparation and involvement, and is best used in a group setting.
The first five lessons cover the DVD content of Teaching the Classics, and each includes a list of the necessary handouts, how to conduct the class itself, and extensive homework assignments and objectives. Lessons 6-28 cover Windows to the World, and follow the same structure except that a "Teacher Preparation" section is added to each lesson. A number of appendices with charts, cut-outs, vocabulary lists, quizzes and tests, and more supplement and complete lesson content.
There are actually two books contained in this volume: the "Teacher's Notes" is the teacher edition, while the "Student Homework Pages" provide the reproducible pages for students to work through, as well as grading pages that help them know exactly what's required of them for the assignments. Some of the stories used can also be found in the student portion, though you'll also need to obtain some hard copies of novels (like To Kill a Mockingbird and Jane Eyre).
Both Teaching the Classics and Windows to the World are conversation-heavy courses, so much of Jill Pike's syllabus is oriented toward facilitating dialogue. There's also a lot of written work, so you'll want to be sure your students have their grammar down; if they don't, Pike suggests getting them up to speed with Pamela White's Fix It! exercises. She also points out that, since Windows to the World is an Institute for Excellence in Writing program, familiarity with Teaching Writing: Structure and Style is a huge benefit, though not necessary or a prerequisite.
Many parents may find the courses used in A Syllabus for Introduction to Literary Analysis somewhat difficult to implement on their own without further guidance, Pike's book takes away nearly all the difficulty. By applying the principles in both programs directly to actual texts, she shows those principles in action and leaves nothing to chance or guesswork. She uses classic literature that most people will encounter at some point or other, and eliminates the mystery that often hangs about the frequently maligned and misrepresented art of literary analysis.
Our Honest Opinion
Teaching the Classics and Windows to the World are both very good programs, but the lack of direct application in both (there is some, just not enough) make them less-than-optimal for many families. Jill Pike's Syllabus is the perfect solution, highlighting the most important content from each course and then demonstrating it in action. A Syllabus for Introduction to Literary Analysis is easy-to-use, clear, and immensely helpful.
If you weren't an English major in college, and haven't had a lot of exposure to literary analysis or the serious study of literature, you should buy this book before trying to teach your kids. You'll need both the courses she uses, too, and while that may be a bit expensive, it's worth every penny if you want your kids to be able to think critically about what they read. Both courses are very good on their own; put together and expanded as they are here, they become excellent.
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