Using Literature for Language Arts

Living books, Charlotte Mason called them...

Superb, satisfying pieces of literature that have stood the test of time over decades, to still thrill and enlighten the reader generations on. Except now we can sometimes use these works as historical fiction, to show us attitudes, dress codes, and problems of the day. Feelings and emotions missing from textbooks. There is a distinct connection between literature and social studies. 

We visited a stately home where we were able to dress up in costumes. They had filmed Pride and Prejudice here.

How do we use literature to benefit our family homeschool?

Firstly by reading aloud to the children, books like Beatrix Potter, who needs no introduction, (See the page on Unit Studies) and classic children's poems by poets such as Christina Rossetti, Mary Howitt, Alfred Noyes, and TS Elliot. In our family, these have well stood the test of time and are in the hearts today of our grown children. Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories are nice to read aloud.

Visiting a stately home, the girls were able to act in a Shakespeare play

The girls' Dickens project

Then there are some wonderfully illustrated, but also unabridged versions (which may be of importance to some families ) of the classics such as Secret Garden, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and Chronicles of Narnia to introduce the child to in due time.

Shakespeare's works are available for all ages and abilities, some are very child-friendly and colourful and we have found them to be the perfect introduction. (see the Shakespeare post)

Talk on William Wordsworth at the local museum

We can't talk about classics without mentioning Dickens. The epitome of the classic novelist.  Again available in most key stages to suit age and ability. Good study guides are also available. 

Such a lot of literature is available for free online nowadays, and study guides too. Sparknotes is a particularly definitive list: Sparknotes

We visited Jamaica Inn

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Shakespeare for Children

Oliver Twist for Young Readers

Spider and the Fly

By Sun and Candlelight - Compilation of poems

The Highwayman - Illustrations may upset younger children in this edition

Aesops Fables with Scripture References

Gift of the Magi - Lovely illustrated version

Sense and Sensibility - Abridged - There is a workbook available to accompany this book

We went to see Alice in Wonderland ballet

There are modern classics that you may want to explore, such as Goodnight Mr Tom, Number the Stars, or Tom's Midnight Garden. All have good guides to accompany them. For reading aloud to children, the iconic Enid Blyton always uses good English, though I have yet to discover a study guide. (wink) Paddington Bear is still special in my heart from hearing it read as a child. The Shoe stories by Noel Stretfield or Phoenix and the Carpet, Bedknob and Broomsticks, Five Children and It, Mary Poppins, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, or Charlotte's Web are all family favourites. Robin Hood, and Anne Frank's Diary are even available in cartoon style.

Being Poldark fans we made a trip to the mines

The opening scene in  the Poldark series

Number the Stars Guide     

There are many worthy literacy guides for various key stage levels. These may differ in style, so one may actually be the piece of fiction that will give a glossary for each page (The writing tends to be large print and maybe abridged for the child's confidence. I have never found abridged versions to be detrimental to progressing to the unabridged version later on, quite the opposite. It can light a spark) to the full play, with study guide, character analysis and historical context. 

Importance of Being Earnest  - Full play and summary guide

Treasure Island - younger children vocabulary building version

CGP Guide Macbeth KS3

CGP GCSE Twelfth Night

We have found good text books that include literature excerpts for study.

This is the project the girls did on Narnia. We even made Turkish Delight

Learning Language Arts Through Literature, available by grade, is a year long Christian program, available in the UK from Christian home education suppliers Ichthus, Rainbow and Conquest. (links available on the resources post) 

Secular text books can be useful too. We have found many a living book excerpt. 

Letts Literacy Guide Yr 4 - uses exerts for comprehension. Collins does a similar one called
Focus

Literacy World Essential Texts Stage 3 - available with Teachers Edition Worksheets and Student Skills Book

Have lots of fun discovering your family favourites!