The Kid just didn't like Watership Down, the book, and as much as I conjoled and begged and bargained, he couldn't get through it a second time to pass a make-up test. So I've searched online and called bookstores to find a study guide... cliff's notes, sparksnotes, whatever. Nothing. Just a .pdf file for Sparksnotes that I finally ended up getting. We printed it out, I'll punch holes in it and have him read it aloud to me Monday morning, then once we get the movie from the library, we'll watch it and then he'll take the test again.
He wants to read the "Percy Jackson" book next so that'll begin on Monday, with the rest of his schoolwork. Hopefully he'll finish it by next weekend and take (and pass) the test so we can see the movie next weekend. We'll see.
Meanwhile, I've gone through the list of books I'm assigning ... I have it all planned through the end of High School, and got to tell ya... not thrilled at the lack of cliff's notes/sparksnotes for most of these books. Gonna have to re-work this list. Plus I've writen a 5 or 6 page study-worksheet for the Kid to fill out as he reads each book, kinda like taking notes of plot points, characters, symbolism, etc. Hopefully if he fills this out as he reads, he'll have a better grasp and memory of what went on in the book.
It's been a busy day ... office max, making copies of my study worksheet, grocery, gas, library, and so much more. We're finally home, but Hubby still needs to go back to get some copies made. Fun fun!
Have a great evening, all. Vikki
3 comments:
I loved Watership down the book a bunch when I was a kid. I didn't even know they had made a movie of it for several years. Now I have the movie and really like it as well, but like all movies, they always leave a little out.
That book sucked. It would take money to make me read it again.
I'm sure that English Profs think it is wonderful literature, but with so much out there that can grab a kids attention, why shove this crud down his throat? It is a "message" book, with a bunch of preaching wrapped up in a story. I don't remember much about it except for the bad taste it left behind. (and the psychic rabbits)
How about Robinson Crusoe, Swiss Family Robinson, or Treasure Island?
While there is some value in learning how to plow through a book just because you HAVE to read it, you do risk ruining an appetite for reading in general, which would be a shame.
Anon: Actually the Kids loves reading. It's just this book he trouble with. But like all kids in school, he needs to suck it up and do some assignments that he just doesn't want to. Like reading Watership Down, or doing pages of math problems. Who of us have a job that we love every aspect of? It's a part of modern life, and as much as I'd like to NOT assign certain books, it really is a necessity.
He's already read treasure island, and robinson crusoe and swiss family robinson are on his assignment list for this year. As well as 1984 and others.
Tomorrow he starts Percy Jackson... because HE chose it, and because I like to break up his year by alternating hard books with easier books.
Vikki
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