Sunday, July 8, 2012

Lightening Lit & Comp by Hewitt Homeschooling

"The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is the difference between the lightning and the lightning bug" - Mark Twain


From their website:

British Medieval Lightning Lit 


33% Off
Student’s Guide Reg 29.95 Sale 19.75
Teacher’s Guide Reg 2.95 Sale 1.95







Students read in the following order:

•Beowulf (epic poem; anonymous author)
•Anglo-Saxon riddles (text is in this Guide)
•Piers the Ploughman (epic poem; possibly by William Landland)
•York Mystery Play Cycle 42, The Ascension (play; anonymous author; text is in this Guide)
•Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (epic poem; anonymous author)
•Selection from The Gest of Robyn Hode (epic poem; anonymous author; (text is in this Guide)
•"St. Thomas Becket" from The Golden Legend (biography; anonymous author; (text is in this Guide)
•Selections from The Canterbury Tales (tales by Geoffrey Chaucer)

"Lessons include story telling, imagery, symbolism, characterization, persuasive writing, drama, and description. For example, Beowulf is used to teach foreshadowing, Piers the Ploughman teaches allegory, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight teaches tone. This course makes an excellent companion for studying Medieval History.

The Student's Guide includes comprehension questions, writing exercises, discussion questions, an additional reading list, semester and full-year schedules, and a bibliography. Answers to the comprehension questions are in the Teacher's Guide."

Welcome to Lightning Literature & Composition by Hewitt Homeschooling Resources -

I was very excited to get a chance to take a look at this popular program. It begins with the question...."Why read great literature?" This course will give your student the answer to this question, and hopefully will have them answering "For Pleasure!".

The British Medieval Student Guide made a great first impression.  It is organized very clearly, and you will be able to pick it up and dive right in - just what a busy homeschool mom with high schoolers needs!

There are 4 units with 2 lessons each.  Introduction, Comprehension Questions, Literary Lesson and Writing Exercises.  You can cover it in one semester or one full year (both schedules are outlined for you in the VERY affordable Teacher's Guide...you can't afford not to buy it for just $1.95!)

Since the Bentz Test Laboratory has just discovered this resource, we have not been following the Lightning Literature Scope & Sequence.  We did not have a problem jumping right in to the highest level (even though my tester is just entering the 9th grade).  It matches exactly where we are currently at in our history study.

My tester is an avid reader, and had no problem in reading the selections (several of them are family favorites already...) 

The Comprehension Questions were just the right amount - I hate to kill the love of reading with having to answer too many written questions, don't you! 

What he enjoyed the most was the Literary Lesson. For Beowulf he learned "foreshadowing."  I appreciated that each literary element studied is clearly explained (to the student) in this section.  I don't need to  read the literature selection, or the Teacher Guide in order for my student to learn the concept. (Although, you will want to read their literature selections!)

The Unit concludes with a variety of Writing Exercises.  Once again, the invaluable Teacher Guide gives you Grading Tips and Templates you won't want to miss. 

The Introduction clearly defined literature and writing expectations.  Additionally, several "Activities to Enhance Your Study" are recommended.  My tester decided to keep a vocabulary notebook as part of his active reading. 

The Appendix Section at the end of the Student Guide should not be overlooked.  Discussion questions (great literature just begs for a great discussion!)  Additional Reading Selections, and Schedules will all be valuable tools for your student!

Check out a sample to see for yourself.

I was very impressed with this course, you will want to check out the other levels of Lightning Lit & Comp, as well as , Hewitt Homeschooling Resource's other hand-picked products. (They offer a full 90 day return policy)

See what the other members of the TOS Review Crew thought here.

Disclaimer:
I was sent a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the TOS Review Crew.

 
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