Musings of a Mentor

Aug. 11, 2006

WEM chp5

I found her novel divisions and definitions very helpful. Her history of a novel in 10 minutes took a bit longer than 10 minutes to totally digest though :) The examples she gave to illustrate each style, helped me draw the lines of division clearer in my head than they have ever been before.

Her grammar stage notes were very detailed. I thought a bit excessive with an adult reader, I use many of the questions with kids and teens, but I think they are over kill for most novels. One suggestion she makes that I found very, very helpful when teaching the Illiad was keeping the list of characters and a running geneology of both the humans and the gods. When the kids had to keep these lists near them while we read it help tremendously!

In the Logic stage, I liked her questions a lot and have used similar ones to help delve into the novel's heart. I like making a distinction between fable and chronicle too. I personally expect much more out of fables than I do out of chronicles.

I only use the Rhetoric stage with a few books myself and even fewer with the teens. I have found it often takes the magic out of a really good story. In this stage I prefer to talk about how this novel changed me, how does it make me reflect upon my life and choices, is it a universal story or really stuck in one place and time? Does the way I feel about certain characters reveal something about me? And the one that I make every one answer about every book we read, why is this book still being read after X numbers of centuries.....?

I like her choice of important books and think that at least being familiar with these stories that are such a huge part of our social make-up is very important for a well educated person.

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Comments

Aug. 11, 2006 - After this chapter...

Posted by mamma1420

With so much jam-packed in, I wonder how in the world am I going to be able to continue to be the point-person in this partnership. It's a little overwhelming, I've never answered (all) these questions. Yes, I am feeling a little insecure right now but also overwhelmed. I picked up Don Quixote at the library but didn't check it out. There are 74 chapters! In small text. It was one thing to do this on my own but now I feel as if others are dependent on me and I'm not sure I'm the person they want to be dependent on to help guide them. I can ask the questions, but the true test is- can I answer them.

I'm not complaining because I appreciate every single partner that participates but there are times I feel as if I'm alone in this. (Absolutely not a guilt trip at all- just me talking to someone I respect) I feel as if I hold ALL the responsibility for writing comprehensive posts to lead this excursion. I even get a little upset when I notice that partners that were so excited to join are nowhere to be seen. I know, life, other priorities but I'm fully invested in this. I feel pressure (from myself) to post early on Tuesdsays/Fridays so that the other partners can post when they feel like it. I don't even have someone to cover for me if I need to take a personal day away, I have to postpone.

Okay, with all your wisdom - advise me to be gracious. After reading your wonderful notes/thoughts, I'm a little (well maybe more than a little) insecure. Delete this after you read it if I sound completely bonkers.

Jessica

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Aug. 12, 2006 - I am going to email you too

Posted by KyMentor

but I wanted to leave this up for a few reasons. You are not the only person or parent who has felt overwhelmed when learning for the first time the difference between gathering information and educating yourself for enlightenment.

Most people have been taught to gather information, parrot it back and make the teacher happy. In the WEM, it is about really thinking. It doesn't matter if you can answer the questions or not and every questions doesn't match every book. The fact that you are asking questions means you have left the grammar stage of learning.

The best teachers in the world don't know the answers to over half the questions they ask, because the answer comes from within the individual being asked. There is no way to be right or wrong, just be.

Your outlines are amazing! You have a very analytical mind that I envy. You are a great leader because of that very quality. I know it is discouraging when others don't respond to your hard work, but I think it is more because they don't feel worthy rather than anything lacking in your skills. You are doing a great thing by bringing a new way of looking at books and the world to women who might give up without your support.

Read and post on your schedule! If others want to post earlier, they can put it on their blogs first and then copy to partnership page! This is something that comes from your heart. You should being doing it for yourself first, and if others join you in your journey, it is icing on the cake. Relax and enjoy it, don't feel burdened by it.

Be looking for an email, too!

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I hope my blog inspires dreamers to dream big and leaves wisdom seekers a little wiser. :)