English literature
is a cornerstone of cultural history, including vital works that constitute the pinnacle of human artistic achievement. But it can be difficult to convey their richness and complexity to children. Many pieces of English literature are simply beyond children's ability to absorb, while others leave them bored and restless. The purpose of teaching English literature to kids is to instill in them a love of the stories and to prepare them for more thorough study as they grow older. The right lesson plan can help you do this.
Instructions
1. Choose the type of literature you wish to teach. In many cases, this should be literature appropriate to the children's age level, but you can find clever ways to include more sophisticated works if you wish. Children's editions of Shakespeare plays (the "Shakespeare Can Be Fun Series," in particular) or stories of Greek myths aimed at younger audiences are a good place to start. Try to look for stories that contain strong hooks for kids: a good adventure, for instance, or fairy tales written for their age group.
2. Read the book aloud in the classroom, either by reading it yourself or having different children take turns reading passages. Older kids also may benefit from periods of silent reading in which they cover a given book on their own. At the end of each reading session, ask the children what they thought of the passage, how they felt the hero acted and what they might do if they were in the same place.
3. Give periodic quizzes after each reading session to test for comprehension and vocabulary. You may wish to assign writing lessons, too, asking the children to write short reviews or thoughts on the piece they have just read.
4. Connect the literature to the children's own lives. One of the biggest difficulties in teaching English literature to kids is showing them how the stories are pertinent to their world. Ask them if they see any traits in the heroes that they themselves share, or have them compare some part of the story to things they may have seen or done in their own lives.
5. Consider putting on a play based on the literature you are reading. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you like and your resources allow. By role-playing the characters in the story, your students can develop a greater affinity for them and further understand how the literature connects to their own lives.
