teaching classic british lit to 9th graders

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Originally Posted by ennison

Unless these are 14 year-old-bookworms with tremendous powers of self-discipline then 'Ivanhoe' is not suitable material. Are you punishing them? Nearly all writers put together hack work and second-rate stuff (By their own standards if no one else's). 'Ivanhoe' not one of his best and even his best is heavy-going for all but the most exceptional of 14-year-olds.

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I'm compelled to get in on this discussion since I'm required to teach Ivanhoe. And while I'm not familiar enough with Sir Walter Scott's 'other' writing to judge whether it's second-rate or not, I can attest to the fact that 9th graders indeed struggle with the book. Even if I can get them stirred up a bit with the notion of chivalry and the excitement of the tournament, they get buried in the language. I've taken to teaching only the Tournament at Ashby segment to my lower-level students, and I teach it in conjunction with viewing a film version. Still, it's a "slow-go"...yet it's a curriculum requirement.

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Originally Posted by Jolly McJollyso

Ireland is part of Britain, and included in Brit-Lit. courses.

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I dont understand why irish Lit is being included as brit Lit. I mean you wouldn't say belgian lit was french or french was spanish would you? no because you would class them as european.

It's because Ireland is part of the British Isles (though not part of the modern UK) and also because Irish literature abroad is simply seen (naturally enough) as an extension of English literature. We wont get upset about that you and I.

i get very defensive. dont know why though.

i saw something on the news or in a news paper recently that they are going to stop using the term British isles because it is now seen as policically incorrect as ireland is no longer a part of britain. cant remember for the life of me were i heard it though.

Well unless it all sinks below the Atlantic we are here!! I'm glad you are.