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kristacecilia
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| Posted: March 14 2012 at 12:28pm | IP Logged
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I am trying to get a BIG PICTURE of what my language arts program will (roughly) look like for the duration of my childrens' education. I know it will all be subject to each child's disposition, learning style, speed, etc, but this is just a very general, very big picture to start from. I was hoping some of you ladies who have "been there, done that" could give me any input about holes or over-enthusiasm in any particular area. The grade assignments a very loose, just to give me an idea of what and when each thing would happen as sort of a backbone.
Obviously there is a lot of flexibility here, and the programy-things- phonics, grammar, etc- would be gone through at the child's pace so it could take one year or three, depending on the kid.
BIG PICTURE:
PreK/K: Gentle pre-reading/early phonics as desired.
PreK/K/1: Phonics (We use Little Angel Readers)
1: Beginning copywork, beginning oral narration
2/3: Primary Language Lessons, copywork, oral narration
3/4: Dictation (Spelling Wisdom), copywork, oral narration, maybe introduction to typing.
4/5/6: Grammar (Jr. Analytical Grammar and Jr. Analytical Grammar: Mechanics,taking as many years as needed to complete,) copywork, dictation (Spelling Wisdom), oral narration moving to written narration, typing.
6/7: Dictation (Spelling Wisdom), copywork? (if still needed), written narration, typing
7/8/9/10: Grammar (Analytical Grammar Pts. 1-3), Dictation (Spelling Wisdom), Copywork? (if still needed), written narration
10/11/12: Essay/Research paper (possibly using the Analytical Grammar materials), Dictation (SW), written narration
Other resources I want to use as desired:
Grammar-Land (probably when we do Grammar in 4/5/6 grade)
Story Starters by Karen Andreola (throughout)
.... but does that look reasonable, challenging, and complete without being overkill?
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God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
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kristacecilia
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| Posted: March 19 2012 at 7:09pm | IP Logged
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Almost 100 views and no suggestions? I thought you ladies liked to talk? I don't know if I should be flattered or worried.  
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God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
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Grace&Chaos
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| Posted: March 19 2012 at 7:45pm | IP Logged
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kristacecilia wrote:
| Almost 100 views and no suggestions? I thought you ladies liked to talk? I don't know if I should be flattered or worried. |
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Probably flattered  with the exception of Analytical Grammar (which I haven't looked at before) your plan looks very similar to ours 
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Jenny
Mom to dds(00,03) and dss(05,06,08,09)
Grace in Loving Chaos
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Grace&Chaos
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| Posted: March 19 2012 at 7:46pm | IP Logged
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Oh yes, I haven't seen Angel Readers either 
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Blessings,
Jenny
Mom to dds(00,03) and dss(05,06,08,09)
Grace in Loving Chaos
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Mackfam
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| Posted: March 19 2012 at 8:41pm | IP Logged
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Oh, I'm so glad you bumped....because I intended to respond, and then life got very full here....and I forgot.
I really like your plan a lot!!! Like Jenny, your plan is very similar to ours, and it has worked out very well for us over the years. We enjoy the Little Angel readers, too, along with a little of the Faith and Freedom readers, and using our chalkboard for daily sight word practice. LOVE Story Starters and Grammar Land!
There are just a couple of areas our plan looks different from yours, and I would consider those personal pref, or just different family choices:
** We do Winston Grammar instead of Analytical, covering grammar formally only 3 times (years) out of a student's formal education - once in upper elem., once in middle school, once in high school. Most of grammar is solidified and covered through studied dictation lessons.
** I have my upper level kids read a lot of what I consider living grammar: Eats, Shoots and Leaves, The Elements of Style, The Lively Art of Writing....and many others.
** We start typing/keyboarding skills in 4th grade.
** We have really used and benefited from some Bravewriter elements (The Writers Jungle for me around 4th grade and Help for Highschool for the high school student - and was/is a fabulous help for high school writing!!)
** Copywork is not done beyond 7th grade unless a child has chosen to continue it in acquiring a new penmanship skill (like calligraphy). Around 8th/9th grade they start a Commonplace book.
Great plan, Krista!! Hey, Charlotte Mason language arts methods are RIGOROUS!!!! Don't get weak kneed because you don't see many formal programs or workbooks listed on your plans! My kids work hard and learn much in living out a plan that looks very similar to yours!!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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kristacecilia
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| Posted: March 20 2012 at 7:36am | IP Logged
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Okay, thank you very much for your input! It's just nice to have more seasoned homeschooling ladies letting me know that I am not off my rocker. Or that I am off my rocker. Either way, I appreciate the help!
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God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
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Syncletica
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| Posted: March 26 2012 at 12:34am | IP Logged
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Hi Krista -- thank you for your post!! I have just been perusing Analytical Grammar's site, and am liking very much what I see! The Essay and Research Report packs are definite 'must-buy's' for me!!
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keac
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| Posted: March 27 2012 at 9:02am | IP Logged
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A very reasonable and well-thought out plan, Krista! It looks good!
*I would second Jen's "living grammar" books
*I would add as something to consider as a "living grammar" book in the early grammar years, the Ruth Heller series World of Language. They are picture books, each one devoted to a part of speech but they are meaty! We will read one out loud, once a week, for 6 weeks stopping when we get to a new concept and discussing it briefly, listing some examples. Then next week we would start reading at the beginning again and read until we get to a new concept (usually every two-page spread or so). By the end of the half-term, we are all the way through. Just a gentle introduction to the concepts. And beautiful illustrations!
*Personally, I would consider the start of dictation loosely; they may or may not be ready by grade 3/4. Good reading skills are a great help; after the sounding-out-words phase, they are starting to "see" the whole word. Another help is to encourage as they advance in copywork, copying word by word instead of letter by letter. Even as they do beginning letters, talk about the parts of the letter, the different strokes and have them copy an A just like yours. As they do that well, then ask them to look at the A; see the different strokes, see the whole picture of the A in their mind's eye, then copy it from their mind's eye, without looking back. Then follow with words. But I feel this practice of seeing the whole in the mind's eye, in addition to proficient reading is really what sets the stage for moving easily into prepared dictation practices.
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Karen in Kansas City
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cheesehead mom
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Piggy backing to ask a question...Do you make them do the commonplace book in cursive or is it their choice?
Laura
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Mackfam
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| Posted: May 07 2012 at 9:44pm | IP Logged
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Their choice. My daughter prints in hers. She has always preferred to print. I don't require a particular print for the commonplace book, Laura, because once they work on the commonplace book the entries are their choices. I encourage the child to add entries...and that's pretty much it. I don't even look at a child's Commonplace book unless I'm invited. We don't begin a Commonplace book until high school here. You could probably begin one any time from middle school on as long as habits of good penmanship are in place.
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Jen Mackintosh
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Big Picture of LA- Input appreciated!
