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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: March 12 2013 at 6:45pm | IP Logged
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I'm planning to start dictation next year with my rising 4th grader, and I'm looking at both Spelling Wisdom and monthly titles of The Arrow from Brave Writer.
I know I said one or both, but really, I can't see how both wouldn't be too much, so I guess I'm really saying, "Which one?"
Spelling Wisdom seems cheaper and more flexible, while The Arrow seems to hold your hand more, which could be useful for success as a beginner.
The emphasis seems quite different for the two programs, and yet I don't see a discernable difference between the end result. Am I missing something? Any thoughts?
Also, regarding The Arrow, is it important that the book be one read aloud as indicated? Some of the titles available are those I had planned to assign for independent reading next year over the entire semester. Perhaps in this, I could in fact use both, modifying The Arrow to be spread out and used as a tool for specific titles and filling in with Spelling Wisdom in the meantime?
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Mackfam
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| Posted: March 12 2013 at 7:23pm | IP Logged
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CrunchyMom wrote:
| Some of the titles available are those I had planned to assign for independent reading next year over the entire semester. Perhaps in this, I could in fact use both, modifying The Arrow to be spread out and used as a tool for specific titles and filling in with Spelling Wisdom in the meantime? |
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This is exactly what I do, Lindsay.
I usually choose 1 - 3 novels each year that have a Bravewriter supplement - whether it's The Arrow, The Boomerang, or The Slingshot.
And then I fill in with Spelling Wisdom.
And, I always assign our novels/literature as independent reading. So, your plan sounds much like my approach.
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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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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: March 13 2013 at 8:15am | IP Logged
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Thanks, Jen. That is reassuring!
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: March 22 2013 at 1:51am | IP Logged
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Yes, possible to use both...but NOT at the same time.
Current Example ~
:: 9.5 yo dd. decent reader, amazing speller, loves to write.
:: 10.5 yo dd. very advanced reader, decent speller, good writer.
50% of the time, they do the same dictation from Spelling Wisdom.
20% of the time, they do individual dictations from random things I choose from their individual reading.
20% of the time, they do the same dictation from "family books"
10% of the time, THE ARROW. Like now, they are both doing Nim's Island because I think there are some great writing examples that they would benefit from. Also, we need a fun, little BREAK from the monotony....and they both just finished a couple of very meaty books. Time for NIM and some fun dictations! 
Also, ARROW tends to require a bit more focused time from me, so I only do it when I'm sure I have the time. Now that a couple of the meaty-books are done, and we've completed a couple of other things, I know I have this time. The ARROW really IS fun......so much to ponder and I love how it's all laid out and the explanations are there....I just want to make sure I carve out the time to get the most from them, so I use them with caution.....otherwise, I feel like I'm rushed and we don't get the full benefit from it.
As I have "less littles / more bigs" I can see using them more, actually. LOVE THEM!
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Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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Erin
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| Posted: March 22 2013 at 4:41am | IP Logged
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Well we just use Spelling Wisdom and have benefited immensely.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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Grace&Chaos
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| Posted: March 22 2013 at 1:05pm | IP Logged
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We've been using Spelling Wisdom as well, but I have to admit I was just recently introduced to Brave Writer. I honestly had no idea how much CM influenced this program is. I love the idea of using the more focused Arrow or Boomerang for my kids and filling in with Spelling Wisdom just as we've been doing.
My younger kids have been part of a Literature inspired co-op called Canterbury Tales for the last three years. They started out as 5-6 yr olds and now are 8-10 mostly in this group, the moms are talking about them being ready for more...thus, comes in Brave Writer. We like the idea of our little group committing to a said number of titles for the year and continuing our monthly meetings as a group concetrating on the Literary Element/Term and actual writing projects while having us reinforce the weekly work at home with copywork/dictation/narration of the chosen book.
Either way, I know we'll be trying both next year 
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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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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Dictation Helps: One or Both?
