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kristacecilia
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What do you think the best age/grade is to use Primary Language Lessons?
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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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Mackfam
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| Posted: March 23 2011 at 3:09pm | IP Logged
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It's intended for use in 3rd grade.
I've used it in a variety of ways with my 2 oldest. One started it in 2nd grade and we completed it in 3rd. My other student was not a good enough writer, so we did the non-writing portions in 3rd grade and the writing portions/assignments in 4th, moving slowly and using it alongside other CM language arts. It works very well for us in a supplementary way.
Just in case someone may not be familiar with this title, Primary Language Lessons is available through Hillside Education.
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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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Angel
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| Posted: March 23 2011 at 7:11pm | IP Logged
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I'll be keeping an eye on this thread... I just pulled PLL to look at for my 7 yo (soon to be 8). He's writing fine, but still struggles with reading. I'm on the fence about how effective PLL could be with a struggling reader and wondering if I shouldn't wait another year before I consider it.
I used it briefly with my oldest when he was in 2nd grade. I did not have him write anything because, like Jen's son, he had many difficulties with writing.
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Angela
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Three Plus Two
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JennGM
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We're using PLL this year for my 7 year old 2nd grader. We took it slowly, and it really was the second half of the year that he's really looked forward to it.
My son doesn't have neat writing, but reads and comprehends well. He finds this all very easy if ONLY he didn't have to write it all out.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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knowloveserve
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My son is in a 2nd/3rd grade blend. (His birthday is early September so we've always had this dilemma.) He is doing 3rd grade work in all areas except writing. He loathes writing.
PLL has worked well for us but I take it easy on him. He panics and gets tears of frustration with any kind of dictation... but he does copywork just fine. I think he struggles with thinking of words in the abstract. So we do the lessons, almost all of them... we skip most of the dictation lessons right now and the other things that have him copying sentences, I usually shorten to about 5-7 short sentences a day.
I love the program in itself though. Something can't be beat about very basic tried and true simple language lessons.
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Ellie
The Bleeding Pelican
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kristacecilia
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| Posted: March 23 2011 at 7:37pm | IP Logged
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I have been using this very slowly over the past few months with my almost seven year old. He can write well, and I set the timer for ten minutes on any writing assignment and we just work on it for that amount of time per day until it's done.
He is dreading it; it definitely pushes him out of his comfort zone. I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing. He has some sensory issues and tends to be very black and white- anything that requires him to think on his feet or use his imagination is difficult, to say the least. Today we did the conversation lesson on care of animals and he really fought me.
I am just trying to figure out if I am asking too much of him. Should I shelf it and back off or keep going with it very slowly?
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Krista
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Mackfam
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kristacecilia wrote:
I have been using this very slowly over the past few months with my almost seven year old. He can write well, and I set the timer for ten minutes on any writing assignment and we just work on it for that amount of time per day until it's done.
He is dreading it; it definitely pushes him out of his comfort zone. I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing. He has some sensory issues and tends to be very black and white- anything that requires him to think on his feet or use his imagination is difficult, to say the least. Today we did the conversation lesson on care of animals and he really fought me.
I am just trying to figure out if I am asking too much of him. Should I shelf it and back off or keep going with it very slowly? |
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Hi Krista! Sorry to leave your question hanging there. I've been thinking about it!
I think at 6, I'd probably just gently and quietly put it on the shelf for a day further down the road. He's really just easing into more academic type work. Keeping these first few experiences gentle allows him time to adjust to these new experiences. Just ease back a bit and let him give his best effort on some simple copywork. Maybe include picture study once a week on your own (my 6 yo and I enjoy studying the Metropolitan Museum of Art page-a-day calendar).
I enjoy using PLL in a supplementary way, that is, in addition to our CM language arts. At age 6, our primary language arts approach is through beginning narrations and copywork. I'm thinking of pulling PLL out toward the middle of next year and seeing how my (then) 2nd grader does.
Hope this is a help as you consider how best to use this resource for you and your son!! 
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Jen Mackintosh
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kristacecilia
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| Posted: March 24 2011 at 9:08pm | IP Logged
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I have been letting this roll around in my mind a bit, too, Jen, and I came to the same conclusion. I actually already moved it to the 'not being used' shelf.
I am going to back off, move to copywork and beginning narrations just like you suggested.
Thanks for the recommendation on the picture study! I will definitely check into that. He does need some sort of opportunity to stretch his imagination and thinking muscles a bit. :)
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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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Mackfam
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kristacecilia wrote:
| I have been letting this roll around in my mind a bit, too, Jen, and I came to the same conclusion. |
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Oh, I'm so glad you're comfortable with your plan then!
kristacecilia wrote:
| Thanks for the recommendation on the picture study! I will definitely check into that. He does need some sort of opportunity to stretch his imagination and thinking muscles a bit. :) |
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I do feel like there should be a warning for consideration - there are a variety of art styles (photos, modern, abstract, renaissance, etc.), which is fine, and there are some with specific Catholic content, but there have been a couple that might not be appropriate for young, innocent eyes. (You'll have to exercise personal judgment on this one) I make sure it's my job to change the calendar page so I can preview. I wish I could remember the day I had an *issue* with...and the scene, but I've forgotten. I just wanted to make sure to add that note of caution so you could consider carefully. Overall, I still enjoy the calendar and will continue using it!
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Jen Mackintosh
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knowloveserve
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Simple old copywork and narration are really the best way to educate a young child. I'm convinced. After trying many methods and fancy strategies, I love going back to the basics and I think they are most effective for those first few years of formal schooling.
Dictation is next to conquer but I'm not pushing it hard yet.
Whenever I start to doubt my methods, I like to read Ruth Beechik's "The Three R's" over again.
Simplify, simplify, simplify. And watch your efforts reap fruits.
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Ellie
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kristacecilia
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knowloveserve wrote:
Simple old copywork and narration are really the best way to educate a young child. I'm convinced. After trying many methods and fancy strategies, I love going back to the basics and I think they are most effective for those first few years of formal schooling.
Dictation is next to conquer but I'm not pushing it hard yet.
Whenever I start to doubt my methods, I like to read Ruth Beechik's "The Three R's" over again.
Simplify, simplify, simplify. And watch your efforts reap fruits. |
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Ellie,
Thanks for your encouraging words! I am forever second-guessing myself and feeling like we should be doing more, but I am trying very hard to learn to let go. Having more experienced homeschoolers like you and Jen to reassure me that it *is enough* is so helpful!
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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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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Primary Language Lessons
