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kristinannie
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Joined: Jan 27 2011
Location: West Virginia
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| Posted: April 15 2011 at 2:37pm | IP Logged
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I am trying to avoid workbooks unless totally necessary.
I am planning on using The Struggling Reader for teaching reading, fluency, etc. It is expensive, but I love how you teach through fun activities and games instead of workbooks. Plus, I can completely tailor it to my kids needs and use it for all of my kids. It also has tests designed by a reading specialist to make sure there aren't any holes. I am also using Little Stories for Little Folks for my readers.
At which point do you add grammar? I was looking at First Language Lessons I didn't really know if it was necessary though. I guess I could have him look at a paragraph and find the nouns, verbs, etc. My biggest problem is that I didn't ever really learn grammar as a child. I know the basics, but I could NEVER diagram a sentence or anything. I feel like I could handle the basics (grades 1 and 2). I was thinking of using Voyages in English later on. I was also thinking of using Kolbe grammar. What do you use and do you like it? I want retention and will do a workbook for grammar if necessary, but would LOVE to avoid it!
The other area I am worried about is spelling. I am considering Spelling to Write and Read, All About Spelling, Spelling Workout or Apples and Pears. I would love any advice on spelling. This one is completely undecided!
Anyway, I would LOVE to hear what works for you in language arts. During the first couple of years of HSing, I really want the focus to be on math and language arts. I am going to do other things as well, but those are my main focus. I don't mind doing workbooks for some of it, but I really don't want to do a lot of workbooks. I would rather use living books, games, activities, etc. Thanks so much for your input. Sorry this is such a long post!!!!!
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John Paul 8.5
Meredith Rose 7
Dominic Michael 4.5
Katherine Elizabeth 8 months
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kristacecilia
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| Posted: April 15 2011 at 3:28pm | IP Logged
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So far the only thing that works for my oldest (just turned 7) is... nothing.
Well, not exactly nothing, but not anything that was designed by someone else.
The Charlotte Mason approach, however, works VERY well for him. Except the narration part... we're working on that.
So we do:
- Copywork (handwriting, spelling, and grammar) using selections of material from other subjects- latin prayers, poems, etc.
- Narration (ideally this will also cover other sujects, but right now it's just a single book he finds interesting.)
- Lots and lots of reading from books that are good examples of proper English grammar and composition (these typically cover our other subjects, like history and science.
There a lot of great Charlotte Mason inspired blog entries available online... here is one from our own Jen (Mackfam)! It's one I reference a lot for more ideas that might work with my son.
Also, Mater Amabilis has a great section on Charlotte Mason style language arts.
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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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mommy4ever
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| Posted: April 15 2011 at 3:35pm | IP Logged
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First Language Lessons is very nicely done :) It is short lessons. Any particular lesson takes us 5 minutes at the Level 1. We started only this year, some days we do 2 or 3 lessons.
It includes some memory work. DD has enjoyed that. There is the repetition that is built right in. No real worries about needing to review.
Even if you don't know grammar well, you will  I know more now teaching grammar than I ever did in school. For that matter I know more about anything academic than I did before homeschooling..lol.
There are PDF's are fantastic :) I really like them. Every time I think I don't want to use it, because dd is struggling, it just 'clicks' on the next lesson. Between Peace Hill Press Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading and All About Spelling and First Language Lessons, we're learning SO much :) DD reads like a champ, has great comprehension, great spelling and grammar.
Now I am probably top heavy with LA, but it is crucial she is strong in this area along with math, then anything else is a possibility for her to learn.
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Need some LA advice
