tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963996947883106252.post8957936174828722947..comments2022-05-16T13:54:26.974-07:00Comments on Hope for Homeschool: Planning Language Arts Part 2Merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08551809190430382200noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963996947883106252.post-77604788951189224192015-08-25T11:29:14.311-07:002015-08-25T11:29:14.311-07:00Thanks Merry, appreciate all your help! You're...Thanks Merry, appreciate all your help! You're, I should probably try out the SL LA first before deciding, to complement what we already have. The idea on waiting until after AAS3 for writing was helpful too. I took note of all the rest your insights for future reference. Thanks again! :) Karen Catangayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388872375685758551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963996947883106252.post-49558810427615351542015-08-25T09:09:53.278-07:002015-08-25T09:09:53.278-07:00I hear your concern about his reading. Honestly, u...I hear your concern about his reading. Honestly, until my kids could read easily and fluently, they didn't like it either, though my daughter didn't mind the process of learning to read. My son abhorred it. There was such a disparity between the type of book he was capable of reading and the type he was interested in, and the process itself frustrated him. So, don't give up hope there yet. Have you looked at All About Reading for filling in gaps for him? I'd consider it if that's your #1 goal. I so wish that had been out when my kids were in elementary grades! <br /><br />I think your plan to focus on #1-5 could work well.<br /><br />I actually never did a vocabulary program, and my kids always tested really high there from all the read-alouds we did (we still read aloud--my kids are 16 and 18, and we're reading Silas Marner right now). If he enjoys Wordly Wise (sometimes kids just want something on the computer), it might be helpful, but if not, I'd focus his energy and yours on reading, handwriting, spelling first, (plus read-alouds!) and then order your priorities after that. <br /><br />As far as writing/grammar goes, a few thoughts:<br /><br />It's hard to write when you struggle with reading, spelling, or both. I found my kids were not really ready for a writing program until after AAS 3. At that point they had mastered about 1000 common spelling words, which seems to be a tipping point. When you have to think about how to spell almost every single word, you can't really hold a train of thought in your mind and get it down on paper. AAS also has a gradual progression that helps kids build up stamina and working memory so that they can write longer things. It starts with words and dictation phrases, then adds in sentences, then longer dictation sentences, and in level 3 it adds in a writing station activity where kids write sentences using words they have been learning. So, I find it builds up nicely to prepare a student for writing. <br /><br />If he's not overly reluctant or showing a lot of struggle, try writing, but otherwise, you may find it helps to wait. (And he'll probably go through AAS 1-3 fairly quickly--I find many older kids can do 2-3 levels the first year, and then 1-2 levels per year after that. Did you see the "fast track" start for spelling?)<br /><br />SL LA--many people do enjoy the program, so since you have it, you may want to try it or look through it more before deciding. It didn't work for us because my kids needed more direct and incremental instruction. <br /><br />Essentials in Writing--yes, it has grammar in the elementary years (I've used levels 7-10, am using 11 right now--those levels don't have grammar, so I don't have experience with how he teaches grammar). From what I understand, about the first half of the year is grammar-focus & 2nd half is writing-focus. They have online samples you can view on their website. He's really good at breaking things down into doable parts, and my kids responded well to the assignments. Here's a review I did part-way through 7, if you haven't seen that yet: http://www.hopeforhomeschool.blogspot.com/2012/07/essentials-in-writing-review.html The sound was not an issue after that year, so I think he got that fixed (I should update my review!)<br /><br />With writing and grammar, know that you don't have to do both daily, or both every year. You can do things in units, or alternate years--so don't feel pressured that you have to do it all at once if you find programs that are not all-in-one but have approaches that work for you. <br /><br />HTH some!Merryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08551809190430382200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963996947883106252.post-34904373699659386162015-08-25T07:49:13.248-07:002015-08-25T07:49:13.248-07:00Hi Merry, thanks for writing this article!
I am ...Hi Merry, thanks for writing this article! <br /><br />I am currently confused as to how my 4th grade son will do his Language Arts this year. This is our year 2 homeschooling (with 3 kids). <br /><br />We used Total Language Plus last year (1 book only though, The Courage of Sarah Noble) (TLP has spelling, vocabulary, grammar, writing) Since my son didn't enjoy the program, we tried a literature study with lapbooking (Mr. Popper's Penguins) from ConfessionsOfaHomeschooler.com - it was ok but, overall, I feel like he needed more structure in his Language Arts curriculum. <br /><br />And my biggest concern is that he hates reading. <br /><br />So this year, one of my goals for him is to develop a love for reading, and that's what got us into trying Sonlight (we are just about to start next week)... <br /><br />So I am now drafting his LA schedule (following your advise in creating a routine post) and so far, he has the following<br /><br />1. SL read -alouds, <br />2. readers (and I plan to employ "buddy reading" like you suggested) <br />3. Wordly Wise online to help with vocabulary<br />4. All About Spelling<br />5. A Reason for Handwriting (independent work)<br />6. SL Language Arts (I think this covers Grammar and Writing)<br /><br />On one hand, I'm thinking of focusing first on #1-5 - to help him fall in love with reading first, and so he won't get overwhelmed with the load this year too, since last year's schedule burned us out. (So I wonder if grammar and writing could be delayed to next year and focus on reading first.)<br /><br />On the other hand, since I know we didn't have at least a full-year grammar/writing lesson on our first year, he might get delayed for his 5th grade year. <br /><br />(On a different note, I'm also seeing a preference on non-SL LA programs like EIW so I'm also thinking of having our SL LA returned to get EIW especially if this incorporates grammar already.)<br /><br />I would greatly appreciate to hear your advise, thank you very much in advance :) <br />Karen Catangayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388872375685758551noreply@blogger.com