Today, I want to talk about our new approach to Language Arts at table time. The method I am about to describe will not be new to many home-schoolers, but for us, having finally implemented this approach, it has brought such a breath of fresh air to our studies.
I am discovering that if I intersperse this new approach with an occasional week or two of curriculum workbooks, the children are recalling and carrying over what is being taught so much better. The children are making connections and this is truly turning out to be the perfect balance for our family. Right now I can still say that my absolute favorite grammar curriculum is Language of God and spelling is My Catholic Spellers by CHC. Their approach is very gentle, very Charlotte Mason friendly, and fits our family's style of teaching/learning perfectly.
I will attempt to show you how we are currently breaking down our language arts over the course of the week. Currently we are using literature from Bravewriters Arrow list because Julie has already done the work of selecting specific passages for dictation/copywork which address specific grammar rules and literary elements. The prices are very inexpensive and worth every dime.
- GRAMMAR & SPELLING
MONDAY - "Familiarity with passage" - For copy work the children use the suggested passage for that week. With Aravis I may select an extra paragraph or two if necessary. It is required that they use their best handwriting.
TUESDAY - "Spelling Day" - We review the copied passage for errors, misspelled words and poor handwriting. If they get more than three unhappy faces for poor handwriting or five errors then they must re-write the passage for copy work that day. If there are no spelling errors I will pick out two or three words they may have had difficulty with or words that fall under specific spelling/phonetic rules to use. They rewrite these spelling words ten times, make sentences with them, find similar words that fall under the same spelling/phonetic rules, and write out the specific spelling/phonetic rule underneath. I have found The ABC's and All their Tricks to be an excellent resource.
WEDNESDAY - "Grammar Day" - We review Julie's reasons for selecting the passage and the grammar rules. She suggests using Nitty Gritty Grammar to look up the different rules, and we have thoroughly enjoyed their hilarious use of comics to illustrate them. After reviewing the rules together, the children then rewrite the grammar rules in their notebooks.
THURSDAY - "Dictation Day" - We take the same passage and I dictate it to them. Afterwords they will self correct for misspelled words, forgotten punctuation, etc. If they have more than five errors, they have to recopy the passage, but so far this has not happened.
FRIDAY - "Editing Day" - We do "reverse dictation" which is a wonderful exercise suggested by Julie from Bravewriters. Basically, it is taking the same passage and rewriting it with errors. The children then have to go through and edit the passage. This has worked really, really well since the focus is off their personal work and on someone else's. They love trying to find all the mistakes, and having been exposed to the passage all week in one form or another, they do a great job.
- COPY WORK
In our home this is required everyday whether they are using curriculum workbooks or pre-selected passages for spelling and grammar. Below you will see a list of our schedule...
MONDAY - Carefully pre-selected passage
TUESDAY - Saint / Hymn / Prayer / Bible Verse
WEDNESDAY - Learning Center book of choice
THURSDAY - Artist / Musician / Poetry or Dictation passage
FRIDAY - Free choice from copy work jar or pre-typed list
