I agree, my oldest is going into 7th grade and we have used primarily CM methods (short tries with other things, but I always dropped them realizing not necessary, LOL). They are getting language arts through copy work, reading, and being read to, they just don’t “drill, drill, drill…” They learn by hearing, seeing, and doing.
My kids are not natural spellers, it takes time, but I was patient and saw around 11 spelling improving and I really think it had to do with all the reading and copy work that lead up to that point and I just had to wait for them to be ready to start putting all that hard work into print. Some kids will need extra help in specific areas, but wait and see and be patient. Work with your student not worrying about “perfection” at a young age. My youngest just finished 1st grade, can he read as well as some of his peers? No, but that does not worry me. He loves to work on his reading in short lessons, and loves being read to, I don’t worry about where his peers are at I just work where he is at 🙂
There is no need to drill grammar, spelling lists, or stress writing at a young age. They have plenty of time to work on those skills and it is amazing to see it all come together.