1st and 2nd grade geammar

<p style=”text-align: left;”>The methods really do work! My child has only ever known CM methods and has excellent grammar and spelling skills from reading so many good books and doing copywork. His vocabulary is amazing. I don’t say that because he is my child and I’m biased. Every time he opens his mouth, people say, “I’ve never heard an 8-year-old use that word!” It’s all because of the CM method and great books we read. We have never done formal grammar or spelling with lists and drills… ever. He has done a few stories from the book “Story Starters” and the grammar is always correct, without him asking for help. SCM has a video, and AmblesideOnline an article, on language arts progression in a CM education, so you might want to check those out.</p>

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.

Okay, here is an old post which has been very helpful and encouraging for me and many others on here when we started to doubt the simplicity of CM methods for writing.  Hopefully, it will encourage you, too.  It is a very long post now, but if you read just the first page or two, especially bookworm’s comments, you will gain lots of confidence in the CM methods of copywork, dictation, and oral/written narrations with good books.

https://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/writing-advice/

My oldest will be in 9th grade soon.  I have doubted and tried several other language arts programs through the years.  We did use and like Explode the Code in the early years, when they were learning to read.  That was before the SCM reading program was available.  I have always been consistent with copywork.  I always return to the CM methods.  I love the variety, richness, and progression of writing passages included in Spelling Wisdom and how easy it is to use.  We have worked through to the middle of book three now.  I am pleased with his written work.  His oral narrations are very detailed and lengthy.  It is important to hold them accountable to this after their readings.

We will continue with CM methods in high school, increasing length and frequency of the written narrations.  We have not done much for formal grammar yet, so he will use a course in high school.  We used SCM Using Language Well 2 along with part of Spelling Wisdom 2.  I was happy with that.  We are currently working through Simply Grammar at a relaxed pace as a family.  I wish I had been taught this way.  The methods work.  Be encouraged.