Name: CHEC Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-06-12T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-14T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Denver, CO

Tagged: Grammar, writing

This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 11 months ago by janell gutwein.

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

Author
Posts
July 3, 2018 at 4:55 pm
janell gutwein
Participant
I’ve been homeschooling for 2 years. My oldest will be in 2nd grade. I started with CLE books, but along the way learned about Charlotte mason. Last year we implemented some of her methods, but still used CLE Learning to Read. I just wasn’t happy with it and neither were my kids…my husband is all for CM method when it comes to reading, grammar, and writing. It sounds great to me too but I feel so nervous to make the switch. i guess I wonder if anyone ever regretted waiting to do formal spelling and grammar and vocabulary. Does this actually work? 😁😄
July 3, 2018 at 5:38 pm
VictorianRose
Participant
I’m in the “same boat” figuratively speaking! Have always taught my kids Abeka (so rigorous!) for LA and other subjects.
I’m brand new to Charlotte Mason and keeping busy this summer researching everything I can. So greatly loving all that I am reading and learning. But, it is still hard as I’m picking out curriculum for my youngest to completely “let go” of all the ways I taught her two older siblings intensive phonics etc. My mindset needs to change which will come with time.
Just made my first SCM curriculum purchase last night and so EXCITED!!!😊👏🙌
July 3, 2018 at 7:10 pm
totheskydear
Participant
<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>
July 3, 2018 at 7:16 pm
totheskydear
Participant
Here they are:
http://www.amblesideonline.org/LangArtsScopeSeq.shtml
https://youtu.be/B5IxHO0CnTI
July 3, 2018 at 7:34 pm
sarah2106
Participant
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.
July 3, 2018 at 7:38 pm
sarah2106
Participant
I find reading a variety of books is the best method to expand and grow vocabulary. When we read Heidi and Swiss Family Robinson, some of those words are new to me, and my kids were hearing them at a young age. What a great way to grow vocabulary, hearing in context of language, not just a list of words and definitions or worksheets of trying to use those words in sentences.
July 3, 2018 at 9:24 pm
janell gutwein
Participant
Thanks for that extra info! And the encouragement and affirmation. So good to hear from people with older kids who have been doing this. Having my husband really support it and feeling like it would be a good fit for my kids…I think we’ll go for it 😄
July 3, 2018 at 11:10 pm
Tamara Bell
Moderator
Janell, I just wanted to pop on and encourage you in your move towards the CM method. There may be moments that seem scary even after you make the transition but there ends up being such a wonderful growth in vocabulary, thinking skills, and understanding. If you need some more help, ideas, how-to’s, or encouragement, take a look at the learning library here on the SCM website. You can search articles by topic. SO much wealth there!!
July 4, 2018 at 1:03 am
Wings2fly
Participant
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.
July 6, 2018 at 8:30 am
janell gutwein
Participant
Thank you all so much. I finally ordered some SCM products this morning. I’m really excited. I’ll pry be back in here to ask questions when we start 😄