Curriculum for Next Year…

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  • November 25, 2011 at 4:54 pm
    LillyLou
    Participant

    We are currently trying to get an idea of what we will use next year for our children.  They will be in 4th grade and “K”.  Specifically, I’d like some help with choosing some grammar/english for our older daughter.  She is still what I would consider a “struggling” reader, so we have not done any grammar yet, as I’ve wanted to concentrate on reading (we use Delightful Reading, BTW).  I spoke with Sonya last year at convention and she advised waiting and getting reading under our belts before venturing into grammar.  I love the looks of Grammar Land, but I’m also wondering about Grammar for the Thoughtful Child.  What have been your experiences with these curriculum?  Knowing that our daughter’s still struggling with reading (but making progress) would one grammar curriculum have any advantages for her over the other?  Also, what should be my “cue” for adding grammar in the first place?  To give you an idea, our daughter can read books like Little Bear with only occasional help, however, it seems that she’s not very consistent.  In other words, she might do really well one day, then act like she’s never read a book in her life the next day.  (I’m thinking it’s more of a will issue on those days-and a bit of a perfectionist trait-she wants to just be able to sit down and read the book, but doesn’t want to take the time to learn bit by bit…making DR just a little frustrating for her if I take each step as slowly as prescribed, if that makes sense.)  I don’t want to add to her frustration by asking her to pick sentences apart when she may still be having trouble even getting through reading the sentence.

    I appreciate your input, 

    LillyLou

    November 25, 2011 at 8:22 pm
    Tristan
    Participant

    I’ve not used either grammar thing you listed but wanted to offer an idea. Okay, two ideas.

    First, a fun and gentle introduction to grammar you might try next year is the World of Language books by Ruth Heller or the Words are CATegorical series by Brian P. Cleary. Both are fun and you could read them with her/to her. Cover maybe 1 every few weeks (find them at the library).

    Second, something that seems to really help my middle children’s reading is the All About Spelling program. They now have out an All About Reading program to go with their readers too, but we just use the spelling as another way to work on phonics rules, word building, and practice. I find the more ways you can get it in the better, and that daily consistency is key.

    ((HUGS))

    November 25, 2011 at 10:04 pm
    LillyLou
    Participant

    Thanks, Tristan.  I will look into both of those ideas :O)

    November 25, 2011 at 10:49 pm
    greenebalts
    Participant

    We too love All About Spelling!  My girls also really like Language Lessons by Sandi Queen.  Here’s the link for Queen Homeschool http://www.queenhomeschool.com/productpages/Language%20Lessons/Language%20Lessons.html  Sorry, I can’t comment on either program you’ve mentioned either.    Blessings in your decision, Melissa

    November 28, 2011 at 1:36 pm
    jeaninpa
    Participant

    Your daughter sounds a bit like one of my sons in that he needs lots of repetition to retain things.  I agree that working with your daughter on reading fluently should be the primary focus, but if you’re wanting to begin to introduce grammar also two programs come to my mind.  One is First Language Lessons.  I haven’t actually used the program, but have looked through the book and it uses lots of repetition.  Most of it can be done orally.  Another program that seems very gentle is Simply Grammar.  I think that would be a good introduction for a struggling reader. 

    Oh, I thought of another one — Sentence Family.  I have looked at this, but haven’t tried it yet.  It seems like it would be a good program for a hands-on learner.

    November 28, 2011 at 5:54 pm
    Wings2fly
    Participant

    By next year, are you meaning January or August or some other month? If you are looking at August, you may be too soon. Your daughter’s reading level may really sky rocket in a short period of time once it clicks with her. I was concerned for my son’s reading level last spring and we took some time off from the reading program and just read a lot of books that were easy for him. I think we took another week off before returning to the program in the summer, and his reading just took off. It is hard to access their needs too soon in advance. Sorry that I have no experience with the grammar books. I have not used Delightful Reading either. It may not be very CM, but I think the Explode the Code books that go along with our reading program (Sonlight) have really helped in his learning to read. There is repetition of the same type of words as what is in his readers. We have also done Queen’s Language Lessons for the 2nd grade. There is gentle grammar in these, but lots of copywork too. We did not care for the language activity sheets with Sonlight, so use Queen LL instead.

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