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English/Language Arts advice
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I have a rising 2nd grader and am in need of feedback or advice for Language Arts and English?
We are currently using AAS, WWE and FLL, but have been thinking about switching to Rod and Staff or even another English curriculum. We followed the classical route but would like to incorporate CM methodologies as well. Is there something out there that includes everything?
Our preference is that there is something to evaluate/test periodically as well.
Thanks in advance!
We use ELTL. It’s a CM/Classical blend, however it does not include any testing. It does give them questions to evaluate their own writing when they get to written narrations.
Rod and Staff would be a big departure from the Charlotte Mason style of teaching Language Arts – unless you are talking about some of the readers, which are very good. They have a heavy emphasis on learning the phonetic alphabet and grammar usage. One of the frustrating dynamics of teaching English in the CM style is that there are very few curriculums that attempt to put it all together in one book. Generally, parents find themselves choosing various resources to get the job done, and it can be a bit of trial and error. One that does a fairly good job is the Language Lessons series by Queen homeschooling. Personally, I prefer pulling together my own curriculum and at the second grade level, I use copybooks by SCM, dictation, oral narrations, and some lessons from Easy Grammar. A spelling curriculum could be an option at this level, though it isn’t specifically suggested for kids this young. Spelling Power and Rod and Staff have worked well for us in the past. There are some great resources on this website and the blog about teaching English the CM way. I hope you find what works well for you!
Per CM, a rising second grader doesn’t need any testing or directly organized grammar or spelling teaching; at the most, just the Explore! Ruth Heller books
Testing isn’t required because you will know her comprehension of lit and picture study materials via oral narration (or drawing narrations), seeing her penmanship and copywork progress, and you will hear and see her reading progress
You mainly want to expose to wonderful language via great children’s lit; copywork/penmanship practice; children’s poetry; learning to read; picture study; beginning oral narrations; building the love of language; (don’t dissect it yet)
Curriculum options that would fall in the CM/Classical fence that incorporates these elements:
Primary Language Lessons from Emma Serl (you can use the TG from Lost Classics to help measure her progress) –
English for the Thoughtful Child
English Lessons through Literature (seems to have the most classical elements)
Any of these three would be fine
Recently SCM made a video that explains how the different parts of language arts are taught using Charlotte Mason’s methods. I hope it helps you determine what is best for your 2nd grader.
I can’t wait to check out the video mentioned by Karen above- Thank you SCM!
To the OP, based on your post above I’d say English Lessons Through Literature might suit you best as it really does combine Classical methods with CM. Cathy Duffy’s review is quite detailed so you could start by checking that out. I have used bits and pieces of ELTL with my 2nd, 4th and 5th, 6th grades and can truly say it blends classical and CM methods quite nicely. HTH Angie
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