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How To: Spelling Wisdom and Using Language Well
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Hello,
I have two questions.
Firstly, I’d like to receive feedback on my current process. My child has just entered 4th grade. I am using SW and ULW together as my resources (currently on Exercise 85). On day one, I quiz my child on various words in the SW exercise to identify the ones she needs to study. We circle those words in red, and she copies them down on her spelling word page. Then, she highlights in yellow all of the capitalization and punctuation throughout the exercise. Lastly, I have her transcribe the exercise. On day two, we complete the ULW lesson. Before dictation, I give her time to study the exercise. Then, I dictate it to her. Any misspelled words that result after the dictation exercise are put onto a weekly spelling word list that she takes a quiz on once a week until she knows the word. That’s the whole process that I use. Any thoughts?
Secondly, I understand that dictation is primarily used as an exercise to improve spelling skills. However, I am confused on whether to correct capitalization and/or punctuation errors along with spelling errors. I can find no information specifically mentioning anything other than correction of spelling errors. What should the parent do if capitalization or punctuation errors arise?
Thank you for your help and blessings to you and your family.
I understand that dictation is primarily used as an exercise to improve spelling skills. However, I am confused on whether to correct capitalization and/or punctuation errors along with spelling errors. I can find no information specifically mentioning anything other than correction of spelling errors.
Bumping for input (and following!). It sounds good to me, other than I think in order to get through a volume of ULW in the time recommended, you need to do 2 lessons per week.
My son started 3rd grade this year. I am using Spelling Wisdom and Using Language Well, but I don’t think I am doing the process correctly. We have the delightful reading kit 3 but only just recently. Reading proves difficult for him. We are now just working through the Busy Days (Grade 2 level) Reader and it is still a stretch for him. We have done the first four lessons according to the instructions as best as I could. But today when I went back to the first one, I asked him to spell “ought” and he couldn’t do it. He tried “out” and “ot” as he got very frustrated with the process. I am wondering if I should keep going with these lessons or wait awhile. I am also wondering what else to do for reading other than the readers? Thanks.
Rebekah,
Because your son still struggles with reading, you should set aside Spelling Wisdom and Using Language Well for now. Along with the Delightful Reading Lessons, continue having him read from the Pathway Readers and from other easy read books. Picture books are great for this, as are “Early Reader” books like Frog and Toad. You could also read an easy chapter book together, taking turns reading a paragraph or page at a time, whatever he is comfortable with.
Have him continue doing copywork, but every now and then tell him before he does his copywork that you are going to choose one word from his copywork for him to spell when he has finished copying. Ask him to spell the word. If he is unsure, let him see the word as he spells it. You do not want him guessing. All of this helps to train him to look carefully at the words as he writes them, and prepares him for transcription in the first half of Using Language Well, Book 1 and prepared dictation in the second half, when he is ready for those.
When his reading is no longer a struggle, you can start Spelling Wisdom and Using Language Well, following the instructions in the Using Language Well book.
Thank you so much. That was very helpful. In regard to using the delightful learning kit, we have gone through the entire kit. Should I start over at the beginning to build confidence or just pick out lessons that i think cover areas where he struggles? Thanks again.
I would review lessons that would help him in the areas that he struggles. If that seems as if it would be too repetitive and would cause him to lose interest, you might consider the Hymns in Prose for Children reader and the Hymns in Prose Teacher Book to continue reading lessons with new material. The Hymns in Prose Teacher Book has reading lessons planned out for you similar to the lessons in Delightful Reading.
I agree with reviewing what you think would help, but I don’t know that I would fully repeat. It is hard when reading does not quite “click” but knowing my kids and talking to many friends… sometimes it just takes time and patience. Continue to read to him and find books that are a bit “easier” to build his confidence. My ODS at the start of 3rd grade could read but it was still hard, he was reading Frog and Toad, but by the end of 3rd grade he was reading old Hardy Boys books. Something over Christmas break, right after he turned 9 it was like the “light” went on and he started doing much better. My DD was also almost 9 before reading got easy and fun for her, prior to that she could but it was still “work”.
Owls in the Family was one of his favorites last year. It is such a fun story but not too difficult to read, he and I would swap back and forth reading it together. Also books by Clyde Robert Bulla. They are written well with interesting topics and characters, but not too difficult.
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