Three Cheers for Using Language Well !

Sonya, I just looked at the samples and am very excited! Well done! My children are going to enjoy the fluid integration of LA and spelling. We are tuckered out of mix and match spelling, grammar, writing instruction.

But my dear, can you please please, please, just leak one little word as to what might be coming next? I would rather know what NOT to buy yet for next year if you have another wonderful slice of curriculum pie being served up soon. I am thinking many of us will want to scoop up this new coming componenent too.

this looks like a fabulous resource!!

So the plan to still recommend to do Analytical Grammar (in 6th, 7th and 8th) alongside Learning Language Well???  Not Jr. Analytical Grammar anymore?

I’m trying to figure out how (and if) we should switch to LLW and Spelling Wisdom. My dd is going into 5th/6th grade (fall bday, does work on 6th grade level, but is technically going to be in 5th grade.) She reads very well and a LOT.  English and grammar just click for her… we’ve been using AAS but it just seems so dry, phonogram, rules, word list, test… it’s not a challenge for her but she does enjoy finding out WHY words are spelled the way they are. We’ve also used the first half of JAG and again dry but interesting.  She does wonderful oral narrations but not much written, that’s my goal this next year to work on written narrations… I am tempted by IEW thought.  I believe in CM and narration… but am not confident in writing and then get trapped in the “not enough” thinking… love the idea of a bit more hand holding through narration 😉

Anyhow, if I switched her to LLW and SW (level 2) should I drop the second half of JAG?  Then start in on AG the NEXT year (with the second half of LLW and SW)????? Also in using LLW (future levels) there would not be a need for a specific writing curriculum, correct?

If we were neighbours, I would cut you a bouquet of my roses and arrive at your door with chocolate too! Thank you! Exciting things afoot.

This looks great!  I had already planned on purchasing Spelling Wisdom and something else to add in a little grammar.  So glad I didn’t buy the something else!  I love how simple SCM makes everything.

Sonya,

I am trying to think this through for my ds11. He struggles with spelling, though he is s.l.o.w.l.y. improving. He has written 1 narration per week for the past year and I introduced some science narrations with labeling/diagrams toward the end of last year. His narrations have a decent flow of thought, but several errors with spelling, punctuation, etc. He completed Jr. AG  and Jr. AG Mechanics in 4th grade without difficulty, but doesn’t apply it all consistently yet. We did not cover grammar in 5th.

For the coming year, he will be using Get Smart Grammar this year in 6th. I’m confident he will grasp the grammar well. This kid is a get-er-done type and he likes a list and knowing just what is expected. I am wondering about backing up to SW book 1, lesson 45 or so and moving forward again. I think we could start with 3-4 days per week as a major focus area for at least term 1 and then drop back to 2-3 a week in term 2. I think 4 days per week would probably be good for him as that daily consistency would help things to stick better as we start up the new year. Starting up with written narration will be a bit of a difficulty, too. Perhaps starting with rubric 1.5 and then moving forward at his pace. I would like to move him to 2 written narrations per week this year. Maybe 1 narrative and 1 expository. What do you think of this plan?

For dd14 who also struggles with spelling, we will simply keep moving forward with dictation and written narrations, but I’m going to write up a rubric for her to use along with an editing checklist. I like the tracking sheet for my use. It will help me tremendously!

DD8 is easy, we will start with SW1 and ULW1 and simply be consistent. She is going to be more of a natural speller anyway. Thankfully!

Thank you so much for the excellent resources you publish and for always answering questions in such a thoughtful manner.

Warmly,

Christie

I am new to CM and have drank the SCM koolaid :p I have purchased Spelling Wisdom 1 for all 4 of my kids, ages 10-13. I had decided since 3 are weak at spelling (youngest 2 dyslexic) and none have experience or successful experience with written narration/prepared dictation, that SW1 would be a great gentle introduction. I know it will be quite simple for my 13yo. However, it is like pulling teeth for any form of written work to be completed by him. So I will stress again, I am wanting to set them all up for success.

We currently own several levels of Rod and Staffs Grammar program and although my oldest boys hate it, I was going to use it as an oral review instead of AG. Simply because we own it. My other 2 have not had a major grammar focus because we have been focusing on reading remediation.

So, even if this may be too simple for the normal student, would you still recommend it to students that *I* feel will respond well to the gentle introduction of SW1 or would you seek out a remediated version of grammar curriculum?

Thanks for any insight you may provide!

@Amanda, I think the guided discovery method is beneficial and effective and isn’t restricted by age. You know your children better than anyone else does, so go with what you think will work best.

One thing to consider with your 13yo is that it could take 4 years to complete Books 2 and 3 (when it comes out) to cover grammar fully. Will that be too close to graduation age for him? If you think you might need to progress more quickly in his situation, you might want to look into a more concise grammar course.