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: Using Language Well

This topic has 8 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 8 months ago by TiffanyS.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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June 20, 2018 at 10:08 pm
TiffanyS
Participant
I have a question concerning Using Language Well. Is it possible to use ULW without using Spelling Wisdom? It looks like it might be possible to use lessons 1-70 without SW, but I’m not certain, without buying it and seeing the lessons.
We use AAS and AAR as a guide to reading and spelling; we also use Pathway Readers, copywork, and practice narration with various subjects. I read aloud to my son and my 2 yr old daily … so they are hearing good literature and grammar, too. AAR and AAS are working for my son, and I feel like it is time to (gently) add grammar into our days. I’m not keen on switching to SW, just because it is familiar (and is working), but I would love to try ULW. Any help or wisdom is appreciated!
June 20, 2018 at 10:33 pm
sarah2106
Participant
You need SW to use ULW because ULW uses the SW passage for the grammar exercise
You could use with out the copywork, younger student, or dictation, older students, just doing the ULW lesson if you wanted to, but you need the SW book to use ULW.
June 21, 2018 at 10:27 am
TiffanyS
Participant
thank you for the clarification. I’m going to look at English For the Thoughtful Child, maybe it would work in addition to AAR and AAS.
August 10, 2018 at 12:40 pm
Ellen
Participant
Hi Tiffany, I was asking myself this question and thought I would check on the forum. I am already using AAS and English for a Thoughtful Child. My 10 yr old likes it sometimes, but sometimes she finds the writing too much. She doesn’t like writing in general, but otherwise we have liked English for a Thoughtful Child. I was only thinking about switching because I wanted to use more Charlotte Mason curriculum.
August 10, 2018 at 12:44 pm
Ellen
Participant
I wanted to ask though for other’s opinions if I should be using a separate reading program? We haven’t used any since we gave up on Sing Spell Read and Write in first grade. My 1st grader has been using SSRW and liking it more than my oldest daughter but she still can not read. So I am also thinking about switching her to a different curriculum and trying to decided between AAS/AAR, The Good and Beautiful or SW/ULW. Any thoughts. We are also using the Enrichment Studies Volume 1, and Genesis-Deuteronomy – Ancient Egypt this fall.
August 10, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Tamara Bell
Moderator
Ellen,
Aside from teaching a child to read, CM did not advocate a reading program. She believed it got in the way of the child and the book. Are you looking for a reading program to teach reading? If so, I adore the Charlotte Mason based program, Delightful Reading! I’m using kit 1 with my 5yr old. I used other things with the older kids (before coming to CM) and it was HARD!!! I didn’t know HOW to teach them. The Delightful Reading program teaches me how to teach them. 🙂 I’m so thankful I have a second set of kids (not really….just how we describe the age difference) to teach.
Here is a post that discusses literature in a Charlotte Mason education once a child is reading.
August 11, 2018 at 8:47 am
Ellen
Participant
Hi Tamara,
My 6 year old I think is in between levels in some ways. She knows most of her sounds but doesn’t recognize all her letters. I looked at the Delightful Reading Kits and was not sure which one to get. Which do you think I should get? I always worry that I am going to leave something out. Also can you tell me I fit covers phonics rules? I did look at it, but I don’t remember seeing them. On a side note I bought her the delightful handwriting, though she can copy anything you give in writing very well.
I saw your other reply to my other post and will speak more about my oldest daughter there.
Thank you so much for your quick responses!
Ellen
August 12, 2018 at 9:03 pm
Katie Thacker
Participant
Ellen –
If your daughter isn’t yet recognizing all of her letters and isn’t confident in all of the sounds, you’ll want to start with Delightful Reading Level 1. It will really cement that foundation that will make Level 2 much smoother. Level 2 dives right into building small words and blending sounds 🙂
Katie
September 26, 2018 at 4:03 pm
TiffanyS
Participant
Hi Ellen,
If you’re still using EFTTC, have you tried doing the lessons that require more writing, orally? I’ve read about others doing this, and I’m planning on trying it out if it becomes an issue. It’s not my idea (another forum post), but you could also write the answers as your child narrates them to you, with punctuation, indentation, etc… I love all of the SCM materials that we have purchased, and use; we started with SCM Ancient Egypt and three years later are working through Ancient Greece. I almost bought ULW, but did not want to change spelling from AAS to SW at the moment. With all of that said, I use my AAR as a tool, not because it’s necessity. We only use it twice per week; I do like that it is a gentle approach, and it ties in nicely with AAS. My son reads constantly, and I’d say he’s above his reading level. He also enjoys drawing and labeling, or adding captions to his art. I started AAS last year in 2nd grade only because I felt like he really wanted to learn to write/spell more. He enjoys writing letters back and forth to one of his friends, too. So, AAS has been great for us, even though we are CMers and probably started spelling earlier than Charlotte would direct. 🙂 We use both very gently, and our focus is more heavily on reading, and good literature. But, I honestly feel like when I’m making choices I just have to pray and go with where God leads. I hope you found what works for you and your girls, and are loving your SCM Ancient Egypt studies!