Vocabulary/Spelling/Language Arts suggestions please!

[Susan C.]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum and have really enjoyed reading other posts. I am looking to go a little out of the box with vocabulary and spelling for my upcoming 10th grader. I am open to grammar/composition suggestions as well! I know this is a classical education forum, but Latin vocabulary hasn't worked well over here.... I do like Wordly Wise, it is in the running. Are there some good vocabulary builders that any of you can recommend? She also could use a spelling program of some sort at high school level. She finished all that Spelling Workout has this year. I did have frustration with A Beka's spelling, they did spell some word endings in a non-conventional manner and the words are huge (my son ate that up, but she gets overwhelmed).

 

I (and my daughter) really like BJUP Writing and Grammar workbooks. I own A Beka's 10th grade, my son did well with it, and she wants to stay with BJUP. (But it would be nice to not have to buy!). Any of you have suggestions for this level that they can do on their own and run easily? We do like the workbooks, so I didn't like Rod and Staff.

 

I did have some frustration with both programs, we did grammar A LOT (and thankfully both kids are good at it), but they are both resistant writers. I am wondering if these publishers spend too much time in the details of things, and if we should be writing more. But I needs loads of guidance for this, I am not good at writing or coming up with specific writing assignments. And I need help with grading as well.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[Veronica in VA]

My dd used Wordly Wise for a long time. This year we used Vocabulary Cartoons. It was something a little different and she seemed to retain a lot of it. We never used BJUP so I can't compare but we have really liked Analytical Grammar. It is in a workbook format, but doesn't include writing. DD was a terrible speller and we used IEW Phonic Zoo level C for 9th grade. She still isn't the best speller, but it did help. I didn't buy the DVD's due to budget reasons, but just the cards. For writing we have used different things - IEW, Wordsmith Craftsman, and Format Writing. For resistant writers I would defintely look at either IEW or Wordsmith Craftsman. My ds, who was a resistant writer, did well with both of those programs.

What are you using for history - does your history program have some writing ideas? I haven't seen the newest edition of WTM, but you might want to check to see some other ideas.

 

Hope that helped some,

 

Veronica

[Susan C.]

Thank you Veronica! I do have Craftsman and Format Writing, I'll look at them again. Did Format Writing with my older one, and liked it. For history, I want to use a textbook, we will see if she complies! Don't know if there are good writing assignments with that, even if there were, the only way I can check the paper is to read the text (ugh). I own Streams of Civilization and can borrow BJUP World History (used that for son and liked it). I have used Beautiful Feet and Greenleaf Press, but since both of my kids are very independent and don't want to do school with mom, doing the textbook, letting them answer the questions, and checking them in teachers guide has worked well. I do know it is a little boring, but since we did the book approach in younger years, I am hoping that the texts can summarize what they did then.

 

I'll look at the vocab. idea also, and my friend has WTM, I can look at that as well. Thanks again!

[siloam]

Susan,

 

Megawords is both vocab and spelling.

 

Heather

[MIch elle]

Vocabulary for the High School Student or Vocabulary for the College Bound Student are both excellent

 

IEW History Based Writing Lessons or IEW Elegant Essay are programs we like