Abeka 2nd grade language arts

[Elizabeth86]

I am using the whole abeka language arts program for my ds for 1st grade. I love everything about it. The teacher's manual is super easy to follow. I have figured out what to do and keep and what we skip. We really have a good routine down. I really want to use the whole language arts program for 2nd next year. I see so many mixing up curriculum. It seems lots of people agree that the phonics portion is top notch, but the rest of the language arts, not so much. So what is my son really missing by me wanting to go all abeka again? I just hate stressing myself out researching curriculum and trying to adjust to a new curriculum. Kwim? Not to mention next year I will have a toddler and a baby and a kindergartener, so the easier the better.

 

So, wdyt. Is my son good using all abeka language arts again next year or are there some subjects I just really really need to supplement or switch up?

 

And yes it is early to be thinking about next year, but I want decisions made asap. I will have a busy spring with a new baby and I want to relax this summer, so I want be thinking, stressing or researching school.

Edited November 26, 2017 by Elizabeth86

[nixpix5]

Well you know I agree with you about Abeka Language Arts 1. I will shout it from the roof tops and have never seen any kid get to lesson 88 and not be reading fluently. It is AMAZING.

 

Abeka Language Arts 2 there are some pros and cons. The workbooks are just as awesome as in 1 but the teaching manual is really different. I don't quite understand why the changed it. It takes some getting used to.

 

When you say you want to use all of LA are you saying phonics, reading, spelling and handwriting?

 

We use their reading material and it lock steps with the lessons which I love. Spelling isn't horrible, it is standard spelling. You get a list, there are some pages to go with it. Since they do 2 pages a day for phonics I didn't like to tag on spelling pages. If your kids are fine doing the pages then it is a fine program. Do you have spelling 1? If not and you want it, shoot me over your address in my inbox and I will send it to you. I have spelling 1 with just the first couple of lessons done. It could give you an idea if you want to go all in.

 

I don't love the handwriting/writing. Again, not terrible but if you look in your language 1 book at the writing lessons you can get a sense of how they teach it. I think I still have the writing for language 1 too. If so I could send that to you as well. Just let me know :)

[Elizabeth86]

Well you know I agree with you about Abeka Language Arts 1. I will shout it from the roof tops and have never seen any kid get to lesson 88 and not be reading fluently. It is AMAZING.

 

Abeka Language Arts 2 there are some pros and cons. The workbooks are just as awesome as in 1 but the teaching manual is really different. I don't quite understand why the changed it. It takes some getting used to.

 

When you say you want to use all of LA are you saying phonics, reading, spelling and handwriting?

 

We use their reading material and it lock steps with the lessons which I love. Spelling isn't horrible, it is standard spelling. You get a list, there are some pages to go with it. Since they do 2 pages a day for phonics I didn't like to tag on spelling pages. If your kids are fine doing the pages then it is a fine program. Do you have spelling 1? If not and you want it, shoot me over your address in my inbox and I will send it to you. I have spelling 1 with just the first couple of lessons done. It could give you an idea if you want to go all in.

 

I don't love the handwriting/writing. Again, not terrible but if you look in your language 1 book at the writing lessons you can get a sense of how they teach it. I think I still have the writing for language 1 too. If so I could send that to you as well. Just let me know :)

We are doing spelling. We have made our own super easy schedule for spelling.

 

Day 1 he spells out loud and does 1 page

Day 2 he copies half the list

Day 3 he spells out loud and does the second workbook page

Day 4 he copie half the list

Day 5 he does a test

 

He is an amazing speller. Each list before he even sees it I ask him to spell them to me and he almost already knows how to spell them all. I just really don't think he will ever need more from spelling.

 

We haven't gotten into writing yet. I suppose really this might be the one part I have considered doing something different with.

Edited November 26, 2017 by Elizabeth86

[nixpix5]

We are doing spelling. We have made our own super easy schedule for spelling.

 

Day 1 he spells out loud and does 1 page

Day 2 he copies half the list

Day 3 he spells out loud and does the second workbook page

Day 4 he copie half the list

Day 5 he does a test

 

He is an amazing speller. Each list before he even sees it I ask him to spell them to me and he almost already knows how to spell them all. I just really don't think he will ever need more from spelling.

 

We haven't gotten into writing yet. I suppose really this might be the one part I have considered doing something different with.

Yes, this completely. If you use Abeka phonics as intended the spelling just comes about naturally. My two 6 year olds and my 8 year old all went through the program and I am always asked what spelling program I use because of their amazing spelling. They came out of Abeka with super solid spelling skills since it is taught much in the same way AAS teaches. We use SYS in conjuction because I think it compliments well but I can imagine you are noticing how quickly the spelling rules get absorbed. So cool! I just told my DH yesterday that when one of my twins finishes it at the end of December I am not parting with that manual. I am keeping it if I ever have grandkids that struggle with reading and spelling. Best. Program. Ever.

[AdventuresinHomeschooling]

I wish I did Abeka phonics, and that is now the plan for my 5yo. Grade 2 is when it starts to get into more grammar, but it is still tied to their phonics. Most other companies do not really have a strong grammar program until third grade. If it's not broke, don't fix it. Abeka is very strong on skills. The biggest issues are seatwork burnout, but it sounds like you have that figured out. The other issues are Spelling and composition. If you do not have a natural speller, Abeka isn't always a good fit, but it sounds like your child is doing well.

 

Their composition in upper grades is different than the classical method. I learned to write just fine as a child with their approach, but it differs from SWB's approach, for example, with narration and dictation. You can easily supplement with WWE if you like. As they get older, you can easily add a more robust writing program and omit some of Abeka's composition lessons if you like. CAP or WTM would be good additions. I'm planning to return to their grammar with my middle son next year. Their lesson plans, in general, tend to be more scripted in younger years for all subjects, but there is a lot more explanation on the student pages as they progress.

 

I really don't think you are "missing" anything else significant, especially in grade 2. I'd include lots of quality literature instead of just relying on their readers and possibly supplement some writing methods. Abeka grammar was even a recommendation in the first edition of WTM, and it's a top 100 from Cathy Duffy. It's a solid approach. Don't change it just because others like something else better.

[KeriJ]

I agree with everything that has been said in this thread.

[Elizabeth86]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm hoping to find a really fun writing program for ds because he loves to write. I am not a writer. That was the subject I loarhed a d struggled with im school. He writes constantly for fun. He plays on starfall website for fun and he prints himself off writing prompts all the time. I'm amazed he actually wants to write because it was and is torture for me. So I'm all ears for ant writing curriculum you have. I can be open to supplement 1 thing :lol:

[Elizabeth86]

I wish I did Abeka phonics, and that is now the plan for my 5yo. Grade 2 is when it starts to get into more grammar, but it is still tied to their phonics. Most other companies do not really have a strong grammar program until third grade. If it's not broke, don't fix it. Abeka is very strong on skills. The biggest issues are seatwork burnout, but it sounds like you have that figured out. The other issues are Spelling and composition. If you do not have a natural speller, Abeka isn't always a good fit, but it sounds like your child is doing well.

 

Their composition in upper grades is different than the classical method. I learned to write just fine as a child with their approach, but it differs from SWB's approach, for example, with narration and dictation. You can easily supplement with WWE if you like. As they get older, you can easily add a more robust writing program and omit some of Abeka's composition lessons if you like. CAP or WTM would be good additions. I'm planning to return to their grammar with my middle son next year. Their lesson plans, in general, tend to be more scripted in younger years for all subjects, but there is a lot more explanation on the student pages as they progress.

 

I really don't think you are "missing" anything else significant, especially in grade 2. I'd include lots of quality literature instead of just relying on their readers and possibly supplement some writing methods. Abeka grammar was even a recommendation in the first edition of WTM, and it's a top 100 from Cathy Duffy. It's a solid approach. Don't change it just because others like something else better.

Thanks. Yes, the seatwork is not an issue for him at all. Unless it's a coloring page. He hates coloring. I don't require it. I teach the lesson first and give him the rest of the day to finish the seatwork on his own. 95% of the time he finishes right then. He lovess any kind of workbook or activity type thing.

[RootAnn]

For those of us who tend to be 'all over' in terms of our LA programs, it is because we have kids who are more lopsided in skills. Maybe they aren't ready to read fluently until they are in 2nd or 3rd grade, or they can't handle a bunch of handwriting yet, or they aren't natural spellers. Or, sometimes we just like to tweak to our preferred method of teaching. 

 

Glad you have an easy kid as far as language arts go.  :lol:  I found that when there is a program that is 'magical,' it is more likely to be the kid that is magical than the program.  :hat:  (See the threads that talk about how we think we're the best parents ever until we have a Challenging Kid. We were lucky and had a tough one first.) 

[Elizabeth86]

For those of us who tend to be 'all over' in terms of our LA programs, it is because we have kids who are more lopsided in skills. Maybe they aren't ready to read fluently until they are in 2nd or 3rd grade, or they can't handle a bunch of handwriting yet, or they aren't natural spellers. Or, sometimes we just like to tweak to our preferred method of teaching.

 

Glad you have an easy kid as far as language arts go. :lol: I found that when there is a program that is 'magical,' it is more likely to be the kid that is magical than the program. :hat: (See the threads that talk about how we think we're the best parents ever until we have a Challenging Kid. We were lucky and had a tough one first.)

Gotcha. Yes, I am really lucky with him. He is very school-y. He is the kind of kid wired for this kind of structure. He has always had an unreal attention span at each age level. I'm not sure how lucky I will be with the next 2. I may have to tweaj the way I do things when they do school. My 4 year old is smart and he picks up a lot of what his brother is learning, I'm just not sure he will go for so much seat work. He'd rather play. My dd is bringing up all kinds of, omg howndo I even parent this wild child. I hope she calms down before she is school age. :lol: Edited November 26, 2017 by Elizabeth86

[AdventuresinHomeschooling]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm hoping to find a really fun writing program for ds because he loves to write. I am not a writer. That was the subject I loarhed a d struggled with im school. He writes constantly for fun. He plays on starfall website for fun and he prints himself off writing prompts all the time. I'm amazed he actually wants to write because it was and is torture for me. So I'm all ears for ant writing curriculum you have. I can be open to supplement 1 thing :lol:

There are many different approaches to writing. Is there something specific you are seeking? You will find that the classical educators focus mostly on narration and dictation at this age, which would be something like WWE. When he's a little older, I highly recommend CAP. In second grade, you can have him draw something and tell a story about his picture if he likes or have him write silly sentences for fun. There will be some sentence writing in Abeka in second grade too.

[Elizabeth86]

There are many different approaches to writing. Is there something specific you are seeking? You will find that the classical educators focus mostly on narration and dictation at this age, which would be something like WWE. When he's a little older, I highly recommend CAP. In second grade, you can have him draw something and tell a story about his picture if he likes or have him write silly sentences for fun. There will be some sentence writing in Abeka in second grade too.

I never exactly know what I'm specifically seeking. My main educational goal for him is just to have him being able to keep up with what the public school kids are doing. I know this seems lame to others on here, but truly what I worry about. By the time my fourth kid is in first grade I doubt I will care, but it's what I am concerned with now. Ds drawing and writing from a prompt is what he loves to do for fun, so this would go over well with him.

[nixpix5]

I never exactly know what I'm specifically seeking. My main educational goal for him is just to have him being able to keep up with what the public school kids are doing. I know this seems lame to others on here, but truly what I worry about. By the time my fourth kid is in first grade I doubt I will care, but it's what I am concerned with now. Ds drawing and writing from a prompt is what he loves to do for fun, so this would go over well with him.

It isn't lame and there isn't anything wrong with wanting to meet your state standards of education and then everything after that is bonus :)

 

You might like "The Most Wonderful Writing Lessons Ever" for grade 2-4. It is a nicely priced and easy to follow basics to writing. The lessons are fun and engaging.

 

Another one that might work for you is Write Shop. It takes more of a creative writing approach but is guided.

[Elizabeth86]

It isn't lame and there isn't anything wrong with wanting to meet your state standards of education and then everything after that is bonus :)

 

You might like "The Most Wonderful Writing Lessons Ever" for grade 2-4. It is a nicely priced and easy to follow basics to writing. The lessons are fun and engaging.

 

Another one that might work for you is Write Shop. It takes more of a creative writing approach but is guided.

I took a look at write shop and that looks like our style for sure. Thanks for the suggestion.

[nixpix5]

I took a look at write shop and that looks like our style for sure. Thanks for the suggestion.

Based on how you describe your 1st grader I would go for B and not A just fyi. A is pretty basic but I really like level B for 1st :)

[Elizabeth86]

Based on how you describe your 1st grader I would go for B and not A just fyi. A is pretty basic but I really like level B for 1st :)

Thanks for the advice.

[AdventuresinHomeschooling]

If you are wanting to keep up with public school standards, which is entirely reasonable, you would likely seek a more traditional approach. While some may like other programs more than Abeka, it does have a more traditional writing approach integrated with their LA, and across their curriculum. By fourth grade, they are writing one page essays as they form a state notebook in the history program. This doesn't mean you need to use their history or other content subjects, for you can easily add writing assignments into other subjects as you see fit. If you start to feel their writing is lacking, it would be easy to supplement with something. Their grammar instruction is very strong, and it would be worthwhile to use it just for that. FWIW, I was a student of Abeka LA from 2-8, and I did quite well writing academically through college and beyond. One caveat: Abeka works well with students who have a natural proclivity toward language and don't mind all the busy work. Not every student is a good fit to their approach. No program will be a good fit for everyone. But if your child is enjoying it and doesn't mind the busywork, I don't think you have to change just because.

 

Their second grade and third grade LA will be mostly focusing on good sentences, and then they will build into paragraphs and then short essays by fourth grade. This is on par with a lot of public school programs.

 

The writing prompt sheets are great. You can google and find free printable for the size handwriting your child has. There are lots of inexpensive workbooks too where they have suggested writing prompts on Rainbow and even places like Barnes and Noble or Learning Resources. You could just add one per week to get more practice in.

[MerryAtHope]

Honestly, since you have a new baby coming, I probably wouldn't change anything. Even if A Beka is light for 2nd grade, the trade-off in having something very familiar for both of you is worth it during a transition year like this. I really don't think you can mess up 2nd grade (and for all the pushing that schools do, I don't know that the end results for reading, writing, math etc... bear fruit). I wouldn't change anything that's working unless you really fall in love with something new!

 

 

Thanks for all the advice. I'm hoping to find a really fun writing program for ds because he loves to write. I am not a writer. That was the subject I loarhed a d struggled with im school. He writes constantly for fun. He plays on starfall website for fun and he prints himself off writing prompts all the time. I'm amazed he actually wants to write because it was and is torture for me. So I'm all ears for ant writing curriculum you have. I can be open to supplement 1 thing :lol:

 

You don't need a writing curriculum for 2nd grade. He is writing for fun! Let him and don't mess with that process at all right now. Praise him and encourage him and let it continue to be fun. 

 

Congrats on your little one to come, btw!