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1st grade Language Arts curriculum?


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Thanks for the help on the previous thread! I have nailed our curriculum down to this so far for 1st grade DS.

 

Math- Singapore 1B

Handwriting Without Tears

Science units by interest

Social Studies units by interest

 

I'm still fuzzy on LA.

 

What is your favorite LA curriculum and why? Again, he likes to work as independently as possible.

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We love First Language Lessons. At this age, I can't think of a grammar program that is solo. The lessons are quick... usually 10 min. max. It is fully scripted (which I though I wouldn't like)...but I'm telling you it really works. We are having a lot of fun with it!

 

Check it out on Amazon, to get an idea of the layout:

 

http://www.amazon.com/First-Language-Lessons-Well-Trained-Mind/dp/0971412979/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246561051&sr=8-1

 

I'm sure you will find many others on this board who would agree with this program. We also use Writing with Ease (WWE), which is also by Susan Wise Bauer, for additional narration/copywork/dictation.

 

Christine

wife and mom to 4 AP kids

DD (3rd grade)

DS (2nd grade)

DS (PreK)

DS (Baby...just crawling at only 5.5 months):001_huh:

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Well, my dd thrives on interacting with me, but this is what we'll be using next year:

 

All About Spelling (finish level 1 and start level 2)

Definitely a teacher-intensive program and very hands-on. My dd loves it, but if your ds would rather do independent workbooks he might not like this. However, I haven't found another program that teaches spelling rules and phonograms in quite the same way so you might want to take a look at it anyway.

 

Copywork/narration (similar to WWE, but with our own sources)

 

Grammar a la Montessori, possibly mixed with FLL

Again, I'll make sure it is very hands on and dd will spend a lot of time interacting with me. GWG makes a 1/2 level book that your ds might like if you want to start grammar.

 

We won't be doing a separate phonics/reading program. Do you think your ds needs this? He might like ETC, or one of the other workbook phonics series.

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Well, my dd thrives on interacting with me, but this is what we'll be using next year:

 

All About Spelling (finish level 1 and start level 2)

Definitely a teacher-intensive program and very hands-on. My dd loves it, but if your ds would rather do independent workbooks he might not like this. However, I haven't found another program that teaches spelling rules and phonograms in quite the same way so you might want to take a look at it anyway.

 

Copywork/narration (similar to WWE, but with our own sources)

 

Grammar a la Montessori, possibly mixed with FLL

Again, I'll make sure it is very hands on and dd will spend a lot of time interacting with me. GWG makes a 1/2 level book that your ds might like if you want to start grammar.

 

We won't be doing a separate phonics/reading program. Do you think your ds needs this? He might like ETC, or one of the other workbook phonics series.

 

I really don't think he needs a phonics program but I am considering Explode the Code as a reinforcement. I will look into AAS! Thanks!

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We loved FLL here for grammar, but it is not independent work. For something a little more independent, you might want to check out level 1 of Growing with Grammar (she has the 1/2 book separated now).

 

Explode the Code has been a winner for us, as well. If you haven't finished phonics, you might want to wait on a spelling program until you finish ETC, at least through book 6.

 

Writing with Ease is also a good writing program for this age.

 

You might want to consider poetry memorization.

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What is your favorite LA curriculum and why? Again, he likes to work as independently as possible.

 

I think it will be difficult to find a first grade LA that is independent, because there is the assumption that the child is still learning to read.

 

About half way through CLE LA 1 they begin moving the child toward more independent work. My ds just finished this.

 

If however he is able to read instructions fairly well, my ds will be using Wordly Wise 2, MCP Phonics C as review, Easy Grammar 3, Queen Homeschool's Copywork for Memorization, and Daily Handwriting fairly independently.

 

Composition he will need to do with me. He will be using All Things Fun and Fascinating from IEW. I plan for him to do it at half speed with me doing a lot of modeling.

 

HTH-

Mandy

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I like FLL for grammar, though as others have mentioned, it's not independent. But it is gentle and done orally, and only takes about 5-10 minutes a day.

 

For writing, we are really enjoying WWE, but that is not independent either. Copywork days (every other day of the program in level 1) would be, but the narration days require the teacher to read the passage and write down the narration.

 

For phonics reinforcement, ETC is very independent. (Though occasionally she needs help figuring out what exactly the picture is supposed to be!)

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We used VIE (Voyages in English 2006 version). I know WTM didn't like the writing but I think they were reviewing earlier versions. It is published by Loyola Press a Catholic Company, but I teach secular and there are NO religious undertones at all. We are now in VIE 3, dd is a very independent worker and she loves this program.

http://www.loyolapress.com/voyages-in-english-resources.htm

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