Language Arts Curriculum for 4th Grader (new to HS)

[kagmypts]

We are new to homeschooling, and I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for a Language Arts program for my DD who will be in 4th grade. She is currently using Zaner-Bloser for handwriting and McGraw Hill for reading. I plan to stick with Zaner-Bloser for handwriting. However, I am looking for reading (DD is a very advanced reader), grammar, writing, and spelling programs. I am open to dictation as well. I really like the looks of Wordly Wise! I don't need everything to be from one publisher, and I am open to either a religious or secular program.

 

For reference, we plan to use R&S for math (if it even matters).

[SilverMoon]

My fourth grader is using Rod and Staff's English 4 for his grammar, which includes some composition, and their spelling 4. He'll be doing WTM-style writing as well.

 

I haven't used a reading program with any of mine beyond learning how to read, so I can't help with that one. My fourth grader is asked to read good literature for a particular time each day. He can choose from a shelf that I stock with good books around his reading level, which are mostly taken from the lists at http://www.veritaspress.com.

 

He's not using a separate vocabulary course either. The Latin curricula he's using puts a good emphasis on derivatives; that combined with his spelling book is plenty.

[Sarahkay]

My 4th grade DS used...

 

Hwot

Growing with grammar

Wwe

I just bought No More "I'm done!" for creative writing supp. Search for some good posts about that resource

Reading - anything! Classic kids' fiction plus whatever he wants to free reading. Currently we're reading the Shakeseare for kids series and he loves it!

[Pen]

We are new to homeschooling, and I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for a Language Arts program for my DD who will be in 4th grade. She is currently using Zaner-Bloser for handwriting and McGraw Hill for reading. I plan to stick with Zaner-Bloser for handwriting. However, I am looking for reading (DD is a very advanced reader), grammar, writing, and spelling programs. I am open to dictation as well. I really like the looks of Wordly Wise! I don't need everything to be from one publisher, and I am open to either a religious or secular program.

 

For reference, we plan to use R&S for math (if it even matters).

 

For reading, just read good books.

 

For grammar, since you seem already to like Z-B and R&S, both have grammar and at least Z-B also spelling programs: you might look at each to see if you'd like it. I like Z-B's G.U.M. (grammar) and used it last year. We will be doing grammar and spelling mainly via dictation and copywork this year, I think--no workbooks or special curricula for grammar/spelling. If any workbook is used for handwriting it will be Z-B, but that will probably just be practiced in the course of other work. If I do go back to a program for grammar it will be Z-B (used and worked well) or Daily Grams (not tried, just sounds interesting, and maybe a brief way to keep up grammar).

 

Writing (composition part) has been a problem for us. Lots of programs (WWE/WWS, IEW, Z-B) seem to be at least theoretically good, but so far I cannot give a personal high recommendation to anything as having been IT for us. I have spent oodles of money and time in this area, and wish that meant I could now give you what at least is my own great answer.

 

As it happens, I started out on this board with everything pretty well set except writing, and was asking about writing. I have now tried many of the popular writing choices. Some have been sadly disappointing, or even felt like a rip-off. Others seemed excellent, but my ds hated them. Others here seem to find things that fit well, work well, and are happy choices for them and their dc more easily...so it may be that some children are easier to fit than mine. My current leaning is to combine the WWE/WWS approach along with Natalie Goldberg type freewriting.

 

You might try the writing workshop area and read some of what is being posted as children's writing from different curriculum approaches. Some are already there, like the big WWS thread. For others such as IEW or freewriting etc. you might be able to start a thread to get samples to look at. Maybe that would help you see what would fit your dd. Children can vary greatly in writing skills with some 4th graders quite advanced and interested in writing and some barely able to do any, and hating it, and anything in between. What level your dd is at, may influence a choice.

Edited September 12, 2012 by Pen

[2_girls_mommy]

Why not go with Rod and Staff for English too? You won't find anything more thorough. And for those that don't need secular, I bet it is the #1 used grammar on these boards.

 

My 4th grader (last year) did:

 

Rod and Staff handwriting

Rod and Staff English

Rod and Staff spelling (she uses it a year ahead, as the words are simple in the early grades, but the work is very good. The 6th grade vocab work this year is phonomenal, and really challenges her)

 

Reading in all of grades 1-4 entailed reading a lot of great books to herself and hearing them from me, and discussing them. She occasionally wrote a book report (assigned in R&S English) and sometimes I assigned her to write a summary of a chapter or a book for me to put in her reading notebook. And we kept a reading log of all of the good books she read.

 

Dictation: I just give dictation once or twice a week. For 4th grade I would often read a sentence from our current science or history studies or from a book we were reading, or using her spelling words.

[julikins]

Don't forget to look into CLE (Christian Light Education) Language arts. There's a thread going on right now about it. It's complete and thorough. I'm not using it right now but am really considering it for next year for both of my kids.