Queen Homeschool language lessons - gr 1

[swellmomma]

Next year youngest will be registered grade 1 but doing more of a K/gr 1 hybrid. This year she is using Language Lessons for little Ones vol 1. It is designed for preK students but seems to be at exactly the right level for her.

 

I am trying to decide between Language Lessons for Little Ones vol 2 (which focuses on beginning phonics), vol 3 (which focuses on advanced phonics) or Language lessons for the Very Young (which is beginning grammar). She will be doing AAR 1 next year(doing prelevel this year) so I don't know that she necessarily needs another phonics program but I am also not sure about starting grammar just yet.

 

For anyone that has used Language lessons for the Very young, did you find it to be as gentle as the little ones books? Would it work for a young 6 yr old?

[coffeegal]

This is probably no help as I've only used the Language Lessons for Little Ones. I placed my son upon his handwriting, not his phonics ability, and we loved the series. We used vol. 1 for PreK, vol. 2 for K, and vol. 3 for 1st. We had a gentle introduction to grammar, and by the end of 1st grade he was able to copy a paragraph easily. He slid seamlessly into Rod & Staff English 2 in the second grade. My plan is to repeat the volumes again with my tots beginning in preK and ending with 1st grade.

 

Another comment, Phonics Pathways was our phonics program. I used Language Lessons as review, spelling practice, introduction to grammar, poetry study, picture study, handwriing development, etc. It was a gentle method of rounding out our language arts. I also used it for handwriting strength so my son reached second grade able to write copious amounts without complaining. ;) There's nothing like incrementally increasing the amount a child writes from a few letters to a paragraph over 2 or 3 years. :D

[swellmomma]

Thanks for the feedback. Her writing over all is pretty decent for a young 5 yr old. Mostly letters face the right way, (once I remind her to start on the left...she naturally mirror writes so needs that reminder), consistent letter size, nearly straight line on unlined paper etc. We use HWOT for penmanship. 1/2 way through the preK program(I do the whole thing not just workbook) and will likely start the K book before end of year and work through it all summer long. She can also write words out via copywork or if I orally spell them for her. She is not yet reading or writing(other than mom and her name) independantly. Hmmm, maybe vol 3 would be a good fit. I do use R& S with my other kids, 3rd grader in R&S 2 this year, the 2 bigs in R&S 5 (late intro to grammar), so I could do vol 3 for gr 1, and then decide if I will do the next level in the series or start R &S 2. hmmm, decisions decisions.