Language Arts help for first grade

[Guest rainmyst]

Hi,

 

I am new to the board and looking at what my dd 5 years old will do next year in first Grade.

 

I am needing some language arts help.

 

This year we started off using MFW, but found it too slow in the phonics department with my already reading child so we used Abeka to supplement.

 

My plan for next year is:

 

History: SOTW

Math: MUS

Science: AiG

Language Arts:Abeka Letters and Sounds

Abeka Spelling

Thinking of using First Language Lessons and Writing with east, but wondering if I still need Abeka's Language 1

 

I have a borrowed copy of Abeka's Language 1 and it looks like it goes over lots of phonics stuff, but also many things that I am not sure will be in the phonics books or in any of the other books. Abeka's language book goes over rhyming words, riddles, compound words, opposites, syllables, dividing words with double consonants, root words, adding suffixes, ect. Can you guys tell me if these things will be taught in the FLL and WWE or are they supposed to be in the phonics book. I do not have access to the Abeka phonics book to look at that. Would I need the Abeka Language book along with the FLL and WWE? Also, would the WWE be okay to use as our primary handwriting or do I still need to supplement with something else?

 

Thanks!

[Maela]

I've never looked at Abeka, but I can tell you what we use. FLL, OPGTR, WWE, Explode the Code and Primary Phonics workbooks, Classical House of Learning Literature (CHOLL). This seems to cover everything language arts IMO, and is working very well for us. DD is kindergarten age, but working at a first grade or higher level.

 

 

ETA: Oh, as far as handwriting goes, I think it would depend on how long your dc has been writing. We were just using WWE (dd's been writing for 1.5 yrs), until I noticed my dd's positioning/grip was getting weird. So we've been using a handwriting workbook (D'Nealian (sp?)) to concentrate on that especially. It's already improving, and I think soon we'll drop it; the copywork from WWE will be enough.

[Guest rainmyst]

Thanks for the info Maela! Does the CHOLL add a bit to the grammar/language part of your curriculum? I have not looked at that. I may have to do something for handwriting. DD has been writing her school work for a year, but we have not done any formal handwriting except letting her copy the ABCs from me. She hates to trace. I will look into what you use.

[Maela]

Thanks for the info Maela! Does the CHOLL add a bit to the grammar/language part of your curriculum? I have not looked at that. I may have to do something for handwriting. DD has been writing her school work for a year, but we have not done any formal handwriting except letting her copy the ABCs from me. She hates to trace. I will look into what you use.

 

CHOLL is a free literature curriculum. It's made to go with each chapter of SotW. There are notebook pages for each recommended story with space to draw a picture and space for narration (most of the time DD dictates to me because it's often too much writing for her).

 

[poiema]

Have you looked at Explode the Code for phonics (compound words, syllables, dividing words with double consonants, root words, adding suffixes, ect)?

 

Unless she has already done formal handwriting and has good letter formation, I would not rely on FLL or WWE for handwriting.

 

Good luck! :)

[Coffeemama]

First grade LA here consisted of First Language Lessons, All About Spelling and lots of wonderful books.

[Five More Minutes]

It sounds like your child is already reading?

 

In that case, you could use a phonics-based spelling program to reinforce phonics while building spelling skills. (We used AAS here.)

 

In Gr. 1, our LA was (last year) / will be (next year):

- WWE 1 (copywork & narration)

- FLL 2 (grammar)

- AAS (spelling)

- handwriting program

- independent reading (about 20 min a day)

- reading together

- reading aloud to Mom or Dad several times a week