First Grade Language Arts

[alexandramarie]

I play on using Wayfarers next year as our main curriculum, along with Language Lessons Through Lit.  I am having a hard time with choosing a reading program however.  I am still trying to figure out Reading Lessons Through Literature; it just doesn't seem natural to me.  My other option would be to go with Memoria Press' phonics, spelling, and Storytime & More Storytime treasures.  Any suggestions?  I am hoping to finalize my plans this week.  My son has almost finished The Reading Lesson Book and he would be able to read the Memoria Press first grade literature; although he has done no spelling ( they use Spelling Workout and Core Skills Phonics). 

Edited April 20, 2016 by alexandramarie

[smarson]

RLTL is more of a spelling program than a reading program, but the two are closely related anyway.  The other component of her LA is ELTL.  This is more of a reading/comprehension/copywork/literature program.  ELTL and RLTL would be a very complete LA program for first grade.   I don't have any experience with Memoria Press so I can't really advise there.  I'd suggest you go with whichever one you're more comfortable with or 'drawn' to.  If it's a burden even making the decision to choose something, then I'd venture to say that it isn't the right choice for you.  When you're excited about trying something new, that's when you know it's a good choice - not to say it's going to work best for your child, but if you like it, you'll be more willing to work through it than if you already don't like it when you start... :) 

[Kiara.I]

When you say a reading program, do you mean teaching how to read?

Or something to study literature with?  Because for the second, just reading, you reading aloud and him reading to himself, is fine.

[alexandramarie]

When you say a reading program, do you mean teaching how to read?

Or something to study literature with?  Because for the second, just reading, you reading aloud and him reading to himself, is fine.

I am not sure.. He is my first. I just neer know if I should be doing more.  Is copywork and him reading to me enough?  Do I need to add something like Phonics workbooks and spelling.  He can read, he just needs to practice for proficiency and speed.

[lorisuewho]

I have done the Storytime Treasures and More Storytime Treasures and I really liked them. We don't do much with literature guides in upper grades because I just like the read and narrate method, but I sure do like MP for first.

 

You could continue with phonics if you feel your child needs it or you could jump into a spelling program if phonics are secure. I don't think both are necessary at the same time.

[Kiara.I]

I am not sure.. He is my first. I just neer know if I should be doing more.  Is copywork and him reading to me enough?  Do I need to add something like Phonics workbooks and spelling.  He can read, he just needs to practice for proficiency and speed.

 

For first grade we did him reading (he read well independently), me reading to him, copywork, and some narration.  We were using Writing With Ease, which contains the narration and copywork.

 

So yes, I'd say that's enough.

I tried doing spelling with a first grader.  Bah.  I'll do it when they hit second grade, it works better!  Some people do spelling earlier.  So, if you want to you can, but I don't think you *have* to.

 

Phonics workbooks...I wouldn't think so.  He's reading, right?  When he reads to you, you'll be able to see if there are some problem spots.

[alexandramarie]

Thank you ladies !  So I  think  this is my plan, I will do Language Lessons through Lit ( which includs copywork), storytime treasure and more storytime treasures (although I am not sure we will do the workbooks), Spelling workout A  & B, and then New American cursive 1. I well then read selections for him from Wayfarers Ancients and then for extra reading practice I can have him read from the Beginners Bible, which is scheduled in Wayfarers. Does that sound like a good plan?

His printing is excellent and he wants to start cursive, so i figure why not.

[Guest]

As the voice of warning, SWO is a massive waste of time and money. I have tried it with all 5 of mine, and they all learned nothing from it. May I suggest going with MP's original spelling choice instead? Rod and Staff Grade 2 isn't so hard your guy could not handle it. R&S has much better instruction and long term retention. Just a thought...

 

Also, we very much enjoyed MP's Storytime/More Storytime books but not the later guides. We did the workbooks. Veritas Press First Favorites is a gem, as well. 

 

 

Edited April 20, 2016 by Paradox5

[alexandramarie]

As the voice of warning, SWO is a massive waste of time and money. I have tried it with all 5 of mine, and they all learned nothing from it. May I suggest going with MP's original spelling choice instead? Rod and Staff Grade 2 isn't so hard your guy could not handle it. R&S has much better instruction and long term retention. Just a thought...

 

Also, we very much enjoyed MP's Storytime/More Storytime books but not the later guides. We did the workbooks. Veritas Press First Favorites is a gem, as well. 

Memoria Press does suggest Spelling Workout, what would you use instead?

[Guest]

The original version which I used for my younger 3 scheduled Rod and Staff Sound and Structure used a grade level ahead beginning in 3rd. So 3rd used grade 4, etc.

The switch to SWO was made because it took less time in the classroom, leaving more time for Latin.

The original 1st and 2nd grade spelling lists were drawn to coincide with the weekly phonics concept. As these no longer exist, I suggested using the grade 2 R&S book.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 20, 2016 by Paradox5

[Holly]

I ordered R&S 2 for my soon-to-be 1st grader.  The word lists are pretty simple and the lines are nice and big.  

 

My plan is:

R&S Penmanship 2

R&S Spelling 2

Storytime Treasures (possibly) or I may have her go through HOD's Emerging Reader set, which we already own

MP's First Grade Enrichment

 

For phonics, we'll be continuing with McGuffey's First Reader alongside Webster's Reading Handbook--this combination seems fairly similar to MPs phonics program and I've used it with all of my DC.  I may add the Core Skills phonics as well.  I usually use MCP, but Core Skills looks nice (from the tiny online sample I looked at). 

[smarson]

Your plan looks great!  Best of luck to you!!!

[AdventuresinHomeschooling]

If you want to add in some phonics to solidify instruction without a time consuming, flashy program, I'd recommend Explode the Code. They are simple, affordable workbooks that go through the phonics rules. They also have an online version if you prefer.

[mamamoose]

Here is the plan for my first grader for LA:

 

All About Spelling Level 1

All About Reading Level 2

First Language Lessons and Writing With Ease

MP Storytime

 

Considering Explode the Code Online (through the co-op) because this kid bugs me incessantly for more work.  :lol:

 

 

 

I ordered R&S 2 for my soon-to-be 1st grader.  The word lists are pretty simple and the lines are nice and big.  

 

My plan is:

R&S Penmanship 2

R&S Spelling 2

Storytime Treasures (possibly) or I may have her go through HOD's Emerging Reader set, which we already own

MP's First Grade Enrichment

 

For phonics, we'll be continuing with McGuffey's First Reader alongside Webster's Reading Handbook--this combination seems fairly similar to MPs phonics program and I've used it with all of my DC.  I may add the Core Skills phonics as well.  I usually use MCP, but Core Skills looks nice (from the tiny online sample I looked at).

 

Can you link MP's First Grade Enrichment? I tried finding it, but couldn't. I'm wondering if that's something she might like too.

[vaquitita]

I play on using Wayfarers next year as our main curriculum, along with Language Lessons Through Lit. I am having a hard time with choosing a reading program however. I am still trying to figure out Reading Lessons Through Literature; it just doesn't seem natural to me.

If he's already reading, then RLTL would give spelling and stories for him to read aloud to you for practice. As for RLTL not feeling natural to you... For teaching reading I agree, it does seem backwards to teach spelling first and have reading as an after effect. But RLTL works great as a spelling program for kids who already read.

Edited April 22, 2016 by vaquitita