Cottage Press?

[HomeschoolOnTheRocks]

Hi, does anyone have any thoughts / experiences about cottage press? Looking at the primers, but interested about further on too! 
Thinking about switching from Primary Language Lessons. 
I’m also interested in the religious aspect - is it easy to use as secular homeschoolers? Is it workable to say that they’re fables like the other fables in the books, or does it come from a more Christian view point if that makes any sense? 

[AnneGG]

We are also using PLL/ILL and I too have been looking at Cottage Press. 
 

No advice but solidarity. 

[Nm.]

I have PLL.. haven’t used it yet.  Why do you want to switch- just wondering.

[HomeschoolOnTheRocks]

 @AnneGG Glad I’m not alone! They’re both somewhat uncommon curriculum choices. So interesting we’re both doing the same programs and want to switch to the same program!! What levels are you looking to switch to? Is there anything holding you back? Besides the cost!  I wish they had a sample of what to expect from one of the religious elements on their website, I’ve looked at the few YouTube videos there are on it and couldn’t see that shared either. 
 

@Nm. I guess I’m just not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. I was totally sold on it. I had bought ILL, I was very certain this is exactly what I wanted to use, it was in the back of my mind I would probably use CP after ILL. I know Rainbow Resources have re-printed another vintage curriculum not written by Serl and re-branded it as Advanced Language Lessons, but on looking at it in public domain, don’t like it nearly as much as Serl’s books. And it isn’t that I hate PLL. If I decided against CP, there isn’t another program I would want to use.

Cottage Press just looks better. I think perhaps that program is more rigorous/solid, yet still looks gentle. It is certainly better laid out. It covers more, like spelling rules and rhyming, perhaps deepening the understanding of the English Language. There’s lots I like on the samples. I do feel nature is incorporated into PLL, but more so in CP. 

I guess if this is the only language arts curriculum you’re using (it is for us, besides using readers), Cottage Press may be better all round. And Serl’s books are very Charlotte Mason, which I have nothing against, I suspect CP may be the perfect blend of CM and Classical for us.

I just wish I knew what to expect about the religious elements! 

[AnneGG]

I’m considering switching for all the reasons you listed. Serl’s books are wonderful but it doesn’t always feel like there is a lot of progress being made. We also use the Aldine speller and we’re reading Mary’s Grammar. 

I’m looking at Fable & Song and Bards & Poets. I’m wondering if I really need Fable to hold my hand through Aesop though. I’ve listened to every SCM podcast on narration, dictation, copy work, etc. I mean, I’ve got this… right?! 😂 But it just looks so simple & refreshing.

I might order it from Amazon so I can have a look at it and still be able to return it if I don’t like it. 

[HomeschoolOnTheRocks]

@AnneGG That’s a great idea of ordering from Amazon, their returns are very simple! I hadn’t thought of that. Though it would be great if anyone here had used it and could share their experiences. 

How long have you been using Serl’s books? I don’t feel we’ve been using them long enough yet (only since September) to comment on progress being made. But I can see looking at CP primer samples there’s activities in there that my daughter would benefit from, and perhaps it would be clearer on progress being made. 

 

I get what you mean, it is a bit of a leap of faith with the CM approach isn’t it, I think I’ve watched them all too! CP looks like such a fantastic blend between CM& Classical.  

I haven’t heard of either of the supplements you’re using, I looked up the Aldine Speller for grades 1 & 2. Looks interesting and fairly similar to Serl’s approach, I can see why you’d pair them! Though so far for my eldest (grade 2), the CM approach of copywork is working fairly well. I do think having some spelling rules like in CP would be good though. I couldn’t find Mary’s grammar. Would be interested to look it up if you could point me in right direction, interesting to know what other people use alongside Serl’s books! 

[AnneGG]

https://librivox.org/marys-grammar-by-jane-marcet/
 

We use the librivox version. I’m sure it’s on Archive . Org too if you prefer to read it aloud yourself. 
 

We’ve only been using Serl since July. I can’t put my finger on why I’m not all in on it. I feel like PLL has a busy work undertone to it. I might move over to With Pencil and Pen for my PLL student and then move up him to ILL, and then move to Bards & Poets. 
 

I don’t know! I just watched a Language Arts workshop today, it gave me a lot of ideas. But Cottage Press would be so much easier on me. Haha.

[Ting Tang]

I looked a lot at CP, from Primer levels to middle school levels. I just didn’t do it because it said you still needed separate curriculums, such as spelling. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right choice. 🤷‍♀️ I am using Evan-Moor for grammar, a vintage speller, and classic living books. I also decided to get Imitation in Writing, so we are not full on CM. I think I’m too scattered to make that work. 

[AnneGG]

@Ting Tang

Pam Barnhill just came out with a new Language Arts Together program. I’m thinking of trying it. It sounds relaxing. I can get on board with everybody doing LA together and then just doing separate spelling.  

[HomeschoolOnTheRocks]

@AnneGG Mary’s grammar is interesting, thank you! I’m inclined to say if PLL is feeling like busywork, then skip those exercises because they’re too easy. I do feel PLL is challenging, and doesn’t contain busywork/ very CM. Remember anything can feel like busywork if it’s too easy for your child. If it’s certain exercises, skip them to move through the book faster, or start later in book or in the next one. That may solve it. Or of course, switch to CP and update! 😉
 

@Ting Tang I didn’t see that on the website! I have seen that in the primers at least, there are some spelling rules. I’m not sure my child needs more than the gentle grammar I’ve seen in CP. Her spelling is pretty good despite never having done a formal spelling program and taking a very CM approach. To me, it looks complete. But that is from the perspective of coming from a very CM approach! I think I’d just do it, and if I felt I needed spelling at that in later. 

 

I feel like I’m talking myself into one, and then the other! 🙈 

[Ting Tang]

5 hours ago, AnneGG said:

@Ting Tang

Pam Barnhill just came out with a new Language Arts Together program. I’m thinking of trying it. It sounds relaxing. I can get on board with everybody doing LA together and then just doing separate spelling.  

I'll have to check that out.  Her resources were previously recommended to me, but I didn't know about the new LA program!

[Ting Tang]

3 hours ago, HomeschoolOnTheRocks said:

@AnneGG Mary’s grammar is interesting, thank you! I’m inclined to say if PLL is feeling like busywork, then skip those exercises because they’re too easy. I do feel PLL is challenging, and doesn’t contain busywork/ very CM. Remember anything can feel like busywork if it’s too easy for your child. If it’s certain exercises, skip them to move through the book faster, or start later in book or in the next one. That may solve it. Or of course, switch to CP and update! 😉
 

@Ting Tang I didn’t see that on the website! I have seen that in the primers at least, there are some spelling rules. I’m not sure my child needs more than the gentle grammar I’ve seen in CP. Her spelling is pretty good despite never having done a formal spelling program and taking a very CM approach. To me, it looks complete. But that is from the perspective of coming from a very CM approach! I think I’d just do it, and if I felt I needed spelling at that in later. 

 

I feel like I’m talking myself into one, and then the other! 🙈 

That's what bothered me--it had rules and spelling exercises, yet it was recommended we have a separate curriculum.  I didn't want to confuse the kids or have it all be too much.  It still looks wonderful in many ways. 

[Nm.]

I can see PLL being appropriate for 2nd or 3rd at the most.  After that I prefer a classical approach.  I am not completely knowledgeable of Charlotte Mason.  I know of her principals, have read some of her stuff, have dabbled in Charlotte Mason styles.  To me the packaged Charlotte Mason curriculum for language arts… it all gives me a busywork feel.  It feels hyped up.   To my very limited knowledge- doesn’t she recommend formal instruction for most things beginning at age 10?  

[HomeschoolOnTheRocks]

@Ting Tang Maybe you could email and ask the reasoning? It may just be that some kids need a more intense spelling program. At least that is my inclination! It does look wonderful! I’m sure it would be fine to just use it, and reconsider spelling if needed. I think CP is intended to be done 4 days a week, so if you wanted you could just do that 4 days and a vintage speller or workbook or something a 5th day IF you feel it is needed. 

@Nm. Yes I agree, it is best for second and third graders. That is who it is aimed at and it’s perfect I think! I don’t think Serl’s books were intended to be CM, just Serl’s ideas are so very inline with CM. It’s definitely designed to see the beauty in language, you could probably describe it as a little more rigorous than traditional CM because there is more focused work on using language well, written and orally. I think you’re right, traditional CM is just copywork until around age 10. Though I still don’t feel this, or CP, is busywork. Serl’s exercises are thoughtful, and whilst not intended to be very CM, it is. And from what I can see of CP, also seems thoughtful and a more intentional blend of CM & Classical. There may be other CM curriculums that seem more busy-work ish, I’ve seen a few pop up that felt like busywork. 

[AnneGG]

22 hours ago, HomeschoolOnTheRocks said:

I’m inclined to say if PLL is feeling like busywork, then skip those exercises because they’re too easy. I do feel PLL is challenging, and doesn’t contain busywork/ very CM. Remember anything can feel like busywork if it’s too easy for your child. If it’s certain exercises, skip them to move through the book faster, or start later in book or in the next one. That may solve it. Or of course, switch to CP and update! 😉

Good points! Thanks for your perspective. He is in 3rd grade, so it’s possible we just need to move faster or even move up ILL. We did lesson 77 on Thursday and he said, “this is basically verb principal parts, right?” I guess he did learn something at CC. 😂