Question about Language Arts/English/Grammar

[MountainViewMama]

I have a question about the whole "Language Arts, English, Grammar" stuff. Okay, lots of questions. :tongue_smilie: I am trying to make sure that my son learns all that he needs to know but I am getting frustrated with all the different options out there. Is there a curriculum that covers all the topics that need to be covered or will I have to piece them together? I would like to use Easy Grammar but does that cover it all? Would I still need to use something like Rod & Staffs English on top of that? What about something like Wordly Wise for vocab, will I need to add that in too? Or Intermediate Language Lessons? Or poetry?? Where do these overlap? When I look at the topics covered, I see some overlap but then I see things that aren't covered too. I don't want to have to buy and use 4-5 different curriculums to make sure he gets all that he needs just for language arts. (and is it language arts or is it english? I am so confused!) I would really like to use Easy Grammar so can we just start there?

I really hope this makes since. :confused:

Thanks for any suggestions. :)

[MountainViewMama]

OOPS- Forgot to mention he is in 3rd grade getting ready to go in to 4th grade. Thought maybe that might be usefull info. :)

[tabd22]

I am in the same boat. I feel like I am trying to use so many things to cover all our bases.

 

I don't mind a little overlap, but it is starting to feel overwhleming.

 

Can't wait to read the responses.

[Ellie]

I have a question about the whole "Language Arts, English, Grammar" stuff. Okay, lots of questions. :tongue_smilie: I am trying to make sure that my son learns all that he needs to know but I am getting frustrated with all the different options out there. Is there a curriculum that covers all the topics that need to be covered or will I have to piece them together? I would like to use Easy Grammar but does that cover it all? Would I still need to use something like Rod & Staffs English on top of that? What about something like Wordly Wise for vocab, will I need to add that in too? Or Intermediate Language Lessons? Or poetry?? Where do these overlap? When I look at the topics covered, I see some overlap but then I see things that aren't covered too. I don't want to have to buy and use 4-5 different curriculums to make sure he gets all that he needs just for language arts. (and is it language arts or is it english? I am so confused!) I would really like to use Easy Grammar so can we just start there?

I really hope this makes since. :confused:

Thanks for any suggestions. :)

 

English skills ("language arts" is a term that makes no sense to me) include grammar, composition, spelling/vocabulary, reading/literature, and even handwriting--IOW, what your dc knows to be literate.

 

You can buy individual components for each, or you can buy an English textbook (which will generally include grammar, composition, using reference materials, and so on) from a traditional school publisher; you'd still have to buy something else for spelling (from the same publisher, if you'd like, or from a different publisher) and/or vocabulary. Ditto with penmanship.

 

Poetry can be part of a literature study; some textbook publishers, such as Rod and Staff, include it in the English textbook (although if you want more memory work, you'd have to add something else).

 

It's really not that difficult. You'll figure it out eventually, and your dc will not be harmed by it. :-)

 

Oh, and if you use Easy Grammar, you'd want to add something for writing/composition, but not R&S's English, as that is a more comprehensive course that includes both grammar and composition. You'd add something like Writing Strands or Wordsmith.

[rafiki]

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[Tired_Mama]

I'm sorry, I'm not familiar enough w/the curriculums you mentioned to know whether they're complete or not. I can tell you what I've used with my third grader and what I plan to use w/her next year, when she's in fourth grade. I feel her English instruction is better than adequate, FWIW.

 

Now: First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind 3, lots and lots of copy work for writing (and, of course, dictation included in FLL as well), and Rod & Staff spelling 3. She reads vociferously, and not much of what she reads is "twaddle" so I have never worried about vocabulary. When she comes across an unfamiliar word she's very likely to ask me what it means and now, since FLL has worked on dictionary skills, she can look it up as well. I also would incorporate a handwriting program in here if I hadn't yet taught cursive letters, though after some familiarization with how to form the letters, I think copy work is preferable for teaching mastery.

 

Next year we'll use, FLL for the Well-Trained Mind 4, Writing with Ease by Susan Wise Bauer for writing (lots of narration, copy work and dictation) and Rod & Staff spelling 4. I feel very confident about the grammar/language arts/etc. education my kids are receiving. :)

[TN Mama]

This is our first year and my plan for LA was to use Christian Light for grammar and use something else for spelling, something else for handwriting and still something else for writing. I'm not sure what I was thinking as Christian Light is complete in that it covers grammar, spelling, handwriting & creative writing. I do skip the writing assignments for now as we are using WWE instead.

 

I know several people piece together what works best for their own child(ren) and isn't that the beauty (or one of the many) of homeschooling? We have the opportunity to tailor our choices to fit the needs of our children. And the plans I had at the beginning of the year would have been just fine, if CLE didn't work for my daughter. But it did and does, so all is well.

 

Good luck to you. Hope you get the answers you're looking for.

[TxMama]

An all inclusive LA program that I used with my olders when they were that age was Learning Language Arts Through Literature. It is easy to use and easy to supplement if you want. You could do both LLATL and Easy Grammar without it being overwhelming.

 

I had my children do extra writing in history & science.....written narrations, outlining, reports,etc.

 

I plan on using LLATL with my younger children. I plan on supplementing spelling for the younger grades and if they need extra practice in grammar & writing I will supplement in the older grades.

 

I hope you find what you are looking for!

[Emmy]

Next year we'll use, FLL for the Well-Trained Mind 4, Writing with Ease by Susan Wise Bauer for writing (lots of narration, copy work and dictation) and Rod & Staff spelling 4. I feel very confident about the grammar/language arts/etc. education my kids are receiving. :)

 

Cate - are you doing narration and copywork and dictation in addition to FLL and WWE?

[dragons in the flower bed]

Is there a curriculum that covers all the topics that need to be covered or will I have to piece them together?

 

The greatest joy, and the most frustrating aspect, also, of homeschooling, is that you, the parent, have to decide what topics need to be covered. Every elementary school in the U.S. (except for the "chain schools" like Waldorf, Montessori, Core Knowledge) and every homeschool author will have a different list of what topics need to be covered.

 

If it's safe to assume that you're asking here because you subscribe to the philosophy in The Well-Trained Mind, then you don't need to piece together a few books because it's been done for you by the authors of WTM.

 

Otherwise, you have to sort through other people's recommendations and decide what is important to you. Failing that, you should sort through other people's philosophies, pick one to ascribe to, and use what they recommend. Failing that, you could just pick a boxed set that claims to be comprehensive. There are a bunch reviewed at http://homeschoolreviews.com and people homeschool very well using them.

 

and is it language arts or is it english? I am so confused!)

 

Language arts and English are usually interchangeable, but English has a more traditional feel. Language arts is defined by my state to include listening, reading, writing and speaking, and it is not necessarily all taught in English. For a native Spanish speaker, listening and writing skills might be taught in Spanish, whilst reading and speaking are taught in English. I use language arts because I teach speaking, reading, writing and listening partly via Latin.

 

Grammar is part of language arts and English, but a grammar course is never equivalent to an English or language arts course all by itself.