Vocabulary in Preparing
Vocabulary in Preparing
I see that Vocabulary is scheduled one day a week in Preparing. I understand that he will make the notecards with the word, definition, sentence and picture. Do you ever do anything else with those cards or does he just file them and is done with them? I guess I am trying to figure out if that will be enough for my ds. He does best with a certain amount of repetition. Does anyone ever do little quizzes over the words to see if they are retaining the info? Vocabulary has always been a weakness of his and I think that has impacted how much he enjoys reading. This year in ps they are doing a pretty intensive vocabulary program and I am seeing huge gains in his vocabulary. I just want to make sure he continues to make those gains.
Mom to:
dd 22 college graduate and employed as an Intervention Specialist
ds 18 US2, Loved Preparing, CTC , RTR , Rev to Rev, MTMM ,WG, WH and US1
http://www.graceandfur.blogspot.com/
dd 22 college graduate and employed as an Intervention Specialist
ds 18 US2, Loved Preparing, CTC , RTR , Rev to Rev, MTMM ,WG, WH and US1
http://www.graceandfur.blogspot.com/
Re: Vocabulary in Preparing
Lynn,
With our own kiddos, we've found that a CM-style exposure to high quality living books is wonderful for building a very strong vocabulary. It's amazing the words the kiddos can know, understand, and read well from using that type of approach.
Typically, instead of being a huge vocabulary builder the vocabulary card activity in both Bigger Hearts and Preparing Hearts is meant to teach word meaning from contextual clues, dictionary skills (such as using guide words, choosing the correct definition, and alphabetical order), and parts of speech through using the words correctly within a sentence of the kiddo's own creation.
When my oldest was young, we were sure he needed vocabulary workbooks such as Wordly Wise and dutifully put him through two years of that particular program as a second and third grader. At the end of those years, we stopped with all additional workbook/vocabulary exercises beyond what was in our guides and discovered his vocabulary continued to grow at an amazing level due to the books he was reading, those he was listening to me read, and those on tape. So, in all honesty, we have our kiddos follow along with the actual book as they listen to challenging books on tape and that is their vocabulary exercise.
Both my oldest boys test at the highest percentile possible in the vocabulary portions of the standardized testing each year, and their daily use of the words shows they can comprehend and can use those words in their day-to-day speaking and writing. We don't consider our kiddos prodigy children but rather the product of years of exposure to excellent literature.
You are more than welcome to add a vocabulary workbook to any HOD guide if you feel that it is necessary for your kiddo, however I'd encourage you to go the following along in the book with audio route instead (if you feel your child needs a vocabulary builder).
Blessings,
Carrie
With our own kiddos, we've found that a CM-style exposure to high quality living books is wonderful for building a very strong vocabulary. It's amazing the words the kiddos can know, understand, and read well from using that type of approach.
Typically, instead of being a huge vocabulary builder the vocabulary card activity in both Bigger Hearts and Preparing Hearts is meant to teach word meaning from contextual clues, dictionary skills (such as using guide words, choosing the correct definition, and alphabetical order), and parts of speech through using the words correctly within a sentence of the kiddo's own creation.
When my oldest was young, we were sure he needed vocabulary workbooks such as Wordly Wise and dutifully put him through two years of that particular program as a second and third grader. At the end of those years, we stopped with all additional workbook/vocabulary exercises beyond what was in our guides and discovered his vocabulary continued to grow at an amazing level due to the books he was reading, those he was listening to me read, and those on tape. So, in all honesty, we have our kiddos follow along with the actual book as they listen to challenging books on tape and that is their vocabulary exercise.
Both my oldest boys test at the highest percentile possible in the vocabulary portions of the standardized testing each year, and their daily use of the words shows they can comprehend and can use those words in their day-to-day speaking and writing. We don't consider our kiddos prodigy children but rather the product of years of exposure to excellent literature.
You are more than welcome to add a vocabulary workbook to any HOD guide if you feel that it is necessary for your kiddo, however I'd encourage you to go the following along in the book with audio route instead (if you feel your child needs a vocabulary builder).
Blessings,
Carrie
Re: Vocabulary in Preparing
Thanks Carrie,
What you explained makes a lot of sense. I think I am suffering from that new hs mom feeling that I won't cover all he needs to cover. I have a neighbor who is a veteran homeschooler and I see her kids do workbook after workbook and Latin and logic and so many things and I can start doubting the Charlotte Mason approach, even though I know God led me to HOD. At this point I am just going to do the program as is in the fall and see how my son does. I think I am going to be surprised at how much he picks up. I may get some of the extension pack for Preparing on audio tape and do as you suggested, but that will be it.
What you explained makes a lot of sense. I think I am suffering from that new hs mom feeling that I won't cover all he needs to cover. I have a neighbor who is a veteran homeschooler and I see her kids do workbook after workbook and Latin and logic and so many things and I can start doubting the Charlotte Mason approach, even though I know God led me to HOD. At this point I am just going to do the program as is in the fall and see how my son does. I think I am going to be surprised at how much he picks up. I may get some of the extension pack for Preparing on audio tape and do as you suggested, but that will be it.
Mom to:
dd 22 college graduate and employed as an Intervention Specialist
ds 18 US2, Loved Preparing, CTC , RTR , Rev to Rev, MTMM ,WG, WH and US1
http://www.graceandfur.blogspot.com/
dd 22 college graduate and employed as an Intervention Specialist
ds 18 US2, Loved Preparing, CTC , RTR , Rev to Rev, MTMM ,WG, WH and US1
http://www.graceandfur.blogspot.com/
Re: Vocabulary in Preparing
Lynn,
I completely understand what you are saying! I actually did end up with the workbook upon workbook route in language arts and extras such as logic, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, Greek, etc. with my oldest son in our early years of schooling (even though I didn't start out that way). I too was worried I wouldn't cover it all. 
When my oldest son hit the end of third grade, we knew we needed a change in the language arts and extras department. We discovered that the pile of workbooks for coverage in those areas was uninspiring, draining, and time-consuming. Our kiddos have flourised under the change to a more HOD/CM version of school and as a family we are much happier with the flow in our school day. Yet, our kiddos still thrive academically and test very well. I'd encourage you to give it a try and see what you think before adding more.
Blessings,
Carrie
I completely understand what you are saying!
I actually did end up with the workbook upon workbook route in language arts and extras such as logic, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, Greek, etc. with my oldest son in our early years of schooling (even though I didn't start out that way). I too was worried I wouldn't cover it all. When my oldest son hit the end of third grade, we knew we needed a change in the language arts and extras department. We discovered that the pile of workbooks for coverage in those areas was uninspiring, draining, and time-consuming.
Our kiddos have flourised under the change to a more HOD/CM version of school and as a family we are much happier with the flow in our school day. Yet, our kiddos still thrive academically and test very well. I'd encourage you to give it a try and see what you think before adding more. Blessings,
Carrie