Language Arts in Preparing

SouthernMrs · Post by **SouthernMrs** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:55 pm

Hi Carrie,
I hope you do not mind me asking, but I want to know more about the Language Arts part of Preparing. We plan to use Preparing next year for my 10yo dd who will be going into 5th grade, so we'll be on the upper age range for this guide. This year in Bigger, we used our own L. Arts program, so didn't do much with the Bigger L. Arts activities (spelling lists and dictation passages were below her level, though she is doing the copywork). At this point, I do not feel the need to teach formal grammar each year, so I'm thinking of perhaps alternating the formal grammar every other year as I saw you mention in another post.

I have only read about bits and pieces of the specifics of Preparing L. Arts from the various online posts. I'm wondering if the L. Arts as written in Preparing will be too young for a 5th grader who has already been exposed to a formal L.Arts program. I did see that you mentioned in another post that no spelling will be included, but more focus will be on dictation (which is exactly what I hope to do with dd on her level). And from the website description, Spelling: dictation passages; Grammar Lessons using the Text Beginning Wisely: English 3 or Building with Diligence: English 4; Weekly Creative Writing Lessons is mentioned, but no specifics.

So assuming the dictation passages are on her level (my round about question above

), and we skip the Rod and Staff Grammar, do I just add more copywork for her to have a complete L. Arts for her level next year?
Thanks so much for your help.
Charlene
P. S. Please excus my typing errors. I'm not used to this tiny font!

Post by **Carrie** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:15 pm

Charlene,

I don't mind answering questions about "Preparing...", as we're getting excited ourselves about using it with one of our own sons!

The target age range for the language arts portion of "Preparing..." is for grades 3-4 (with the exception of "Drawn into the Heart of Reading" which goes through grade 8 ). So, the dictation passages may or may not feel young for a 5th grader, depending on how much studied dication that child has done and how good of a speller she is. She is a year above the target range for it. As far as the English, Rod and Staff 4 as scheduled in the "Preparing..." guide would be enough for a 5th grader, or you could do a lighter year with something else for english as you'd mentioned.

As to the copywork, we do require daily copywork in "Bigger..." that rotates as to the topic. The 4 copywork assignments each week rotate through copying a Bible verse along with the science notebooking assignment, to copying several Bible verses that they are memorizing for the week, to copying a quote or lines from the books they are reading for history notebooking, and last to copying a selected passage of their own choosing from their history book. Several of these each week are placed in a "Common Place Book" Charlotte Mason style. These assigments could be adjusted if you felt the copywork needed to be longer. I always err on the side of briefer copywork selections done well.

As far as the writing lessons in "Preparing...", I think that you could easily require more length while following the same assignment that is laid out in "Preparing..". That would include a once a week written narration lesson to go along with the history read-alouds and a once a week writing lesson that covers other forms of writing that provides a chance for a little more creativity (but not really strictly creative writing as that is not purposeful at this age). If you felt you truly needed more writing instruction, the writing lessons in Rod and Staff would fill that void. (Or, you could add "Ignititing Your Writing" Vol. I, once each week for the year).

I hope this helps guide you in your language arts decisions.

Blessings,
Carrie

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:27 pm

Oh WOW!!! Just reading that gets me excited about Preparing! I hope I can stand the wait.... It's just so neat to see all the years building up and this really helps me to see exactly what I am aiming for with our activities in Little Hearts.

Thanks Carrie!!!

Post by **Carrie** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:37 pm

Thanks Melanie!

We're getting excited as it's coming together too!

Blessings,
Carrie

SouthernMrs · Post by **SouthernMrs** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:13 pm

Hi Carrie,
I posted a reply to this, but it hasn't shown up yet. I just wanted to say thank you as this was exactly the detail I was looking for. I'm guessing the Preparing guide will have more copywork than the Bigger guide? I know my dd is writing daily with her assignments now, and I do add to them on occassion as I feel she can handle without overwhelming her. For instance, we went on a field trip last week related to her studies, and I asked her to make a notebook page for that to add to her Notebook. Even though the field trip "just happened" to be last Friday, God timed it PERFECTLY for our studies this week. We visited a waterpowered New England Mill where they showed us the process they used to turn cotton into thread (as well as flax and wool) and this is exactly what she will be reading about in her Pioneer Sampler book this week! God is SO good!

Thanks again,
Charlene

Post by **Carrie** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:19 pm

Charlene,

Isn't that amazing when God makes those connections just fall into place for us! And we work so hard sometimes to force the connections ourselves!

I'm glad I was able to help a little with the copywork and writing questions. Yes, the level of writing will go up in "Preparing...". The kiddos will have more variety in their copywork and also add the twice weekly writing assignments (which were not in "Bigger...").

Also, in addition to the vocabulary, two times a week notebooking, and science experiment form required in writing in "Bigger...", the kiddos will also have 5 science questions to answer in writing (once a week) and a Biblical connection to write about in history (deluxe package) once each week in "Preparing...".

Blessings,
Carrie

Blessings,
Carrie

SouthernMrs · Post by **SouthernMrs** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:59 pm

Hi Carrie,
Thanks again. Preparing sounds like it will definitely be thorough in the copywork/writing areas for my upcoming 5th grade dd. Do you have any idea yet when you will put the sample week up on the website? I know, I know... I'm anxious!

Thanks,
Charlene

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:07 pm

Not Carrie

, but I think it's due up sometime mid-April. I know what you mean.....the waiting is almost painful!

susie in ms · Post by **susie in ms** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:13 pm

Melanie wrote:Oh WOW!!! Just reading that gets me excited about Preparing! I hope I can stand the wait.... It's just so neat to see all the years building up and this really helps me to see exactly what I am aiming for with our activities in Little Hearts.

Thanks Carrie!!!

You hope YOU can stand the wait???!!! I'm at least a year behind you! I'm dying here!!! Everytime I read about another level of HOD I have to make myself focus on the wonderful things we are doing with LHTH right now! Hehe

It is hard to keep from wanting it all RIGHT NOW!

Post by **Carrie** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:43 am

Charlene,

We are looking at the sample layout of an actual day being up in mid-April with the first full week of plans being up by end of April. The catalog has consumed me, as we have never put together a full catalog and had no idea the volume of my time it would require!

Blessedly my sister is writing much of the catalog text and the graphic designer and I have been able to meet late into the night working together on that part! So, we are in unchartered territory there!

That is costing me writing time, which is affecting the release of the sample pages. It is an uncharacteristic year for us!

But, my husband assures me it all will get done on time as the Lord has always worked it out so we meet our deadlines!

Blessings,
Carrie