Which dictation level do we use?

[learningathome]

My ds8 is currently finishing up 2nd grade work and will start Bigger soon. I am trying to figure out what dictation level to have him work on. We used Christian Liberty spelling for 1st grade (dreadful!! ) and this year we've done A Reason for Spelling Level B (much better! ) I've looked over the spelling lists and think that he's covered most of those words. Is the next step Level 2 dictation? I think that the first half, at least, might be too easy. Or since he'll be ready for 3rd grade should I use Level 3?

I love this message board and have received so much encouragement and many good ideas from all the wonderful ladies! I also just want to say how excited we are to get started on Beyond and Bigger. We were going to wait until August, but now we're starting as soon as they finish up their current year's work.

Thanks!
Heidi

[Leslie in TN]

Hello, Heidi! A few things to consider:

1. Don't forget that you can begin in the "middle" of a level of dictation passages. If you feel your son knows the first half of Level 2 really well, then by all means start in the middle somewhere and just continue on from there.

2. Also consider, though, that dictation is not just about spelling words correctly; it is also about correction punctuation, sentence structure, concentration, memory, and imprinting the correct spellings of words in one's mind. My ds can spell most of the Level 2 words if I gave them to him individually, but I know he needs practice with putting together sentences and not letting his attention wander.

3. One level of dictation does not necessarily equal one school year of work. My dds are doing Level 4, and with nine weeks left to go, they have finished 43/103 passages. I don't see this as them being "behind".. they are simply taking the time needed to really "get" the words and sentence structures. Their outside writing has improved so much this year, and they have learned how to punctuate quotations and complex sentences simply by consistent dictation exercises.

These are some things I needed to mull over last summer, so I hope they've been of at least some help to you. I wish you well in your decision-making!

[my3sons]

That is an awesome response Leslie - thanks so much for typing that out! You make some excellent points, and I agree with each one whole-heartedly. One other thing I'll add to consider - we've found that if my ds is getting something wrong in his dictation each day, it is discouraging. It seems like if he's missing 1 or 2 passages each week, he's on about the right level. So, I wouldn't start out at a place that is going to cause him to miss something in his dictation every day. LIke Leslie said so eloquently:
...dictation is not just about spelling words correctly; it is also about correction punctuation, sentence structure, concentration, memory, and imprinting the correct spellings of words in one's mind. My ds can spell most of the Level 2 words if I gave them to him individually, but I know he needs practice with putting together sentences and not letting his attention wander

Wise words of advice, Leslie! It is easy to move ahead in dictation if need be, but harder to drop back. I'd start at the beginning - or possibly the middle of - Level 2 and go from there, jumping ahead if need be.

In Christ,
Julie