Is language needed in Bigger?

[laurelmarie]

We just finished using FLL 2 and working through Abeka's 3rd grade Language book for dd (7). She is also doing Wordly Wise for Vocabulary. She can write long complex sentences with spelling as her only problem. Does she really need to have a separate Language study when she starts Bigger in September? With all Bigger has to offer and all the writing/copy work taking place (I will have her write or dictate for me to write then her copy any narrations) I am not sure it is necessary right now. Anyone NOT adding Language to the schedule?

[creativemommy]

If you're already doing your own LA program with her then you will not need to add the R&S 2 book that is recommended in the Bigger guide.

[laurelmarie]

If you're already doing your own LA program with her then you will not need to add the R&S 2 book that is recommended in the Bigger guide.

Thanks for the reply but she will be finished the Abeka Language by the time we start Bigger (September).

[laurelmarie]

Anyone else?

[psreit]

" If your students have previously used an advanced program such as ABeka Grammar, you may have them go into English 3 instead."

This is a quote from Carrie included in her description of English 2 in the Bigger package. English 3 is considered Advanced Grammar, so it sounds to me like that is where you want to go. Carrie also has included in later guides: English 4, English 5, English 6, etc. Language studies do not end here. Even Abeka Language continues. You just need to find the level in which your dd fits. HTH

[LynnH]

One thing I wanted to mention is that I wouldn't have her copy her oral narrations. Oral narrations are just that. In Preparing they start learning to write written narrations and it is presented in a very gentle step by step way.

[laurelmarie]

One thing I wanted to mention is that I wouldn't have her copy her oral narrations. Oral narrations are just that. In Preparing they start learning to write written narrations and it is presented in a very gentle step by step way.

Thank you. She has been doing both (oral and written) for some time now. She enjoys writing so this is not a push.

[laurelmarie]

" If your students have previously used an advanced program such as ABeka Grammar, you may have them go into English 3 instead."

This is a quote from Carrie included in her description of English 2 in the Bigger package. English 3 is considered Advanced Grammar, so it sounds to me like that is where you want to go. Carrie also has included in later guides: English 4, English 5, English 6, etc. Language studies do not end here. Even Abeka Language continues. You just need to find the level in which your dd fits. HTH

Thank you for the reply.

One of my main reasons for asking this is based on Carries Thread on the reasons behind her choices. She wrote this...
"I really struggled with the no grammar until the child is 12 CM approach. I felt I was missing the nuts and bolts of how to talk to my oldest son about how to do a written narration, or why the sentences that he'd written weren't complete, or how he could add descriptors to make his writing better, etc. We were lacking a common terminology of how to communicate about his writing. We also had an impending writing assessment coming about which I was pretty sure he would do fine, but really wanted to make sure his grammar was also in place. Enter... Rod and Staff. When we made the switch to Rod and Staff 4, I could tell an immediate difference in my son's understanding of grammar and later as the year wore on, within his writing."...
Since my dd has this well in hand I thought we could stop with "formal" grammar until later (I was thinking 5th). Of course there would be informal grammar lessons along the way where needed.

[psreit]

Maybe Carrie can give you a suggestion on what avenue to take in this area. I know she is busy with conventions, homeschooling, and writing, so give her time to reply. My older 3 did traditional schooling at this age and my youngest has not had much grammar, so we are on target for using what is listed in the guide. So, I don't know what else to tell you.

[laurelmarie]

Pam,
Thanks for taking the time to try and give me some guidance. I appreciate it. I will find the right way to handle this by the time we start Bigger (September) and if not, the kinks will eventually work themselves out when we begin. Happily this is not one of those areas (for dd at least) that if we take a break from formal grammar for a year she will have trouble catching up.
Laurel

[my3sons]

You are right that Bigger Hearts has solid LA skills planned in a very balanced way - copywork, oral narrations, dictation, DITHOR reading instruction, and R & S English along with the other components of Bigger Hearts that require LA type skills (i.e. notebooking, lab sheets, etc.). Though your dd is doing very well with her grammar, I think it would be a good idea to keep R & S English in the loop, rather than taking a year off, and one easy (and very enjoyable, I might add ) way to do this would be to do R & S English 3 half-speed, doing the first half of it several days a week in Bigger Hearts, and doing the second half of it several days a week in PHFHG. I think this would keep the grammar ball rolling, without being taking too much time or being too quick of a pace. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[laurelmarie]

Julie,
Thank you. I was toying with the idea of doing R&S 3 but not sure how this compares with the Abeka 3rd grade Language she is doing now. I am also toying with the idea of slowing down in the Abeka book and make it stretch to 2 yrs.
Laurel