To my homeschool readers and friends...could you tell me what reading/Language Arts program you use and if you LOVE it. I am trying to decide what I might use next year and just like to know if someone has something they LOVE!:) Thanks!!
I am here trying to get a jump start on this whole homeschool thing myself. I don't have any tips, my oldest is (as you know) only 2. But, homeschool is definitely in our future, and I'm in the "have no clue" category, so I thought I'd creep on over and read the comments and get a head start! I'll be back once your wise buddies get a chance to read and post their ideas!
Hi Jaci! I can't really say that I have found a program that I LOVE, but (maybe you know this already), Kristi and I both just purchased Scaredy Cat Reading. The website is teach4mastery.com
It came recommended by Michelle C. who said she wouldn't use ANYTHING else for boys, especially! It's super hand-on/games/etc...I bought the "Words" level (level 3) for Chloe and plan to begin with the "Alphabet" level (level 1) for Lukas next year. I think publisher is also working on a Level 4 book...
Other than THAT (and I know it's not much!), I am also in the "have no clue" category - and would love to hear what others have to add!
Well...you know many seasoned homeschoolers will tell you that kids don't need language arts until around 3rd or 4th grade. I don't know what style of school you guys have though. First Language Lessons is my favorite for the younger ages if you are going to use one. Scaredy Cat is a good one. Learning Language Arts Through Literature are really good. Writing Strands are good for creative writing. Abeka has a strong Language Arts program for some of the grades. I don't recommend Abeka as a whole, but that's just my opinion. Hmmm...that's whats coming to me right now...but I've had an intense week, so I am super tired right now. I'll let you know what other thoughts come to me! The biggest thing you can do in this area at this age is to read tons of books and have him reading tons of books.
What style of schooling do you prefer? And what have you used? So much depends on what kind of learner you have too...
Thanks Laura...I was kind of wondering about how early to really "dig in". We have the Sonlight reading, "I can Read It" books now. The books are okay...but the worksheets seem intense and I don't really like them!! Some of the stuff they are introducing, I don't remember learning until I was much older, like maybe 4th grade if not even 5th or 6th.
As far as what kind of schooler am I... Well, Honestly I am not sure. I have been reading a GREAT book "Help for the Harried Homeschooler" and I was just thinking that I should think about what KIND of schooler I am!! I sort of feel like Julia Roberts in the Runaway Bride where she doen't REALLY know what kind of eggs she likes to eat??:) Does that make sense?
Thank you for your thoughts. I think that I am going to RELAX. Drew LOVES to read, he comprehends what he reads, we've talked about some basic parts of speech and such...so I think that I will just breath easy for awhile.
Sometimes I just get so overwhelmed by being solely responsible for what they are learning!! I think I put unecessary pressure on myself.
Lori- I will look at what you suggested too. Sam is doing the Teach Your Child to Read in 100 easy lessons...Drew did this as well...he really wants to learn how to read:) So that is fun. But next year...maybe by the winter I will probably need something else for him.
I will have some fun looking into the list you posted Lori and Laura! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Since Lori posted about what we used, I didn't really have anything else to say. However, I just wanted to "echo" Laura's suggestion about the "First Language Lessons" by Jessie Wise. Both she and Kristin recommended this to me last year, so we started it this year. We have really like it. It combines some parts of speech and punctuation with poetry and narratives as well as with some other "stuff" (days of the week, months, seasons, address, phone number, etc.). I would highly recommend it as well. It is an easy addition to the things that you are already doing. It doesn't take much time and is super repetitive so that it "sticks" with the kids! Even Kylie has really learned a lot!!
The Scaredy Cat reading program is what I ordered for Kylie right now. We had been going through Teach Your Child to read in 100 easy lessons...but, I wanted something more than that. Something that taught the "rules" and other phonics things while learning to read. So, I ordered Kylie the "Vowel" (level 2) level...and so far she has really liked it. It combines a DVD with games and other worksheet/drawing type stuff to make learning fun. You know Kylie...this is what she NEEDS!!! :-)
Like Laura said, so much just depends on what kind of learner your kids are...and just meeting them where they are at!! So, with Kylie, I have had to be a bit more creative...
Anyway...just thought that I would share...even though it really wasn't any "new" information!! :-)
I know what you mean though about feeling overwhelmed sometimes about being solely responsible for our kids' education. I can put lots of pressure on myself as well...and cause myself stress sometimes too!!! :-)
Knowing YOU, you are doing an amazing job with your boys! :-)
Jaci, I just want to assure you that I believe you are doing an excellent job! I agree that we stress ourselves out. There are so many options, and all we want is to be doing a good job as their teachers. I have learned that with the first borns, it is really easy to put way too much undue pressure on them. Trust me...they grow soooo fast! Abigail is going into 7th grade next year. I want to keep her challenged and encourage a love for learning...but I don't want us to get super intense about it. Make sense?!?! I don't know what we are going to use, but I have decided that I don't need to figure it out right now. I am going to take time to seek what the Lord wants us to do next year, rather than searching my heart out for the next best curr. It is so easy to start comparing where my kids are at with other kids...but that does none of us any good. So I guess what I'm trying to say is ummmm...I don't know! I've gone on quite the rabbit trail with my thoughts here. Sorry! Ok here...I am saying, it's good to relax, enjoy them, and don't put pressure on yourself to be "perfect"!
I will be done writing a book on your blog now! :)
8 comments:
Hey, Jaci...I lost your blog address for such a long time. I'm glad I found it again! I'll have to catch up on what you've been up to.
What age are your looking for for the language program? I have lots of thoughts, but need to know what you're looking for. Make sense!?!? :)
Jaci,
I am here trying to get a jump start on this whole homeschool thing myself. I don't have any tips, my oldest is (as you know) only 2. But, homeschool is definitely in our future, and I'm in the "have no clue" category, so I thought I'd creep on over and read the comments and get a head start! I'll be back once your wise buddies get a chance to read and post their ideas!
Laura,
Looking for 2nd grade and up! Any thoughts/ideas are GREAT and much appreciated:)
Hi Jaci! I can't really say that I have found a program that I LOVE, but (maybe you know this already), Kristi and I both just purchased Scaredy Cat Reading. The website is teach4mastery.com
It came recommended by Michelle C. who said she wouldn't use ANYTHING else for boys, especially! It's super hand-on/games/etc...I bought the "Words" level (level 3) for Chloe and plan to begin with the "Alphabet" level (level 1) for Lukas next year. I think publisher is also working on a Level 4 book...
Other than THAT (and I know it's not much!), I am also in the "have no clue" category - and would love to hear what others have to add!
;-)
What have you used so far?
Well...you know many seasoned homeschoolers will tell you that kids don't need language arts until around 3rd or 4th grade. I don't know what style of school you guys have though. First Language Lessons is my favorite for the younger ages if you are going to use one. Scaredy Cat is a good one. Learning Language Arts Through Literature are really good. Writing Strands are good for creative writing. Abeka has a strong Language Arts program for some of the grades. I don't recommend Abeka as a whole, but that's just my opinion. Hmmm...that's whats coming to me right now...but I've had an intense week, so I am super tired right now. I'll let you know what other thoughts come to me! The biggest thing you can do in this area at this age is to read tons of books and have him reading tons of books.
What style of schooling do you prefer? And what have you used? So much depends on what kind of learner you have too...
HTH!
Thanks Laura...I was kind of wondering about how early to really "dig in". We have the Sonlight reading, "I can Read It" books now. The books are okay...but the worksheets seem intense and I don't really like them!! Some of the stuff they are introducing, I don't remember learning until I was much older, like maybe 4th grade if not even 5th or 6th.
As far as what kind of schooler am I... Well, Honestly I am not sure. I have been reading a GREAT book "Help for the Harried Homeschooler" and I was just thinking that I should think about what KIND of schooler I am!! I sort of feel like Julia Roberts in the Runaway Bride where she doen't REALLY know what kind of eggs she likes to eat??:) Does that make sense?
Thank you for your thoughts. I think that I am going to RELAX. Drew LOVES to read, he comprehends what he reads, we've talked about some basic parts of speech and such...so I think that I will just breath easy for awhile.
Sometimes I just get so overwhelmed by being solely responsible for what they are learning!! I think I put unecessary pressure on myself.
Lori- I will look at what you suggested too. Sam is doing the Teach Your Child to Read in 100 easy lessons...Drew did this as well...he really wants to learn how to read:) So that is fun. But next year...maybe by the winter I will probably need something else for him.
I will have some fun looking into the list you posted Lori and Laura! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Hey there, Jaci...
Since Lori posted about what we used, I didn't really have anything else to say. However, I just wanted to "echo" Laura's suggestion about the "First Language Lessons" by Jessie Wise. Both she and Kristin recommended this to me last year, so we started it this year. We have really like it. It combines some parts of speech and punctuation with poetry and narratives as well as with some other "stuff" (days of the week, months, seasons, address, phone number, etc.). I would highly recommend it as well. It is an easy addition to the things that you are already doing. It doesn't take much time and is super repetitive so that it "sticks" with the kids! Even Kylie has really learned a lot!!
The Scaredy Cat reading program is what I ordered for Kylie right now. We had been going through Teach Your Child to read in 100 easy lessons...but, I wanted something more than that. Something that taught the "rules" and other phonics things while learning to read. So, I ordered Kylie the "Vowel" (level 2) level...and so far she has really liked it. It combines a DVD with games and other worksheet/drawing type stuff to make learning fun. You know Kylie...this is what she NEEDS!!! :-)
Like Laura said, so much just depends on what kind of learner your kids are...and just meeting them where they are at!! So, with Kylie, I have had to be a bit more creative...
Anyway...just thought that I would share...even though it really wasn't any "new" information!! :-)
I know what you mean though about feeling overwhelmed sometimes about being solely responsible for our kids' education. I can put lots of pressure on myself as well...and cause myself stress sometimes too!!! :-)
Knowing YOU, you are doing an amazing job with your boys! :-)
Hope you guys have a great weekend!!!
Jaci, I just want to assure you that I believe you are doing an excellent job! I agree that we stress ourselves out. There are so many options, and all we want is to be doing a good job as their teachers. I have learned that with the first borns, it is really easy to put way too much undue pressure on them. Trust me...they grow soooo fast! Abigail is going into 7th grade next year. I want to keep her challenged and encourage a love for learning...but I don't want us to get super intense about it. Make sense?!?! I don't know what we are going to use, but I have decided that I don't need to figure it out right now. I am going to take time to seek what the Lord wants us to do next year, rather than searching my heart out for the next best curr. It is so easy to start comparing where my kids are at with other kids...but that does none of us any good. So I guess what I'm trying to say is ummmm...I don't know! I've gone on quite the rabbit trail with my thoughts here. Sorry! Ok here...I am saying, it's good to relax, enjoy them, and don't put pressure on yourself to be "perfect"!
I will be done writing a book on your blog now! :)
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