Every Bed of Roses

Wednesday 7 January 2015

Meet the 2015 Schoolhouse Review Crew

It's a new year and time to meet some new blogging friends. I have been accepted back on the Schoolhouse Review Crew for the 2015 year and am really excited about trying out some new product. There are some wonderful new bloggers on the team and some really amazing returning bloggers for this year.

If you are looking for some new homeschool bloggers to follow here are a few from the crew to get you started.

Blessings
Chareen

Monday 5 January 2015

Language Arts for 2015

In preparation for the new year and this weeks Virtual Curriculum Fair topic of Language Arts in your homeschool, I have been looking over some of my older posts on the topic. It's been good to refresh my thinking on the topic of Language Arts. In 2015 my mini goal is to continue in a Charlotte Mason approach with some Delight Directed education and Sonlight.

Over the last year I have come to realize that Sir N is in need of some coaching in the area of Language Arts. In the year ahead I would like to continue working on strengthening his writing skills through copy work and hand writing practice.

Definition
What is the definition of Language Arts? It is the study of grammar, composition, spelling and (sometimes) public speaking.

In 2015
Composition
We will be continuing with WriteShop Primary this year. This program is an excellent way to introduce composition to reluctant writers and primary school aged students. I like doing the projects with him because they are not simply busy seat work they specifically designed to be a creative way to help him remember the new things he is learning each time we do WriteShop. It's ultimate purpose is for Sir N to learn that Writing = Fun!

Spelling
Last year I began using Logic of English with Sir N and was really impressed with his progress. This year we will continue our lessons with the goal of completing the program.

Vocabulary
This is not synonymous with spelling. We will continue to work though Spelling Workout starting with book B this year. I am also compiling a list of classical books we will be using as read alouds throughout the year ahead.

Grammar
I haven't yet settled on a grammar program. I have two books I'm considering. The first being English for The Thoughtful Child by Mary Hyde OR Karen Andreola's Simply Grammar: An Illustrated Primer.

Narration
This is something I want to focus more on this year with Sir N. There are so many incredible benefits to the student in developing this skill.

Narration Adheres Vocabulary to the Mind - CMC Page 167
Narration strengthens and challenges all the powers of mind. Attending, remembering, visualizing, comprehending, synthesizing (seeing the whole from the parts), and articulating. - CMC Page 115
Helps the student to organize their thoughts with ease
Narration helps a child to train his/her mind to "sort, arrange, correlate, select, reject and classify" information CMC Page 114
Narration develops the power of self expression and forces the child to use his own mind and form his own judgement. CMC Page 115

On this blog
We enjoy great literature and are trying to follow a Charlotte Mason approach with reading twaddle free literature. I share a new book each week on a Tuesday called Tuesday's Treasures. Be sure to come back each Tuesday for a new book.

For more thoughts on language arts click on any of the graphics below

We have some wonderful homeschool bloggers sharing their thoughts and inspiration on Language Arts and your homeschool. Be sure to grab a cup of coffee / tea and take some time over the week ahead to read over these posts