Karen's Clan

This lovely image is taken from this site which has wonderful Language Arts power point presentations http://www.mce.k12tn.net/english/powerpoints.htm

Aah...the lovely Language Arts! This has got to be my favorite part of our curriculum, and where I feel most at home. I have always loved words, loved writing and loved reading!

Language Arts encompasses everything there is to know about the English Language - the intricacies of its written form (spelling), the semantics (the meaning), the grammar (how to correctly string words/ideas together with the right syntax) and then the most wonderful - the sweet enjoyment of these strings of words...reading the written form, savouring each word! Aaah! can you hear me sigh?! Sweet music to my soul!

Love this idea of contractions on paint chips from The Education Centre

However the the challenge for us homeschooling moms is how to ignite the same passion we have for Language in our children...and to keep it a joyful delight and not a drudgery and a bore. This carnival hosts a selelction of posts which showcase what different  moms do to keep this passion alive.

Here's an insight into what we do and how...

To begin with, we chose a literature based curriculum this year (Sonlight Core K), whose strength is the wonderful books selected for "Read Alouds" (books read out loud by mom to child). "Read Alouds" are without a doubt King Arthur's favorite part of his school day - in fact, if  his entire day could be made of read alouds it would be perfect!

We also purchased Sonlight's Language Arts K with Readers K. I really was surprised at how brilliant I found Sonlight's Language Arts package. As a high school English teacher I am amazed at the strong foundations that are being laid so early on in their education in such an unpressured way.  Each week you are given a variety of tasks that includes reading, writing (copy work), and creative expression.

One of our favorite Creative Expression exercises is the one titled "Story Elaboration". Just today, King Arthur's task was to take this story:
Ed taps a drum. Pam sings. They create music.
And through a series of questions, he has to create an interesting and enjoyable story. This is what he came up with:


I've always enjoyed using photographs/paintings with my students to inspire creative writing, and this week King Arthur wrote this, inspired by this photograph of Monet's garden at Giverny:



The one aspect of the Language Arts program King Arthur did not take to very well was the readers. He really struggled with the endless three letter word combinations, and thankfully a conversation I had with a friend made me realize that he was ready for sight words. We took out some readers from the library (which thanks to this link, Oxford Owl, I've now discovered we can read many online -yay!), and  have supplemented his reading practice with the Progressive Phonics website, and he is now flying through his reading and thoroughly enjoying it. I LOVE discovering him reading books to his siblings!

 Just five minutes a day of concentrated effort can produce dramatic improvements in your child’s handwriting. Be sure to give her interesting ideas to copy, rather than rows of letters. Use Scripture, poetry, hymn lyrics, and excerpts from favorite living books. We have many such interesting passages available as free downloads for beginning writers to use for manuscript copywork. 

Along these lines I have begun to share my favorite poems with King Arthur, and as he is passionate about eagles, we've just studied The Eagle, by Lord Alfred Tennyson. We broke it down, so a line a day, writing it, learning to read it, savoring it. We practiced reciting it to each other whenever we were in the car, and then one day we talked about what it would look like on paper. We then spent a lovely morning illustrating it side by side. ( I was recently directed to OT Mom Learning Activities which has some very useful exercises  to help students who struggle with handwriting.)

I'm choosing to deliberately abstain from grammar lessons until King Arthur is much older (10+). I really do believe that as we continue to read great Literature and enjoy it, and even practice copying it, that it will naturally become instinctive in his writing.

I've really enjoyed seeing how this year has been a gentle laying of the foundations in practice and skills, and am so looking forward to building on this next year!

Other members of the carnival have wonderful links for you to follow - go on over!

• Taryn's (Hayes Happenings) daughters use Sonlight too, and Taryn shares Katie's first story here (age 5) and Kiera's first poem here (age 7). Wonderful to see budding creative writers!
• Helen (Of Right Mind) shares an interesting insight into whether or not spelling is a problem for today's children, and echoes how important an environment rich in books is for a child.
• And Trixi (Trixi's Home Ed Academy) has created a very useful resource: a wonderful list of useful links. I love that she has showcased local suppliers as well as those internationally, and she's also made it clear where all the Freebies are to be found!