Playing with Words: Charlotte Mason Style

For the month of January I am contributing to a Virtual Curriculum Fair over at Homeschooling Hearts & Minds.. Each week is based off a certain subject. This week's subject that I'll be discussing is all about Language Arts.

I've participated in this a couple years ago. For 2013-14 we are working on a new curriculum for this one year and thought I'd share my thoughts on what we are using. For the past two years we were using Heart of Dakota curriculum and LOVE it.. You can check out my posts on this curriculm's Language Arts HERE.

 We took this year off realizing the next book in the series was a little too advanced for my 6th grader so I decided to do something different while we wait to do the next book for HOD in 2014-15.

Language Arts the Charlotte Mason Approach. Like Heart of Dakota, I chose another curriculum that follows the Charlotte Mason style for homeschooling. We love this way and so glad we were able to find something to use this year while we take this year off from H.O.D.

I found a wonderful website that has an array of Charlotte Mason curriculum for all ages/subjects..
Queen Homeschool Supplies.

I chose some of their Language Arts curriculum to use in our homeschool this year.

Copywork



I wanted copywork to have a theme this year to go alongside the history my son is studying. I found "Our Beautiful America" copywork and love it. My son loves the content each day and not only is he writing, he's reading, comprehending and learning new history each day. He loves sharing what he's learned and copied each day.



Here above is a sample of two days worth of copywork. Charlotte Mason approach is work that doesn't take long periods of time and with this subject, he's done within 5-10 minutes time. I have him take the content and copy it into a composition notebook labeled COPYWORK. He dates each day with the Lesson #.

Vocabulary



This is a vocabulary program based on picture study which is popular among Charlotte Mason curriculum. I purchased both Volume One and Two to complete the entire year. Each volume has 18 weeks of study, totaling 36 weeks if you purchase both books.



A sample of the Words of the Week.

They have one word with the definition to use for the week. Along with that there is four other words that have a similar meaning to learn and a picture that represents the word for the week.



Then, they have five sentences to copy, study, read aloud that share the word of the week along with the similar words. Each sentence goes along with the picture for that week. All used in a sentence to help understand the meaning.

Day 1 example using the word of the week INVITING.. "The walkway on the water looked quite inviting. I could not wait to see what awaited me at the other end."

I have my son read aloud the sentence, and then copy it inside a composition notebook. Each day he reads aloud the words for the week along with the definition.

Language Arts



This is a great gentle approach to Language arts with a Charlotte Mason approach. Language Lessons for the Elementary Child.



I love how there is little busy work and unnecessary worksheets. It's simple to understand, that my son reads it to himself and is able to complete each day's lesson independently. As you can see above in two days worth of samples that the lessons are small, easy to digest and learn. The lessons include narration, picture study, dictation and copywork.  It also includes skills in grammar, usage, creative writing, and forms of poetry. Each day's lesson may be different from the day before but they do work off each other. Such as the grammar lesson you worked on before, will have the next lesson of grammar to follow that skill learned.

This is a complete years worth of Language Arts.

Spelling



Learning to Spell through Copywork. What a great way to teach spelling. A gentle approach using copywork and spelling rules.



My son hasn't been taught much formal spelling so I started with Book A and he's doing really well with it. Each week they are introduced to a spelling rule with 12 words following that rule. Each day they will write down a sentence using the spelling words for that week. Simple, easy and very affective.

Since my son uses everything he is being taught in sentences he is able to comprehend much more than any drills or worksheets could offer him. Because of that he's using words in the way they should be. In conversation and the written word.

We really enjoy this year's Language Arts curriculum choices. We will continue using some of these alongside the Heart of Dakota curriculum next year as I'm not too fond of the Language Arts selection they use in that curriculum. (Rod & Staff English) Two thumbs up for all this curriculum...

If you are interested in more information, check out their website HERE

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Check out other homeschool bloggers that are participating in this week's curriculum fair to see what they are sharing in regards to Language Arts curriculum:

 

3 Reasons to Read to Your Teens by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds

Language Arts {Virtual Curriculum Fair} by Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses
A Classical Take on 6th Grade Language Arts by Christy @ Unexpected Homeschool
The Power in a Word by Michele@ Family, Faith and Fridays
The Latin Road to English Grammar Volume 1 by Kristi K. @ The Potter's Hand Academy
Starting a Foreign Language in Elementary School by Amy @ Eclectic Homeschooling
These are the words we say by Christa @ Fairfield Corner Academy
A Peek into our Homeschool: Language Arts by Brittney @ Mom's Heart
Our Curriculum Choices 2014 ~ English by Renata~Sunnyside Farm Fun
Virtual Curriculum Fair: A World of Words by Joelle @ Homeschooling for His Glory
It Starts with the Alphabet by Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset
2014 Virtual Curriculum Fair ~ Playing with Words: the Language Arts by Jennifer @ a glimpse of our life
Our PreK-1st Grade Language Arts Mix by Tauna @ Proverbial Homemaker
Fun (or Not) With Spelling by Nicole @ Schooling in the Sun
Word Nerd Love by Lisa N@Golden Grasses
Our Favourite Resources For Teaching Elementary Language Arts by Kim @ Homestead Acres
Unconventional Reading Lessons While Homeschooling by Lori@My Journeys Through Life
My Favorite Writing Curriculum for our Boys by Monique @Living Life and Learning
Virtual Curriculum Fair: Playing With Words - Language Arts  by Stacie @Super Mommy To The Rescue
Fun With the Language Arts by Mary @ Winecup Christian Homeschool
Our Grammar Path by Laura @ Four Little Penguins
Virtual Curriculum Fair !!! by Jessica @ Modest Mama
Creating a High School English Course (or two) by Debra @Footprints in the Butter
Language Arts in Our Homeschool This Year by Laura @ Day by Day in Our World