I was an Abeka girl from K-12. Now with my kids, I do Abeka from K-2, and then move to BJU from 3+. BJU is less drill and kill, but still very effective in its grammar and composition practice. It also holds my hand through writing instruction (which I love). Plus, it’s just really pretty, lol.
I love your videos. We are very alike in our approach to teaching and learning. Here is what will be using for my very different 6th and 8th grade children. 8th grade - natural writer & speller and very analytical. Literature - Sonlight J and 3-4 literature guides throughout the year. Book reviews after every book. Grammar - Sonlight and 10 minute grammar practice (TPT resource) Composition - Sonlight Spelling - not really necessary, but I will do a few challenge words per week that relate to science and engineering (studying history of science w/ SL) Vocabulary - Classical Roots B Typing - Typing Agent Public Speaking - presenting 1 science project, one sermon (he does the research) and 1 presentation to go along with his research paper. 6th grader - not as natural in LA Literature - Sonlight F - 2 literature guides. Book reviews after every book. Grammar - Sonlight (lightly), Fix it Grammar (In a tutor based class) Composition - IEW (in a tutorial class, taught by IEW accredited instructor). Also will do at least 2 creative writing assignment pulled from SL. Spelling - Spelling Power Vocabulary - Classical Roots 6 Typing - Typing Agent Public Speaking - Drama and plays. Also, she regularly creates presentations on things she wants. She includes handouts and a presentation. She is my natural salesperson. We all stop midday to read books of choice for at least 30 minutes.
Absolutely love seeing this, and I think it will be very helpful to others! A great example of differentiating based on the specific needs of different kids. Also--I very much look forward to doing that Sonlight J with my boys when they're old enough, it looks fantastic. That core didn't exist yet back when we were going through the Sonlight years.
@@SevenInAll I am so excited for J. I didn’t love science as a student, but have grown to love and appreciate it as a homeschool mom as we learn about science from a biblical world view.
Yay, I absolutely love how you listen to your viewers! I have been looking forward to this!! This is seriously my new favorite homeschool video. I will be referring back to this often, as I am currently homeschooling a soon to be 9th grader, 6th grader, and pre-k students. Language arts is hands down the hardest area for me to navigate and plan each year. This answers so many questions I have had, all in one wonderfully structured video, and by a trusted source! I am so thankful for this one!❤😊
@@SevenInAll I forgot to mention that we are using Writing and Rhetoric and love it, but language arts encompasses so much. So, we outsourcing other things as well. Thank you for all the hand holding!
@@amandamendoza4181 And yes, I do listen to viewer requests and make them happen when I can. :) I hope this video will be a good resource to help others wrap their minds around pulling all the pieces of LA together.
I was homeschooled and used A Beka grammar for 9th through 12th grade. While I did well on the tests, I really struggled to understand the concepts. Fast forward several years to me now homeschooling my own children. The two resources that helped me understand grammar were Easy Grammar and the old book Grammar Land. (I believe Grammar Land is available in the public domain.) My oldest has also really excelled with Analytical Grammar, which teaches diagramming. (We've used the old version. I'm very curious to look at the new version at a homeschool convention in a few weeks.)
I love this Rachel! ❤ We started more memory work this year with poetry and scripture. Next year we will be practicing our memorization from our Sonlight E scripture and a poem from our Poetry study. 😊
I agree that spelling is easy to drop with some kids and can’t drop with others!!! I look for Greek and Latin roots for vocabulary!!! I also love to add into other subjects as words come up!!! I love book studies especially as my kids love books not scheduled in curriculum!!!
We like Grammar Ace, which uses the old Schoolhouse Rock videos :) -Along with the workbook, the Teacher’s Guide includes many fun activities for practicing the Grammar Concepts.
My daughter's dance teacher is fabulous at much she does, but her written communication is definitely not her strong suit 😅 So I agree with you that writing is super important no matter what your life brings!
Yes--for entrepreneurs or nearly any career, even those that at first glance don't involve much writing--clear and effective written communication skills are incredibly useful. It's up there with quick mental math calculations as one of the more useful skills no matter where life takes you.
Have you used Cottage Press Curriculum? It looks very similar to FLL but from a Christian perspective and an all in one program. Thanks so much for your videos. I’ve learned so much!
I would love to know if anyone has a collection of short stories with lots of different styles that works well for this age range. Whole books are awesome, but I'd like shorter options for honing in on some things without spending a whole book on a topic or concept.
Hmmm...most of the short story books I can think of off the top of my head are by the same author or about the same character (i.e. O. Henry, Father Brown, Sherlock Holmes). The Abeka Literature books are actually kind of like that--short stories, excerpts of longer ones, poems, all in one volume. "Of People," "Of Places."
I haven't. There is no spelling instruction in Wordly Wise. With a child who is advanced enough in spelling to no longer need spelling instruction you could definitely just do spelling tests using the Wordly Wise word lists, although, if a child no longer needs spelling instruction, you can also opt to skip spelling tests altogether, and just naturally work on advancing spelling skills through written work, addressing any misspelled words as they come up.
@SevenInAll thank you! Unfortunately I have weak spellers and haven't stayed consistent with spelling. I have an incoming 8th and 6th grader who need more spelling help. I have been told to just use something like spectrum or evan Moore so it's a daily repetitive thing. I appreciate your insights. I usually piece meal my LA and didn't do that last year bc I tried CLE and my girls hated it. I am trying to think what would work well for this upcoming fall that won't make everyone pull their hair out.
I was an Abeka girl from K-12. Now with my kids, I do Abeka from K-2, and then move to BJU from 3+. BJU is less drill and kill, but still very effective in its grammar and composition practice. It also holds my hand through writing instruction (which I love). Plus, it’s just really pretty, lol.
I've heard good things about BJU's LA materials!
I was recommended to do the same thing! Abeka k-2 and then move on to something else like IEW or BJU press.
My son is in pre-school but still watching this coz I know how much gold Rachel would give. Thank you so much for the organized thoughts, Rachel!
haha--thank you! In a handful more years, you'll be well prepared for these higher grades. :)
My oldest just turned 8 yesterday but I'm still here watching and loving s all the nerdy content! Thanks Rachel!!!
haha-yes, may be a little while before you get around to this stage...but the years sneak up on us all!
I love your videos. We are very alike in our approach to teaching and learning. Here is what will be using for my very different 6th and 8th grade children.
8th grade - natural writer & speller and very analytical.
Literature - Sonlight J and 3-4 literature guides throughout the year. Book reviews after every book.
Grammar - Sonlight and 10 minute grammar practice (TPT resource)
Composition - Sonlight
Spelling - not really necessary, but I will do a few challenge words per week that relate to science and engineering (studying history of science w/ SL)
Vocabulary - Classical Roots B
Typing - Typing Agent
Public Speaking - presenting 1 science project, one sermon (he does the research) and 1 presentation to go along with his research paper.
6th grader - not as natural in LA
Literature - Sonlight F - 2 literature guides. Book reviews after every book.
Grammar - Sonlight (lightly), Fix it Grammar (In a tutor based class)
Composition - IEW (in a tutorial class, taught by IEW accredited instructor). Also will do at least 2 creative writing assignment pulled from SL.
Spelling - Spelling Power
Vocabulary - Classical Roots 6
Typing - Typing Agent
Public Speaking - Drama and plays. Also, she regularly creates presentations on things she wants. She includes handouts and a presentation. She is my natural salesperson.
We all stop midday to read books of choice for at least 30 minutes.
Absolutely love seeing this, and I think it will be very helpful to others! A great example of differentiating based on the specific needs of different kids. Also--I very much look forward to doing that Sonlight J with my boys when they're old enough, it looks fantastic. That core didn't exist yet back when we were going through the Sonlight years.
@@SevenInAll I am so excited for J. I didn’t love science as a student, but have grown to love and appreciate it as a homeschool mom as we learn about science from a biblical world view.
We love Fix-It Grammar and First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind
I'm using FLL now with my oldest!
Yay, I absolutely love how you listen to your viewers! I have been looking forward to this!! This is seriously my new favorite homeschool video. I will be referring back to this often, as I am currently homeschooling a soon to be 9th grader, 6th grader, and pre-k students. Language arts is hands down the hardest area for me to navigate and plan each year. This answers so many questions I have had, all in one wonderfully structured video, and by a trusted source! I am so thankful for this one!❤😊
Hope it is helpful!
@@SevenInAll I forgot to mention that we are using Writing and Rhetoric and love it, but language arts encompasses so much. So, we outsourcing other things as well. Thank you for all the hand holding!
@@amandamendoza4181 And yes, I do listen to viewer requests and make them happen when I can. :) I hope this video will be a good resource to help others wrap their minds around pulling all the pieces of LA together.
This is a lovely video with such helpful tips and resources. And I also loved Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing!
That's a classic...typing to escape the sharks...
Shurley English helped me learn how to teach grammar. it was a solid foundation that allowed me to use other grammar curriculum😉
Great Video!
Thanks for sharing that resource, it sounds great!
I was homeschooled and used A Beka grammar for 9th through 12th grade. While I did well on the tests, I really struggled to understand the concepts. Fast forward several years to me now homeschooling my own children. The two resources that helped me understand grammar were Easy Grammar and the old book Grammar Land. (I believe Grammar Land is available in the public domain.) My oldest has also really excelled with Analytical Grammar, which teaches diagramming. (We've used the old version. I'm very curious to look at the new version at a homeschool convention in a few weeks.)
I've heard very good things about Analytical Grammar.
This is fantastic! Would love to see a video like this for 9th-12th grade as well.
I should plan that and complete the series!
I love this Rachel! ❤ We started more memory work this year with poetry and scripture. Next year we will be practicing our memorization from our Sonlight E scripture and a poem from our Poetry study. 😊
Memory work is such a great way to get started with performance and public speaking skills!
I agree that spelling is easy to drop with some kids and can’t drop with others!!! I look for Greek and Latin roots for vocabulary!!! I also love to add into other subjects as words come up!!! I love book studies especially as my kids love books not scheduled in curriculum!!!
It is definitely fun to learn about Latin and Greek roots and the history behind words.
This is so great. My college professor husband echoes your words about plagiarism!
I've done a lot of work with high schoolers learning to write...hence my passion for teaching about plagiarism starting early on!
We like Grammar Ace, which uses the old Schoolhouse Rock videos :) -Along with the workbook, the Teacher’s Guide includes many fun activities for practicing the Grammar Concepts.
Schoolhouse Rock is a classic!
Oh thanks so much for posting this!
Glad it's helpful!
Rachel, this information was gold. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you! I hope this will be a helpful video for many!
My daughter's dance teacher is fabulous at much she does, but her written communication is definitely not her strong suit 😅
So I agree with you that writing is super important no matter what your life brings!
Yes--for entrepreneurs or nearly any career, even those that at first glance don't involve much writing--clear and effective written communication skills are incredibly useful. It's up there with quick mental math calculations as one of the more useful skills no matter where life takes you.
Have you used Cottage Press Curriculum? It looks very similar to FLL but from a Christian perspective and an all in one program. Thanks so much for your videos. I’ve learned so much!
I have not used that curriculum, I've heard of it, but haven't seen it in real life.
I would love to know if anyone has a collection of short stories with lots of different styles that works well for this age range.
Whole books are awesome, but I'd like shorter options for honing in on some things without spending a whole book on a topic or concept.
Hmmm...most of the short story books I can think of off the top of my head are by the same author or about the same character (i.e. O. Henry, Father Brown, Sherlock Holmes).
The Abeka Literature books are actually kind of like that--short stories, excerpts of longer ones, poems, all in one volume. "Of People," "Of Places."
BJU Literature has short stories and excerpts from novels to analyze.
I'll have to see if I can find a good used price on either of those! Thanks!
Have you ever used Worldy Wise for spelling 🤔?
I haven't. There is no spelling instruction in Wordly Wise. With a child who is advanced enough in spelling to no longer need spelling instruction you could definitely just do spelling tests using the Wordly Wise word lists, although, if a child no longer needs spelling instruction, you can also opt to skip spelling tests altogether, and just naturally work on advancing spelling skills through written work, addressing any misspelled words as they come up.
@SevenInAll thank you! Unfortunately I have weak spellers and haven't stayed consistent with spelling. I have an incoming 8th and 6th grader who need more spelling help. I have been told to just use something like spectrum or evan Moore so it's a daily repetitive thing. I appreciate your insights. I usually piece meal my LA and didn't do that last year bc I tried CLE and my girls hated it. I am trying to think what would work well for this upcoming fall that won't make everyone pull their hair out.
Do you have any experience with learning language arts through literature?
I have heard of it but I don't have any experience using it.