Tag: homeschool language arts

Homeschool

Language Arts Curriculum Picks, 22-23: Brother James

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Dearest Loves,

Let me preface this with, “we are eclectic homeschoolers”. We don’t use just one thing to teach one subject. Language arts is not the exception, it is the rule. It was very important for me to begin to expose James to the foundations of literature and to allow him space to apply literacy, grammar and comprehension concepts to literary works. I also really wanted to work on his creative writing muscles. Lastly, I wanted to formally introduce vocabulary this year. Whew!

Now that we got that out of the way, here is what we are using. I do suggest heading over to youtube to listen to how I plan on making all of this work.

Read Aloud for Literature Exploration: Black Boy Joy, 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood

Reading: All About Reading, Level 4

Spelling: All About Reading, Level 2

Grammar: Kamali Academy, middle grades

Handwriting: Melanin Inspirations Cursive Practice

Creative Writing: LWT Building Writer, Usborne Books, Young and Brilliant Workbook

Vocabulary: Young and Brilliant Vocabulary Puzzles, Banish Boring Words, Word Roots Beginner, Schoolnest Vocabulary Notebook.
I know that was a lot. You can see all the items here. You can read what we are doing for Jude here.

Homeschool

Language Arts Curriculum Picks, 22-23: Brother Jude

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Hiya Loves!

So, our LA curriculum is expansive and that is because my kids are not “one-size fits-all”. They need specifications and alterations. Through this year, we’ve observed lots of difficulty with Jude’s reading fluency although he can recognize both upper and lower case letters and their phonemes. He can segment cvc words and even spell them but reading is difficult. It is affecting his confidence as well so we are taking interventions.

With that, these are what we are choosing so far but may change

Reading: Teach Your Child to read in 100 Easy lessons, Orton Gillingham Workbook, Explode the Code

Handwriting: Melanin Inspirations copy work, Schoolnest Copywork Notebook, Letters and Numbers for Me

Spine Read Aloud: I Affirm Me

Everything is linked here and you can watch me explain it all here. 

Oh! You can read what we are doing for James here!

Homeschool

Curriculum Picks, 21-22: Second Grade

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Hey Loves!

We made it! We are at the end of the 2021-2022 Curriculum Picks series. Thanks for rocking with me. Today is everything for our young second grader, James. Like Jude, James’ next year will most likely be 2nd Grade 2.0 and we are so fine with that. My kids did stellar with all 2020 threw at us and yet, we still may need another year solidifying things before hitting the hard stuff of third grade. We are also preparing James for his first year of testing in addition to a full day at our local homeschool program and gymnastics. Whew!

I also would like to kinda see how much James can handle and retain well. I feel like I am always reconciling his age with his intellectual and physical abilities; not wanting to either push too hard or limit him. I think him having his own science and history time with me will work out well as his love language is quality time.

Anywho, let’s get into it!

Language Arts: All About Reading, Level 3, Easy Grammar Level 3, Spelling You See, Level C, Learning Without Tears Building Writers and Cursive Kick off, Evan Moore Daily 6-Trait Writing, Grade 1

Math: Saxon Math, Level 2, Horizons Math Level 1, Let’s Play Math

Science: Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 2, paired with manipulatives, picture books, encyclopedias and documentaries; Exploring the building Blocks of Science Book 1

History: Story of the World Volume 1, Early China Civilizations through picture books, Immigration in the United States through Picture books

Morning Starters: Evan Moore Critical and Creative Thinking, Spectrum Test Practice Grade 1

Bible, Black History, American Government and Economics (see links)

Homeschool

Curriculum Picks, 21-22: Kindergarten

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Hey Loves!

Can you see it? We are almost at the end of this series and-don’t you fret- I’ve got some awesome things lined up to share with you!

This one will be quick. This is a run down of what we are using for Jude’s Kindergarten year. We chose this as well as designed his goals (blog post coming) knowing next year would not be first grade, it would be Kindergarten 2.0 and we are 3,000% ok with that. 

2020 was a doozy, yes we made it but honestly, barely. We gained so much but I really feel like another year honing skills and growing will do us all good.

Here we go!

Language Arts: All About Reading, Level 1, Dash Into Learning Reader Series, Explode the Code, Spelling You See, Level A, Learning Without Tears My First Lowercase

Math: Let’s Play Math, Math U See Primer, possibly Horizons K and/or Saxon Math Level K or 1.

Science: Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 2, paired with manipulatives, picture books, encyclopedias and documentaries.

Bible, Black History, American Government and Economics (see links)

Homeschool

Curriculum Picks, 21-22: Language Arts

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Hey Loves!

You guessed it- it is time to share our curriculum picks for the 2021-2022 homeschool year. You should know none of the creators, publishers or authors have paid me or given me free product to share this with you. I, like you, spend way too much time on Youtube and Instagram doing research and crossing my fingers as I purchase. Let’s kick off this series with Language Arts.

Last was our first year using All About Reading (you can read about it here and here) and it was so good, the next levels for both boys was the first purchase I made. Both boys’ literacy skills and their enjoyment and desire to read skyrocketed with this curriculum. Not to mention, they offer tons of free games and resources via their website. We are all looking forward to the great things ahead!

Both boys will also be using Spelling You See  this year by Demme Learning. We introduced it with James during the 20-21 school year and the method has really proven to work-not just to improve spelling fluency but also helped James meet other goals like increased confidence, handwriting and working independently. I’m excited to use both levels in tandem with the boys now that I have a solid rhythm with James.

For grammar, we were thoroughly pleased with Growing with Grammar. I honestly don’t have any complaints which may sound odd given that we will not be using it next year. Again, I have no malice at all with Growing with Grammar but I feel James needs a tiny push in this area, hence us switching to Easy Grammar. I went back and forth and after speaking with my husband, we both agreed level 3 would be the push he needs and aid in his writing skills.

We will bring back our Dash Into Learning books for Jude to practice reading fluency.

There is no shocker here when I tell you we are using Learning Without Tears for handwriting. It is all we have ever used and I have not anything comparable. James will continue with manuscript but will also begin Kickoff to Cursive will Jude will begin lowercase manuscript.

And that’s Language Arts! Any questions? I may answer them in this video or via IG.