language arts questions

I registered with Kolbe for the first time about a month ago at a conference but have not ordered my course plans and books yet for the coming school year. I have a few language arts questions before I finalize my plans.

I have 8yo, 6yo, and 3yo daughters and a 1yo son. I have used First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind (FLL) 1st and 2nd grade with my 8yo. I am hesitating to switch to Kolbe's recommended Voyages series for grammar for the following reasons: my 8yo has done very well with FLL...has all definitions and lists memorized, has a good grasp of identifying parts of speech in a sentence, enjoys using the book and cheers when I bring it out. In addition, my 6yo already has many things memorized from the book just by listening in. I have viewed the 3rd grade book in that series and it looks like something my daughter would continue to enjoy and learn from. However, so far the Well-Trained Mind Language Lessons series only goes thru 4th grade. I like it that Voyages is a program I can use thru elementary and middle grades. Any thoughts on which way to go here from moderators and other experienced hs moms?

Next question...I would like to start a writing program in the fall with my 8yo. I have looked at Writing Strands, Classical Writing, and the products from IEW. Each program has pros and cons. If I had unlimited time I might choose Classical Writing, unlimited money and time I might choose IEW. I have neither. I am leaning toward Writing Strands as it looks like a program I would actually be able to use with my daughter consistently during a busy hsing day. Again any thoughts or suggestions from moderators or other experienced hs moms who have used any of these resources?

Last I have a question about spelling. I have used MCP Spelling Workout with my 8yo. When she misspells a word that she should be able to spell, I have her copy the word in her spelling notebook and the rule from spelling workout that pertains to the part she misspelled. This seems to help her. Are there spelling rules in the Kolbe spelling course plans such that I could use a similar approach for misspelled words? (I'm talking about words that she has already spelled correctly for a spelling test, but then later misspells in other writing.)

I really appreciate the comments of the moderators and other hs moms in the posts I've read on the forum. Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions.

C

	Quote:
	I like it that Voyages is a program I can use through elementary and middle grades.

You can jump into any Voyages book at any time. They cover the same general topics each year with more depth addressed with each level. So if you want to stick with what is working now and then jump to voyages later, I don't foresee that being a problem.

I'm not as familiar with Writing Strands since it isn't in our core curriculum. I'll leave that for Celeste to address or another parent. Another option is using our Enhanced Evaluation Service for writing evaluation (not necessarily "teaching" composition though). You could even just sign up for a quarter ($50 for a 4th grader per quarter) to see if it was helpful.

As far as spelling, the bulk of the spelling "rules" are really learned in the MCP Phonics program whereas the spelling plans just pull out words from the Catholic National Reader. So the spelling plans could easily be used in conjunction with the MCP Spelling Workout program you used. This is not by any means my area of expertise, so I'm just saying that if it's not broken, don't fix it?

_________________
Megan Lengyel
Kolbe Academy Home School
Academic Advisor Department
Math and Science Advisor

I also got a reply from Mrs. Muth, our elementary advisor:

Dianne Muth wrote:

I would tell her to use what she has since it has been successful for her. I doubt that she would have a problem transitioning to Voyages later, especially since the student knows the parts of speech. Writing Strands is a very good program and is relatively inexpensive. I always encourage students to have a writing notebook beginning in first grade and to try writing a paragraph every day; practice makes perfect. We have a list of spelling rules that we can send to families if needed, but these are not included in the spelling course plan. However, it sounds like she is already doing a good job in all of the language arts.

_________________
Megan Lengyel
Kolbe Academy Home School
Academic Advisor Department
Math and Science Advisor

Hi,
I noticed that the "Ignatius Writes and Speaks II" is not available to order on line, although, it is listed as the 2nd grade English workbook. The only book listed is the Kolbe English 2. Does this replace the Ignatius workbook? Please advise.
Thank you,
Joan

Yes "Ignatius Speaks and Writes" was the original English 2. The new English 2 is now just called "English 2." Sorry for any confusion on that...

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Megan Lengyel
Kolbe Academy Home School
Academic Advisor Department
Math and Science Advisor

Thank you! We just enrolled today! I'm looking forward to getting the materials!!