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1.
Choose Spelling Materials |
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Recommended
for 1st and 2nd grades:
Spectrum Spellers
The thirty-six colorful lessons each containing four fun but
simple pages, have words and activities based on phonetic
principles.
The first grade book is good for children who are just
learning to read. The first 15 lessons review the most basic phonetic
principles, but don't actually have word lists to memorize. Beginning
with the 16th lesson, there are word lists containing 6 words (and 4
challenge words for those who wish to use them) and simple, but useful
activities involving those words, phonics, and study skills (such as ABC
order).
The second grade book is also phonetically based, each
lesson having ten "core" words and five optional "challenge" words.
Different dictionary and study skills are covered in each lesson. A
particular advantage of the Spectrum spellers is that each lesson
contains a short writing exercise. (Each writing lesson in this
book also has an example of the same exercise done by another student.
This example contains misspelled words for your child to proofread. I
usually cross this section out to avoid having the child see the misspelled
words*, but do read it aloud to give and idea of how to do the writing
lesson.)*which according to CM can
do more harm than good- brain sees the word misspelled and this "photograph"
imprinted on the brain can cause confusion
*If your 1st grader is just
learning to read, I suggest using the Grade 1 speller.
*If your 1st grader is already a proficient
reader and has a fairly good foundation in phonics, I would suggest
getting the Grade 2 spelling book.
*You may need to search around Amazon to
find the right book. It seems that they don't always carry them.
I've also had luck finding these books at teacher-supply stores and
regular bookstores like B&N (which can probably order them for you if
they don't have them in stock).
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2. Choose Phonics
Materials |
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Really
Reading!
Tanglewood's own reading program
is now available
through a free PDF download!
If your child can
recognize
most of his letters and knows most
of the consonants'
sounds, try this
learn-to-read program
and save your $ for books!
Click here:
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*We
suggest that beginning readers use the Really Reading program along
with Spectrum Phonics Grade 2 and a variety of easy readers found at
your library/bookstore. |
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 Spectrum
Phonics
These phonics workbooks have been around for years as Merrill
Phonics Skilltexts. Now, with a new name and a new color look,
they are actually cheaper! I couldn't do without these workbooks.
As much as I like natural learning (no workbooks), I depend on these for
order and thoroughness. Each page is one short lesson, and each
lesson briefly explains a phonetic rule and then has a straightforward
activity illustrating the rule. (Dictionary and
study/comprehension skills are briefly covered too.) In my
opinion, a necessity!*I've found that the grade levels are on
the easy side. If your first grader can read, I suggest using a grade 2 book.
Recommended for 1st grade: either...
Recommended for 2nd grade: either...
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3. Choose your English Grammar
materials |
Choices for
1st grade:
choice #1 (Tanglewood's pick)
Do not do formal grammar study this
year.
Instead, cover the grammar rules listed below during copywork
exercises.
Essential
grammar rules to know by the end of 1st grade:
1. Every sentence begins with a capital letter.
2. Every sentence ends with an end mark.
3. "Telling" sentences end with periods.
4. "Asking" sentences end with question marks.
5. Be able to recognize a comma.
Note: Many publishers
including Rod & Staff do not
have texts for this
grade. Their formal studies
start in 2nd grade.
We agree with this approach.
First graders need
to their effort into developing
their new reading
skills.
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choice
#2:
First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind
Written by Jessie Wise, the co-author of The
Well-Trained Mind, this text is a complete beginning grammar
course. All the lessons are scripted (tells the parent
exactly what to say). Even though this text is advertised as a
classical approach to teaching grammar, Charlotte Mason"ites"
will appreciate the emphasis on poem memorization, picture study, and copywork
lessons as well.
(For more of my thoughts
on this text, see the description for 2nd grade
at this link.)
Intended for use in 1st and 2nd grades.
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A great workbook series to
consider:
 Language
Practice series
Although I'm not much of a workbook person, I really like these workbooks
and would suggest using them during the second half of the school year.
I recommend these books especially for those who use First Language Lessons
and/or simply copywork for teaching English grammar.
Each book is designed for a specific grade level and covers most (if not
all) of the important concepts your child should know in simple one-page
lessons. Each concept is briefly, but clearly explained, followed by
meaningful practice exercises. Great preparation for those
standardized tests, in addition to being short & sweet!!
(I've found that the grade
levels are appropriately assigned for these workbooks and would suggest
sticking to your child's grade level regardless of whether you're doing
a 'slower' Charlotte Mason track or a 'faster' classical track.)
Language Practice 1 -$11.99
Available through
Tanglewood- probably available at your local teacher supply store.
Amazon usually does not keep this in stock.
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Remember to get your
Tanglewood Corebook! |
