Language Arts for First Grade

Large phonics workbook--American Education Publishing

Two weeks ago, I posted Reading for First Grade.  I gave a list of books that we will choose from for reading.  Today, I want to show what we will be using for Language Arts.

The 5 W's Reading Skills--Bryan House publisher

I consider this workbook for learning about what needs to be included in good writing, whether for sentences and/or paragraphs.  The cover mentions that this workbook builds reading skills.  It is a great workbook because each reproducible provides a reading passage and simple questions to answer.

Starfall.com workbook

I love everything about Starfall.  The website is great for the emerging reader.  This workbook had been offered for free years ago.  I took advantage and had sent out for 4 sets, one set for each of my children.  I held onto this one for my youngest.

The website offers the workbook, in PDF, for free.  You can also buy the workbooks cheaply.

Words with pictures in Starfall book

Workbook provides space for writing--Starfall

Spelling & Writing--Carson-Dellosa

I'm thinking that I'll use this small workbook, (pictured above) which includes a chart and stickers, after the Starfall workbook is finished.  It would function nicely as a summer enrichment workbook.

Spelling Super Workbook--Hooked On Phonics

I like the Hooked On Phonics product line.  The workbooks feature lots of colorful pictures.  This spelling workbook includes charts and stickers to show progress.  This large workbook is split into chapters.  The answers are provided, too.

Well, thanks for reading this entry about what I'm using to teach Language Arts to my first grade student.  I hope I've given you all an idea of what could be used in the home school.

How about you, my readers?  For those of you who home school, what are you using for Language Arts for first grade?  Are you satisfied with your curriculum choices?  It's fun to find various books for first grade for Language Arts.  It gives our children a chance to learn how to write from different sources.

I pray that God helps us all, whether we are homeschooling or are thinking of home schooling.

May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace, as you teach your children.

This has been an entry for Thorough Thursdays.  Hope you liked it.

S is for Spelling with the Nintendo DS

I'm currently participating in 

an ABC's for homeschooling challenge.  

Since it falls on Tuesdays, 

I am adding a technological slant to the challenge.  

I hope you stay tuned and enjoy my entries.

Scripps Spelling Bee for Nintendo DS

As I mentioned last week, I searched for games for my six year-old.  Daddy had bought her a used Nintendo DS.  I am okay with my kids getting a game console of any sort, as long as I can find educational games.  That's when I found this spelling game at www.amazon.com.  

I was immediately drawn to Scripps Spelling Bee.  I wanted to add a technological aide to our homeschooling that would cover spelling.  Spelling is required in Texas, where we live.  I was looking for any materials and/or methods to help improve spelling.  I was hoping that it would work for my youngest daughter, who was close to six years-old.

Menu shows different options

The player can be quizzed with spelling words.  He/She can practice spelling.  Then, there are even fun games to spell.

Settings for game play

You can change the difficulty level of spelling.  There can be up to eight players.  Also, you can use the stylus pen to print the letters to spell.  I'm not in favor of that.  I preferred the KeyPad, which is in the QWERTY style because the spelling is more accurate and wastes less time.

QWERTY keypad plus

You can see the QWERTY keypad.  It's easy to see, and easy to use.  Also, there are additional buttons, including the book that gives definitions to the words; the quotes button gives a sentence in which the word is used; the world globe gives the word origin, and the speech bubble says the word outloud.

Screen when word is spelled wrong

If the player spells the word wrong, this screen pops up.  It gives you the opportunity to try again.  It will also show you the word's spelling.  For example, I was told to spell the word for a group of actors.  The word was boodle, but I thought it was broodle.

To me, these are the advantages to Scripps Spelling Bee:

1. The game is challenging.  The player can progress through the levels.

2. Listening skills are tested.  The player must listen to spell the required words.  If you can't hear the words, you can look up the definition, how the word is used in a sentence, and the word origin.

3. The game is well-organized.  A study list can also be included.

Here are some disadvantages to Scripps Spelling Bee:

1. Must be able to read.  A competition is held in one of the modes.  To go amongst the menus, you should be able to read.  That makes is more enjoyable.  Even I found it fun to practice my spelling skills.  I did pretty good.

2. Words to spell sound garbled.  Player needs to be in a quiet place to hear the words.

3. It is too advanced for a six-year old.  My daughter said it was too difficult for her.  My other kids do have usernames within the games.  My kids range in ages from 11 to 15.  It is more appropriate for fourth grade and above.

For more information about educational games for the Nintendo Wii and DS, please visit Mentor InterActive Inc.

Well, thanks for reading this entry about how I've incorporated technology into spelling for my children.  

Next week, I will be covering the letter T.  

Please stay tuned!

How about you, my readers?  Do your offer alternative methods to improve spelling?  Have you considered using technology for your children to practice spelling?  If so, which ones?  I believe in finding resources to help in the home school.  I encourage you to expose your children to education through technology.

I pray that God gives you all, my beloveds, His wisdom and peace.

This has been an entry for the Technology Tuesdays series.

Spelling for High School

Book I'm using for spelling for high school.

In the state of Texas, one of the subjects that must be taught is spelling.  I know that spelling (or vocabulary) can be covered within grammar or reading.  I decided to split Language Arts into: reading, grammar, writing, and spelling.  Some homeschooling moms might like to take spelling words from within the reading.  That is one great idea.

One day, we visited Half Price Books.  I saw the book (pictured above):

Words You Should Know In High School: 1000 Essential Words To Build Vocabulary, Improve Standardized Test Scores, And Write Successful Papers [Paperback] by Burton Jay Nadler (2005), which can be found in Amazon.com.

I bought the book because I realized I could use it for my up and coming ninth grader.  In fact, I'd be set for the whole of high school.  I also envisioned using it for my other kids.  To compile the lists for 4 grades, 9th to 12th, would be time-consuming, but it would pay off at the end.  I figured I would make sets of 10 for every school week.  

This means I would have 25 sets for every high school year which equals 1,000 words total.

This is a sample of spelling lists I created from the book.

I put tabs on the book.

I placed tabs for every letter of the alphabet within the book.  This has helped me find the words for my lists, which I have yet to finish.  (I would like to make the lists available from this blog at some point.  Please be patient.)  The tabs are also helping my son find the words because the definitions can be found in the book.  Yes, the book is a mini-dictionary.

This a sample page of the book, showing definitions.

The book also includes a list of useful roots and prefixes to help a child breakdown words not readily known.  Three articles at the end cover words a child should know about college.

Document found through The Organized Classroom Blog.

I found the document, titled Differentiated Spelling Homework Menu (pictured above), from Charity Preston.  This document allows my children to study their spelling words as they choose.  I liked giving my children options on how to work with their spelling lists.  

I love getting free documents, and you, my readers, can find it at Teachers pay Teachers.  To access the document, you will have to subscribe to the website.  It is worth subscribing because you can find other free resources at the website.

 

To find out more about Charity Preston (yes, I'm plugging her because she's that awesome!), visit her Facebook Fanpage at:

The Organized Classroom Blog, which can be found through Facebook

I'm giving credit to creator of document.

Choices are highlighted.

I asked my son to highlight the choices for how to study his spelling words.  This gives him a sense of control over how he handles his work.  I liked having the ability, through a document, to give him an opportunity to make an educational decision.  I'm not using the points system, though.  The document is great for other grades besides high school; I'm using it with my fifth and seventh graders, too.

Well, thanks for reading this entry about how I am addressing the issue of spelling for my children.  I hope I've given a unique idea of how to teach spelling, especially for the high school grades in Texas.

How about you, my readers?  For those of you who homeschool, what are you using for spelling?  Are you satisfied with your spelling curriculum?  Do you combine spelling with other subjects?  It's perfectly fine to combine subjects.  Spelling is required in Texas.  I have chosen to isolate spelling in my homeschool.

 

I pray that God helps us all, whether we are homeschooling or are thinking of homeschooling.

May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace, as you teach your children.

This has been an entry for Thorough Thursdays.  Hope you liked it.