First Language Lessons is a simple-to-use, scripted guide to grammar and composition that makes successful teaching simple for parents and assists them in assuring their child's success in language arts. The lessons are short but effective; each one taking only 5-15 minutes. The books teach grammar concepts in a gentle, yet thorough, way. In just minutes a day, your child will learn eight parts of speech, the basic rules of capitalization and punctuation, the four types of sentences, and beginning storytelling and narration skills.
Jessie Wise, coauthor of The Well-Trained Mind, wrote this language program that supports classical education. She actually combines Charlotte Mason's ideas with classical education elements. While it shares many elements found in English for the Thoughtful Child, it has much more content and a stronger emphasis on recitation, repetition, and memorization. The lessons follow a developmental sequence, easing your child from simple copywork to more advanced concepts. Sara Buffington, the coauthor, is a writer and children's book editor with teaching experience of her own. She is the co-author of The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading.
First Language Lessons uses picture study, and other classical techniques including memorization, copywork, dictation, and narration to develop your child's language ability in those first formative, all-important years of study. It is a very complete beginning grammar and writing text.
Parent/child scripts provide a flexible framework for each lesson, both saving time and lending confidence to the parent. Many parents really appreciate the detailed lesson presentation with the script that tells them exactly what to say and do. This is especially helpful for new, less experienced home teachers. The scripted exercises also train a child's ear so that s/he uses correct grammar. Original, up-to-date, clear, illustrations make the picture study both engaging and effective.
Much of this description paraphrased from Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks for Homeschool CurriculumHomeschoolers' Comments
"We purchased this book when our son was beginning 2nd second grade. We worked through the first grade material quickly, and also finished the 2nd grade material during that school year. He loved the oral aspect of the program: the repetition, sing-songy chants, and working one on one with me. The copywork/dictation lessons were just right - not too often or too much for his developing handwriting skills (there are also several choices so you can choose one that fits your child's development). I even took his (then) 4th grade sister through the lessons that taught the chants for state of being/helping verbs & prepositions. They are now in 5th & 7th, and both still remember those long lists! The time commitment is pretty small, very little planning, and if you think the repetition of the definitions, word lists or poems will drive you crazy, there is a CD also available." SJ
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Instructor Book - First Language Lessons - Levels 1 and 2
A two-year beginning grammar and writing course.
These scripted lessons focus on training children to properly use standard English. Parents can assure their child's success in language arts with this simple-to-use guide. First Language Lessons uses picture study, and other classical techniques to develop the child's language ability in those first two all-important years of study.
The book teaches rules, usage, and beginning writing skills. Using memory work, dictation and copy work, narration, and grammar, it exposes children to traditional English content in classical style. 200 lessons are provided (100 for each grade) that start with a brief listing of concepts to be introduced, items needed (pencil, paper, envelopes dictionary, etc.), notes to the instructor, and then a scripted lesson to teach the concepts. Definitions and terms are featured in bold print, with suggested answers for children to provide, plus copy work assignments. Most contain enrichment activities, which develop or review a given concept within the regular exercises, or can be used with older or more advanced students. Mastery of these language arts lessons is not the primary intent of this book; introduction and exposure to correct English (in speech, grammar, and writing) is the goal. Whether you are following the classical approach in your educational philosophy or not, this is a delightfully simple and clear way to teach the parts of speech, the writing process, proper punctuation, and other basic language arts skills. Softcover, 422 pages.
Lesson plans provide a flexible but completely finished script that the parent can simply read to the child or use as a framework for each lesson, both saving time and lending confidence to the new homeshcooling parent. The scripted exercises also train a child's ear so that s/he uses correct grammar.
Original, up-to-date, clear, illustrations make picture study both engaging and effective.
This one book is all you need to teach grammar and writing for first and second grade. The lessons are short but effective; each one takes 5-15 minutes. The first 40 lessons are oral, since most first graders are not ready to do a lot of pencil-work. (There are enrichment exercises for those children who write easily.)
This book teaches grammar concepts in a gentle, yet thorough, way. In just minutes a day, two to three times per week, your child will learn eight parts of speech, the basic rules of capitalization and punctuation, the four types of sentences, and beginning storytelling and narration skills. For a detailed list of the topics covered in first and second grade, click here.
You can also purchase the audio companion to Levels 1 and 2. This CD is an excellent memory aid; it contains all the poems to be memorized, as well as chanted and sung versions of the all the lists of the parts of speech. The audio companion also contains dramatic readings of all the stories in the book (so it is perfect for rest time, too).
Your child should have his or her own notebook for keeping all their work.
Grades 1 and 2 |
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Audio Companion CD - First Language Lessons
This CD is an excellent memory aid; it features entertaining stories, memorable rhymes, all the poems to be memorized, as well as songs that make memorization of the parts of speech something everyone will look forward to. This audio companion also contains dramatic readings of all the stories in the book (so it is perfect for rest time, too). Radio professional Mark Russo reads stories and poems from the book; singer-songwriter Mike Smith plays fun, catchy, sing-along songs, making memorization even more enjoyable. A short introduction by Jessie Wise explains some basics of teaching grammar and how you can best use this CD. |
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Instructor Book - First Language Lessons - Level 3
Level 3 reinforces the grammar and writing concepts introduced in the previous levels. It also introduces new material, including sentence diagramming. Level 3 has two parts: the instructor book and the student workbook. The instructor book has the same simple-to-use, scripted format as the previous levels. The accompanying student workbook makes it easier for busy parents to spend more time teaching, and less time preparing (you don? have to hand-draw any diagram frames!).
First Language Lessons Level 3 is designed to follow Levels 1 and 2, but can be used as a first grammar text for older students. The optional end-units on writing letters, dictionary skills, and oral usage allow you to tailor the instruction to the needs of your child.
Grade 3 |
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Student Book - First Language Lessons - Level 3
Rather than having their own generic notebook, children in this grade should use this student book. |
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Instructor Book - First Language Lessons - Level 4
We have not received these new books as yet from the publisher. They are expecting them sometime early in November. Please do not order until this message disappears. Thank you!
HOWEVER!!! If you want to get started or try this program you can go to the publisher's website at http://www.peacehillpress.com/ and download the first 20 lessons!
This volume, the fourth in the complete elementary grammar series, uses classical techniques of memorization, dictation, and narration to develop your child's language ability in the important, foundational years of language study. The text covers a full range of grammar topics, including parts of speech, punctuation, sentence diagrams, and skills in beginning writing and storytelling. Optional end units provide practice in dictionary use and letter writing.
Scripted exercises provide a flexible framework for each lesson. The innovative question-and-answer format makes grammar concepts perfectly clear, while the accompanying workbook makes it possible for busy parents and teachers to spend more time teaching and less time preparing. Designed to follow Levels 1–3, Level 4 can also be used as a first grammar text for older students.
Writing and speaking well—these skills are central to academic success. Help your young student achieve them with First Language Lessons.
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$29.95
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Student Book - First Language Lessons - Level 4
We have not received these new books as yet from the publisher. They are expecting them sometime early in November. Please do not order until this message disappears. Thank you!
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$19.95
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