Dear Emily,
Q. I am new to using SWR and started my younger 2 children at the beginning (almost 9 yrs old and 6 years old) and my oldest child is supposed to start at Section O (he's 10 years old).
Since we are new and learning how to use the program, I was wondering about all the rule pages and when we are to introduce them. He's a decent speller, but we're both clueless with all the rules at this point (I admittedly need to prepare some stuff better).
Would it hurt to start my 5th grader back with my other 2 so we can learn all the rules for spelling and marking words correctly? I'm thinking after yesterday that it wouldn't be a bad idea. We had a very frustrating day.
A. It is fine to teach the three together, especially when you are just starting out with the program. Keep in mind, however, that the words themselves will all be ones that he knows. His mind will not be as fulling engaged as it will be once he starts getting words that he does not know. I remember teaching one older boy who was half hearted with the dictation until I came to a word that he did not know already. He protested, "I haven't learned that one yet!" I said, "Good. Now you can see the tools I have been given you at work." From that moment on he became alive with dictation and he made great progress. With that experience in mind, I would add a challenge word each week from somewhere above the O level. Look for words that fit the same rules and ideas that you have already taught. If you haven't taught silent final E's yet, then don't teach a word with a silent final E.
With Section A -- command (Wise word #1238)
With Section B -- beggar (Wise word #1239)
With Section C -- independent (Wise word #1789)
With Section D -- homestead (derivative of home)
With Section E -- thicket (derivative of thick)
As you have worked through some of those reference pages and become more confident with dictation, you can actually start teaching him in Section O. For now jump in and start learning together as a family.
Have fun,
Wanda Sanseri
Q. I am new to using SWR and started my younger 2 children at the beginning (almost 9 yrs old and 6 years old) and my oldest child is supposed to start at Section O (he's 10 years old).
Since we are new and learning how to use the program, I was wondering about all the rule pages and when we are to introduce them. He's a decent speller, but we're both clueless with all the rules at this point (I admittedly need to prepare some stuff better).
Would it hurt to start my 5th grader back with my other 2 so we can learn all the rules for spelling and marking words correctly? I'm thinking after yesterday that it wouldn't be a bad idea. We had a very frustrating day.
A. It is fine to teach the three together, especially when you are just starting out with the program. Keep in mind, however, that the words themselves will all be ones that he knows. His mind will not be as fulling engaged as it will be once he starts getting words that he does not know. I remember teaching one older boy who was half hearted with the dictation until I came to a word that he did not know already. He protested, "I haven't learned that one yet!" I said, "Good. Now you can see the tools I have been given you at work." From that moment on he became alive with dictation and he made great progress. With that experience in mind, I would add a challenge word each week from somewhere above the O level. Look for words that fit the same rules and ideas that you have already taught. If you haven't taught silent final E's yet, then don't teach a word with a silent final E.
With Section A -- command (Wise word #1238)
With Section B -- beggar (Wise word #1239)
With Section C -- independent (Wise word #1789)
With Section D -- homestead (derivative of home)
With Section E -- thicket (derivative of thick)
As you have worked through some of those reference pages and become more confident with dictation, you can actually start teaching him in Section O. For now jump in and start learning together as a family.
Have fun,
Wanda Sanseri
No comments:
Post a Comment