In the Using Language Well
series, students learn from engaging with selections from time-honored authors
to learn to compose clearly and effectively. Created by Simply Charlotte Mason,
this newly updated English, grammar, and spelling program pulls passages from their
previous product, Spelling Wisdom but adds new content. Passages come
from literature, poetry, ESV Scripture (often the Psalms), quotations, and even
nonfiction (such as speeches).
Students learn by interacting in
various ways with these samples. In the Charlotte Mason approach, composition is
integrated in all subjects. Therefore, this course pulls from multiple subjects
to model English concepts. Each consumable Student Book includes 72
lessons with space for answers, a Dictation Journal, and special fold-out
reminders for “How to Study a Book” or “How to Mark a Sentence” (Levels 4-6).
Each lesson provides the passage excerpt, steps for that day’s assignments
(which often include narration and dictation) and lines to write responses
(line size adjusts based on grade level.). Narrations require a student to take
an assigned topic and tell/write what he knows or thinks about that topic. The
publisher gives permission to make printed copies for immediate household use.
Teacher involvement is crucial,
but the time commitment diminishes as your student progresses through the
levels. Once you’re familiar with the lesson setup and the Charlotte Mason
methods used, each course is fairly open-and-go. The Teacher Book provides
the specific directions you’ll need to help your student strengthen dictation, narration,
and composition skills. You’ll have step-by-step instructions, answers, FAQs
for using dictation and narration methods, punctuation helps, and rubrics for
grading student writing.
Lesson length varies by level. In
most levels, students work through each lesson following multiple steps. Typically,
the last two steps require marking and studying any unfamiliar words.
Occasionally, composition activities are offered for additional writing
practice. The average schedule is two lessons weekly, with a maximum of 20
minutes per lesson for your oldest student. However, total weekly lesson time
will vary based on individual needs. For a complete language arts course, add
reading/literature studies (and other skills--such as handwriting instruction--as
your individual child needs).
Students may start in Level 1 if
they can read and transcribe comfortably at a third to fourth grade reading
level. We strongly recommend your student taking the
placement test, which will place your student based on their ability to
respond to a handful of assignments. As you progress through the various
levels, lessons will become more complicated and include longer and more challenging
passages. By Level 6, students will be functioning at about an 8th grade level
in reading and composing skills. Level 7 is a unique “polish your punctuation” and
“hone sentence writing” course, designed to be used over 2 school years at one
lesson per week. So, Level 7 is a good fit for any student needing to work on
punctuation and composing clear communication. See each level’s description for
specific content. ~ Ruth
