First Language Lessons & Writing With Ease

 First Language Lessons & Writing With Ease
 by Jessie Wise

My good friend, Chelle (am I allowed to use your name?  tell me to change it and I will!) asked me to put this up on the blog (weeks ago); and if you know me I do try to do what I am told!!  I was telling our friend from Australia about our Language Arts programs (LA). I like abbreviations so I use WWE for Writing With Ease and FLL for First Language Lessons to save typing.  This is a little review of the Language Arts program we have been using for years....and I love it!  In college, my professors use to get so exasperated with me and my pitiful grammar!   I am hoping by the time Dd gets through 12th grade, my sentences will improve too!  This program has opened the door of grammar for me; and I had built up quite a high wall!

WWE (writing with ease) is just a writing program.  Each week you get a short story that you have to do Narration on Day 1, Dictation on Day 2, read another short snippet of a story and have Narration/Dictation on Day 3, and Dictation on Day 4...the end.  There is NO grammar, no diagramming, nothing but short stories that the student breaks down in his own words into a narration, and/or you dictate to him.  My Dd use to like this program; b/c they use many of the books we've already read for the snippets that we use to narrate--like Pinocchio, Little House on the Prairie, or Mrs. Piggle Wiggle...As I've mentioned, we do things usually in "chunks" b/c sometimes my Dd is open to certain things and other times she isn't.  Right now she is really open to FLL (first language lessons) so we have been doing at least a lesson a day--sometimes more.

FLL
I should say upfront that I have used no other grammar programs than WWE and FLL, so I have nothing to compare them to.  I should also say that writing and grammar are my weakest subjects and I wanted something totally Tracy-proof!  In both programs they spell out what the instructors says and type in examples of correct student answers.  We started with the First Language Lessons book that is Level 1 and 2 combined:  Level 1 & 2 has NO diagramming.  It is only when you move into the upper levels that there is diagramming.



First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind (Vol. Levels 1 & 2) (First Language Lessons) by Jessie Wise



and this audio that really is great--we use this audio still!

This is a cd that puts grammar terms to music!  It is great!

First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind: Audio Companion for Levels 1 & 2 (Second Edition) by Jessie Wise, Mark Russo and Mike Smith

The Level 1 & 2 book and disc just go over the basics--nouns, verbs, adj., adv., prepositions.....and the disc puts all that information to very memorable music--yes, I have all these grammar songs memorized and I can sing them all of the top of my head and more importantly so can my Dd.  I highly recommend this program if you aren't already past the basic's.

Now for what you don't want to hear--FLL after Level 1 & 2 goes into diagramming. I have no idea why we were taught diagramming, and I have no idea why I am teaching my Dd diagramming!!!  Really!!!!!  But, it is helping her to break down each sentence to find the verb, find the subject, find the direct object......etc.  The most fun my Dd is having right now, is with these huge sentences that are 90 % prepositional phrases and you go through and cross-out the prepositional phrases and are left with a tiny, short sentence!!  She gets a big kick out of that!  Don't ask me why!

I don't know if it is what you are looking for or not.  It really does have a lot of diagramming - but, she does do a great job giving fun things for "optional activities" to get to see what things are--like taking a stuffed animal and putting it all around a chair to learn prepositions...etc. those are fun to do when we do them.  I just rec'd my next level last week.  We will be starting Level 4 soon.  I am a bit of a Raymond Moore (better late than Early) girl so we are in lower levels in most areas.  But, Dd didn't score below her grade level in any of our testing--which I figured she would have--??  The program seems really good to me b/c for the FIRST time in my life I am understanding grammar! and that is extraordinary!

Let me know if you want/need any more detailed information on either of the programs.  If you go to christianbook.com and type in First Language Lessons  you can see inside the books to SEE inside and get an idea of the materials.  I just tested it out and they do show a bit.

*I should also mention (and forgot to on my first try posting) that for the levels after 1 & 2, you buy a "Student Workbook" and an "Instructors Guide" book.  So, each day we both open our individual books to the lesson we are working on and I read and she does what I tell her to do...as it is scripted.  The Instructors Guide's are not written in (or at least I don't see why you would); but each child would need their own "Student Workbook"--so for you, you would need 2 of the student workbooks.

Each level goes into more and more detail and gets more technically elevated about comprehending the terms.


Here is the set I just got from Rainbow Resources--but since Rainbow has high shipping charges to Aussie, you can get these books anywhere--amazon, CHristianbook....



First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind Level 4 Student Workbook
Jessie Wise





First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind, Level 4--Teacher's Edition
Jessie Wise

Caterpillars, Cake, and garden highlights from 8-27-2012

As we brought in some fennel that looked like it was flowering, we noticed we had some Black Swallowtail caterpillars!  At first I only saw one, then found more as we went along.  We still haven't cooked up the fennel; but have eaten some fresh.  The fennel is new to us and we are not quite sure about all the details of it yet.  When we grew dill a few years ago we attracted a lot of Black Swallowtails, and their young but we've had a dry spell for 2 years now.  We brought out our fish tank for such an occassion as this!  We are elated to watch these caterpillars grow, molt, turn into their chrysalis's and eventually morph into beautiful butterflies.  Yay!  I LOVE NATURE!  Isn't the Lord so great to do all this?!  It so amazes me the deeper I look and learn.

Any who--here are our pix from the past few days.  Dd wanted me to take pictures of her making ice cream last night (from scratch); but I thought this chocolate cake would be enough of her making sugary desserts for one post.  She loves to cook & bake & make things--and hey, if you can eat it too; well then that is a bonus!

Pappa did help her with the icing; but she says she helped with it.  He is really a pro at icing!

These gords are all volunteers from last year!

One turnip on the left- a volunteer found in the blackberry section-from last year

We have tons more tomatoes; here are just a few.  They aren't turning red as fast as 2 weeks ago because it isn't as hot; but they are still producing very nicely.  Our 4 new areas that we planted are doing great!  We have lettuce up and growing-- I'll try to get pix of that soon.  Yesterday it was raining, so I couldn't get outside pix!  It rained!! YAY!

2 Pumpkins-volunteers too!  We have quite a few out there growing right now.  They are all small - I think they are "pie pumkins".  We throw our compost into a section of the garden and then we get surprises!  We have 4 cantalopes getting big right now from our spring compost pile!  I hope they turn out good--we've never grown them before!  The green above - with the small pumkins is the fennel plant that the Black Swallowtails like to eat.  Doesn't the fennel plant look like it's cousin the dill?!

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One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

I did finish a great book on our trip called " A Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voscamp:

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp


It took me months to read this book.  But, it was one of those books where you could only read a little bit at a time.  I recommend this book to all of us ladies who might need a little cheering up.  The author finds some happiness by counting all her blessings each day.  She makes a point to recognize all the small and large, significant and 'insignificant' things that God puts in our path each day.  Little things like a flower blooming, a Harvest moon, a beautiful bird, our children's laughter, the smell of fresh bread, the berries on the vine....anything and everything - if only we SAW it and recognized it for what it actually is, a gift, from Him.  Anyway-- I finally finished this good book and can return it to the poor woman who lent it to me!  I've had to email her to make sure it was okay that I was taking so long 3 times!  She has another copy, so she was fine with me going my own pace...luckily!

Nashville, TN.

We had the opportunity to go to Nashville, TN. with Dh this week--we stayed 3 days.  We visited Andrew Jackson's place- The Hermitage and we also went to see the Parthenon.  The Parthenon is an exact replica of the original in Athens, Greece.

http://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Parthenon.aspx

Here are a few pix of our adventure: (When I first posted this posting I didn't know that I needed to compress my photo's, so I've had to edit out many of the pictures I first shared, but there are still a few of the best pictures we took, just small!)

The Parthenon:

We went to the Parthenon twice--once at night to see how it looked at the park and then the next day so we could go inside.  The park itself was big and very full of life.  There were tons of people and different groups meeting to exercise and play.  Inside the building, there are many things to see and do.  There is a nice gift shop; a museum, and 2 different art galleries.  There is also a whole section dedicated to the 1849 (or about then) Nashville, TN. Exhibition that the Parthenon was actually built for.  This Exhibition was a HUGE deal.  The whole park was chock full of buildings and exhibits...it was a really big deal!!!( understatement)

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The Parthenon was first made out of plaster and was only suppose to be a temporary building like the other many buildings surrounding it; but for some reason that I don't know about they decided to remake this building out of concrete and sand/gravel and make it permanent. 

Inside the Parthenon was a ton of cool sculptures; including this gigantic one of the goddess Athena.  The wings of the building were full of beautiful sculptures like the one posted below.

There was one art gallery (or two?), one exhibit on the history of the Parthenon building, built for a World's Fair back in the early 1900's, and a nice gift shop....Dd and I got matching necklaces to remember our special visit...the building has a lot to see and the grounds the building is on is also a lovely park.

Andrew Jackson's: The Hermitage:

Rachel Jackson's favorite place was her gardens; and Andrew buried her (and everyone who followed) out in her garden area.  While living, he visited there daily to be close to her spiritually.

The pictures do not do justice to these very English gardens.  The gardens were very nice and simple.  There were a lot of different varieties; yet staying true to what grows in this region.  There were lots of Crepe Myrtle--as seen in this picture.

The red flowers are "scarlet zinnia's" and they were awesome in person...I would love some in my garden!

Yes, we picked up a new staw hat here!  Isn't it a nice one?!  Dd got a postcard of Rachel Jackson and a candy too.

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August 20th-24th 2012 -Week 3- Core E Lessons

This was a busy week b/c Dd and I went with Dh to Nashville, TN.  He had a seminar to attend and we had never been to Nashville....so off we went (easier said than done, though!).

I will post pix of the 2 places we went to seperate from this posting.  We went to Andrew Jackson's home; which he called "The Hermitage".  We also went to the Parthenon; which is an exact replica of the one in Athens, Greece.  Both places were fantastic and wonderful!!!!


WEEK 3: Core E
We managed to get some of our lessons in during our down time.  Here is what we accomplished this week, regarding our book learning--

Bible:
exerps from: Luke, Mark, John, and Matthew
"Starting Strong" bible devotion book--chapters 2 and 3

History/Geography:
William Wilberforce by John Holzmann
Landmark History of the American People, Vol. 1 (Yay!  we haven't read from this book in a few months and I had been missing it...glad it is back!)
Sounding Forth the Trumpet

RA's
Moccasin Trail
We are really liking this book.  It is an exceptionally fun one to read aloud due to the great 'voice' of the characters..."By Gore!"  I think I am going to advise my Dh to read this one after we are done with it.  It is such a good read!
Oxforsd Illustrated Book of American Children's Poems
I also checked out a PBS dvd from our library on Walt Whitman to watch this week with Dd. WW was from this exact time period, and I thought it would be good to get to know him and his work a little better to add to our history knowledge.  I am not sure this was such a good pick for my Dd's age though.  This dvd focused a little too much on WW personal life and was probably intended for adults not children.  I'll keep trying to bring in more poets though...
Thee, Hannah
What a book, fun book!  We are enjoying this one too!

Readers
Freedom Train
Dd really is slagging on this one.  The first 2 chapters were very harsh.  I've offered to make this a Read Aloud; but Dd doesn't want that.  She says she wants to read this alone and she is 'fine'.  But, she usually goes through books so quickly and definitely isn't going quickly with this one.

Math
Dd is still avoiding long division a bit longer, so she finished her TT4 this week.  She did lessons 113-119 and a quiz to finish up.  She earned herself a new Star Wars figurine--for those of you that know Star Wars this is a Clone Wars character--"Ahsoka Tano".  She has 3 different Ahsoka's and this one is the oldest version.  She is taller and her 'tails' are longer.  Dd is loving her!!!

Because we went to the Parthenon, Dd has been very much interested in the Greek myths...again. We go through phases of loving the Greeks.  We are very much Percy Jackson fans here and have read the series.  We studied them in history prior to that; so we just keep circling back to them every few months.

Here are the books Dd read this week--or perused through--as she is still reading this group:

Goddesses, Heroes, and Shamans: The Young People's Guide to World Mythology by David Bellingham 

 

 

DK Classics: The Odyssey (DK Classics) by Homer

 

  

Favorite Greek Myths by Mary Pope Osborne and Troy Howell

  

 

Medusa by Deborah Nourse Lattimore

  

 

 

Greek Myths by Jacqueline Morley and Giovanni Caselli

  

 

 

Orchard Book of Greek Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean

 

some fun books Dd's read this week:

Geronimo Stilton--Surf's Up, Geronimo!

 

Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House--Geronimo Stilton

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