How I Teach LANGUAGE ARTS In Our Homeschool | Homeschool READING & SPELLING

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Do you have any favorite resources or tips for reading and spelling?

[@rev.redhand6205]

I want to tell you that you are honestly a blessing from God. Thank you for your time. Thank you for all your hard work. May God bless you for your service. Praying you continue to be the light, for your family and all those who meet you.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

@@rev.redhand6205 You're so welcome! Thanks so much for the encouragement!

[@swetbejkara.bhvcvv.njwklem7310]

I really like this approach for spelling and am going to use both these programs, one with my struggling speller and the other with my more advanced speller. Thanks for sharing!

[@lauragabbert8839]

I really LOVE how you do spelling with the spelling word list. Saving that! Simple and works with the reading they’re already doing.

[@mamato4]

We love All About Reading and Spelling too. It makes so much sense to my son. It has been a huge help in our homeschool. I so agree that it is important to teach to our kids at their level...not necessarily by age/grade. It makes such a huge difference in our homeschool.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

So glad to hear that it's working for you too!

[@romulosa100]

Hi, new subscriber here! I purchased all about spelling last year and hated so much. All those rules made my teacher's brain hurt. I then decided not to purchase any other spelling curriculum for my daughter, it passed a year and she seemed to be doing fine an she excels in reading. When my friends asked me what I used for phonics and spelling I said "nothing " they gave me that look and I started feeling self conscious about not having one... now watching your video I realized that I am not the only one not using a spelling curriculum for non dyslexic kids and made me feel much better. Thank you, I'm in peace again.

[@alinamillard5883]

My oldest is in 2nd grade, and we use Logic of English. We just finished up Foundations and have begun their Essentials program. I love how they teach the rules and make sense of our language.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Yes, I’ve heard that’s very good too!

[@katieyungen1647]

I would love to hear more about Logic of English as it has been recommended to me as well.

[@alinamillard5883]

@@katieyungen1647 Science Mama has a very good video reviewing Levels A&B. You can find it be searching "Logic of English review"

[@BK-jt9us]

New follower/homeschool mom here….. THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!!! ❤️❤️❤️ only a few minutes in and you’ve made me feel sooooo much better abt reading. You’ve given such great tips. THANK YOU! Love your channel ❤️

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I’m so glad!! Definitely don’t put too much pressure to do it on a certain time table, reading will come easier when they’re ready for it! ❤️

[@guadalupemeza7805]

Just what I was looking for! An explanation of what is done in each part of Language Arts. We are using TGTB, but feeling my kids need something else for spelling and writing to master those skills. Thanks!

[@storytimecraft]

Love these ideas. Thanks these are great ideas even if you are not homschooling. Great practice ideas for spelling.

[@jenniferyounkin8920]

This was fantastic. I appreciate the all about spelling explanation and your organization system! I am planning to start AAS next year with my daughter. And my son is a great speller but I still want him to do a little spelling next year (he will be in fifth grade) so that McGuffey reader is a great idea!

[@Lysh279]

We are huge fans of All About Reading!

[@victorywithluisa]

Thank you so much, My 6-year-old daughter, doesn't remember words easily, even the phonics, and the principal in her school said maybe she has dyslexia, but we have not yet gone to the doctor. This is very helpful for a beginner. ❤

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Glad it was helpful! We never went to a doctor, I could tell he was really struggling with learning to read and when I heard about what dyslexia was, we did a free online screening and it showed that he was so we started dyslexia tutoring online with Dyslexia Connect. Here’s the link to an online screening you could try and see what it says as a first step in diagnosis. Blessings! www.lexercise.com/tests/dyslexia-test

[@h.malik.s]

Such a wonderful video. Thank you from London, UK.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Glad you enjoyed it! Blessings to you!

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

We used All About Reading 1-4 and then went in to All About Spelling. I didn’t enjoy teaching both at the same time. But my daughter caught on quick so we finished at the end of 1st grade. 😀 we’re just finishing AAS 2. 👍🏻 Loving it. Once we finish that I’m goong to have to remember that McGuffy book! I wasn’t sure where to go from AAS. ☺️

[@makerofahome]

When did you start All About Reading with her?

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

@@makerofahome I started All About Reading the Summer before we officially started Kindergarten. I had planned to do one level per year, but she caught on so quickly that we did Level 1-2 in Kindergarten and Level 3-4 in her first grade year. So once we finished that I started All About Spelling in 2nd grade which is the current grade. We’re just finishing level 2 in a couple weeks.

[@makerofahome]

@@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable oh that’s great!! How different do you feel like AAR and all about spelling are? Do you think they need both then?

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

@@makerofahome I think if your child has done All About Reading they are going to think that All About Spelling is very similar and maybe a bit repetitive. I will still continue on with it because my daughter finds it easy and it has helped her to become a good speller. I am going to be adding a traditional spelling curriculum alongside it this coming year to give her something a little different. We’re going to use Evan Moor Building Spelling Skills. So for 3rd grade she’ll be doing two spelling programs technically but not at the same time. We’ll kind of alternate.

[@timothyhaslet8410]

Beth: we've seen Thinking Tree dyslexia games work really well for our niece who struggles with dyslexia. We've used Explode The Code and books for learning to read with my 4 and my sister's other 2 kids. They are easy and funny. We've used spell u see for spelling, which one of my kids still wants so she still uses. Another middle schooler uses Apples spelling workbook which teaches the rules behind spelling. The third child uses a spelling list with test on Friday approach. The final kid had moved into another program for his schooling, as a highschooler he mostly learned just from reading a ton of books. Grammar: We've used fix it grammar. Didn't love it. So now using Phunny Stuph for middle schooler, combined with Hot Fudge Mondays. She also uses Writer's In Residence by applogia. Younger kids are using Essentials in Writing, and have used both writers and readers in residence by applogia. There arent a lot in the series but they are fantastic. Have also used Thinking Tree 30 grammar mistakes. Eclectic is definitely our jam.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks for sharing!

[@sheena3822]

We use Logic of English and so far it has been a good fit for my daughter.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I’ve heard that is very good as well!

[@bearhilladventures]

I have been waiting for this video. Thank you! It was a good affirmation that we are on the right path. I love the stay up late reward for finishing book reports!!! Last summer I gave my son a dollar per chapter book. I can't afford to do that again 😆

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Hahaha! Love that, Abby! Sounds like you inspired some reading! 😉

[@purpledol8455]

I love the dollar per chapter book! My son is a very reluctant reader. He can read and seems to read just fine, just doesn’t like to read.

[@amygrant4915]

It is very teacher intensive it we have been using Saxon Phonics for 1st grade. My son is in 2nd grade but we are going through it slowly because it is so in depth and so rule driven. It may be boring but my goodness it is good. As far as grammar, I maybe chastised but I haven’t taught it yet. We will start that after we finish the phonics and he will pick it up so we’ll because his reading skills are there. We have taken two years to go through this one phonics course but his spelling is awesome. We practice previous lessons spelling at least three times a week. No rhyme or rules I pick what I want to review and we work with that rule.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Sounds like you’re on the right track for your family! I’m not big on grammar in earlier ages either. It’ll come later!

[@mrs_JNL32]

Was strongly considering all about spelling. Just have felt we need a bit more and something they can do with their hands. Thanks for covering this!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Hope it’s a good fit for you if you try it!

[@ninamiller5595]

We use a mix of curriculum too, and this year added Learning Language Arts through Literature and Wordsmith Apprentice, in addition to Christian Light's Reading. 9 year old doing Good and Beautiful and adding reinforcement has really helped improve writing composition+. Thank you for this video Erin!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Hey, friend! 👋🏼 How do you like Learning Language Arts Through Literature? I’ve heard good things but haven’t tried it yet.

[@ninamiller5595]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler yes we like it as part of the mix, not alone. It wouldn't be enough for each day. Has the breadth at a variety of writing, but there could be more depth. That could be achieved by completing 2 or 3 days worth in a single day. Ruby 6th grade is doing the 7th grade book combined with the Wordsmith 6th-9th. Plus own reading of books etc

[@Disneymumma]

In the UK children age 4 are expected to be able to do reading but also to write sentences independently. It's so easy to panic and think we are doing something wrong if they can't

[@brittanymaxey7539]

Curious about when/how you started to do the book reports. My girls (7 & 9) love to read and I'd love to see what they took away from the book and make a mini record/memory of read books, but I worry that a book report at the end would keep them of reading as much. For now we have a running list and rate the book and they give me a short verbal summary of what they read. Thanks for the video! Looking forward to seeing how you school other subjects ;)

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

We started doing them around 2nd or 3rd grade. I don’t make them do them every time, but if they choose to, they get to stay up late, so it’s their choice! We keep a log and have them rate the books also!

[@faithhomeschool2789]

For reading the kids are assigned a book that they reach aloud to me when it's done they do a book report. I have All about Spelling bought it last year and I sorted everything out ready to go and I keep putting it off I feel like I am scaring myself. I love the McGuffey spelling book. We currently use Language Lessons for Living Education we use the word list for each lesson so we 1. Spell out loud, 2. Copy and write, 3. Cover and write then 4. Look up the words in dictionary and make sentences.

[@sclark7747]

I used Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons to teach my 4 yr old how to read and now we are doing TGTB level 1. She loves doing all things school. We went through the book twice to make sure she had it down and can read well before letting her move to TGTB level 1.

[@adventureswiththemacs8066]

Could you elaborate on what their book report looks like? What’s expected, etc.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I just have a PDF that I found on pinterest that I use for my younger kids to help guide them through it - main characters, short summary, rating, that kind of thing. As they get older, I have them type up a good summary report of the story and at older ages, discuss some of the higher level meaning and concepts covered in the book. Hope that helps!

[@Panda-hv3rt]

This was such a helpful video! Thank you so very much!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

You are so welcome!

[@FosteringCuriosity]

Do you have a video on how you do book reports? My oldest is dyslexic and we just finished level 4 of AAR, and now she is enjoying reading but loathing writing. Your writing video was very helpful. But I am curious how you to book reports with your dyslexic child. (Mine is 4th grade but writing at a very low level)

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Unfortunately, I don’t have a video about that. I think that’s pretty normal though. Kids with dyslexia are able to process and speak much more advanced than they can read and write, so spelling is a big issue and when you put them in front of a blank paper it’s like a huge puzzle they have to figure out and decode to get any words on the page. It can be frustrating for them because they know the information, it’s just getting it written down is such a challenge. For my dyslexic child, we do a lot orally. I just ask questions and he responds. I know some parents do that and then they physically write it down for the child. Sometimes we do speech to text on a computer that will write it down for him and then he goes and formats it and tries to correct grammar. Now that my son is older and is improving, he is able to do more writing on his own but I still have to help a lot with the spelling or he types and uses spell check. I would say really try to be patient and don’t expect her to hold the same standards as a child without dyslexia. It will come. Be patient and try to find what works for her. The biggest thing is to let her know she’s smart and capable and as a team, you’ll find tools that will help her succeed. You got this!

[@nikolozkapanadze1726]

Hello, could you please tell me about pronunciation, how do we learn pronunciation in case we don't have access to the internet?

[@tyestadams8867]

I am so glad I decided to watch this. Do you have a referral or suggestions on a program, or agency that tests to see if a child is dyslexic? I do think I will try the "all about reading" curriculum.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

We just did an online screening, so my son was never officially diagnosed but it’s pretty obvious once I learned more about dyslexia. Here’s one that I found online you could try out. www.lexercise.com/tests/dyslexia-test We did online tutoring through Dyslexia Connect for about 2 years after we realized this was our struggle. Best wishes!

[@tyestadams8867]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler thank you thank you thank you!

[@kendraparks3271]

We use the logic of English, both foundations and essentials- they are working pretty well so far here:) for our eldest in essentials, as we don't use their reading component, he simply reads. He is an avid reader so I don't feel we need a reading program additionally! That hasn't meant spelling comes easily though, so logic of English is working well to give that foundation of why things are spelled certain ways. I believe it's similar to AAS.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I’ve heard that is a great program too! So glad you found a good fit for you!

[@pamduvall8953]

We use the Horizons curriculum for Spelling & Vocabulary, Phonics & Reading, and Math. It is Christian-based and I am very impressed with it. :)

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

So great that you found something that works for you!

[@Blessedgal_3897]

This was very much needed. 💜💜💜💜

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

So glad you enjoyed it! 💓

[@talymom412]

Hello Erin l am so thankful for all your knowledge and tips. Question do you have a view or something that l can see the report that your kids turn in after reading 📚? Thanks.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I just found some printables on Pinterest for my younger kids like these ones ☺️: simplelivingcreativelearning.com/my-book-report-friday-freebie/. My oldest will type up a written report on his own.

[@candicecutler761]

Thank you for this video. I’m homeschooling my 3 kids and only 3rd year in, but the middle is 9 and I believe somewhat on the spectrum, but main issue with schooling at this point is reading and spelling. I’ve tried so many avenues. We did AAS for a year with tears every day. I was wondering if you ever looked into Sequential Spelling. It was recommended to me for going along the same lines as the OG method for dyslexia. We just started it a couple of weeks ago, and while my daughter is going great with it and I can completely see the benefits of how it should work, it’s a struggle for him as well. At this point I think anything is going to be. The rules seem to overwhelm him because there are so many “rule breakers”, he just get frustrated and quits trying. I’m planning on pushing more on the reading aspect and hoping he will just start picking up on if the more he learns to read the words. But dyslexia is a TOUGH thing to combat. He can read some words all day long with no problem…but ask him to go and spell it, he sounds them out phonetically and doesn’t remember it’s the same word that he read. So so hard! My other two girls thankfully don’t have the same difficulties, so they pick up on any spelling curriculum pretty easily.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I can relate to so much of that! We did try Sequential Spelling before we switched to AAS. I had also heard that it was good for dyslexia, but my son had the same problem where he could spell the words in the sequence, all the rhyming words, when he was doing it but if you asked him later, he wouldn’t remember and would have to try to sound everything it. It just felt like he wasn’t learning anything and just got into that pattern of just repeating the spelling after his figured out the first word, but could never recall the words when not in the context of doing the spelling lessons. He needed the rules and how to know when letters make which sounds and things like that so for him AAS made more sense and he finally began to improve. We did start doing online dyslexia tutoring through Dyslexia Connect about a year ago and I think that has helped with him having some outside assistance. Sometimes kids don’t put in as much effort when it’s just mom teaching… I hope you find something that helps!

[@candicecutler761]

The Eclectic Homeschooler I’m going to look into that tutoring program so thanks for mentioning it. I’m also trying to decide if I should find some good decodable readers.

[@kushtyler1614]

My son has ADHD and since pulling him out of school he has struggled with reading and writing. Since he has been gone his comprehension is better when he reads a story and then explains it. How do I help him to read?

[@laurimuse1390]

Can u tell me about teaching writing skills and composition to a dyslexic son age 11 just started reading… now ready for writing lessons.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

We’re still working that out as well! I talk about how I’ve handled that on the past in this video. ☺️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4e3mY2Nd8h0e5Y

[@juliequates9529]

I'm using LOE for my 2nd grader. Great reader, terrible speller but he enjoys the spelling rules (similar to AAS). Do your other 2 boys ever question you about the why's of how certain words are spelled? I'm torn on drilling the rules and wanting him to just memorize how to spell words like what you're describing in the McGuffy book.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

My other kids have never asked why things are spelled certain ways. They either just get it from seeing it written in books or they practice/memorize how to spell the words as they come up. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Everyone’s different!

[@allisonward6621]

Do you have a resource you can share for the book report that your kids use or is it a few questions they have to answer?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I’ve just printed out book report forms from Pinterest and have my kids fill them out. There are a lot of great ones there! As they get older and have more capability, they type up their own. ☺️

[@CB-wt6uv]

Erin, Do you still do this with your kids? Did you ever do sight words with your kids? I think one of my twin 8 year old boys might be dyslexic. He has a hard time sounding out words. Also, how did you figure out he was dyslexic?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Yes! This is still how we doing reading and spelling! All About Spelling does have flash cards with sight words on them, so we work through those for my dyslexic son. For him, I just started learning more about the indicators of dyslexia and realized that he had many of them. Teaching him to read was painful - and several other factors... We did a couple of the free assessment test things on some dyslexia tutoring websites to see what they said and it showed a high probability that he was dyslexic.

[@carleyr2838]

Thank you so much for this video. I also have a son (10) who is dyslexic. Do you still do AAR with him during the week as well as his tutoring? How does he like the tutoring?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

We don’t do AAR, just AAS. He’s actually gotten pretty good at reading (but still struggles with spelling and writing) so we haven’t needed to do more for him for reading, other than just practicing by reading books. For the tutoring, it’s not his favorite, but as that’s an area of struggle, that’s expected. Anything stretching your brain is hard and is not always the most enjoyable. 😅 But we’ve seen a lot of progress with him doing tutoring combined with my efforts so it’s something I value.

[@ruralcanadianmom8964]

What are your thoughts on books that are 'comic book' style? My 2 boys love reading those and find them hilarious (Diary of a Wimpy Kid). I love seeing them so engaged but I personally would like to see them reading chapter books and something more challenging. How do you direct them to choose actual chapters books? My oldest who's 10, gives up on books without fully trying, first chapter read and he's finding them boring. Any tips ?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I think that’s totally a personal preference and decision to make for everyone’s own family. For us, I’m not a fan of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, and others like them, as they don’t really display good use of language and I don’t really like some of the characters as role models. The content they consume becomes learned behavior so I try to avoid books if I wouldn’t want my child emulating the same behavior they are reading about. That’s totally my personal decision though, and I know other people who are totally fine with them! As far as finding chapter books, I try to help them find books about subject matter they are interested in. It’s great if you can find something from an author they like who has written other books, as then they often become interested in others if they know it’s by the same author. Some books my boys enjoy: Trenton Lee Stewart’s books, Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School series, Hardy Boys series, Narnia series, Great Battles for Boys series. Good luck!

[@ruralcanadianmom8964]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler I haven't thought of how the character's behaviors could 'rub' off on my kids. We ended up going to the library this morning and he ended up choosing a Hardy Boy book! Thank you so much for your insight and advice. This is our 2nd year homeschooling. 😊

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

@@ruralcanadianmom8964 Hope he enjoys it!

[@cocoabean321ify]

My son is 6 and very hyper active/resistant to a lot of things I try to teach. We have tried the unschooling method and like it but I'm finding we both need more accountability. I just purchased language lessons for a living education. Do you have any thoughts on that curriculum?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

We used that when my kids were in 2nd/4th grade. It’s a nice gentle approach! Very easy to pull out and just do the next lesson or two at a time. They are very short, simple lessons. I like how it incorporates Bible lessons into the curriculum! I think it’s great for people who are looking for something easy and basic without any prep and not too much in depth.

[@malynptrp2005mc]

Using All about Reading and Spelling U See, but still.has to figure out scheduling for new lessons because I work too😣

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

That can be tricky! Try rotating them so you're not doing both everyday if you're not already doing that! ☺

[@alyssamurchie483]

I couldn't find the answer in your most recent videos 😅 But is this the way you're still working spelling for your kids?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

We are trying out the Charlotte Mason approach this year!

[@saraavila695]

I was so excited for All About Reading. Too bad my daughter hates it. Like HATES IT! So we are trying out Reading Eggs and the Fast Phonics. She’s loving it so far. She’s all about playing games. I might bring it back but it’s just absolutely not worth the fight and frustration.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

If she hates it, then it’s definitely not worth the fight! 😅 I’m not afraid to drop something if it’s not a good fit. There are other great options out there!

[@katieyungen1647]

What online dyslexia tutoring do you use?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

We used Dyslexia Connect. ☺️

[@constancejackson7986]

This is really helpful thank you so much. My kindergartener loves to read but keeps telling me I don't know how to read.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Hahaha. The things they say… 😂

[@kimthulin7296]

Who do you use as a online tutor for your son with dyslexia?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

We use Dyslexia Connect. www.dyslexiaconnect.com

[@dcannon0110]

Should I use the eclectic book for a 6 year old in Kindergarten ?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

No, I personally wouldn’t suggest spelling for that age. Forcing too much too soon will only turn them off from learning. A lot of times language arts curriculum will include some spelling in it as they learn to read, they learn to spell those words and that’s plenty for spelling at that age. Don’t put to much pressure on yourself… Kindergarten should be much more about learning through play than a traditional school approach! ☺️

[@username00009]

I know this comment is old, but my daughter’s Montessori teacher said that she didn’t recommend focusing on spelling until around third or fourth grade unless the child showed an interest. Instead, reading and “research” was the primary focus in those early years.

[@tahirasbs]

We did use teach your kids in 100 easy lessons. Worked great for one child and not at all for my other child. Finally took a break for about a yr and then used a combination of I Love to Read Activity Book and a tutor in Outschool. He can read now but his confidence is still lacking. We keep practicing with books he loves....mostly easy readers about animals. For my older son he is now doing "Reading"/Grammer with the "MadLib 3rd Grade Reading Workbook". He LOVES it.