2015-2016 Homeschool Plan: Language Arts

Next up is language arts. Historically, this is the area I most struggle with. Not only do I have a hard time finding a curriculum we all like, but I have a hard time getting boys on board in the first place. ;)

So. Last year, we used this stuff:

• Jr. Analytical Grammar and Mechanics. I started with the grammar part with just Asher but used the mechanics part with both boys. They weren't huge fans. I still think highly of the curriculum...the boys simply don't like grammar. :) (I'll revisit this with the not-junior version of this curriculum in a year or so.)
• All About Spelling Level 7. We finished this curriculum and were quite happy with it.
• All About Homophones. We did grades 5-8. All good.
• Word Roots. Both boys completed level A2. Again, all good.
• Reading and writing. Asher read 50 books on his own throughout the year. Micah managed about half that. We did a variety of writing assignments, but nothing structured. We reviewed cursive but not strongly.

This year, I want to really focus on the writing. To that end, here's my plan:

• Write Like This. I want to pick and choose writing activities from each of these chapters (tackling a different chapter in each of our 6 week sessions). I like the real-world approach and am hoping that makes everything "stick" more.
• Middle School Writing Toolkit. Similarly, I'm planning to use the rubrics for different larger writing assignments from this book, in line with the chosen chapters from Write Like This. Note, I've already started discussions with the boys about our approach this year. Historically, we've had issues with them accepting criticism/editing. I've warned them that this year will be all about learning through revision or we'll switch back to using workbooks (which they've hated). So there, lol. 
• All About Spelling. The boys don't know this yet, but I'm planning to go back through and review all the levels of this program. (There are seven.) Just a level or two each session...just hitting on the key cards and rules. :)
• Sentence Composing for Middle School. I'm hoping to work through a lesson a week. I'm not sure how this will go but it seems a decent opportunity for some copywork and/or dictation.
• Reading. I feel like last year went pretty well with just asking boys to read at least 100 pages a week. I'll stick with that but am wanting to add a few assigned books. 

And that's language arts...Whew. Fingers crossed, pretty please!