“If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”
- Abigail Van Buren
- Abigail Van Buren
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From the Desk of Mrs. Foster
Dear Parents,
Welcome to 5/6 Grammar! I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with you this year as we guide your child through elementary grammar. This initial letter is a bit lengthy, but please bear with me as I lay a foundation for what we will cover this year and why.
As many of you know, the fifth and sixth grades are pivotal years for your child in regards to academics. Within the classical pattern of education known as the trivium, your child is entering into the second phase called the Logic Stage. By fifth grade, a child’s mind begins to think more analytically. According to Susan Wise Bauer, author of The Well Trained Mind, "The Logic Stage is a time when the child begins to pay attention to cause and effect, to the relationships between different fields of knowledge, and to the way facts fit together into a logical framework. It is during this stage that the student's capacity for abstract thought begins to mature." This is the time your child will begin taking greater notice of how his language works, which makes it a prime opportunity for us to equip him with language skills that will develop his written and verbal communication.
More than likely, your child has already been introduced to basic grammar skills. We will revisit those skills, reviewing and working towards solidifying concepts. Students will also experiment with new skills in the context of their own writing. Mastering a skill is not instant. It requires focus, organization, and discipline. Learning can be a slow process. In this world of 'instant everything,' the art of discipline is easily eroded, but mastering language skills requires discipline and years of practice. Your child will continually study grammar well into his high school years and perhaps further. Along the way, he will gradually become better acquainted and comfortable with manipulating language for his success. Success in all areas of his life--as a student, associate, friend, spouse, parent, and child of God- hinge on strong communication skills. The focus of this course is to lay a firm foundation for those skills through disciplined practice.
Jessie Wise, author of The First Language Lessons and homeschooling pioneer, offers a classical approach to presenting grammar. I am blending her Four-Strand Approach with the scope and sequence of the Abeka Language C. The four strands are as follows:
Strands: How I Will Implement:
Memory Work Grammar Rules/Scripture/Poetry
Copywork and Dictation Grammar Rules/Scripture/Poetry
Narration (Summary Exercises) Pre-Lessons and Grammar Journals
Grammar Pre-Lessons, Classroom Activities, Writing Exercises
I am excited about this custom blend as it offers a thorough and solid presentation of English grammar. Implementing the four strands lends to a solid understanding of language skills; the Language C exercises offer necessary practice. The homework assigned from Language C should be removed from the work-text and turned in every week via a homework folder, which I will distribute the first day of class. ALL work that needs to be turned in should go into this folder. I will collect homework at the beginning of each class. Graded work will be hole-punched, and once returned, students are to file it in their binders. Maintaining order in these binders is required. I will periodically check them and give a notebook grade. Although this is an elementary class and grades are not "required," I have decided to give grades as a tangible means to assess your child's progress. Details about assessment are on the course syllabus.
The focus of this course is the foundation of good writing-- solid sentence construction. Because interesting, well-written sentences do not rely on syntax alone, I have incorporated a word study into this course. Exposing your child to as many new words as possible will improve his reading comprehension as well as enhance his communication skills. As I stated above, learning can be slow. Don't expect to be wowed by an impressive vocabulary... yet. Word study takes discipline. Consistency is key. Your supervision and support will keep your child on target. You can find course expectations and procedures for Word Study under the Students tab of this website. Also, under the Students tab are opportunities for your child to practice vocabulary using the Internet, an engaging and relevant resource for our 21st century learners. Please browse through these links and get acquainted with the various ways your child can interact with vocabulary. Included is a link to Free Rice, an international charity program that ingeniously uses vocabulary games to help combat world hunger. One of my goals this year is to convey to my students that studying language is vital to global communication. Stimulating an awareness of other peoples and cultures makes our studies relevant in real world scenarios within a global community.
In keeping with global awareness and the study of language, our class will participate in a pen pal exchange program through People to People International (PTPI). We have been partnered with a class located in a small village 80km outside of Bucharest, Romania. We will begin our correspondence sometime in September when their school year starts. This "real life" writing experience will reinforce grammar skills and is part of the third dimension of this course- creative writing. Although we generally think of creative writing as "making up stories" (which we will dabble in, as well), I also like to think of it as developing skills that make our writing more creative- that is, being creative with syntax and diction to make our writing engaging. Besides corresponding with pen pals, the students will contribute weekly to our class blog, again utilizing grammar skills as they post original insights on a variety of topics. I invite you to visit and comment on our blog. Invite grandparents, friends, aunts, uncles, youth directors, missionary friends, etc. to do the same. A wider audience will generate excitement for the students, encouraging them to blog more! The more they write, the more opportunity they have to practice and strengthen their grammar skills. I appreciate your encouragement and support in this year long blogging activity.
Though this is not a writing course per se, it's absurd to think that grammar and writing can be separated. We study grammar in order to write more effectively. Offering students a variety of creative writing venues allows them to write about "what they want to write about" while being held accountable to proper grammar usage without getting bored. In class, students will work on creative writing assignments generated through prompts. At home, they will edit their writing based on peer and teacher reviews and post it to their individual student websites. These websites, embedded within this class site, are already established and can be accessed on the Student Homepage. I can provide more one-on-one attention via these websites, guiding each student according to his or her own level. You, too, can monitor the application of grammar rules by browsing through your child's website, offering guidance as you see fit. Please feel free to contact me if you ever want to discuss your child's learning. This venture is ours together. Lastly, I encourage you to visit your child's website often. Take time to enjoy and comment on the creativity. Your genuine interest and support will cultivate continual creative learning.
As you can see, we have lots in store for this year. As I said, my goal is to lay a firm foundation in language skills by encompassing three areas of language-- grammar, vocabulary, and creative writing. I hope to convey to your child that understanding grammar reaches far beyond knowing how to circle the adjectives and underline the prepositional phrases.
I anticipate great fun this year; however, I expect discipline and hard work. Otherwise, the student is simply wasting his time.
My personal goal is to inspire these students and reveal that grammar does not have to be boring. Its proper use actuates confident and creative communication, and that is exciting!
I look forward to working with both you and your child as we explore the English language this year. I am grateful for the privilege of walking along side you in this endeavor! I welcome constant communication. Never hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns.
With warm regards,
Gina Foster
678.215.2606
[email protected]
http://ginafoster.weebly.com/
Welcome to 5/6 Grammar! I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with you this year as we guide your child through elementary grammar. This initial letter is a bit lengthy, but please bear with me as I lay a foundation for what we will cover this year and why.
As many of you know, the fifth and sixth grades are pivotal years for your child in regards to academics. Within the classical pattern of education known as the trivium, your child is entering into the second phase called the Logic Stage. By fifth grade, a child’s mind begins to think more analytically. According to Susan Wise Bauer, author of The Well Trained Mind, "The Logic Stage is a time when the child begins to pay attention to cause and effect, to the relationships between different fields of knowledge, and to the way facts fit together into a logical framework. It is during this stage that the student's capacity for abstract thought begins to mature." This is the time your child will begin taking greater notice of how his language works, which makes it a prime opportunity for us to equip him with language skills that will develop his written and verbal communication.
More than likely, your child has already been introduced to basic grammar skills. We will revisit those skills, reviewing and working towards solidifying concepts. Students will also experiment with new skills in the context of their own writing. Mastering a skill is not instant. It requires focus, organization, and discipline. Learning can be a slow process. In this world of 'instant everything,' the art of discipline is easily eroded, but mastering language skills requires discipline and years of practice. Your child will continually study grammar well into his high school years and perhaps further. Along the way, he will gradually become better acquainted and comfortable with manipulating language for his success. Success in all areas of his life--as a student, associate, friend, spouse, parent, and child of God- hinge on strong communication skills. The focus of this course is to lay a firm foundation for those skills through disciplined practice.
Jessie Wise, author of The First Language Lessons and homeschooling pioneer, offers a classical approach to presenting grammar. I am blending her Four-Strand Approach with the scope and sequence of the Abeka Language C. The four strands are as follows:
Strands: How I Will Implement:
Memory Work Grammar Rules/Scripture/Poetry
Copywork and Dictation Grammar Rules/Scripture/Poetry
Narration (Summary Exercises) Pre-Lessons and Grammar Journals
Grammar Pre-Lessons, Classroom Activities, Writing Exercises
I am excited about this custom blend as it offers a thorough and solid presentation of English grammar. Implementing the four strands lends to a solid understanding of language skills; the Language C exercises offer necessary practice. The homework assigned from Language C should be removed from the work-text and turned in every week via a homework folder, which I will distribute the first day of class. ALL work that needs to be turned in should go into this folder. I will collect homework at the beginning of each class. Graded work will be hole-punched, and once returned, students are to file it in their binders. Maintaining order in these binders is required. I will periodically check them and give a notebook grade. Although this is an elementary class and grades are not "required," I have decided to give grades as a tangible means to assess your child's progress. Details about assessment are on the course syllabus.
The focus of this course is the foundation of good writing-- solid sentence construction. Because interesting, well-written sentences do not rely on syntax alone, I have incorporated a word study into this course. Exposing your child to as many new words as possible will improve his reading comprehension as well as enhance his communication skills. As I stated above, learning can be slow. Don't expect to be wowed by an impressive vocabulary... yet. Word study takes discipline. Consistency is key. Your supervision and support will keep your child on target. You can find course expectations and procedures for Word Study under the Students tab of this website. Also, under the Students tab are opportunities for your child to practice vocabulary using the Internet, an engaging and relevant resource for our 21st century learners. Please browse through these links and get acquainted with the various ways your child can interact with vocabulary. Included is a link to Free Rice, an international charity program that ingeniously uses vocabulary games to help combat world hunger. One of my goals this year is to convey to my students that studying language is vital to global communication. Stimulating an awareness of other peoples and cultures makes our studies relevant in real world scenarios within a global community.
In keeping with global awareness and the study of language, our class will participate in a pen pal exchange program through People to People International (PTPI). We have been partnered with a class located in a small village 80km outside of Bucharest, Romania. We will begin our correspondence sometime in September when their school year starts. This "real life" writing experience will reinforce grammar skills and is part of the third dimension of this course- creative writing. Although we generally think of creative writing as "making up stories" (which we will dabble in, as well), I also like to think of it as developing skills that make our writing more creative- that is, being creative with syntax and diction to make our writing engaging. Besides corresponding with pen pals, the students will contribute weekly to our class blog, again utilizing grammar skills as they post original insights on a variety of topics. I invite you to visit and comment on our blog. Invite grandparents, friends, aunts, uncles, youth directors, missionary friends, etc. to do the same. A wider audience will generate excitement for the students, encouraging them to blog more! The more they write, the more opportunity they have to practice and strengthen their grammar skills. I appreciate your encouragement and support in this year long blogging activity.
Though this is not a writing course per se, it's absurd to think that grammar and writing can be separated. We study grammar in order to write more effectively. Offering students a variety of creative writing venues allows them to write about "what they want to write about" while being held accountable to proper grammar usage without getting bored. In class, students will work on creative writing assignments generated through prompts. At home, they will edit their writing based on peer and teacher reviews and post it to their individual student websites. These websites, embedded within this class site, are already established and can be accessed on the Student Homepage. I can provide more one-on-one attention via these websites, guiding each student according to his or her own level. You, too, can monitor the application of grammar rules by browsing through your child's website, offering guidance as you see fit. Please feel free to contact me if you ever want to discuss your child's learning. This venture is ours together. Lastly, I encourage you to visit your child's website often. Take time to enjoy and comment on the creativity. Your genuine interest and support will cultivate continual creative learning.
As you can see, we have lots in store for this year. As I said, my goal is to lay a firm foundation in language skills by encompassing three areas of language-- grammar, vocabulary, and creative writing. I hope to convey to your child that understanding grammar reaches far beyond knowing how to circle the adjectives and underline the prepositional phrases.
I anticipate great fun this year; however, I expect discipline and hard work. Otherwise, the student is simply wasting his time.
My personal goal is to inspire these students and reveal that grammar does not have to be boring. Its proper use actuates confident and creative communication, and that is exciting!
I look forward to working with both you and your child as we explore the English language this year. I am grateful for the privilege of walking along side you in this endeavor! I welcome constant communication. Never hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns.
With warm regards,
Gina Foster
678.215.2606
[email protected]
http://ginafoster.weebly.com/
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"My Hope Is in You Lord"