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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Primary Language Lessons plan

We started PLL mid-year in 2nd grade, I think it was in January and we're at lesson 49 now. In order to have PLL 2 times a week in 3rd grade (which starts Sept. 15th), I need to get the amount of lessons to accomplish below 80.

Let me explain this a little more. There are 164 total lessons in PLL. We have already done 49, so there are 115 lessons left. If I were to leave PLL alone until Sept. then we'd have to do PLL 3x a week for 38 weeks to accomplish 115 lessons in the year. I want to do PLL 2x a week so we have to keep doing some lessons.

I have 30 lessons in math to accomplish so I'll use that as our time perimeter. That is 6 weeks of 5 lessons a week or 7.5 weeks of 4 lessons a week. If we do 30 lessons of PLL, that will bring the total number of lessons to complete (in 3rd) to 85.

Next, I looked at PLL to see where we could combine or skip lessons that weren't that important to get the maximum number of lessons in. This is for my own notes b/c I have this scribbled on a piece of paper I know I will lose!

49, 50, 51, 52 & 53, skip 54-55, 56, 57 & 58, 59 & 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 &67, 68 & 69, 70, 71 & 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, skip 78 & 79, 80, 81, 82, 83 & 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90

That is 30 lessons. If we accomplish up to lesson 90, then we'll have (164-90) = 74 lessons to accomplish in 3rd grade, at 2x a week, we will be done with PLL in 37 weeks. Of course I have not gone through the whole book to see where we could skip or combine, I only did that to figure out how much we could get done during the next 6-7 weeks.

That is the goal to be able to do PLL 2x a week, because the other two days will be devoted to finishing Explode the Code. Which I still need to figure out b/c when we finish Explode the Code, I want to move onto Simply Spelling which is a 5 day a week program. I'll cross that bridge later.

 

14 comments:

Andrea said...

I've been reading your blog long enough to understand this post. It seems to me that "Anonymous" doesn't understand those who plan or are diligent in their goals for their children! How can a teacher know where to lead if she doesn't know where they are headed?

But be encouraged! I just wanted to let you know that reading how you hash things through for your academy helps to inspire me to be focused and organized in mine. From our plans, I gain confidence and then we can relax into our structure!
So thanks for laying these things out there in the bloggy world! :-)

Blessings,
Andrea

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica,

I am new to homeschooling and wanted to thank you for your blog. I have learned so much from reading about your experiences. Since PLL starts in 2nd grade, what would you advice using for first? Just basic copywork and narration and wait for 2nd to start PLL? Thanks so much, Heather in Missouri

Jessica said...

Heather,
For first grade you could go the very informal route and read Ruth Heller's books or other picture books about the parts of speech from the library or go with a curriculum.

With Camille we did First Language Lessons 1 but fizzled out with it in the 2nd level. With Danny, I have Language Lessons for the Very Young by Sandi Queen (www.queenhomeschool.com) that we'll use. It's the only thing I've found for first grade that is similar to PLL.

I went ahead and bought LLFVY because I wanted to make sure it would be something that would fit what I was looking for, there are samples at the Queen website though.

Hope this helps! You may want to read Ruth Beechick's 3R's because she tells you how to approach this without curriculum if that's the route you wish to take.

:) Jessica

Anonymous said...

Thank you Jessica. I have the 3R books and have found them very helpful. I have just learned about LLFVY and will look more into that. I have so much to learn. Though I taught elementary school for 5 years, I actually feel like I am on a steeper learning curve than if I didn't have that experience. I know how to teach 25 kids, but not necesarily my own three. The Lord has called us to homeschool, so I know he will equip us. Thank you! Heather

Anonymous said...

I do not have any kind of google/blogger account. That is why I am anonymous. It doesn't mean that I don't own my words.

I'm sorry if it offended you. I read your blog weekly and love to hear your plans but I took your post to be just one that is worrying about time and fitting in lessons. That's all.

Plus a name over the Internet doesn't mean much anyway. Anonymous or Mary Smith could mean anyone.

ByHISgoodGrace said...

I love your blog. I purchased your science lesson plan and am also using your 10 week third grade science plan (for the human body.) Thank you so much for all the examples and posts you put on this blog. I find it all very inspiring and helpful.
I'm curious about how you use TOG along with all your other curriculum. I thought TOG was for all sunjects except math and science. I'm considering using it at some stage...!

Anonymous said...

Jessica,
You handled that commentor so well. I applaud you. I would've deleted it as I noticed that he or she still did not leave their name after returning.Hmmm. I love your posts. I believe I have been homeschooling a little longer than you have and I started blogging last year. However, I found your blog this year and have been truly blessed. We share the same beliefs as for educating our children and I think you are a great mommy. I think all homeschooling moms, new and veterans, have been blessed by your insight. Keep up the good work, girl! :)

Anonymous said...

Hey, your post is exactly what I am doing this year with my son. We are doing ETC on M&W and PLL on T&Th. Since we are following a similar plan, do mind answering a few questions? 1) Are you using readers along with PLL if so which ones? and 2) Why are you adding in a spelling program?

Maybe in hearing your answers, will help me decide where to move our Language Arts after PLL and ETC.

Jessica said...

Camille is to have a book being read at all times but the titles come from science, history (TOG) or if she's interested in reading a title she has selected. I try not to push it b/c she's not quite reading of her own accord yet.

Why am I adding a spelling program? I had to think about that for a second! Lol. We were following WTM's suggestions for LA, which included grammar, spelling, copywork and reading with programs but after thinking about it- I'm using a spelling program for three reasons.

1. To have purposeful copywork without having to create something on my own.
2. To deeper her understanding of phonics and how to spell through rules and application.
3. To begin dictation with her, which through the spelling program we're going to use (Simply Spelling), it amplifies studied dictation with spelling rules.

I don't want to start spelling until phonics are done though, I think trying to do both- spelling and phonics together has given her trouble moreso than if we'd have waited. Rookie mistake.

Why spelling has a little bit more to do with our overall approach in our lessons. Having both PLL and Simply Spelling going will increase the amount of writing she has to do, which I want.

I hope this helps!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your blog. I've gleaned much from the posts you share. Thank you for sharing your days with us!
I'm very curious about your science program.....and very naive.

I will have twin 6yr olds. Is it age appropriate for that age? And, do I purchase the download and print off the pages?? Forgive me, I'm not too computer savvy. Thanks!

Jessica said...

Mimi,
Yes, just download and print. Both of the lessons that are on Lulu are age appropriate for 6yos.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

:) Jessica

Anonymous said...

Thanks Jessica! How many pages would the first grade science be? Do people generally print the whole book out at once?

Anonymous said...

Would you care to share as to why you may think you "fizzled out" using 1st Lang Lessons in the 2nd yr? I am trying to figure out what to use with my 2 little girls and there are soooo many different, yet same philosophy, grammar programs out there! So any I-used-that-one input is much appreciated! --chadzwife

Jessica said...

Dear Helene,
I fizzled out with FLL b/c I grew as a teacher and the monotonous feeling of the scripted lessons just took all joy of the lessons for me. I became unconvinced that rote memorization for terms that I felt Camille wouldn't really need until later was necessary. I found that Camille needed more practice with what she was learning and if I'm bored then that comes across in my teaching.

Not everyone feels the same though. Once I gained confidence in my skills as her teacher I felt the scripted lessons just weren't right for me.

Hope this helps
Jessica