Overview:

Form 1 (Elementary):

Reading, Oral Narration, Copywork/Handwriting; Progressing towards gentle Grammar, Composition, & Rhetoric

[Reading] Varies. Select a reader based on reading level, and continue using them over the following years until reading fluency is reached (or beyond, as they go up through High School-level). Since they are affordable, I highly recommend getting two copies, so you can follow along and instruct as your student is reading out loud.

• • McGuffey Readers: Primer (PDF), First Reader (PDF), Second Reader (PDF), Third Reader (PDF). 

  • McGuffey Reader Placement Tests 1 & 2; Resources on using them here 

  • OR Treadwell Readers: Primer (PDF), First Reader (PDF), Second Reader (PDF), Third Reader (PDF)

[Narration] Daily. Have students orally narrate (tell back) their readings, lessons, picture studies, etc. This is oral composition and lays the foundation for written composition and rhetoric. I highly recommend Narration: The Voice of the Trivium (Freas) as a teacher resource. Some basic tips on narrations here.

[Copywork] Daily. This develops both spelling and handwriting. It can be done in a variety of ways, but I recommend using copywork from your selected reader so it is tied to reading-level and the stories being read. For example, this shop has copywork books tied to the McGuffey's readers and you can choose D'Nealian print or cursive. Focus on quality over quantity, and have students write only as much as they can complete perfectly (one perfect sentence if far better than several messy pages). They should work on their passage over the week. Some tips on copywork here.

[Gentle Grammar & Rhetoric] ~2x/ week. Poetic Language Lessons is a beautiful Language Arts curriculum developed by Orthodox educator, Adrienne Freas, over at Beautiful Teaching, after decades of experience in classical and Charlote Mason education. Its goal is for children to recognize and embody the beauty of words. The books contain lessons in grammar, rhetorical exercises, picture study, poetry reading and recitation, copywork, music listening, nature study, and gentle writing exercises that progress towards the end of book 2. The books are high quality with lovely color and art. Book 1 could be started in Years 1-2, and progressed through at 2-4 lessons per weeks (2 lessons/wk for 1 book per year pacing).

Years 1-2:

• Student Edition - Poetic Language Lessons: A Gentle Primer in Grammar and Rhetoric Book 1

• Teacher Guide - Poetic Language Lessons Book 1

Years 2-3:

• Student Edition - Poetic Language Lessons: A Gentle Primer in Grammar and Rhetoric Book 2

• Teacher Guide - Poetic Language Lessons Book 2

• *If ready, you can begin the Scriptorium Writing Primer (or start in Form 2) 

Form 2 (Intermediate) In-Progress

Continuing Reading, Oral Narration, & Copywork; Incorporating Dictation, Grammar, Written Narrations/Composition, & Rhetoric

[Reading] Varies. Select a reader based on reading level, and continue using them over the years, as reading out loud well is a skill to continue developing (and they go up through High School-level). Since they are affordable, I highly recommend getting two copies, so you can follow along and instruct as your student is reading.

• • McGuffey Readers: First Reader (PDF), Second Reader (PDF), Third Reader (PDF), Fourth Reader (PDF), Fifth Reader (PDF)

  • McGuffey Reader Placement Tests 1 & 2; Resources on using them here 

  • OR Treadwell Readers: First Reader (PDF), Second Reader (PDF), Third Reader (PDF)

[Narration] Oral, daily/ Written, 1-2X/week. Have students continue to orally narrate (tell back) their readings, lessons, picture studies, etc. This is oral composition and will help shape their written composition and rhetoric. I highly recommend Narration: The Voice of the Trivium (Freas) as a teacher resource. If using the composition recommendation below, written narrations will generally be included there. If not, begin with one written narration per week, and work up to 2, then 3, as your student is ready to write more. Some tips on written narrations here.

[Copywork] Daily. Copywork continues to develop handwriting, spelling, and punctuation. It can be done in a variety of ways, but you can continue using passages from your selected reader so it is tied to reading-level (for example, from this shop) or there are a variety of simple resources that could be used. Copywork should still focus on quality over quantity, with students writing only as much as they can complete perfectly (this is important, or will result in sloppy handwriting over time). Students work on their passage little-by-little over the week, completing it with care. Some tips on copywork  here. 

[Dictation] Weekly. Dictation is introduced in Form 2, and teaches spelling and punctuation. The simplest method is to use the students' copywork passage. The prepared dictation should be given weekly (with length and difficulty based on age or ability), after the student has carefully studied the assigned passage (spelling, punctuation, etc.). Tips on dictation here.

[Grammar] ~2x/week.

[Composition & Rhetoric] ~3x/week. Scriptorium Writing was developed by Benjamin Lyda, an experienced Orthodox educator, and for those who desire to use a wriitng program, this is the one. Other progym curricula spend one year on one exercise. Scriptorium Writing  cycles through them. They all begin with fable, narrative, and description. Then at each level, new exercises are added to the former creating a snowball effect of knowledge. This means that a student entering mid-stream into the curriculum will gain the necessary background knowledge for more advanced exercises and the student who completes the entire program will review and practice the earlier exercises and see how they work together. In other words, a student could enter into the program at any level. See the Scope & Sequence for Scriptorium Writing here.

• Scriptorium Writing Level One, Level Two, Level Three