Level 3: We're in the big leagues now!
It is this level that my son #2 has taken two school years to complete. This way we could really focus on the areas he needs extra work on.
Spelling Log: There is a big jump this year as the student goes from 5 words a day, to between 15-20. This is why we spread the work out more than the lesson plans suggest. Dictionary work is really stressed at this level (though not immediately) as the student begins to connect the spelling words to the grammar work, understanding what jobs an individual word can do in a sentence.
Building Codes: More review of phonics rules.
Framing Codes: The student will spend half the year on this section of the book (or, in our case, a whole year!) not only reviewing grammar, but delving deeper into how sentences function. There will be lots of emphasis on diagramming more complex sentences with prepositional phrases, conjunctions and adverbs.
Designing Codes: New section! Bring on the Latin! The second half of the manual has the student focusing on Latin roots combined with Latin prefixes and suffixes. Fabulous, fabulous stuff. Mrs. Beers has the student working on the Spelling Log four days a week, and two Designing Codes on Friday. Since each Designing Code contains about 12 words, and the student needs to build the word from Latin, figure out the meaning when the Latin root and prefix or suffix are added, then look the actual meaning up, you're talking 24 words in one day. That would be impossible for my boys. Therefore, we do a few spelling words, then at least 3 words in the Designing Code each day. By spreading it out through the week, I feel my boys get much more out of the study and are not stressed out. My son #2, who is near the end of this level, absolutely loves doing the Designing Codes.
I just reviewed Week 1 of Level 3 and all I can say is wow! It seems like a lot more work than level 2, especially since it's all in cursive. Whew! I think I'll try your timer method to start and see how far we get. Thanks for blogging about this great curriculum!
ReplyDeleteOk, I was hunting through the yahoo group and this tip from you was so helpful, since I was just wondering how to get all of Level 3 done in a day and teach my other children. :-) Thank you, thank you!
ReplyDelete"I do almost all the dictation work as copy work. I'm sorry (to no one in particular!) but with four children, I do not have time to sit there and read something for my children to copy that could be done just as easily (in fact, easier) by copying. I don't do that with the spelling words, however. Just the literature study and some of the portions of grammar (definitions particularly). I've been doing this so long I sort of forgot there's no copy work!"
Thank you! This is just what I needed! I had been thinking of dropping PR for a year to try other curriculum, b/c Levels 1 & 2 have been way too easy for my ds7. This post has me rethinking that decision. I really love PR, but it just hasn't been challenging enough. Sound like Level 3 starts to get more challenging. Could you give me a selection of word examples from the beginning, middle and end of the Spelling Logs? Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteHi Ginger,
DeleteThanks so much for reading and inquiring.
The beginning of the spelling log starts by reviewing the words from levels 1 & 2. Words from middle: peace, piece; weather, whether; intend; company; address; board; caution. Words from end: control, controlled, disaster, soldier, treason, tomato, often, motion, theater.
Hope that helps!
Andrea