Dictation

Dictation.  A constant in a Charlotte Mason or Classical Education.  Here's how we like to approach this little gem of a learning tool for Language Arts!!

1)  I like to choose passages that are part of my dear children's current work, such as one of our History Read Alouds, maybe some Shakespeare, or from one of the Saints stories they are reading. 

2)  Depending on which child and their proficiency at writing, I will choose one to six (or so) lines with some noted punctuation. 

3)  Then I will have them study their work to see if there are any words they may have trouble with (ie. spelling).  If there are any questionable words, I will write them on the dry erase board individually, and let them get a "snapshot" in their mind the way the word ought to look when spelled correctly. 

4)  Next I simply read aloud or "dictate" the selection and let them copy it down. 

5)  We go over the work together and if any words are misspelled I will immediately cover it with white out tape and have them "right the wrong" so that mental picture doesn't revert to the incorrect spelling.

And that's it!!  In a nutshell ;)

Once a week for Dictation is plenty, along with copy work of their choosing.  This makes for very efficient means of keeping up with spelling and learning proper grammar within a composition of sorts!!

How do you do dictation in your school, if at all!!  Love to hear your ideas and what works for your children!

Thanks for visiting and May God Bless you in your day today!

Comments

[Paula in MN]

Meredith, I haven't started dictation yet with my dd, as she is only 7. Should I start now with her? She is getting better and better at copywork and narration, but we still have a ways to go on spelling. Thanks!

[Theresa ♥]

Meredith, is this the only form of grammar and spelling that you do?

We do dictation once a week. It is included in the kids' language art program (Learning Language Arts through Literature). Since we are new to the LLATL we have only done it 3 times. The selections have been varied from Scripture to pieces of literature.

I don't think we utilize Dictation to its fullest and it is definitely an area to explore more in-depth for this next year.

[Jennifer]

I've moved away this year from dictation/copywork (shouldn't have, but did) but what worked the best was to Read and Study on Monday, Copywork of the same passage on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dictation of the passage on Thursday. If correct nothing on Friday otherwise redo on Friday. Doing it this way, she basically had it memorized by the end of the week checking off another of my goals - Memory Work!