In the context of homeschooling, composition refers to instruction in writing, especially academic writing. Composition is one of the instructional areas within the English Language Arts. Using this term prevents confusion between several overlapping meanings of the more general word writing, which can also refer to the art of creative writing or the skill of…
Word study is the process of analyzing individual words by breaking them down into their component parts: prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Word study helps students with spelling and vocabulary acquisition by making clear the structure of words and how it relates to meaning. This post is part of TLDR (“Too long, didn’t read”), a series…
Scaffolding is the practice of providing instructional support for beginning learners. Instructors use scaffolding by breaking complex tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks or by providing tools to make a task easier. Examples of scaffolding include sample worked problems in a math lesson, word banks on a vocabulary worksheet, and graphic organizers for taking…
Memory work is the process of memorizing information to facilitate learning. In Modern Classical education, students memorize key definitions, facts, and processes. This allows them to access this information instantly and effortlessly when they need it for more complex learning tasks, reducing cognitive load. For example, a student who has memorized their multiplication and division…
Dictation is the process of listening to spoken language and writing down what one hears. In addition to asking students to spell words and apply the rules of grammar and mechanics, dictation requires students to hold language in their heads as they write. This ability is a necessary—but often overlooked—prerequisite for writing, making dictation, along…
Copywork is the practice of copying a word, sentence, or passage from a written model, by hand. Copywork provides students with practice in handwriting, spelling, and mechanics. Alongside oral narration and dictation, it is a crucial part of instruction in composition (“writing”) for students in grades K-3. This post is part of TLDR (“Too long,…
Oral narration is the process of retelling a story or other information in one’s own words. Oral narration helps young students bridge the gap between their spoken language abilities and the small-motor development necessary for fluent handwriting. Alongside copywork and dictation, oral narration is a crucial first step in teaching composition (“writing”) to children in…
English Language Arts (ELA) refers to the academic study of the English language. The subject encompasses seven main instructional areas: reading (“phonics”) and its counterpart, spelling; handwriting; vocabulary; grammar; composition (“writing”); and literature. A complete ELA program includes direct instruction in all seven areas over the course of a child’s education. Certain areas, such as…
What is World Literature? As an academic subject, World Literature is the study of literary works from around the world, not just a single country (e.g., “American literature”). World Literature is to English Language Arts as World History is to Social Studies. A solid Modern Classical education includes both World Literature and the relevant national…
What’s the difference between a literature curriculum and a literature-based curriculum? A literature curriculum teaches students to read and analyze literature as part of their English Language Arts program. Think of it as the part of English class where you read, discuss, and write about books. Exploring the World through Story is a literature curriculum.…