Need advice for a 4th grader who hasn't done copywork or dictation...

[Shasta Mom]

DS does fine reading (a bit accelerated) and has average penmanship, and we haven't started copywork/dictation. Is it too late? Should I have hime do a sentence a day dictation? Any help would be appreciated!

[eight_gregorys]

I have a fourth grader who started copywork and dictation this year as well. We used the Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura Berquist. We started at the beginning and she has enjoyed this as far as I can tell and has learned a lot. Hope this helps.

Andrea

[Leila]

It don't think it matters what age you start dictation and copywork. But I used the copywork from Ambleside. They are from Bible verses and a lot of great books for kids. You can join the group and get access to their copyworks. This is the group site:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AOCopywork/

Leila

[hsmom]

We started this, this year also. Mine is in the 4th/5th and I found a bunch of quotes I really liked and thought he would benefit from and he copies one daily the he writes 3 times. The quotes are only like maybe one or two sentences.
I think it all depends on what you want him to do as far as what to do. If you think a sentence a day is enough then it is.

[mcconnellboys]

No, it's not too late. My older son was in about fourth grade when we adopted WTM methods and I did some of that with him, even though he was already a good writer. I would start out slow, with just 1-3 sentences. And move up as he seems able.

[Shasta Mom]

the purpose of the copywork dictation. Ds's penmanship is fine, so is the purpose to get him to picture how the language is written since he has learned it by ear since birth?

[hsmom]

the purpose of the copywork dictation. Ds's penmanship is fine, so is the purpose to get him to picture how the language is written since he has learned it by ear since birth?

In my opinion yes.

[Love2Learn]

We also started in 4th grade (our first year homeschooling :001_smile:). I just pulled paragraphs from his reading text. I would have him copy the paragraph once in manuscript, write it once in cursive, and then have him write it from dictation.

[mcconnellboys]

Well, he's not just practicing his writing skills, he's also practicing spelling and punctuation skills. He's practicing his ability to actually hear and comprehend what you're reading in its entirety.

[Friederike in Persia]

I thought that once you start dictation with them and they're doing fine with that you stop copy work.
Do many of you still do both side by side?