Teaching Language Arts - Andrew Pudewa (Homeschooling Every Subject)

“It is much easier for a homeschool mom to teach a child to read than for any teacher, no matter how much training they have to teach a whole room full of little kids to read at the same time.” ~ Andrew Pudewa ~ Andrew Pudewa

Andrew Pudewa joins Yvette Hampton to dive into the essentials of teaching Language Arts in our Homeschooling Every Subject Series. Learn effective strategies for teaching reading, understanding developmental readiness, and the importance of phonics. Perfect for every homeschool parent looking to confidently teach their child to read!

Recommended Resources:

Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) Language Arts Curriculum taught by Andrew Pudewa

However Imperfectly: Lessons Learned from Thirty Years of Teaching, by Andrew Pudewa

Phonetic Zoo

IEW Spelling

Fix-It Grammar

Introduction to Public Speaking

First Form Latin from Memoria Press

Latin for Children from Classical Academic Press

Speech and Debate - NCFCA

Alex Newman - Should I Teach Phonics or Sight Words?

Podcast Recommendations:

More from Andrew Pudewa on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast

Homeschooling Every Subject Series

Homeschooling Through the Years Series

Schoolhouse Rocked Series and Topic Directory

Stream Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution for FREE Tonight!

Get your FREE Homeschool Survival Kit!

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some key reasons Andrew Pudewa believes homeschooling parents are better equipped to teach their children to read compared to traditional classroom teachers?

  2. Andrew Pudewa mentions that some children show readiness to read at different ages. How can parents identify if their child is developmentally ready to start learning how to read?

  3. Andrew Pudewa talks about the relationship between auditory input and reading comprehension. How can parents incorporate more auditory-based learning into their homeschooling routine?

  4. Why does Andrew Pudewa advocate for a phonics-based approach to teaching reading, and what are some common pitfalls of other reading methods according to him?

  5. Discuss the concept of "reading with your ears" as mentioned by Andrew Pudewa. How do audiobooks fit into this concept, and what are their advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional reading?

  6. What are some strategies parents can use to ensure their children comprehend what they are reading, besides using worksheets and standardized reading comprehension tests?

  7. How does Andrew Pudewa suggest parents deal with children who want to reread the same book repeatedly? What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of this habit?

  8. How can movement and physical activity contribute to a child’s ability to listen and comprehend stories being read to them? Discuss specific examples given in the episode.

  9. According to Andrew Pudewa, how does spending time with parents and away from screens contribute to a child's language development? What are some practical ways parents can facilitate this?

  10. Reflect on the idea that children’s understanding of language may be higher than their ability to articulate it. How should this affect the way parents assess their child’s comprehension and learning progress?

  11. Andrew Pudewa discusses the importance of finding an idea before writing. How do you think this initial step affects the overall writing process for children?

  12. Yvette Hampton mentions her experience with her daughters using IEW curriculum. How do personal experiences and interests influence a child's motivation to write?

  13. Andrew Pudewa explains the concept of breaking the writing process into smaller, manageable steps. How can this approach help children who feel overwhelmed by writing tasks?

  14. The episode highlights the use of keyword outlines and text reconstruction. Why might this method be effective in teaching children to write?

  15. Andrew Pudewa talks about the importance of separating the complexities of spelling, grammar, and composition. How can this separation improve a child's writing skills?

  16. Inherent, applied, and analytical grammar are three areas mentioned by Andrew. Can you discuss the differences between these areas and their roles in language arts education?

  17. The concept of creation versus invention in writing is discussed in the context of finding ideas. How does this distinction impact the way students approach writing assignments?

  18. Why does Andrew Pudewa believe that learning foreign languages, such as Latin, can improve a child's understanding of grammar, and how might this apply to other subjects?

  19. Andrew Pudewa and Yvette Hampton touch on the connection between literature exposure and a student's inherent understanding of grammar. How can parents and educators effectively incorporate high-quality literature into language arts education?

  20. Cursive Writing:

    • What are your thoughts on teaching cursive writing before print? Do you agree with Andrew Pudewa's suggestion to prioritize cursive for children?

  21. Public Speaking:

    • How do you think public speaking skills can influence career advancement across various professions? Can you recall an instance where such skills played a crucial role in your own life?

  22. Improving Speaking Skills:

    • What are some effective methods you have used or know of to help develop young children's public speaking skills, aside from the ones mentioned by Andrew Pudewa?

  23. Impact of Speech and Debate:

    • Have you or your children participated in speech and debate leagues, or have you taught public speaking in your homeschool? What impact did it have on their confidence and communication skills?

  24. Use of Language:

    • How do you encourage precise language use in your household or classroom? What strategies have worked best for reducing reliance on verbal crutches like "like"?

  25. Learning Latin:

    • What are your experiences with learning or teaching Latin? Do you think it significantly enhances understanding of English and grammar?

  26. Penmanship and Brain Stimulation:

    • Andrew Pudewa mentioned that cursive writing stimulates the artistic, intuitive part of the brain. Have you noticed any cognitive, artistic, or intellectual benefits in children who practice cursive writing? What is your own writing preference?

  27. Historical Figures and Handwriting:

    • Considering historical figures like J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis preferred writing by hand, do you think the act of handwriting might have influenced their creativity? How do you view handwriting versus typing in the modern creative processes?

  28. Vocabulary Acquisition:

    • Do you employ any specific strategies for teaching vocabulary in your homeschool or educational setting, such as the methods Andrew Pudewa suggested like reading aloud and memorizing poetry?

  29. Integrating Language Arts into Daily Life:

    • Yvette Hampton shared that early on she didn't use a vocabulary curriculum but relied on daily interactions for her children's vocabulary development. How do you integrate language arts into your daily routines or family activities?

Sponsors:

Apologia is a Christ-centered, award-winning homeschool curriculum provider. Our mission is to help homeschooling students and families learn, live, and defend the Christian faith through our print and digital curriculum and online classes.

BJU Press Homeschool is dedicated to providing homeschool families with academically strong curriculum rooted in a biblical worldview. They offer a complete curriculum from preschool through 12th grade, available in both traditional textbooks and video courses. By teaching through the lens of Christ’s power, they help students view the world through the transformative story of God’s creation

CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Creative graphics and animation, synchronized with the friendly voice of internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, make learning math easy and effective. Start your free trial today.

The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast is a member of the Biblical Family Network. Our mission is to support and encourage the family by providing the very best podcasts on family, discipleship, marriage, parenting, worldview, culture, and education, all from a Biblical perspective. Visit the website for more great shows, like the Thinking Dad, Culture Proof, Homeschool Insights, and Made2Homeschool.

Topics Covered:

Cursive Writing Insights • Public Speaking Skills • Techniques to Enhance Speaking • Speech Tournaments and Impact • The Essentials of Learning Latin • Vocabulary Development Strategies • Teaching Reading at Home • Understanding Developmental Readiness • Benefits of Phonics-Based Methods • The Role of Audiobooks in Learning • Reading Comprehension Tips

Garritt Hampton

Host of the Thinking Dad podcast. Christian husband, dad, homeschool advocate. Director of Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution. Soli Deo gloria!

https://SchoolhouseRocked.com
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