Primary Language Lessons by Emma Serl.
This book was first written to introduce children around grade 2-3 into the habit of speaking and writing the English language correctly.
This eBook edition of Primary Language Lessons is an adapted version from Emma Serls’, 1911 American edition. Some changes have been made to include Australian and New Zealand content.
This ebook version has 160 language lessons including; classic picture studies, observation exercises, conversation lessons, nature stories, Aesop’s fables, poetry, grammar lessons on word usage, drawing activities, dictation, copywork and drill.
Combine this resource with our Beatrix Potter for Beginners, Mother Goose Copywork, and Downunder Copy Work book one, add some good reading material and you will have a comprehensive language arts program for infants and early primary.
This resource is still popular amongst homeschoolers today because it has a holistic approach to language arts. Emma Serl assumed that a child will learn to speak and write correctly, by imitation, if the proper formats were presented to them.
Download a free sample of the first 13 lessons
"I have used a few language arts curriculums over the years and none seem to fit just right BUT Primary Language Lessons comes pretty close. This is a simple straightforward curriculum that cuts out the busy work and gets children writing, reading and thinking." Michelle
Teacher Preparation
Each lesson is self explanatory. You do not need to plan ahead just pick up the book and begin. Occasionally there may be some simple research to do with some of the observation lessons but this is part of the exercise.You will need to be present for the lesson as there is a lot of teacher /student interaction. Keep lessons short, no more than 20 minutes.
Copywork and Dictation lessons (18 lessons)
Decide for yourself whether you feel a student is ready for dictation or copywork. Knowing how to spell is essential in getting a dictation passage correct and dictation is a useful aid for teaching correct spelling. Look at your student’s dictation and see where the errors are. From this you can make individualised spelling lists. Remember to correct misspelt words as soon as possible so that you don’t risk the student memorising the incorrect spelling.
Copy work and dictation have been used for centuries. It is useful in teaching spelling, memorisation, punctation and grammar. Read more about this method.
Phonics and Spelling can be taught while teaching dictation. Read about a lesson in our home on my blog.
Correct Usage, Grammar and Punctuation (39 lessons)
There are many lessons dedicated to correct usage of troublesome words. These lessons can be repeated many times, not at a single period or at succeeding ones, necessarily, but at different times during the year.
They include; an-a, to-too-two, was-were, is-are, there-their, has-have, see-seen-saw, eat-ate-eaten; go-gone-went, most-almost, this-that-these-those, has-hasn't.
Grammar and punctation is taught in the midst of quality literature and how they are used in a sentence. The child is taught to become confident in constructing a good sentence using correct punctation and word usage. Specific rules for commas, capitals, contractions, abbreviation and initials are also identified.
"English is rather a logical study dealing with sentences and the positions that words occupy in them than with words and what they are in their own right. Therefore it is better that a child should begin with a sentence and not with the parts of speech, that is, he should learn a little of what is called analysis before he learns to parse. It requires some effort of abstraction for a child to perceive that when we speak, we speak about something and say something about it; and he has learned nearly all the grammar that is necessary when he knows that when we speak we use sentences and that a sentence makes sense. " Charlotte Mason
Observation Lessons (15 lessons)
These lessons encourage children to observe and record what they see. This takes practice. Observation will hopefully stimulate their thoughts and inspire them. These lessons should be introduced by oral discussions covering the points indicated by the questions or directions. After the discussion, a student should read the question silently, and then give the answer aloud as a complete sentence. As they progress in this skill these answers may be written, but they should always be preceded by the oral discussion.
Although the topics chosen are well known objects some of the specific answers may not be known. In this case I suggest some guidance by the teacher on simple research skills. Ask them, “How can we find out the answer?”
Composition and Conversation (21 lessons)
Many of the lessons give the student an opportunity to compose their own story or letter. This is done by giving them a reason for writing and some ideas to get them started.
Writing down their compositions can be very frustrating for them as their language usage abilities exceeds their writing skills. Therefore use wisdom in getting them to write it down. Assess each child individually. This skill grows slowly and then suddenly seems to take off.
Poetry Appreciation and Memorization (17 lessons)
Each selection should be read aloud to the student. Some poems you may choose to memorise, this will require many readings. The content of poetry uses the imagination and speaks directly to the heart. The images in poetry are wonderful. You don’t need to turn a poem inside out to appreciate it. With younger children, make it your goal to help them enjoy the poems, especially the rhythm, leaving the techniques and jargon for later years.
Letter Writing (13 lessons)
Letter writing is great composition practice. The letter writing can be modified so the student writes real letters or emails to real people, if you prefer.
Oral Reproduction /Narrations and Memory Work (15 lesson)
The art of telling back or narration is employed in many of the lessons. This is an excellent skill to encourage. Fostering a keen memory and retention is a study skill that you want to develop into a life-long habit.
Pictures Study and Drawing (16 lessons)
Most of the pictures used in this book are copies of the works of great artists. A few suggestive questions are given with each picture, but the teacher should supplement these with many others.
Several exercises are given in drawing. The purpose is not to obtain finely finished pictures, but to secure the representation of ideas.