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. Memorizing key definitions, facts, and processes allows students 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 facts will be able to focus…
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, out loud. 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…
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…
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 education includes both World Literature and the relevant national literature. This post is part of…
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.…
There’s a funny story about Sir Laurence Olivier and Dustin Hoffman. During the filming of Marathon Man, Hoffman, a proponent of Method Acting, reportedly went 72 hours without sleep to help him get inside his character. Olivier said, “My dear boy, why don’t you just try acting?” I feel the same way when I see…
For many homeschooling families, writing instruction is a perpetual source of stress. Parents may not feel competent to teach writing because, like many adults today, they were never actually taught to write themselves; their teachers simply handed them a blank sheet of paper and expected them to produce original writing without the benefit of explicit…
