The Primer 1 series provides grammar and spelling lessons, examination of basic sentence skills, word usage (particularly antonyms, synonyms, and homonyms) and word rhyming. Primer Books are consumable student books. These include the weekly passage, space for copywork and/or dictation as well as the vocabulary, grammar, picture and nature studies. 127 pgs. paperback.
Gentle language lessons for early elementary students. Weekly routine includes copybook, narration from accompanying literature, grammar and spelling lessons based on copybook model, nature study, and picture study. Primer One spelling and grammar lessons reinforce spelling rules, introduce basic sentence skills, practice correct word usage with homonyms, antonyms, and synonyms, teach basic letter-writing, and develop rhyming skills. Requires accompanying Primer One Teaching Helps.
Primer One Autumn, Primer One Winter, and Primer One Spring are sequential in skills, but can be used out of sequence if necessary. Before beginning Primer One, a student should have achieved beginning spelling and phonics proficiency, be ready for beginning chapter books, and be able to copy words and sentences.
consumable workbook format, twelve weeks of lessons
seasonal focus on winter through Easter
copywork selections from A.A. Milne, Beatrix Potter, C.S. Lewis, a hymn, poetry, and the Bible
nature study examines the night sky and birds
picture study looks at artists Vincent Van Gogh and Jean-Francois Millet
Additional Materials Needed:
PrimerWinter Teaching Helps (print version, non-consumable)
PrimerWinter Teaching Helps (download or e-book version)
PrimerWinter Picture Study PDF (free download)
PrimerWinter Resource webpage (link given in PrimerWinter)
Fifty Famous Stories Retold by James Baldwin (also available as a free e-text
Is the Cottage Press series a Charlotte Mason language arts program? Well, yes it is! Is it a classical writing program based on the progymnasmata? Well, yes it is! If these two ideas seem mildly out of sync to you, then consider that some of the language arts methods attributed to Charlotte Mason are thoroughly classical in their origin (i.e. narration/retelling, copywork, dictation). Likewise, consider that the classical teaching methods based on the progymnasmata involve quality literature, teacher-student interaction, and composition mentoring. It's easy to see that these two, seemingly different methodologies are actually quite compatible – at least in the area of language arts. It's also easy to see that combining the two provides a strongly academic, teacher-student interactive approach to language arts. Lessons are detailed, well-organized, well-prepared and ready-to-go. All courses are based on the presupposition that the student is reading lots of quality, classic and classical literature. Courses in the early elementary grades incorporate more Charlotte Mason techniques and methodologies (including picture study) while the upper elementary, middle school, and high school courses are increasingly rigorous and follow the progymnasmata series of writing exercises. All levels include instructive student books and teacher materials with answers; both with gorgeous cover art. Both required and suggested resources are listed for every course.
Cottage Press stuff is always easy to use, and has a pleasing aesthetic, too.
My three older children are thriving on Fable + Song and Bards + Poets, so I thought it would be best to start my 2nd grader earlier with Cottage Press.
Like the fact that it is classic format, Charlotte Mason type. Reviewed it the program and it seemed perfect for our 7 year old. We watched a presentation of a parent on YouTube and our child liked…
Great LA/Grammar for people who use Charlotte Mason Model or even Classical model of education.