If you use Christian Light Language Arts, but use a different spelling program...

[Michelle My Bell]

If you use Christian Light Language Arts, but use a different spelling program do you just skip that portion in the light units? What if you also use a different handwriting? Would I be wasting my money on this program? I really want a workbook based Language Arts program for my 5th grade daughter next year. We used BJU this year but it is so expensive. 

[Guest Lat Mo]

We have used CLE LA for a few years.  My oldest daughter skips the handwriting since we use another program. My youngest does the handwriting in both (her choice).  As far as spelling, we use the program in CLE, but if I had a separate program I would skip it.  The spelling and handwriting aren't the meat of the program so I wouldn't think that it is a waste if you don't use those portions. If you just wanted to make sure you aren't wasting money, view their PDF samples or order just one workbook.

[Punks in Ontario]

I've done this a couple of different ways.  First of all, yes, I do think there's value in the program even without the spelling portion.  The language arts portion is strong and all my guys have learned well with it.

 

Sometimes we've done the penmanship portions in the books.  Right now we use a different program, not so much because there was anything wrong with CLE, but because they wouldn't get around to chasing down paper to do it, and I didn't tend to think to check to make sure it was done.  So I got them actual workbooks.

 

As far as spelling, I've had both my guys do the spelling portions, but not done the testing.  We use another system that's kind of like Sequential Spelling that focuses on spelling at their level.  For my older guy, I've stopped having him do the CLE stuff because the workload was getting heavy.  My older fellows didn't always do the spelling either.