What do you look for in Language Arts

[faithfull]

Curious to know what you are looking for in language arts curriculum and based on your criteria, what you selected.

 

thanks for all the good info!

 

_________

starting the homeschool journey

mama to four spunky boys (6, 4, 4, 1)

[Crazyderiver]

I look for programs that start grammar study at a young age. I like rigor and a balanced CM/workbook approach. I use FLL and a vintage text called With Pencil and Pen. I also use CLE LA and the WWE textbook with our literature selections.

[Hunter]

Write Like Hemingway made quite an impression on me. I don't like LA curricula that is too fluffy and stuffy.

[Ellie]

It depends. I don't do "language arts," so it's hard to make a blanket statement. ;-)

 

To teach dc to read, I want phonics. The end. :-)

 

For spelling, I want something that includes spelling rules and usage instead of focussing on "boxing" words, crossword puzzles, writing the word lists multiple times, and so on. I like Spelling by Sound and Structure (if I'm not doing Spalding, which I also prefer for teaching dc to read).

 

For penmanship, I prefer a basic manuscript and a basic cursive. Zaner-Bloser is my first choice (if I'm not doing Spalding), althought R&S's penmanship series isn't bad (first grade manuscript is way too big; second grade introduces a slant writing in addition to cursive; I don't see a point in the slant writing).

 

I want a grammar that doesn't necessarily include diagramming. I don't want anything gimmick-y or cute. Straightforward and to the point. My favorite is Easy Grammar.

 

For writing, I prefer something that isn't formulaic and that also doesn't do cutesy, gimmick-y stuff. My favorites are Writing Strands and Understanding Writing, although Wordsmith isn't bad.

 

For reading/literature, I prefer complete works instead of anthologies, although children often enjoy reading anthologies/vocabulary-controlled basal readers, and all reading is a good thing. :001_smile:

[didadeewiththree]

I'm a new home schooling mom here too, and I've been researching which LA program to do for months. I finally decided on The Phonics Road, which seems very similar to the Writing Road to Reading, the Spalding method. I like how the program intergrates spelling, writing, grammar and reading all into one program, it just seems to make more sense that way. We will use Tapestry of Grace for our literature, but I look forward to making the Phonics Road work. I did not like the idea of buying seperate programs for each LA topic to cover, it just didnt make sense to me. I'd almost like to take it a step further and use the literature books we will be reading to teach LA. Ive looking at Writing Tales and LLATL but both dont foot the bill for me. I dont think I need to look far though because Phonics Road 2 includes a study on the Little House books which perhaps intertwines all that LA for me. I just need to get my hands on a copy! (We are starting with PR1 for both K and 2nd gr)

[faithfull]

I look for programs that start grammar study at a young age. I like rigor and a balanced CM/workbook approach. I use FLL and a vintage text called With Pencil and Pen. I also use CLE LA and the WWE textbook with our literature selections.

 

 

How would you describe the differences between FLL and CLE? Can you tell me more about how you use CLE to supplement the literature?

[johnandtinagilbert]

I want something that offers a complete elementary school line-up b/c I have gone through grammar stage already (4 times) and program hopping created gaps.

 

I want genuine, complete (not blended) phonics instruction for reading and a precursor to spelling.

 

I want something that uses application, not just rote memorization or pattern following. It's easy to make 100 on 15 of the same sentences, but much harder to do so well when there is no obvious formula. I want to know they actually know their grammar, not just memorized a pattern.

 

I want something that incorporates movement and has memorization aids for the variety of definitions in language.

 

I want quality literature that is appropriate for our conservative leanings in child rearing. I.e. I don't want my kids reading Captain Underpants.

 

I want writing that is connected to other areas of school, so they understand writing is a tool, not a subject.

 

I want streamlined planning b/c I have a large family and don't have the time to invest in planning for myself (in all areas), but the plans have to be complete and easy to understand.

 

I want the materials to make me a better teacher so I can apply the skills outside of LA, too.

 

I want the cost to be worthy of the product (cheap isn't always good or bad, sometimes, it's just cheap; while expensive can be just as much an inaccurate tool for judgement).

 

I have found all of these things (and more) from the Phonics Road. I am completely satisfied, so are my children, and even better, the ones who have used PR are much better in LA than the ones who didn't, without all the effort on my part. PR=priceless.

[Crazyderiver]

How would you describe the differences between FLL and CLE? Can you tell me more about how you use CLE to supplement the literature?

 

FLL contains picture study, poem memorization, and oral grammar exercises. I find I can open up any lesson and work orally with the kids and they enjoy it. Everyday became a chore for us and they stopped enjoying it, so we use it as a fun supplement. They like the memory work! CLE LA is workbooks. It is a spiraling program that introduces topics in small chunks and then reviews them often. My kids feel able to work through the exercise and they love the sense of accomplishment. It really boosted confidence and independent work. CLE LA is gentle in it's approach, but rigorous in it's content. I really like using both programs together. With Pencil and Pen is another gentle, oral writing/grammar book that includes picture study. We like the writing assignments from it.

 

 

I use the WWE textbook as a guide to copy work and narration. I use my own selections from whatever fun, literature books we are readings. I also use CLE Reading with extra books. The reading and LA programs are separate. Sorry for the mispost.

Edited August 13, 2011 by sunshineja99

[MerryAtHope]

I've looked for different things at different ages and stages. This year:

 

I wanted a writing program that had lots of instruction geared toward the student for my 9th grader. I wanted something that would work well with a reluctant writer (possibly dysgraphic) who has great ideas but trouble expressing them. I also looked for something he would like (by showing him samples whenever possible) or at least tolerate (LOL!), and something that would break things down into bite-sized pieces and have clear guidelines. We're using IEW for the first time, and so far it has fit the bill very nicely.

 

Writing for my 7th grader--To be honest, first I looked for something I had on my shelf already, LOL! I would have bought something new if needed, but she took a liking to this one. Our previous program had been too constricting for her (Writing Strands--that worked "OK" for my oldest, but she didn't enjoy it at all). She really likes telling stories and being creative, so she is doing Karen Andreola's Story Starters. We'll work on things like descriptive language and literary elements this year. She does do some more "report" type writing with her science notebook.

 

Grammar for my 7th grader--she's continuing Easy Grammar, alternating days with writing. When I chose this, I looked for something that was incremental, easy to follow, I wasn't especially looking for diagramming--something that worked on parts of speech but also irregular word forms, usage, punctuation, and so on. A good all-around program. Easy Grammar has proven to be pretty painless to do, and it seems like a logical progression of topics. It also can be done mostly independently, which I appreciate since I want to focus more of my time and energy on other school topics right now. (I always think through priorities and the area of biggest concern is where I focus more of my time).

 

Spelling--we are continuing with All About Spelling, a program that has helped my kids immensely. I chose this one a little over 3 years ago, after struggling with many other programs and even trying to write my own. I had found The ABC's and All Their Tricks, and knew I wanted something that presented the phonograms in a logical-to-learn order, that taught the rules when and only when they were reliable, and that taught other strategies when rules don't help. I wasn't necessarily looking for something multi-sensory, but that has turned out to be a bonus for us as well. It has built-in review, it's open and go (easy to teach), which are two other things I was also looking for.

 

Happy LA hunting! Merry :-)