Changing from First Language Lessons to Learning Language Arts through Literature?

[Michelle W.]

We have been using First Language Lessons Levels 1 and 2 for the last two years. My kids have enjoyed it somewhat and I like that its scripted and very accessible. But I think they're tiring of the repeating the definitions and after doing it for two years ready for something different. My question is for anyone who has used level 3. Does it repeat the same general format or is it really changed a lot from levels 1 and 2?

 

A friend of mine uses LLATL and loves it! I'm thinking of changing over to that instead and then they each have their own LA to work on independently. (I've had my 1st and 3rd grader doing FLL together) Anyone make the shift from FLL to LLATL and really glad they switched?

 

Thanks!

Michelle

[Another Lynn]

FLL3 is much better than 1 and 2, imho. I haven't used LLATL, but from looking at it, it's a totally different animal from FLL. If I understand it correctly, LLATL is an "all in one" (includes grammar, spelling, copywork, literature, etc.), but depending on your goals for those subjects it may not be enough coverage or it may not be systematic enough for grammar and spelling. Some people like LLATL as is, and some add more grammar and spelling to it. I can't speak from personal experience about what works best.

 

If you're using FLL, you are mostly covering grammar, with a little bit of narration, copywork and a few poems along the way. You would probably want to add spelling, writing and literature to it.

[Michelle W.]

Yeah I think I liked that LLATL included literature and projects and things like that. This year we added spelling and phonics/wordlywise to FLL but I felt like it wasn't quite enough. The all in one of LLATL is appealing to me for sure.

 

In what way do you think FLL3 is better than 1 and 2?

[Ruby Rose]

I've "heard" 3 gets better so I'm hanging in there to see for myself. I'm actually looking forward to diagraming.