TracyR Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Okay. I've been looking at different langauge arts programs and can't seem to decide. I am wanting something that incorporates grammar , writing and reading. I am going to be switching from cyberschooling to homeschooling for next school year so I'm starting now in my decision making. This will be for my older two who will be 4th and 6th grade. Other then Christian light are there any others? Any suggestions would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeegal Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Learning Language Arts through Literature is working well for us. Here is the website of the publisher. http://www.commonsensepress.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 I like the Galore Park programmes: Junior English for ages 7-10; So You Really Want to Learn English for ages 10-13. The grammar is light by US standards, but I really like the way the books are put together. There are samples on the Galore Park website. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayle in Guatemala Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Learning Language Arts Through Literature for us as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimajaro Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Michael Clay Thompson books for grammar, vocabulary, writing. He has also written a poetry series and a book called "Classics in the Classroom" much of which is applicable to homeschool, too. I love that the grammar, vocabulary, writing and classics books all tie together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Just as an observation, since you're using WT, you really don't need an entire LA program. All you really need is a light touch of grammar (and I do mean light, WT2 really picks up the pace with grammar!!) and something for reading if you chose. I think some daily editing work is a nice complement to WT2. I used Take 5 Minutes Daily History Editing, but anything you chose will be fine. On the reading, you could do some comprehension guides with both dc together, or you could do just comprehension guides with the 4th grader and have the older do a formal lit course like the BJU Reading. I'm doing the BJU Reading 5 with my dd this year and am VERY happy with it. In fact, my dd is clicking well with ALL the BJU stuff (ok, not the handwriting, but everything else) I'm doing this year. So I don't know your dc's personalities, but if you happen to hit a comfortable fit like that, and if you happen to fit comfortable with BJU stuff, that might make your life easy. The reading is very easy to implement and I'm finding it very worthwhile. It makes me whiz reader really stop and THINK. It incorporates outlining, notetaking, research, and other skills that I'd have to make an effort to hit otherwise. I don't think it's essential at this age (4th/5th), but I viewed it as getting on track for junior high, where I'm reluctant to do things myself and want something all spelled out. (just me) So there you go. My suggestion is pick a grammar to go alongside your WT2, do something for reading, have them do notebooking for their history (6th gr writing paragraphs), maybe some daily editing, something for handwriting, and you're good to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmschoolmom22 Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Total Language Plus - love it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof165 Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 At our house, we love LLAT (Learning Language Arts Through Literature) :thumbup: Sonja ___________________________________ Homeschooling JUST ONE - ds 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSDCY Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Michael Clay Thompson books for grammar, vocabulary, writing. He has also written a poetry series and a book called "Classics in the Classroom" much of which is applicable to homeschool, too. I love that the grammar, vocabulary, writing and classics books all tie together. I agree with this. We try Michael Clay Thompson's LA program for the first time this year, both ds and I thoroughly enjoy it. It is the best curriculum find of the year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyR Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 Just as an observation, since you're using WT, you really don't need an entire LA program. All you really need is a light touch of grammar (and I do mean light, WT2 really picks up the pace with grammar!!) and something for reading if you chose. I think some daily editing work is a nice complement to WT2. I used Take 5 Minutes Daily History Editing, but anything you chose will be fine. On the reading, you could do some comprehension guides with both dc together, or you could do just comprehension guides with the 4th grader and have the older do a formal lit course like the BJU Reading. I'm doing the BJU Reading 5 with my dd this year and am VERY happy with it. In fact, my dd is clicking well with ALL the BJU stuff (ok, not the handwriting, but everything else) I'm doing this year. So I don't know your dc's personalities, but if you happen to hit a comfortable fit like that, and if you happen to fit comfortable with BJU stuff, that might make your life easy. The reading is very easy to implement and I'm finding it very worthwhile. It makes me whiz reader really stop and THINK. It incorporates outlining, notetaking, research, and other skills that I'd have to make an effort to hit otherwise. I don't think it's essential at this age (4th/5th), but I viewed it as getting on track for junior high, where I'm reluctant to do things myself and want something all spelled out. (just me) So there you go. My suggestion is pick a grammar to go alongside your WT2, do something for reading, have them do notebooking for their history (6th gr writing paragraphs), maybe some daily editing, something for handwriting, and you're good to go! Thank you for the food for thought. Actually before I started cyberschooling I did use BJU reading and math and it clicked well with my oldest. She's asking for BJU math actually again. I didn't have a chance to use it with my 2nd daughter. I guess I would be trying to reinvent the wheel if I took away the WT's especially since it fits my daughters' really well too. Right now I'm used to having everything spelled out for me as well. Its been quite a long time since I've had to put things together. I'm used to having everything right there for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgilli3 Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 LLATL for us too ! Love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 I think the advantage of piecing together your LA using some of the high quality options out there (WT, etc.) is that you get to keep the quality up and make it fit them in each aspect (challenging enough in one thing, easier in another, etc.). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
at the beach Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 I'll second the Galore Park recommendation. My 6th grade daughter is doing SYRWTL English 2, and she is really enjoying it. It is challenging, and it is comprehensive. I am very pleased with our choice to use it this year. Anita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tami Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 (edited) We've taken a path of emphasizing copywork and dictation in the lower grades. It's simple, and it works! In 3rd/4th we did a year of Shurley Grammar "lite", stretching the Shurley level out over those years. Shurley is an ideal grammar stage language arts program, imo, due to the chants, repetition, and success with cementing parts of speech. In 5th grade we begin CLE Language Arts. I couldn't be happier with it. It covers sentence diagramming, copywork, punctuation, spelling, and study skills. CLE streamlines out day. We do the CLE 2-3 days a week, alternating with either copywork or composition. In 6th-8th grades, we add a couple of literature guides in: Total Language Plus or Progeny Press. We alternates weeks of CLE with weeks of Total Language Plus. Each program is so different, and I love how they compliment one another! It is a toss up between CLE and Total Language Plus as my favorite. Then again, I favor Shurley "light" as an introduction to the parts of speech in 3rd or 4th grade. This is like comparing apples and oranges, but they are all excellent curriculla. I should say that I don't favor a lot of grammar workbooks or literature guides before age 10-11. There has been no downside to waiting a little longer for hard core, workbook-based grammar instruction. Edited December 23, 2008 by Tami Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tami Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Total Language Plus - love it!!! Hi Lisa, Just wondering -- do you use something else to teach conventions and explicit grammar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 You can view LLATL samples at http://www.cspress.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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