Learning Language Arts Through Literature

Hello, I am fairly new here. I have been lurking in the background for a few months just soaking in all the wisdom you all have. Thank you for being such a resource for me. I have already begun implementing CM ways since Sept, and the change in our homeschool has been wonderful!!! My question is this. I have been considering using “Learning Language Arts Through Literature” with my children. Do any of you use this?? Do you recomend it?? Pros? Cons? Also, if I were to follow in CM style and not begin grammar instruction until age 10 or so – which level (color) would you recommend I start with?? Would it be okay to start a child who is in Grade 5 in the purple book just starting out in grammar? Or would you suggest I use level 4 (orange)? I have never actually seen these programs so I value your opinion. It is so hard to choose. I really like their approach because you seem to get a little bit of everything – copywork / spelling(dictation) / and grammar. Is that right?? It sounds as though this would make life a lot simpler having everything in one place. Asd I said, I really value any opinions or advice any of you may have. Thank you so much!!

In Christ,

Marie

This is just my humble opinion, so take it for what it’s worth. I’ve bought LLATL for my children 3 times and resold it. The more I looked at it, the more it wasn’t a fit for us. I wanted something that was gentle, that utilized picture study, that taught grammar, that used dictation and copywork, that encouraged creative writing, and that the children could do independently. LLATL fits some of these things, but with three children having to pull out 3 teacher’s manuals and keep track of all that was too much.

The little books by Serl (Primary Language Lessons & Intermediate Language Lessons) were good but my boys hated to have to copy things down from the textbook. I LOVED English for the Thoughtful Child, but that only went to a certain grade. If this would fit the ages of your children, I really recommend looking into that! They even have the child do some nature study!

But my children are 12, 10, and 10. What I ended up with was using Sandi Queen’s Language Lessons for the Elementary & Secondary Child for the grammar. I use Spelling Wisdom for copywork and dictation and it’s going GREAT!!!! This combination has such a CM feel to it. The Language lesson book is great because it will have the child write a story based on a picture (in color) every once in a while. This opportunity for creative writing was what all the other books were missing. She LOVES this. It’s not too burdensome for the boys either. Spelling Wisdom is going SOO well, also.

Just some more things to consider. Take a look at your children and their ages. Think about what you want in a grammar curriculum and why. Think about how much time you have and how much you want to put it into a program as the teacher.

I do have a friend who uses LLATL and has loved it and convinced me 3 years in a row to buy it, but I never even got past one lesson. At least certain stores have a good return policy!

Hope this helps in some way.

Thank you so much “anabetica” and “fivestones” for your comments. I appreciate both your insights very much. I have gone on to Sandi Queen’s website and have looked at her lovely curriculum. It looks very good. I was wondering, Vanessa, with your older child – do you fill in extra copywork on the days when the grammar lessons do not include the copywork or dictation? (Do I understand it correctly that there is about one copywork day every 4 days?) Or do you find that just the one copywork per lesson is enough?? I hope I have asked my question clearly. I appreciate all your wisdom so much!!

In Christ,

Marie

For my oldest it is one copywork piece every 5 days. Sometimes I have her copy it more, sometimes not. For the most part, I do not add any other copywork for my oldest because she writes more through out the day with her written narrations, Apologia science, childs geography, etc. and I expect it to be written nicely and check to make sure.

For my youngest, I do add copywork daily. I think I got the copywork off of here? I don’t remember, could have been a website for los banos. Sometimes I use copywork from AO. But for him, we are still working on printing nicely. I want to start cursive next year and will be using HWOT.

I’m probably a little late joining this conversation but I have three children using LLATL and I think it’s excellent. I really like that they are learning grammar and mechanics etc in the context of a literature passage, and I also like the activities they do with writing and understanding literary devices. My 7th and 6th graders (green and tan books) do their work independently while I work with my 2nd grader who is working in the yellow book.

There has been a change in the books in more recent years. The older edition was just a parent’s book really with the literature passage and activities listed for the week, then answers and notes at the end of each lesson. All written work is done on separate paper, not in the book. I use the ‘old book’ with my 2nd grader because we work through it together and I read most of it to her as we go. She writes in an exercise book. The later editions have student work books with all the information they need and are designed for the student to write in. There is an additional teacher’s book with answers and notes etc. It makes it easy for them to work independently.

So, yes, I think LLATL is great and plan on continuing with it as I find it so good. 🙂

Hi Heather,

Have you seen the LLATL website? There are sample lessons from all the different levels so you can get a bit of a feel for what level would suit your son. My guess from what you said is that maybe Red may be a good start, but check out the samples anyway.

Yes, my 2nd grader is in Yellow and finding it quite easy, but she is fairly advanced in LA and may not be a good indicator for appropriate level. Also, we are nearly at the end of our school year here in Australia, so she’s not a new second grader.

Here’s the website in case you haven’t seen it. http://www.cspress.com/slessons/slesson.htm

I’m pretty sure that there are additional readers to go along with the Red book but it will probably tell you that on the site.

HTH

Linda

Hi Heather,

My son started in the red book in 2nd grade, because of various reasons we worked slowly through the book. Boys are definetly different then girls 🙂 Due to this we just picked up where we left off at the start of this year. I did buy my red book used with the student manuel that had never been used and they were both the older version. I did not get any readers with it. I haven’t had a problem with this because they are extras and not refrenced in our book anywhere, and for $7.00 I got a great deal :). I would suggest reading the scope and sequence, ask around in your local homeschool group maybe in order to actually touch and feel the product. However most places have a great return policy, (rainbow resource is were I usually buy mine) if you find it does not work for you. Blessings,

Vanessa