Queen's Language Lessons vs. English Lessons through Literature vs. SCM

I have used ELTL and ULW with SW

ELTL is a great program, but not good fit for us. We used level 3 in 3rd grade and level 1 for 1st grade last year. I thought I wanted all in one, but found I did not care for it. I was also not a big fan of some of the books and since the books are tied to the grammar (3rd grade) I felt like we had to read them. Then the kids were overwhelmed by those books they were not as excited to read other books that I wanted them too. I also found that since it was all tied together, picture and poetry too, that it felt like a lot ofstop and go. My DD (3rd) would do parts but then have to set it aside because I was not ready for picture study or ready to read a selection out loud to her. then I would forget to pull back out the book to finish the lesson. I also much prefer the SW selections for dictation.

This year we are doing SW and ULW. I do not have to help my daughter much at all. I printed out a simple schedule reminder like Day 1 – ULW exercise and copy work, Day 2 – study new words, Day 3 – dictation (have little personal reminders to help her remember like “check your work” “take your time”…). Because it is not overwhelming it allows her time to do written narrations with out feeling rushed too.

ULW is not heavy grammar. With ELTL starting in level 3 the student will be diagraming and more intensive grammar. ULW is much more “observing” and taking notice of grammar.

It took me time to trust the CM methods of LA but I am seeing the results. She loves to write and narrate. No her spelling is not perfect or perfect grammar, but she is getting her thoughts out and I am seeing improvement.

Next year she will continue ULW and SW and my ODS who will be in 3rd will stat ULW and SW. This year (2nd grade) he is doing copy work, oral narrations and reading aloud for LA.