Reading Lessons Through Literature

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  • psreitmom
    Participant

    missceegee (or anyone)- I was wondering how Reading Lessons Through Literature matches up to First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind. I just bought FLL to use with my daughter in the fall. What I am really needing is spelling, which FLL does not cover. From what I read, the author of RLTL recommends a separate spelling program. Maybe I should stick with Phonics Pathways and just use the methods mentioned, like letter tiles and finger spelling. We used Barton for a while, but it was not a good fit, and it was too pricey. If these lower cost programs use the same methods, why can’t they be used with the same success? I like the looks of RLTL for learning to spell,  but since I have FLL, I wouldn’t use them at the same time. Just wanted to get feedback on FLL vs. RLTL.

    missceegee
    Participant

    I dislike the scripted nature of FLL so I’ve never seriously considered it. I don’t really care for the WTM philosophy or any of the materials, personally. I dislike the busy layout of Phonics Pathways so I never used it. I’m picky, can you tell?

    I used SWR very successfully, but I crave simplicity. RLTL is essentially like SWR. The difference is no finger spelling but telling child which phonogram to use (either works, imo). The words are similar, fewer levels or lists in RLTL. The author intended it for K-4th and then moving to prepared dictation using processes from RLTL to analyze unknown words in dictation. I like this approach a lot.

    <i>Reading Lessons Through Literature</i> is an Orton phonogram reading program, and like other Orton phonogram programs, it focuses on teaching reading through spelling. This may sound odd if you’re not familiar with the process. Think of it like this: Other reading programs present new words to read in each lesson. With RLTL, children are not only presented new words to read, they also learn to write them down and analyze their spelling.~ RLTL site.

    I also like for beginning readers, there are the Elson readers built into the book.

    Does that help or muddy the waters?

    Christie

    psreitmom
    Participant

    Christie-Thanks for your reply. I saw that after RLTL, some will use English Lessons Through Literature. Do you plan to use that? Is that still considered OG like RLTL? I am asking these questions because I would like to find something and stick with it and not be jumping around. Thanks for your help.

    missceegee
    Participant

    I haven’t used ELTL or really looked at it. I like a short, get it done approach for grammar. I have used Analytical Grammar and Jr. Analytical Grammar and while both work with my preferred approach, I like Get Smart Grammar from English Grammar Revolution best of all. It’s clear, concise, to the point, and the kids really get it. It does not contain mechanics and usage, however, just grammar.

    I understand not wanting to jump around and I think consistency is important, but sometimes it’s inevitable.

    Best wishes.

    caedmyn
    Participant

    How exactly do you use RLTL? I’ve looked at the samples but still don’t quite get how to use it. I want to do something rules based to help my rising 4th grader become a better speller. Was thinking of juat using Phonics Pathways for that, since I’ll probably use it for my 1st grader for phonics anyway.

    psreitmom
    Participant

    caedmyn – Did you download samples from this link?

    http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/kathy-jo-devore/samples-reading-lessons-through-literature-levels-1-4/ebook/product-22110510.html

    I also have been using Phonics Pathways to teach spelling, but this does look more interesting, since it uses an actual reading book. My daughter is 12, but I probably would start her out in Level 2, not so much for the reading, but for the spelling. She has a mild CP, dyslexia and other visual and language processing difficulties.  Her reading has improved, since she had her eyes aligned through surgery, but her spelling is still so very poor. A lot of rules overwhelm her, but I feel she needs exposure to them, and this seems like a gentler way to do that. I probably would keep the Phonics Pathways for extra practice in certain rules, because my daughter sometimes needs to do certain things over and over again for it to stick. Anyway, HTH

    Christie – Looking at RLTL and FLL, I think I could use them together. I actually like the looks of FLL, so I could use that for grammar and use RLTL mostly for spelling and reading fluency. Laying aside your dislike of FLL, does this sound like too much? I really feel I need to put more focus on language arts and math this fall. I thought I had next year all mapped out, but now I’m not so sure about language. Several good things to choose from:)

    If anyone else wants to comment, feel free.

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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