Total Language Plus

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  • December 9, 2010 at 1:15 pm
    csmamma
    Participant

    In reading another thread, I noticed that Bookworm used this program with her 14yo ds. I’ve spent some time on their website thismorning and would like to hear from Michelle, or those of you who’ve used this.

    • Is it necessary to supplement grammar & writing or do you think there is enough in TLP?

    • If you do supplement, what do you use to compliment TLP?

    • How many books/guides do you do in a year?

    • Would you recommend this in the younger grades: why or why not?

    Thanks so much! ~ Heather

    December 9, 2010 at 2:08 pm
    Bookworm
    Participant

    I did not use the guides with the children when they were younger.  I started on the older boys in the high school ages.  We had already done a grammar review (Our Mother Tongue) and a quick essay-writing course (Jump In) before we began the guides.  I think something like this would be a plus.  There are good writing topics in the TLP guides, but not a lot of specific instruction on writing.  And the grammar for the high school age guides is mostly dictation exercises.  We also do foreign language work so I don’t worry too much about adding more grammar to what they’ve already  had. We typically go through about 3 guides a year.  The upper high school ones are challenging!  I modify pretty freely, too.  Some of the vocab/spelling exercises are just busywork.  We only do some of those activities, do most of the writing ideas, etc. 

    I don’t know if I’d recommend the younger grades or not.  I really don’t think something so curriculum-y is necessary for younger kids.  That being said, I am experimenting with younger guides with my 10yo.  He likes them, a lot.  I’m not sure what I think yet.  I really prefer a more natural approach.  So I have kind of mixed feelings at the moment.

     

    December 13, 2010 at 1:45 pm
    csmamma
    Participant

    Thanks Michelle! I’m very interested in giving this a try with my 15yo ds, & possibly my 10yo.  Hope you’re staying warm! Laughing ~ Heather

    January 14, 2011 at 2:25 pm
    csmamma
    Participant

    Michelle, can I ask how Language Plus is going for you and your 10yo? Pro’s and Con’s?  My highschooler’s doing well with it but not so sure how younger ds will do.  Thanks for sharing. ~ Heather

    January 14, 2011 at 5:54 pm
    Bookworm
    Participant

    Heather,

    I still feel about the same about the TLP guides.  I really think it’s *best* to teach language arts in a more natural way.  With my older boys, we read so much, just did copywork, began dictation, talked about things as they cropped up, and they just “got it” almost by osmosis.  🙂  It worked beautifully and (almost) effortlessly. 

     However, this third son has been more difficult.  I can’t tell whether it’s an issue with HIM, that he just needs things more “spelled out” or whether I’m just often juggling the schoolwork of all three and don’t spend the same amount of time with him that I spent with the other two that age.  Whatever the reason, I do feel like the TLP is sort of functioning as a “backup” for us.  It is catching and teaching things that I just don’t seem to have gotten around to doing yet.  Sigh.  So, couple this with the fact that this son absolutely REVELS in the guides, and I think we’ll be continuing them for now.  My little guy just eats it up.  He carries his flashcards for spelling around and practices using his words (drawn from the books) ALL the time.  He lights up when it is time to get his language arts out.  I still modify/skip/alter assignments as necessary.  We don’t do the pure busywork type things.  But I think we’ll be continuing to use the guides for a while anyway. 

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