I am trying to decide if I want to use a complete LA program such as Learning Language Arts Through Lit. or use something from here for writing and something from there for Grammar etc. Which do you prefer, complete or bits and pieces? Why? If you prefer complete, which one do you use?
I tried LLATL many moons ago. It did not last long. No "language arts" programs ever worked for us. Here are the things that we had the most success with: Spelling Power, Easy Grammar, and IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing). Before we found IEW we had some success with Writing Strands. For reading, I chose books that I felt that they should read because I've enjoyed them over the years, or books that always seem to pop up on high school lists, or book I feel they should read so that they are culturally literate. I got Teaching the Classics to help with literature discussions, but after a while, you just know how to discuss books, or look to the internet for questions if needed.
Personally, my choice is the complete program from CLE. Grammar, composition, spelling, handwriting. The Reading is a separate course. I also like R&S English, which is just grammar and composition (but they don't get into much composition until like 5th and up).
I looked at LLATL but have never used it. We use Easy Grammar and IEW. Ds is in a lit class at our co-op and uses Wordly Wise. Dd is reading books that have study guides to go with them. We have used Progeny Press and Total language plus. I like TLP best. It is strong in vocabulary and also has spelling.
I have used LLATL and IMO is works, but I don't think it has enough spelling and grammar....so we ended up supplementing with easy grammar and spelling power. In the long run I stopped using it (partly because my kids didn't like it) and we just ended up using the other ones we were supplementing with. I added writing programs like Writing Strands (hated it), wordsmith apprentice and wordsmith ( they were OK), but we have settled on Write-shop and so far we like it. Well, I mean it is working for us. My kids hate writing but this is the one they haven't really fought me on. I have found that complete LA programs are not as rigorous as I want so I always end up supplementing. I finally realized that it works best for us to us multiple curriculum for LA.
Minthia-which WriteShop are you using or have you used? And can you tell me a little bit about it? Pros and cons? And for those of you that use Easy Grammar, do you feel like it is enough for grammar or do you supplement with it? Thanks!
I like to use different stuff, not an all-in-one. This year for 4th we are using Grammar Island (not sure if I like it yet or not), Sequential Spelling & Apples and Pears (this kid needs double the spelling and has really improved), and Essentials in Writing. I also just started Language Lessons Through Literature 3 (LLTL), because I was given it. I have used LLATL, both the old original versions and the new. I don't really like it. You might want to take a look at LLTL (you can see samples at Lulu). She has a really nice reading program too, Reading Lessons Through Literature, that uses the Elson readers (I missed the boat on that one...I have no more kids to teach to read :cry: ). What I really like about LLTL is that you read the entire book (I'm not sure if you do in LLATL), a chapter per lesson, and your grammar lesson is based on that. I just recently started it, so I can't vouch for it too much yet. But, I like what I see.
I use Easy Grammar and we do not supplement. It is not overwhelming for dd and she gets it. The program is very complete the only thing it does not do is the old fashion diagramming of sentences (although kids still have to be able to identify the parts just as if they were diagramming) We have also been using IEW for the past two years. I like the approach to writing and feel that as dd works through the program it will really strengthen her writing skills. For vocabulary I currently use Wordly Wise 3000 but I will be using Jensen's Vocabulary for 7th grade and up I think. In the area of spelling we use Spelling Power which has helped dd tremendously.
We did not supplement Easy Grammar. We are now using Easy Grammar's Daily Grams: 180 Daily Teaching Lessons.
Glad to hear that about Easy Grammar because that's what I wanted to go with. It just makes sense in my mind.
Thanks, I'll look at LLTL. Are you liking Essentials in Writing? How long have you used it? I am trying to decide between it and WriteShop.
I started in LLATL years ago with Rachael. We did good for a while, but then went on to something different. I think I just kinda got tired of it.
We've only used it a short while, we are on lesson 7 (yeah, I feel behind ). It's working well. I bought the workbook so I wouldn't have to print it, and I'm really glad I did (if printing isn't a big deal for you, then you can save a little by not buying the workbook). If there's anything I don't like about it, it would maybe be the instructor...only because the angle of the video shooting often makes it look like his eyes are closed, which is kinda weird. And....(well, he talks a little girly). But, I'm sure he's a nice teacher...he seems nice. I can't remember if there are samples at his website. But, other than that...it's been good :lol:. I'm hoping to continue with it because it's hard for me to find a writing program that I like. In a couple of years I'll have dd use Cover Story (but that's only 1 year). I have that and it looks really nice, but she's not ready for it yet.
I am using Write-shop I with my 2 oldest. We have only been using it for a little more than a month, but so far we all like it. Usually by this point in a writing program my kids are complaining and so far, nothing. I will say that when I first looked over the program I really thought it was going to be way too hard to teach. It seemed like even though everything was laid out and I should just be able to follow everything step by step, I couldn't wrap my mind around a lot of it. It may have been that I always looked it over when I was tired late at night. Once I finally looked it over in the morning everything seemed to click and I had an "aha" moment. I like that although I have to teach them every lesson, it is not very teacher intensive. In fact after I explain the writing assignment and answer any questions they have, I basically leave them alone and they do everything themselves. They are learning more with this program than any other one I have used. I have thought about getting Writeshop Primary for my 8yo dd but I haven't done it because she is only at a 1st grade level with reading and I don't want to stress her out. My 10yo ds is using a program I found online and printed off. I can't remember where I got it though. It seems to be fun for him. Next year I will be switching him to Write-shop because I think the program is well done.
We are piece-mealers too. I use Easy Grammar for grammar, IEW for writing, Vocabulary from Classical Roots for vocabulary.
Thanks ladies. I guess I will piece it together too. I am just not very good at that because I want to make sure I don't miss anything and therefore we wind up with too much.:roll:
We are using beestar ELA. The text selection is excellent. The honor rolls is an additional incentive. Lisa
We use Total Language Plus, and love it. Its an all in one program, so no separate grammar or spelling, or composition books, etc... we love just having one work book plus the reading book.
