Last week, I shared a bit about our MATH choices for this year.  This week, I'm going to tell you what we're using for Language Arts.  These two products are ones that, so far, we are thrilled with! 

Last year, some of the Crew members received The One Year Adventure Novel program to review.  When I opened the box, I was thrilled because I thought it would be "just the thing" for Ashley to use this year.  She is always writing; so this seemed like a great addition to her school days - what better way to make school both fun and appropriate than to teach to her interests!  So far, she seems to be enjoying it.  I love watching the videos with her - Daniel Schwabauer is an excellent teacher - he knows his stuff and his voice is just so soothing to listen to.  I often wish I had purchased a second Student Workbook, so that I could have gone through the program with her.  Maybe next year . . . (yes, we're thinking that, if she likes this, we might do it a second year!)

If you'd like to read the Crew's thoughts on this product, click here.

For Gracie, I wanted to look for something new and VERY different.  We had been using Abeka's Language for the past several years and, I have to say it, it's just a bit dull and incredibly repetitive.  (NOTE: I love Abeka for a school setting and we continue to use it for math, but otherwise I don't find it a good fit for our homeschool.) 

I had read about Total Language Plus to Gina's blog, and finally decided to check into it more thoroughly.  This really looked like an approach that we would like; but I don't like buying without first seeing.  So, I was thrilled to see a TLP display booth set up at the CHAP convention.  Ashley and I looked it over and were immediately sold! 

I picked out a simple book for Gracie to start the year with - The Courage of Sarah Noble - and that's what we're working through now.  She NEVER complains about doing language arts anymore, and I LOVE how everything is all together in one place.  TLP covers reading vocabulary & spelling, writing, and so much more!  She will continue through this year with studies of Pippi Longstocking and Charlotte's Web - I'm not sure which order we'll do them in yet (I need to look over them more closely before I decide). 

Here's a real testimonial for TLP ---  though we had already selected The One Year Adventure Novel as Ashley's language arts for this year, she was totally intrigued by TLP and asked if I might buy her some guides as well.  So, she is doubling up on language arts credits this year!  Again, she never complains - she is really enjoying it!  She's currently working through The Hiding Place (we have the movie on our Netflix queue for when she is finished) and we have To Kill a Mockingbird to do next.   We are already planning which guides we want to order for NEXT YEAR!

What are YOU using for Language Arts this year?  Please leave a comment and tell me about it. 

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Sep. 17, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Ruth

I hadn't heard of TLP. I will have to look into it. Victoria is doing Easy Grammar this year and British Literature by James P. Stobaugh. It is really tough.

Ruth

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Sep. 23, 2009 - review

Posted by tlpgina

Don't know if you saw the message I forwarded into facebook yesterday. You can submit a review of TLP and win prizes. I KNOW you have excellent things to say so check it out if you have time!
Gina

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