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mom2abcd
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Primary Language Lessons
English for the Thoughtful Child
First Language Lessons
Learning Language Arts Through Literature
I'd love to hear what you've used and loved and if you've used more than one, how they compare.
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Erin
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| Posted: July 03 2006 at 5:59am | IP Logged
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We use Primary Language Lessons and really like it. In fact I have bought the next one also for my older children.
I find it a very gentle approach and we tend to do most of it orally, although it can be done with written work.
One lesson will be a picture study, the next could be an observation lesson, the next could ask questions about the correct use of words in sentences, ie. which to, too or two do you use. It continues like this throughout, my grammar resisitant children enjoy this book, the lessons would take about 5 minutes to do most of the time. Very do-able for me, I appease my guilt and the children like it 
I have been told that Learning Language Arts Through Literature is quite Protestant particularly once you get past the yellow book. I haven't used it nor the others you ask about.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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MichelleW
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I have PLL and English for the Thoughtful Child. They are very similar. In fact, they are probably interchangeable. The version I first used of PLL I had picked up at a garage sale for cheap. It was missing a few pages, but still useable. I used that version and ETC orally with my oldest. ETC is meant to be done as a workbook, but we found it too slow and tedious for our family to use that way.
Then I found this revised and updated version of PLL from Hillside Education and ordered it. I LOVE it. Most of the pictures are in color (which makes picture study MUCH more interesting) and there are several quotes from saints for copywork. I have poured over this version since it arrived a few weeks ago, and I am so excited to use it. I will be using this version exclusively with my children next year (daily with ds, weekly with dd). ETC pales in comparison now that I have a colorful, updated PLL.
Michelle
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Natalia
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I used FLL when my son was in first grade and second grade. The book has scripted lessons- it tells you what to say and how to do things like memorization. It introduces the part of speech, it has poems to memorize, it has some picture study, it helps them memorize helping verbs, prepositions etc. It also includes some narrations.
It has been a while since I use it. My son is now going into 4th grade. Last year we used the last half of PLL. I thought that FLL was a gentle introduction to CM tape of methods. The grammar was manegable. I like that it builts in the reviews for memorization. I tend to be bad about remembering that we are working on a poem. The scripted text can drive you crazy but it is easily modified.
I like both programs. I think they both cover good material in a easy,gentle way. I think FLL is easier to use in the sense that it has more explanations as how to do it.
HTH,
Natalia
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time4tea
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| Posted: July 10 2006 at 3:08pm | IP Logged
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Learning Language Arts Through Literature -
I have also been very curious about this series, so I did some research. It seems as if all of the early to mid Grade School level books (grades 1-6) use only classic picture books and literature, books you would also find in programs like Five in A Row, Sonlight, and even MODG. The 7th and 8th Grade levels DO contain a couple of books that I as a Catholic would avoid (Eric Liddell, God's Smuggler, probably Adam and His Kin, to name some), but otherwise I have not at this point seen anything else that would be objectionable. I understand that the series has undergone a lot of revisions over the years, so it may be that the earlier versions are not as good a choice as the more recent ones. Cathy Duffy, on her website and in her newest book (from 2005), has chosen LLATL as one of her "100 Top Picks in Homeschool Curricula" and has it listed as "secular, but Christian friendly." Cathy Duffy is a revert to the Catholic Church.
I ordered the 6th grade book from LLATL for one of my dc, and as soon as it arrives, I will post again. It was a bargain at under $40.00 for both the Teacher and Student books together, and I know my dc will LOVE the book selections. I guess I also view LLATL to be in the same league as Sonlight, FIAR and KONOS: each of these companies are Protestant, but many Catholic families have taken the materials and and with much success tweaked them where and when necessary to meet their family's needs. Hope this helps!
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time4tea
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Oh, and I forgot to add -
In Develop Your Own Classical Curriculum, Laura Berquist recommends LLATL Purple for 5th graders.
Blessings,
Tea
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Kat
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| Posted: July 12 2006 at 12:46pm | IP Logged
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Wow, I must really be a curriculum junkie, as I've had all of those programs at one time or another. And my son is only 8! Well, almost 9, but still...
Anyway, I've have pared down to ETC and FLL. While I liked PLL, it's so similar to ETC, and I just had to pick one. PLL seemed more textbook-ish to me than ETC, so that's how I made my decision.
I liked LLATL at first -- I had the older versions. They use a lot of Ruth Beechick's ideas, and after a while I realized I didn't need the books to incorporate her ideas into our schooling.
I kept FLL because I do like that most of the pictures and memory work are more up to date. My all boy kind of boy really doesn't like Victorian looking lesson books. He's in a "girls have cooties" stage, and thinks those books are too girlish. We don't do much of the grammar work in FLL though, because I think it's a little to regimented for his age.
So, I guess I'd have to say all of these programs are similar, and it's more a matter of choosing one that will fit your family.
Kat
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mom2abcd
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| Posted: July 12 2006 at 4:02pm | IP Logged
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Thank you all for your responses. I haven't seen English for the Thoughtful Child in real life. I think I would like something updated and less "textbookish" than PLL. I found LLATL at a very good price (used) so plan to finish up FLL and use LLATL. (I might drop FLL-- the second half looks more "intense" than the first.) I'd love to see EFTTC someday.
I appreciate hearing everyone's experiences.
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Can someone compare PLL, English for ...
