Anyone with a review of Total Language Plus?

[Wendy in ME]

I am still on my literature kick tonight. I am determined to get it figured out this week. They have some of the titles that I am interested in but I don't see any samples. We will definitely be doing Lamb's Tales From Shakespear with the Logos guide but I need at least 3 good guides for novels with some analysis as well as comprehension. We will also add in some poetry.

[angela in ohio]

I really like their guides. They are different than other guides (Logos, Veritas, Progeny.) They inlcude work on spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and writing as well as comprehension.

I have the guide for The Cricket in Times Square here. For each unit (2-3 chapters in the book,) it has:


Enrichment/ Writing (ideas for projects, art, and personal application essays)
Reading Worksheet (several comprehension questions for each chapter)
Vocabulary Worksheet (4 pages of exercises using a dozen words or so - puzzles, matching, etc.)
Spelling Worksheet (2 pages of exercises using about a dozen words)
Grammar Worksheet (several dictation passages with follow-up grammar activities and a paragraph writing prompt)


There is also a worksheet to fill in with research about the author and illustrator, review worksheets for vocabulary from more than one chapter, a place for students to create a glossary for the book, and a list in the beginning of many activity ideas and writing prompts.

HTH!!

[Wendy in ME]

Thanks Angela. That does help. They have a few of the titles I'm looking at for fall so I might buy on to try.

[swimnactmom]

The Pippi Longstocking book was our first LA book for homeschooling when we started in 4th grade. I had preferred something secular (this program is not secular) but this was not as heavy on the religious content as many other programs. It worked out well for us as our first program. I would recommend this series because it covers language arts pretty well with sections on vocabulary, grammar, writing, copy work, and I especially liked the comprehension questions. I thought the comprehension analysis in TLP was better than most other programs. The only reason we switched is because I really wanted to go very in-depth with all of our LA subjects in order to catch up, and this program didn't offer the level of depth (especially in grammar and writing) that I personally was looking for.

[MIch elle]

I have them linked on my blog. What books do you need the lit. guides for?

Be sure to check out Shakespeare for Kids series from your library. We just finished reading Hamlet from Lamb's, then we watched Hamlet by K. Branagh (http://www.amazon.com/William-Shakespeares-Hamlet-Two-Disc-Special/dp/B00005JLCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1204817510&sr=1-1)on DVD (over a week) while we read parts of Shakespeare for Kids Hamlet (http://www.amazon.com/Hamlet-Kids-Shakespeare-Can-Fun/dp/1552095304/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204817367&sr=8-5)to help us understand the movie which is word for word Shakespeare. I followed the original Hamlet book while we watched the movie. Shakespeare for Kids Hamlet is closer to the original than the Lamb's version imho and great fun too! K. Branagh wrote the forward in SfK Hamlet book!

The Animated Shakespeare Tales (http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Animated-Tales-Brian-Cox/dp/B0002CHJS2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1204817581&sr=1-1)on VHS/DVD are a nice intro. to Shakespeare as well. We've watched them over the years.

[Antonia]

It was very thorough, and had tons of activities we never even got to. He actually learned a lot of vocab that I felt was above his level. I plan to use them again.

[Kate CA]

I am still on my literature kick tonight. I am determined to get it figured out this week. They have some of the titles that I am interested in but I don't see any samples. We will definitely be doing Lamb's Tales From Shakespear with the Logos guide but I need at least 3 good guides for novels with some analysis as well as comprehension. We will also add in some poetry.

Did you see the sample link on their front page? (www.totallanguageplus.com)

I wrote a lengthy review of this curriculum here (http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Reviews/2400.php). It is a tremendous resource. I am happy to answer any questions. :)