Abeka Language or FLL for 1st Grade?

[Paula in MS]

I really need to know what the difference is between these two programs. I have looked at FLL but would have to go to a textbook fair to see Abeka :ack2:. I know that Abeka will have workbook pages and that FLL is more Charlotte Mason, but do they cover the same topics? I have looked at Abeka's scope and sequence, but it didn't help. Also, if someone could also contrast Spelling Workout and Abeka Spelling 1, that would also help me. We are using Abeka Phonics because we used it for K-5 and someone graciously gave me the 1st grade readers. (She is also reading well with this program.)

Thanks in advance for any input.

Paula

[mcconnellboys]

I vote for FLL and SWO! I just like their style better than Abeka. Contents might be similar for all I know. I do use Abeka for grammar beginning in fourth grade (with the God's Gift of Language series).

Regena

[Sue G in PA]

FLL is mostly oral (great for auditory learners). I don't know about Abeka except you say it's a workbook approach. What appeals more to your dc? If he/she is writing-phobic then FLL would work well...a gentle approach. We use SWO here for spelling and it's worked okay. Not great, but not horrible either and I have some nat. speller and some non-nat spellers. I'm not sure you would even *need* a spelling program for 1st. Do you do a phonics program with your dc (like ETC)? If so, spelling could wait until the phonics is completed. JMHO. As for grammar...I didn't do a lot of formal grammar with my ds8 (3rd grade next year) up until now. Next year he'll do FLL3 (I think!) or R&S 3.

[OneRoomHomeSchool]

I think they are pretty comparable: the first half of FLL and Abeka lang 1, as far as what is covered, and as far as I can remember....it's been a while since we had and tried FLL. I think FLL was a bit more 'formal' in teaching beginning grammar rules though.

I think that Abeka spelling 1 is more rigorous then SWO A.

That said we use Abeka Language 1 with my 6 yr old boy but no spelling until 2nd grade here because, really his phonics covers that. ;) Also since he does print well now, we dropped 'handwriting'. Between his phonics and language books he gets plenty of practice.