***This is a review for the Second Edition of Level 1 – as of 2019 there is a new edition***
This program is a-mazing! I am so impressed with how it is organized and how it teaches. IT WORKS!
What is covered?
One thing that I love the most about this language arts program is that it includes so many subjects. This course includes:
- Phonics
- Reading
- Spelling
- Writing
- Grammar and Punctuation
- Literature
- Art Appreciation
What do I need for Level 1?
- Level 1 Course Book
- Phonics Cards {these are the same cards used for Levels K-2}
- 15 Mini Books
- Level 1 Reader {optional}
Below are books that are used in the course, you do not need to purchase them {but they are all wonderful and I would completely recommend them!} and you do need access to them at various times in the course:
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
- Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik
- Father Bear Comes Come by Else Holmelund Minarik
- A Kiss for Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik
- Little Bear’s Friend by Else Holmelund Minarik
- Little Bear’s Visit by Else Holmelund Minarik
- Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 1
Level 1 Reader
I really LOVED the reader! This is listed as an optional item for the course but I thought it was really helpful to have a reader for Jacob to practice with. The stories are so sweet and beautiful. I would definitely recommend it!
The course suggests that you have your child read from the reader for at least 10 minutes every day out loud to himself {if you didn’t want to get the reader you could use any book on their level}.
Spelling
Spelling really improved for Jacob this year. He is not a natural speller but is doing much better with it. We got a spelling box last summer and it totally changed spelling for him. We got this one from Toolboxes for Teaching and it’s awesome! There are so many different ways to practice their words which keeps it exciting plus I think it really helps Jacob to practice using different learning styles.
Every week, Jacob would get five spelling words to practice. Jacob would use his spelling box to practice them throughout the week and {usually} on Friday we would have a spelling test. If he got a word wrong we would continue to study it the following week.
Phonics Cards
The same phonics cards are used in courses K-2. There are 164 cards all together. We had already “mastered” cards 1-56 during the Level K course.
When we began Level 1, we started by reviewing cards 1-56 first. This was pretty quick to do. Then we started working on cards 57-124. Jacob picked up on the phonics a lot quicker this year, especially as his reading has improved. I completely believe it goes hand in hand – I would NOT skip these!
We pick seven cards to review. I keep a little post it note in our course book and when Jacob has done the phonics card three times without hesitation we move it into our “mastered” pile and get a new card. On Fridays we review all of his mastered cards.
Sight Word Ladders
There are 18 sight word ladders included in the course. Each “ladder” has eight words. Every day I have Jacob read through one chart. When he can read the entire chart without hesitation for three days we count it as “mastered” and move onto the next one. On Fridays, we would review all of the mastered ladders.
Course Book
We do the course book by time. I would set a timer for 30 minutes and we would just go as far as we could during that time. I love this method! It is so relaxed and some things go faster than others and it is nice to just go with whatever happens that day.
There is absolutely no prep involved at all in this! AWESOME!
Read Alouds
It is also suggested that you read “high-quality literature” to your child for at least 20 minutes every day. I love this time! I usually have Jacob complete his handwriting while I read aloud to him.
Poetry Memorization
You are also directed in the course to memorize at least three poems. I think this is a great addition to the course. After Jacob has memorized a poem I have him write it {and illustrate it if he wants it} and then we add it to his “Poetry Anthology” binder that he started creating in kindergarten. I LOVE seeing this grow with all of the wonderful poems he is learning.
Literature
Some of my favorite lessons were those that incorporated literature. In this course, there were lessons using The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, Aesop’s Fables, The Hero of Haarlem by Mary Mapes Dodge, Little Bear series by Else Holmelund Minarik, and Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 1.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, our end of course assessment pretty much speaks for itself. Jacob has grown leaps and bounds with his reading and, especially, his fluency. He reads a lot smoother and I am so impressed with his growth.
We have loved this program!
