Secular Language Arts, 1st/2nd grade?

[Shelsi]

Ds is 5 yrs old (6 in May) and we've been using Sing, Spell, Read & Write. He buzzed through the kindy books and we're just starting the 2nd Level 1 book (so basically finishing the last half of their 1st grade level).

I'm not interested in using SSRW level 2.

Are there any total LA curriculums that are secular? I'm having a hard time finding things. I've found many pieces but I'd really prefer a boxed LA curriculum. I checked out Shurley English but I've read a lot of poor reviews. I was also looking at McRuffy but it doesn't seem like there's much writing involved.

It seems to depend on the curric on whether or not we'll be choosing a 1st or 2nd grade level.

Oh and ds and I just checked out Explode the Code online and did the demos. Is that really thorough enough for phonics? Maybe I could do EtC and then do a separate grammar and writing curric?

[AAK]

I will confirm that Shurley English is awful!!!! Don't go down that road. I have heard good things about First Language Lessons, but I don't know if it is secular or not.

Amy

[meetoo]

McRuffy is a complete LA, you would want to spice up the writing portion a little I think though.

[luvmy2girlz29]

The Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading is an AIO language arts curriculum. I would love to use it but it's quite expensive. DD has tried ETC online and did not care for it. Our language arts plan for 1st grade are OPGTR, FLL, WWE, and AAS

Korrie

[AAK]

Originally Posted by luvmy2girlz29

The Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading is an AIO language arts curriculum. I would love to use it but it's quite expensive. DD has tried ETC online and did not care for it. Our language arts plan for 1st grade are OPGTR, FLL, WWE, and AAS

Korrie

Ok, I know all your abbreviations except WWE. . . what is that one?

Amy

[MissRubyandKen]

Originally Posted by AAK

Ok, I know all your abbreviations except WWE. . . what is that one?

Amy

I believe she's referring to Writing With Ease?

[Shelsi]

What are the other ones? I couldn't figure out any of them! lol.

[MissRubyandKen]

Originally Posted by Shelsi

What are the other ones? I couldn't figure out any of them! lol.

I had to think for a few myself, lol.

luvmy2girlz29, please correct me if I'm wrong, ok? Couldn't help myself, this is sorta fun!

AIO- all in one
ETC- Explode the Code
OPGTR- Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading
FLL- First Language Lessons
WWE- Writing With Ease
AAS- All About Spelling

[AAK]

Thanks

[luvmy2girlz29]

Originally Posted by MissRubyandKen

I had to think for a few myself, lol.

luvmy2girlz29, please correct me if I'm wrong, ok? Couldn't help myself, this is sorta fun!

AIO- all in one
ETC- Explode the Code
OPGTR- Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading
FLL- First Language Lessons
WWE- Writing With Ease
AAS- All About Spelling

You got it. Perhaps we need an acronym sticky.

Korrie

[MyLittleWonders]

We love Writing with Ease, First Language Lessons, and All About Spelling. Between the three, plus great books to read aloud, you have a complete L/A program. Plus, they are all secular.

[dotnetdiva]

Here's our secular lineup for K-1. Copied directly from Korrie's above, hehe. These are the EASIEST subjects to teach and barely a day goes by when we don't do at least the first 3, because they're pick up and go type lessons.

OPGTR, FLL, WWE, and AAS

[luvmy2girlz29]

Angela,

When did you start AAS? I just got it in the mail and was wondering if I should just jump right into it. DD is on lesson 87 in OPGTR and is doing well. I think she is ready to start spelling and has asked to do so. Thanks!

Korrie

[lach]

I just got my catalog for The Critical Thinking Company today. They're secular, and they have a ton of language arts books. They say it's a full LA curriculum, but I'm not sure how much writing there is. There seems to be a lot of grammar and vocabulary.

[dotnetdiva]

Korrie,
We started AAS around 4.5 years. I don't have it documented what lesson OPG we were on when we started, but we were on OPG lesson 75 when we hit AAS lesson 15. It was so worth it for us to start spelling early! My daughter loves to write and consequently, she loves learning spelling.

[Shelsi]

Originally Posted by lach

I just got my catalog for The Critical Thinking Company today. They're secular, and they have a ton of language arts books. They say it's a full LA curriculum, but I'm not sure how much writing there is. There seems to be a lot of grammar and vocabulary.

I just looked at their website and a sample of their 1st grade LA and it looks really great! I think I'll start a new thread to see if anyone has used it and what they thought of it. It's nice and colorful too which I've noticed is always really helpful for my ds.