I used BJU English & Spelling 3 this year. My daughter did the spelling worksheets independently and then we would test on Fridays. We did not go over the words orally but every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I would have her copy the complete list on loose leaf. There is only 32 weeks of spelling do we’ve now completed and on every test she has never had more than 2 words wrong. So it sounds like a lot but it really isn’t. We also loved English 3 because I didn’t need to supplement for writing which I see so many ppl doing on here. We are sticking with these for year 4 but I do love the look of MB. Does it have writing or is it separate?
My wife raved about this review so now I'm here. She is currently using LLATL but has concerns. Master Books is really grabbing her but BJU is up there too. I'm the tie-breaker. Edit: Master Books for the win. Quite comprehensive/inclusive. The pages aren't visually busy and hopefully less daunting to my kids. It's also significantly cheaper down here in Australia. BJU is almost as good and if the missus pushed for it I'd understand why.
I'm glad she found the review helpful. I have several other videos about how to use MB LLFLE if she gets stuck and needs some tips. It's a lovely program.
Yes I explain that I have the te for 2 bit the student workbook pages for 3. Another homeschool mom has the te for 3 bit I was just showing the setup. Sorry if that want clear!
So would you recommend a separate reading program for LLFALE? Also do the Level 1&2 LLfALE have more phonics? Lastly, would you recommend LLFALE over Abeka's Lang Arts? This review was very good thank you!
Thanks for your question! I apologize for a bit of a delay in answering, but I wanted to take time to answer your questions. Now is the first chance I've had to sit and do that. LLFLE 1 and 2 do have more phonics in the form of review. The assumption is that your child has completed phonics instruction and just needs reinforcement. So, LLFLE does not teach your child to read. Master Books does a phonics program called Foundation Phonics. The suggestion is to do that first and then move into Basic Language Skills (which will later be edited to become LLFLE 1). As far as reading comprehension, literary terms, etc., that really isn't covered in LLFLE, at least up to level 3 where we are. There are regular reminders for your child to read each week but no real assigned plan or activities. The goal is just to get them reading, love it, gain confidence and explore different types of books. Master Books starts a more formal reading program (analysis, comprehension, etc) in upper elementary with their Writing Strands series. It is a combo course of writing and reading. There are some suggestions in the back of the LLFLE to get you started with books your child can read at varying levels. As far as LLFLE vs Abeka, I probably am not qualified to say as I have never used anything Abeka except the health reader. I will say, in looks at the MANY workbook involved for language arts....it would never work here for my kids or me. One of the main reasons I am using LLFLE is because it is all contained in ONE book and there is one sheet (front/back) assigned to my child each day. For K-2nd kiddos who are still learning writers and readers, that is all that is needed, in my opinion. However, many use Abeka and it is a solid approach that's proven to be successful for many families. I don't think you can fairly compare the two though because they are really created with different purposes in mind. Abeka is made for the Christian school classroom with seatwork. The teaching method of repetition/drill is championed in their curriculum. Master Books publishes materials with the expressed intention of serving homeschool families. Their authors (many of them anyway) write with a Charlotte Mason-inspired/narrative style, with the goal of engaging kiddos to first love the idea of learning before presenting loads of facts & figures. I have no doubt that kiddos that love written work and memorization would thrive with Abeka and be fully engaged in their learning. However, I do not have those types of learners here. We learn best with short lessons that build interest over time and provide good "hooks" to hang future facts and figures in a more gradual approach. The funny thing is, no matter which approach you go with, they both seem to wind up in the same spot by late elementary/middle school anyway. They just take different ways of getting there. I hope this was helpful! Be sure to see my other video on LLFLE. I go a little more into the MB approach there.
I'm using Grade 4 (BJU) this year. I had LLFLE 4 here at the start of the year, but my husband asked me to use the BJU since it came with distance learning videos. He was concerned about my time because we added another student to the homeschool mix this year. I will say, the writing in level 4 LLFLE didn't really progress more than a paragraph. BJU, on the other hand, has had him write several papers, about 3-4 paragraphs each. The walk him through the process in a very detailed fashion. I wish it was over $300 for the video course. I am looking at EIW for next year because it's a third of the price, follows the same writing process and skill development as BJU and has videos.
@@anydayblessings2354 Thank you so much! I am actually look at EIW as well and planning to use that for my 3rd and 5th graders and probably get masterbooks for the 3rd grader as a lighter lesson for him.
I think that's a good plan. There are other language arts skills beside writing and grammar that programs like BJU and Master Books have that EIW doesn't. Sounds like a good mix to me!
Oh I'm sorry! I didn't recall that binder being in this video. I've been filming alot recently. I actually purchased them used from another homeschooler who ended up not using them. I would imagine she tore them out. The binding on the work texts is made for tearing out easily so it would be no problem. If you wanted to do it all at once I'd got to Staples and have them cut off the binding.
Do you find LLFLE Level 3 is comparable to LLATL Level 3 in what's covered? My daughter is in 2nd grade doing LLFLE 3 right now, and I have considered switching to LLATL but if so, wondered if she would need to finish MB level 3 and then still do LLATL level 3 in 3rd grade. Any thoughts?
I'll chime in, I'm trying LLATL this upcoming school year, and I think you would be able to go on to the next grade level, as long as your child is reading well. LLATL is fairly gentle.
Not leaving entirely, but i will be switching out part of LA. I have used BJU K-2 for all parts of LA. Going forward I plan to continue with their spelling and potentially reading. I will be using MB for grammar and writing instruction.
Thanks, so helpful! Am trying to choose LA for next year, used LLATL for the last few years, but there isn't enough consistent grammar practice and explaining and my kids really are getting left behind. I was trying to choose between BJU and MB. Love that BJU have sentence diagraming, but don't think MB do that? What would be your take on that? Also, as a mum teaching 3 kids at different Learning to Read levels and two older children, which would have the least amount of necessary teacher instruction? I thought the BJU was good for that as each grade level seems to follow the same topic pattern, so I could teach all the kids the grammar/writing concept then they do their own seperate sheets at their own grade level? Not sure if it would work? Be interested in you input. I also was wanting something just regular and clear for grammar and writing practice, particularly so that my son, in grade 5 next year can consolidate some prior knowledge. He still doesn't know how to put together a paragraph as no program we have had has done that yet. As you pointed out the LLATL does very little of that basic instruction, same with sentence writing etc. Can you share your input on these ideas please? PS. sounds like you guys would love Science Shepherd, they do the best science video lessons I have ever seen and are so affordable!
I had trouble choosing, too, and I still don't know if I'm happy where we are in Language Arts. To answer your questions, no, MB does not include diagramming in the LLFLE courses. I have asked this specifically and checked through levels 3 and 4 personally. I don't actually prefer diagramming, but my son seems to be ok with it when we've come across it in curriculum. As far as combining your students, I would say it could work nicely with either option you mentioned. BJU does seem to do the same topics year after year at deeper levels as the child grows. MB lessons, however, are so short and directed at the child, so you may find that your older kids could be independent in their lessons. If that doesn't work, the lessons aren't as long as BJU (like, by half) so even if you had to "teach" multiple lessons, your teaching time in MB would still be about the same as one topic lesson in BJU. We are kind of in the same place when it comes to paragraph writing. I'm using two programs right now and looking into a third :( . So I don't think I can offer much help there, lol. My son did tell me today that he feels like BJU makes writing easier for him to understand because it gives clear steps. Thanks for suggestion about Science Shepherd. I'll check it out. :)
