I love how TGTB mixes a variety everyday with consistent spiraling review of knowledge previously taught. My daughter also needs visual appealing curriculum. It works for us.
This is a great comparison. We are a solid TGTB English, but we tried Masterbooks our first year and I felt like it was a good way to start homeschooling. 💕💕
Thank so much for affirming everything I thought about MB LLLE, 1. This is my first year homeschooling my grandsons, 1st and 6th grade. The six grade book is the same as the 1st, the same lessons over and over again and surprise,on day 4 of spelling words. We did the same thing, we just switched to TGATB, we will be starting this week.
Thank you so much for your thorough review!! I've been struggling with my 1st grader with MB Language arts and are looking into TGTB level 1! Same here. I had to supplement like crazy so now im wondering if he should be taught with another curriculum. (sidenote: I also hated "dictionary days" haha. so I just chose 2 words and looked them up in a Children's dictionary on those days) Thanks again, this was super helpful! :)
This review was so helpful! I was wondering about trying a different LA curriculum next year - I teach my one 7-year-old son, and he'll be entering "3rd grade" in '22. We're using TGTB LA Level 2 this year, and really like it, but being our first year, I'm curious about other options. I don't feel I have to supplement anything with TGTB LA. And after watching this video about your opinions about Masterbooks, it solidifies my thoughts about TGTB! I've heard many other people also share that same opinion, that the Masterbooks LA book just wasn't quite enough to feel effective.
This was also our experience with MB for our first year. We used it the first semester of my sons 2nd grade year and because of covid he was cut short his 1st grade year which when they learn SO much at one time. So we went gentle and I realized that I needed more instruction on my end and something that had a little more phonics work and things that would stick. So we tried TGATB level 1 and loved it. Now a lot was review for my son so we doubled up on lessons and I skipped what was busy work for us. My son is an advanced reader but it was good to go over the phonics rules and really helped us with spelling also. We are using level 2 for 3rd grade now and have a good rhythm with one lesson a day. Their spiral approach is good for retention for sure. I am using all about reading for my kinder student now and will use TGATB level k probably for 1st along side AAR. Still trying to decide. But I don’t regret using masterbooks because like you I feel like it was a good Segway into using tgatb. Good review thank you.
Yes! Awesome! I relate to so much of what you shared! I am all about going back in review and making sure concepts are grasped thoroughly... we are doing that in Math a bit. I agree that TGATB spiral approach is excellent for retention and at the same time, Masterbooks is a great way to start out.
Lol we are using both masterbooks and TGTB paused TGTB at lesson 75 in level k to do Masterbooks level 1 before we finish up the remaining before moving into level 1 TGTB. We do notice the retention issues a little of things like gh. So we do use TGTB level k mini books phonics cards and reader with masterbooks. We don’t like the dictionary either but we do it by making copies of that page and cutting and pasting the pictures then copying the word. We don’t mind the story at the beginning bc it’s definitely helping with narration skills and starting that routine after stories. Level 1 Masterbooks I think it’s more inline with level k TGTB.
I feel you! I am flip flopping with a couple different curriculums for Math! That's what I love about homeschooling... the tailoring and flexibility. I'm glad to hear you found a way to make LA work for you and your child!
Also in regard to MB dictionary day, for level 1 I divided it into two a day over the week. It was too much for both my both my boys to do all the words in one day. Level 2 we skipped it. It wasn't worth it.
