This week’s Friday Favorite is a review of Logic of English my favorite homeschool language arts curriculum. Read on to learn all about what I love about Logic of English!
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Logic of English Review
As a homeschool mom, the education of my children weighs heavily on my mind. I’m always thinking about school-related ideas, coming up with fun ways to study something, figuring out what curriculums/methods would fit each child’s learning style, and getting the most bang for my buck when it comes to curriculum and supplies.
When I started homeschooling so long ago (wow, that makes me sound really old!), I purchased several big-named curriculums because they were the ones I had heard of and that many of my homeschooling friends were using. As I got into it and discovered my children’s learning styles as well as my own teaching style, I became dissatisfied with some of the particular curriculums I was using and began to research around for other options.
The world of homeschool curriculum has really grown exponentially the past few years. It seems there are almost as many choices as families. Don’t get me wrong. It’s great to have so many options. And it’s definitely a perk of homeschooling to tailor your curriculum to your individual family and child’s needs. But it can be incredibly overwhelming when you’re first getting started or when you’re looking for a change.
For that reason, I try to help new homeschool families in their journeys. I love to talk curriculum and share what I’ve learned about the various ones I have researched and used. My favorite homeschool language arts curriculum so far is Logic of English.
What is Logic of English
Logic of English is a phonics-based reading and grammar program. It is designed to teach typical and special learning needs children to read. Logic of English maintains that 98% of English words do indeed follow specific rules for spelling and pronunciation and seeks to equip children with the tools they need to read and spell any word.
Denise Eide had a daughter who struggled when learning to read because of dyslexia. She set about to create a language arts plan that catered to her daughter’s needs in an engaging and fun way. Through this curriculum, both her daughter and many other children were able to master reading and writing English with great success.
The Logic of English Foundations program is for children in the PreK-1st grade range. Every book is full of bright colors, learning games, hands on activities, and oral interaction. The Logic of English Essentials plan is for about 2nd grade and up. It also contains many hands-on activities and teaches in 3-year cycles.
Logic of English Foundations
I love the Logic of English Foundations homeschool language arts curriculum. Not only is it full of color and fun pictures, it is also very activity focused.
I switched to Logic of English from what I was using because I couldn’t imagine my very active 2nd born sitting still and writing page after page in 1st grade. (In kindergarten, we used to practice letter sounds while she stood on her head or jumped up and down.)
The Logic of English Foundations program is great for those little kinesthetic, early childhood learners. Even handwriting practice comes in game form. There are so many games and activities listed in the curriculum that we didn’t have time to do them all!
The series is made up of 4 levels: A, B, C, and D. You can start with level A and go from there. Or, if you have used something different at first, they provide assessments for deciding where your child should start.
Teaching kids to read the Logic of English way is different than at least my traditional way of looking at phonics. But once I adapted my mindset to their way of doing things, it works great! I have very strong readers who really enjoyed their early language arts experience.
Logic of English Essentials
The Logic of English Essentials program is geared toward ages 7 and up. While it is not colorful like the Foundations program, it still makes use of plenty of games and short assignments.
This program works in 3 year cycles so it is easy to teach multiple grades at once. Lessons 1-15 make up one school year of study. The student would start with level A, the next year move to level B, and the next to level C. Each level repeats the information learned the previous year and adds to it. After completing level C, you then move to level A of lessons 16-30.
At first I thought working through the same concepts each year was a bit repetitious. But after working through it with multiple children, I discovered it is actually really good for cementing those concepts in the student’s minds. Those students who are English-inclined can breeze through or skip the repeated information, while those students who are inclined differently greatly benefit from the repetition.
There is an optional reading/writing program that I highly recommend doing along with the regular lessons. At first, I did not purchase it in order to save money. Then I found some areas that I thought were lacking and started looking for a writing/literature curriculum to supplement. I read about the reading program and decided to give it a try. It was just what I had been missing. It rounded out the English lessons perfectly. My only issue with the reading program is that it is only for level A of lessons 1-15 and level A of lessons 16-30. I wish there was a reading/literature program for all of the levels.
A Word on Handwriting and Spelling
If you use the Logic of English curriculum to its fullest extent, you have no need of any other handwriting or spelling texts. It is a complete language arts education all on its own.
Because lines of lines of just handwriting copywork can be boring and tiresome for young kids, the Foundations program keeps writing to a minimum. They use games and motions to practice proper writing techniques. This method worked really well for my active preschoolers and young elementary schoolers. And it was one of the reasons I switched to the Logic of English Foundations program in the first place. Also, you can choose whether to focus on manuscript or cursive in the curriculum.
Spelling is also self-contained within the curriculum. Logic of English purports that memorization of the spelling of most words in unnecessary. Instead, it teaches spelling rules which explain 98% of English words. Spelling lists are included in each lesson. The teacher uses hand signals to prompt certain sounds as the child writes the words. Students use these spelling words throughout the lesson as practice in reading and writing.
I definitely use the spelling within the curriculum. I personally add in a another spelling curriculum as a supplement. Maybe it’s the traditionalist in me, but I felt that my kids needed some of the typical memorization and vocabulary practice. My favorite Spelling curriculum is Purposeful Design’s Spelling Plus (not a secular spelling program). You can find info about this curriculum at Rainbow Resource Center. (This is not an affiliate link. But it is the best/most reasonably-priced place I’ve found for purchasing this spelling curriculum.)
A homeschool language arts curriculum review would be remiss not to include both pros and cons. So now that we’ve discussed just what Logic of English is, let’s discuss the things I like and dislike about it.
Pros of Logic of English
- The Foundations series is fun and engaging. It engages every type of learner.
- All of the curriculum is written in scripted format and has lists of all supplies needed for each lesson so that all I have to do is open the book and go.
- There is plenty of repetition in both series so that the students are able to fully grasp the covered material.
- Logic of English really focuses on making strong readers and writers.
- Most of the supplemental materials (outside of Logic of English publications) are easy to find at the library or other sources.
- It is super easy to teach multiple grades at once because of the 3-year cycles.
- The teacher’s manuals and flashcards for the Essentials series only have to be purchased once every three years.
- There are many, many original games (even for handwriting practice!) throughout both series.
Cons of Logic of English
- The Essentials series is all black and white so it is not as “fun” for 2nd and 3rd graders.
- The reading/literature program is only for year one of both Essentials cycles.
- I felt that my kids needed a bit more in the spelling category.
- English-inclined kids don’t need as much repetition as the curriculum contains.
- Some of the daily lessons are short while others are really long. A bit more consistency in length would make language arts time go a little more smoothly some days.
All in all, Logic of English is my favorite homeschool language arts curriculum. My kids enjoy the teaching style and the activities. They are strong readers and know a lot of grammar. I really can’t say enough good about this curriculum! I first heard of it from a friend who was loving using it with her kids, and I tell everyone I can about it. Logic of English is different from most other language arts programs. Our family has really thrived since we made the switch. I’d love for you to give it a try!
I hope this Logic of English review has been beneficial as you search for what best suits your family’s educational needs. I have also reviewed my family’s favorite homeschool science curriculum: Real Science 4 Kids! You can check that one out here. There are plenty more reviews of books (like Amari and the Night Brothers and The Silver Arrow) and other homeschooling curriculum like The Good and the Beautiful on the Reviews page! For more of my Friday Favorites, click the link or on the category in the drop-down menu under Posts above.
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