Language Arts in the Homeschool
The most important part of any language arts program is reading aloud and discussing what you read. These two activities lay the foundation for all communication skills.
RAR Premium’s Family Book Club is the best way we know to give reading and discussing a primary place in your homeschool in a low-pressure, inviting way.
You’ll also be introducing a wide range of vocabulary and literary devices. The best part is that it won’t feel anything like school.
RAR Premium can be used for the rest of your language arts program by using the Rabbit Trails Guide included each month for ages 6-12. By doing so, your kids will learn:
- Literary devices
- Grammar and usage
- Copywork
- Writing projects
- Poetry
LOOKING FOR PHONICS, SPELLING, OR MORE WRITING CURRICULUM?
Phonics and spelling are not included in RAR Premium. Scroll down to see Sarah Mackenzie’s recommendations for both.
For students 12 and up, you may want to supplement RAR Premium’s Book Club with another writing program. Sarah’s recommendations are at the bottom of this page.
Recommended Phonics Programs
Sarah Mackenzie recommends the following phonics programs because they work well for both dyslexic and non-dyslexic brains.
The best way to choose between the two? Simply look at the samples and decide which one appeals most to you as a teacher. The more you like it, the more consistent you’ll be about teaching it. That’s the real key when it comes to phonics!
ALL ABOUT READING
You can skip the Pre-reading level entirely, and just begin with Level 1 whenever your child is ready to begin learning to read (this varies from child to child and is often between ages 5-7).
Sarah recommends 10-20 minute lessons (just put a bookmark in and pick up where you left off the next day). Always stop before your child tires or gets frustrated. No need to rush through!
Sarah only uses this program through Level 3 before replacing it with 15 minutes of simple reading practice from an early reader of their choice (either to her or an older sibling).
LOGIC OF ENGLISH
This program includes handwriting (you can start with either print or cursive).
Begin with Foundations A whenever your child is ready to begin learning to read (often between ages 5-7).
Sarah recommends 10-20 minute lessons (just put a bookmark in and pick up where you left off the next day). Always stop before your child tires or gets frustrated. No need to rush through!
Sarah only uses this program through Foundations C before replacing it with 15 minutes of simple reading practice from an early reader of their choice (either to her or an older sibling).
Recommended Spelling Programs
All of these spelling programs are easy to use (even if you’ve got your hands full with toddlers/babies—and Sarah Mackenzie certainly did!). Choose the program you’re most likely to implement for the greatest success.
Sarah recommends beginning spelling instruction around ages 8-10 , and continuing until you feel your student has a decent handle on it, which varies student to student.
WORD WORK
Part of the Writer’s Workshop program, but you can use it independently. Created by homeschoolers for homeschoolers, and it works. You can’t beat the price.
SPELLING PLUS
As simple as it comes. This program is based on the 1000 most frequently spelling words. Your student masters one list at a time. One book contains all the spelling for multiple years.
PHONETIC ZOO
This is the program Sarah uses if her student is 13+ and needs continued spelling instruction, just on a year-to-year basis as needed. Completely independent, mastery-based, and quite effective!
Recommended Writing Programs
To become good writers, students need to develop the ability to ask good questions, think deeply, connect ideas, and communicate those ideas effectively.
How do we go about teaching our kids to develop these skills? The good news is that the two most foundational activities to develop your kids to become good writers are the heart of RAR Premium Family Book Club: reading aloud and discussing what you read.
Students also benefit from copywork and writing projects that help your students practice the craft of written communication, depending on their ages. These activities are all provided in RAR Premium Family Book Club.
If you are seeking more writing instrution for ages 12+. Sarah’s favorites are listed below.
WORDSMITH
The best writing programs are written by actual writers, which is partly why this one stands out! Janie Cheaney is an accomplished author, and these books (Wordsmith for grades 6-9 and Craftsman for grades 9-12) will give your students excellent (and enjoyable) skills in creative writing.
The program is written directly to students and requires less parent teaching than the other programs mentioned here.
IEW STRUCTURE & STYLE
A very popular pick among homeschoolers!
I tend to use it for one level (either Level B or C, depending on the kid) right around 8th/9th grade. It is taught direct-to-student via streaming videos, so there’s minimal parent teaching needed.
I usually take two full years to work through one level, and then we move on to other things to change up the pace.
CLEARWATER PRESS
The programs from Clearwater Press are truly fun, engaging, and extremely useful. It will barely feel like school, but your middle and high school students will learn writing from a real writer.
Cover Story is for middle schoolers. One Year Adventure Novel is for high schoolers.
There are other programs available on their website, as well.
YOUNG WRITERS WORKSHOP
If your teen loves writing and is serious about becoming a writer, this is your program. It’s interactive, it’s professional, and it’s a safe place for teen Christian writers to learn and up-level their craft.
Listen to me talk to the founders of this program on the RAR Podcast.