First Language Lessons

by Heather
(Sachse, TX USA)

I used First Language Lessons with both of my kids (2004-6, 2008-10). The easy layout of the daily lessons and their instructions made this both fun and not too overwhelming. My son actually looked forward opening our book each day. I loved the easy presentation of the lessons and we actually took some of the poems and replaced them with Spanish poetry that we were leaning. Definitely user friendly and it gives good instruction in a relaxed manner to you and your kids. If you take your time and apply these lessons, you and your child will have a good foundation in grammar before moving on to the next level.

The easy way to teach language!

by Christie
(Portsmouth, VA)

Levels Used: 1,2,3
Dates Used: 2006-present

Likes: We absolutely LOVE First Language Lessons. It is a quick, easy way for the children to learn language. The copy work and dictation is also perfect for them to start to learn how to write correctly. The children have retained the grammar definitions through the years easily using this program. We are currently using level 3 and they are diagramming sentences in grades 3 and 4! I am highly impressed!

Dislikes: My children struggled with the memorization lessons. Some of the poems did not interest them making them difficult to memorize. An easy fix was to allow them to pick an alternate selection (preferably by the same author, if available), and memorize that instead.

Too Time Intensive

by Carmen
(FL)

Levels Used: Vol 1 & 2
Dates Used: 2008-2009

Likes:
#1 I liked the gentle approach to learning language arts.

#2 There was very little writing. So for a struggling learner this is great.

#3 I loved the memorization part. The child is taught poems, what a noun, verb, etc. is through memorization.

Dislikes:
This is a teacher-led language arts program. I just didn't have the time to do this with every one of my students in a day and so I very rarely did it at all.It requires a lot of time - especially if you have many young students.

Open & Go

by Vicki
(Archie, MO)

Levels Used: V1
Dates Used: 2006

What I liked about this book was it is very open and go. Has a classical bent and its age appropriate. It teaches language arts very nicely. I chose not to continue with this program because I felt that Language Lessons didn't need to be taught as young. :)