Our Elementary Language Arts Courses invite you and your children to:
- enter into engaging new worlds
- exercise imagination
- focus on building testimony
- strengthen family bonds
- develop and reinforce foundation skills
- create new and beautiful works
Our courses are organized into three age groups: Kindergarten-1st Grade, 2nd-3rd Grade and 4th-6th Grade), thus allowing students to learn and develop at an age appropriate level. Each year’s studies are named after different types of explorers and adventures to remind students that learning is one of the grandest adventures of all!
Our simple to follow, flexible weekly schedules allow parents to determine when and how often to learn, within each week.
Weekly/Daily Schedules
K-3rd grade students: 60 minutes per day, 4 days per week
4th-6th grade students: 90 minutes per day, 4 days per week
Younger students need more help and support. Older students can do much of the work independently, with regular opportunities to evaluate and reflect with parents.
Our carefully designed courses provide you with maximum flexibility while giving your children a truly beautiful and engaging learning experience. Course projects and experiences have been thoughtfully aligned with Utah State Language Arts Standards to ensure that your child is ready to embrace his or her academic future with confidence.
To learn more about each of our Elementary language arts courses, click the links below:
Kindergarten-1st Grade Courses
For families who want additional direct instruction for handwriting and spelling, we recommend the following resources:
Handwriting:
We use the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Program. Zaner-Bloser has produced a writing book for each grade level, and students should use the book which corresponds with their grade, completing 3-4 exercises each week. If there is a choice between cursive or print, you are free to decide which is the best choice for your child. The teacher’s manual is not required. Everything you need is included in the student manual. If you need assistance, please contact your mentor for help! (The links take you to Rainbow Resource which provides curriculum for homeschool families. While there is a flat rate shipping fee, we find them to be more reliable for getting you the right product. Their prices are also significantly better than other online retailers, although their shipping does take a bit longer.)
Zaner-Bloser Second Grade (Print)
Zaner-Bloser Second Grade (Cursive)
Spelling
While many students internalize spelling rules from reading and writing, other students need direct instruction. For students and families who prefer direct instruction, we recommend Spellwell. This simple, but effective, inexpensive program is designed for 2-5 grades, but sixth grade students will also get great benefit from the last books in the series, if they have not completed the entire series already. Prior to second grade, students should focus on phonics and reading skills along with handwriting.
Spellwell gives students a list of words for each week which focus on a spelling rule. They practice the word in a variety of ways, and even learn about rule-breakers. This simple program can be done easily in the course of a year with several weeks to spare. You need 2 books for each grade level. The teacher’s book is not required, but some parents may find it helpful. You can buy the books individually or as a group. (The links take you to Rainbow Resource which provides curriculum for homeschool families. While there is a flat rate shipping fee, we find them to be more reliable for getting you the right product. Their prices are also significantly better than other online retailers, although their shipping does take a bit longer.)
Second Grade Spellwell A and AA
Third Grade Spellwell B and BB
Fourth Grade Spellwell C and CC
Fifth Grade Spellwell D and DD (Sixth Grade students who have not completed Spellwell should also use this level)
You can browse all of the Spellwell offerings here.