First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind, Level 3

This book and the accompanying workbook are providing us with just the material we need to structure our English lessons. We've combined it with a spelling programme and plenty of reading, and both granddad and Elizabeth are delighted with it.

Four lessons into this curriculum, I'm very pleased that my reluctant 3rd grade homeschooler seems engaged and willing to move ahead. It feels properly paced for a child and the instructions for both teacher and student are incredibly clear. So far so good!

We bought this after my first grader's successful results with the first book. It is systematic, comprehensive, and the language is not overly simplified. The author doesn't condescend to my third grader, a voracious reader who recognizes "dumbed down" speech and writing and is turned off by it. New material is presented in a no-nonsense, sequential manner, and as each new part of speech is studied, it is also diagrammed. My analytical son really likes that. The emphasis on dictation and narration was a useful surprise. I didn't realize he had a tough time summarizing until we encountered these lessons. This book both diagnosed and addressed weaknesses I didn't know he had due to his extremely high reading ability. I'm very pleased with this one. Note: I tried to use the teacher edition only, but it was a hassle. I broke down bought the workbook and it made things much easier.

I am a homeschooling granny and have tried numerous Language Arts Programs. Out of all the programs I have tried this is the best by far in my opinion. In addition to the 8 parts of speech this program also covers the following.

Parts of a book, Initials, Titles of Respect, Punctuations, Direct/Indirect quotations, Diagramming of Sentences, Contractions, 6 Nonfiction Narration Exercises, 6 Poem Memorizations, Writing Letters, Dictionary Skills, Alphabetizing by first, second, and third letter, Syllables and phonetic spelling, Synonyms and antonyms (using a thesaurus)and Avoiding double negatives

I would say this is a pretty comprehensive program. The only complaint I have about this programs is that in order to use it effectively. For variety I sometimes use worksheets from softbasics software and find that I will have more than enough materials to last two or more years