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English / Language Arts

Language Arts CurriculumLanguage Arts Resources

The goal of all language arts is clear communication.

It's also one of two main required subject areas (along with math) in state standardized testing. A knowledge of language arts is required to drive a car, order from a menu, be understood, read subtitles on foreign films, pray, and most other useful activity known to humankind. Language is one of the primary ingredients for successful human culture and civilization.

Yet we at Exodus Books talk to parents every day who are unclear exactly what constitutes language arts, how to teach them, if composition is as important as reading, etc. They might think terms like English, composition and reading are interchangeable. Or they teach a single element of language arts (like vocabulary) and are confused when their kids score poorly on a grammar test. Or....or....or....

But what ARE the "Language Arts"?

The term Language Arts refers to the tools needed to read, write, speak, and understand a given language. Yes, it's a broad definition. But it also means the collective language arts are all interrelated, and that should actually be a cause for relief rather than fear.

Because of this interrelatedness, splitting the various topics into stand-alone subjects is nearly impossible. At the same time, all kids have strengths and weaknesses, so you can apply focus and de-emphasis where needed. Topics that fall under the LA umbrella include (but aren't limited to) phonics, penmanship/handwriting, reading comprehension, listening skills (dictation), spelling and vocabulary, grammar, composition, research skills, speech, rhetoric, and more.

Does that mean you have to find a single program that covers all this territory? By no means. There aren't many "total language arts" programs available, and fewer still that live up to that promise. So does that mean you have to find curricula for each topic, and then somehow manage to correlate everything into a unified whole for your kiddos? Well....yeah, kinda.

A goal a day keeps the headaches away (and CSD, and bad grades, etc.)

Yes, this sounds like a lot. Be assured: it doesn't just sound like a lot, it is a lot. That's why you set and keep goals. You don't have to teach ten language arts topics a day. Most of the skills represent means, not ends. The end of language arts study is the acquisition of good communication skills; the means to that acquisition include phonics, spelling, composition, and so on.

Phonics is a means to deciphering words; grammar provides the rules for clear writing; a large vocabulary increases a student's ability to understand and relay information effectively. Don't forget the big picture: language arts translates directly into communication skills. If your student is steadily acquiring the tools needed to communicate well, you're on the right track. If not, set some goals.

Well, set some goals even if you're on the right track. Does your child understand the rules of grammar but still can't spell? Devote extra time to spelling and vocabulary. Are there gaps in her knowledge of sentence-construction? Focus on composition for awhile. Does he excel at each of the language arts? Press him further and have him study rhetoric.

Don't tie yourself to one program; keep your kids' abilities and learning styles in mind, and find coursework that caters specifically to their needs as well as your own. Remember that there is a progression within the language arts spectrum, that phonics precedes reading, spelling precedes vocabulary building, grammar and composition precedes writing the next Pulitzer Prize-winner.

Keep the short- and long-term goals in mind at every stage so you don't get bogged down in unnecessary details or try to get all the way to home plate when you haven't even rounded second. Why teach phonics? So kids can learn to read. Why teach kids how to spell? So they can be understood through writing. All language arts instruction boils down to the desire to form good communicators.

Our advice, for what it's worth...

Finding what works for your children will take effort. There are several learning styles, and gajillions of teaching philosophies. Not all of them work; not all programs stay consistent in their approach; not every child responds negatively to straight-up instruction vs. colorful pictures and hands-on activities. Our product reviews are intended to help you navigate the many options, but ultimately the decisions are yours to make.

Just below you'll see the main topics included under the "Language Arts" umbrella. We've tried to group them in difficulty order (phonics first, rhetoric last) to help you understand where your student currently stands. And though we've said it a thousand times already, never ever forget that teaching spelling isn't about teaching spelling—it's about equipping students to be the kinds of people who can express, understand and exchange ideas (from "Clear the table!" to "I doubt, therefore I am.") with a high degree of grace and proficiency.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur.Read more of his reviews here.

 

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145 Items found Print
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Active Filters: Kindergarten (Ages 5-6)
70 Basic Phonograms - CD
by Wanda Sanseri
from Back Home Industries
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
$6.00 (2 in stock)
70 Basic Phonograms - CD
by Wanda Sanseri
from Back Home Industries
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
$12.00
American Heritage First Dictionary
Updated from Houghton Mifflin
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Dictionaries (Location: REF-DIC)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
American Heritage Picture Dictionary
by Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries
newly updated from Houghton Mifflin
for Preschool-1st grade
in Dictionaries (Location: REF-DIC)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Are You Ready to Play Outside?
Elephant and Piggie
by Mo Willems
from Hyperion Books for Children
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
2009 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$9.34
Beall's Learning Games Phonogram Fun Packet
by Bealls' Learning Games
from Beall's Learning Games
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
Beginner Books Box A
from The Good and the Beautiful
for Preschool-1st grade
in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA)
Beginner Books Box B
by Jenny Phillips
from The Good and the Beautiful
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA)
Beginner Books Box C
by Jenny Phillips
from The Good and the Beautiful
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA)
Beginner Books Box D
by Jenny Phillips
from The Good and the Beautiful
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA)
Birds
The Good and the Beautiful Board Books
by Maggie Taylor, illustrated by Robin Fight
from The Good and the Beautiful
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in Board Books (Location: PIC-BOARD)
$4.40 (1 in stock)
Black Learning Log
by Wanda Sanseri
from Becky's Bouquet
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
$23.00
Blake the Brave
Gold Tales Level 1B
by Jenny Phillips, illustrated by Ekaterina Kolesnikova
from The Good and the Beautiful
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA)
Caught'ya Again!
by Jane Bell Kiester
1st edition from Maupin House Publishing
for Kindergarten-12th grade
in Grammar Reference (Location: REF-GRA)
Character Development Visuals with Lesson Guide
from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$11.00 (1 in stock)
Children's First Encyclopedia
by Neil Morris
from Backpack Books
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Encyclopedias (Location: REF-ENC)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Chocolate Moose for Dinner
by Fred Gwynne
from Aladdin Paperbacks
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$7.64
Clock Stamp
from Back Home Industries
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Clocks
Courage of Sarah Noble
by Alice Dalgliesh
Reissue from Aladdin Paperbacks
Realistic Fiction for Kindergarten-6th grade
1955 Newbery Honor Book
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$5.09 $2.80 (1 in stock)
Curious George's Dictionary
from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in Dictionaries (Location: REF-DIC)
Cursive First
by Elizabeth FitzGerald
2nd edition from LITHBTH Educational Services
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
Dog Named Sniff #1
Level 1A
by Jenny Phillips, illustrated by Zoe Bennett
from The Good and the Beautiful
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA)
Doodles & Pre-Writing for Littles Part 2
from The Good and the Beautiful
for Nursery-Kindergarten
in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA)
Doodling Dragons
2nd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$14.99
Doodling Dragons - Phonogram Coloring Book
2nd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-1st grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$6.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
Dr. Seuss's ABC
by Dr. Seuss
Book Club from Random House Books for Young Readers
for Nursery-1st grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$2.40 (2 in stock)
EyeLike Letters
from Play Bac
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Alphabet & Counting Books (Location: PIC-ALPH)
$4.80 (1 in stock)
First Fun Thesaurus
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Thesauruses (Location: REF-THES)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
First Language Lessons Level 1
by Jessie Wise
2nd edition from Well-Trained Mind Press
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in First Language Lessons (Location: GRA-FLL)
$18.95 $12.00 (4 in stock)
First Language Lessons Level 1 & 2 - Audio Companion
by Jessie Wise, Mark Russo & Mike Smith
from Well-Trained Mind Press
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in First Language Lessons (Location: GRA-FLL)
$16.95 $7.00 (1 in stock)
First Language Lessons Level 2
by Jessie Wise
2nd edition from Well-Trained Mind Press
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in First Language Lessons (Location: GRA-FLL)
$19.95 $12.00 (3 in stock)
First Thousand Words in English
by Heather Amery, Stephen Cartwright
from Usborne
for Nursery-1st grade
in Grammar Picture Books (Location: GRA-PIC)
$12.99
Forest
The Good and the Beautiful Board Books
by Maggie Taylor, illustrated by Robin Fight
from The Good and the Beautiful
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in Board Books (Location: PIC-BOARD)
$4.40 (1 in stock)
Games for Writing
by Peggy Kaye
1st edition from Farrar, Straus and Giroux
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Writing Reference (Location: REF-WRI)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Houghton Mifflin Picture Dictionary
An American Heritage Dictionary
by Robert L. Hillerich, illustrated by Maggie Swanson
from Houghton Mifflin
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Dictionaries (Location: REF-DIC)
$5.00 (2 in stock)
I Can Run!
by Wanda Sanseri
from Back Home Industries
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
Insects
The Good and the Beautiful Board Books
by Maggie Taylor, illustrated by Robin Fight
from The Good and the Beautiful
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in Board Books (Location: PIC-BOARD)
$4.40 (1 in stock)
K4 Manuscript Writing - Lesson Plans
6th edition from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten Age 5
in A Beka Penmanship/Creative Writing (Location: HAN-ABK)
$18.00 (2 in stock)
K5 Bible Activity Book
from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten
K5 Manuscript Lesson Plans
5th edition from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten Age 5
in A Beka Penmanship/Creative Writing (Location: HAN-ABK)
$16.00 (2 in stock)
K5 Phonics, Reading, Writing, & Numbers - Curriculum/Lesson Plans
from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten Age 5
in A Beka Phonics (Location: PHO-ABK)
King Who Rained
by Fred Gwynne
from Aladdin Paperbacks
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$7.64
King Who Rained
by Fred Gwynne
from Trumpet Club
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
Kingfisher First Dictionary
by John Grisewood
from Kingfisher
for Preschool- 3rd Grade
in Dictionaries (Location: REF-DIC)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Kingfisher First Encyclopedia
by Ruth Thomson and Anne Civardi
from Kingfisher
for Nursery-Kindergarten
in Encyclopedias (Location: REF-ENC)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Knitting Knights
2nd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$15.00 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Knitting Knights - Phonogram Coloring Book
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-1st grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$6.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
Large Alphabet Flashcards (Manuscript)
from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten Age 5
in A Beka Penmanship/Creative Writing (Location: HAN-ABK)
Let's Play, "I See!"
by Wanda Sanseri
from Back Home Industries
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
Lifepac: Language Arts K - Book 1
from Alpha Omega Publications
for Kindergarten
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: GRA-AOP)
$30.50 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Lifepac: Language Arts K - Book 2
from Alpha Omega Publications
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: GRA-AOP)
$30.50 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Lifepac: Language Arts K - Boxed Set
from Alpha Omega Publications
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: GRA-AOP)
$83.50
Lifepac: Language Arts K - Teacher Edition
from Alpha Omega Publications
for Kindergarten
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: GRA-AOP)
$30.50 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Little Pigeon Toad
by Fred Gwynne
from Scholastic Reference
for Nursery-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
LOE - Manuscript Sandpaper Letters (Uppercase)
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-1st grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$38.00
LOE Advanced Phonogram Flashcards
3rd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Basic Phonogram Flashcards
2nd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
LOE Essentials Volume 1 - Morpheme Flash Cards Set
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Essentials Volume 2 - Morpheme Flash Cards Set
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$18.99
LOE Essentials Volume 3 - Morpheme Flash Cards Set
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$18.99
LOE Essentials Volume 4 - Morpheme Flash Cards Set
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$18.99
LOE Foundations A - Cursive Workbook
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$14.99 $10.50 (1 in stock)
LOE Foundations A - Manuscript Workbook
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Foundations A - Teacher's Manual
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$44.99 $25.00 (1 in stock)
LOE Foundations B - Cursive Workbook
2nd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Foundations B - Manuscript Workbook
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$14.99
LOE Foundations B - Readers
by Kimber Iverson
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$12.99
LOE Foundations B - Readers Young Artists
by Kimber Iverson
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$17.99
LOE Foundations B - Teacher's Manual
2nd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$25.00 (1 in stock)
LOE Foundations B - Teacher's Manual (old)
1st edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
LOE Foundations B Cursive Set (following A)
by Denise Eide
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Foundations B Manuscript Set (following A)
by Denise Eide
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Foundations C - Readers
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$19.99
LOE Foundations C - Teacher's Manual
3rd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$54.99 $32.00 (1 in stock)
LOE Foundations C - Workbook
2nd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Foundations C Reader 1 - Miles and Jax
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$9.99
LOE Foundations C Reader 2 - Miles and Jax, Master Planners
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$9.99
LOE Foundations D - Readers
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$19.99 $12.00 (1 in stock)
LOE Foundations D - Teacher's Manual
2nd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$32.00 (1 in stock)
LOE Foundations D - Teacher's Manual (old)
1st edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Foundations D - Workbook
1st edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Foundations D Set
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Game Book
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$26.99
LOE Game Book Expansion Pack
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$12.99
LOE Grammar Flashcards
3rd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Phonogram & Spelling Rule Quick Reference
3rd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Phonogram Game Cards - Blue Bookface
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$11.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
LOE Phonogram Game Cards - Green Cursive
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$11.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
LOE Phonogram Game Cards - Red Manuscript
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$11.99
LOE Phonogram Game Tiles
2nd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive - Desk Strip
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$0.99
LOE Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive - Quick Reference Chart
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$9.99
LOE Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive - Tactile Cards
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$19.50 (1 in stock)
LOE Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive - Workbook
2nd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
LOE Rhythm of Handwriting Manuscript - Desk Strip
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$0.99
LOE Rhythm of Handwriting Manuscript - Quick Reference Chart
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$9.99 $7.00 (1 in stock)
LOE Rhythm of Handwriting Manuscript - Tactile Cards
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$29.99
LOE Rhythm of Handwriting Manuscript - Workbook
1st edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$11.99
LOE Spelling Analysis Quick Reference Card
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$0.99
LOE Spelling Journal
3rd edition from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
12
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