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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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130 Items found Print
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Active Filters: 1st grade (Ages 6-7), In-Stock Books & Materials
70 Basic Phonogram Cards
by Wanda Sanseri
5th edition from Becky's Bouquet
for 1st-4th grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
$20.00
70 Basic Phonogram Cards - Large Size
by Wanda Sanseri
5th edition from Becky's Bouquet
for 1st-4th grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
$45.00
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
Alpha List
by Wanda Sanseri
from Back Home Industries
for 1st-4th grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
$33.00
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)
$6.40 (1 in stock)
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)
$10.20 (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
Cache of Jewels
by Ruth Heller
from PaperStar Books
for 1st-4th grade
in Grammar Picture Books (Location: GRA-PIC)
$9.99
Children's First Encyclopedia
by Neil Morris
from Backpack Books
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Encyclopedias (Location: REF-ENC)
$5.60 (1 in stock)
Chocolate Moose for Dinner
by Fred Gwynne
from Aladdin Paperbacks
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$7.64
Complete Rhyming Dictionary
from Dell Publishing
for 1st-Adult
in Dictionaries (Location: REF-DIC)
$8.99
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 (2 in stock)
DK First Encyclopedia
by Anita Ganeri & Chris Oxlade
from DK Publishing
for 1st-3rd grade
in Encyclopedias (Location: REF-ENC)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
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)
$4.25 (2 in stock)
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)
Explore Language Series
by Ruth Heller
from PaperStar Books
for 1st-4th grade
in Grammar Picture Books (Location: GRA-PIC)
EyeLike Letters
from Play Bac
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Alphabet & Counting Books (Location: PIC-ALPH)
$4.80 (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)
$15.16 $12.00 (3 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
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)
$15.96 $12.00 (2 in stock)
Flip & Flop Book 1
Level 1A
by Jenny Phillips
from The Good and the Beautiful
for 1st grade
in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA)
$3.83 (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)
Grammar-Land
by M. L. Nesbitt
from Living Book Press
for 1st-5th grade
in Grammar Reference (Location: REF-GRA)
$3.20 (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)
$4.00 (2 in stock)
King Who Rained
by Fred Gwynne
from Aladdin Paperbacks
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$7.64
Kingfisher First Dictionary
by John Grisewood
from Kingfisher
for Preschool- 3rd Grade
in Dictionaries (Location: REF-DIC)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Kites Sail High
by Ruth Heller
from PaperStar Books
for 1st-4th grade
in Grammar Picture Books (Location: GRA-PIC)
$9.99
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)
Language Arts 1 - Curriculum/Lesson Plans
from A Beka Books
for 1st grade
in A Beka Phonics (Location: PHO-ABK)
$42.50 (1 in stock)
Learning Language Arts Through Literature - 1st Grade Teacher Book
by Debbie Strayer & Susan Simpson
3rd edition from Common Sense Press
for 1st grade
in Clearance: English & Language Arts (Location: ZCLE-LAN)
$19.00 (2 in stock)
Learning Language Arts Through Literature - 2nd Grade Teacher Book
by Debbie Strayer & Susan Simpson
3rd edition from Common Sense Press
for 1st grade
in Clearance: English & Language Arts (Location: ZCLE-LAN)
$19.00 (3 in stock)
Lifepac: Language Arts 1 - 10-unit Set
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 1st grade
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: CLE-LIFEPAC)
$102.00
Lifepac: Language Arts 1 - Book 1
from Alpha Omega Publications
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: CLE-LIFEPAC)
$11.50
Lifepac: Language Arts 1 - Book 10
from Alpha Omega Publications
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: CLE-LIFEPAC)
$11.50 $5.00 (1 in stock)
Lifepac: Language Arts 1 - Book 2
from Alpha Omega Publications
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: CLE-LIFEPAC)
$11.50
Lifepac: Language Arts 1 - Book 3
from Alpha Omega Publications
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: CLE-LIFEPAC)
$11.50
Lifepac: Language Arts 1 - Book 9
from Alpha Omega Publications
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: CLE-LIFEPAC)
$11.50 $5.00 (2 in stock)
Lifepac: Language Arts 1 - Teacher's Guide Part 1
from Alpha Omega Publications
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: CLE-LIFEPAC)
$26.75 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Lifepac: Language Arts 1 - Teacher's Guide Part 2
from Alpha Omega Publications
in AOP Lifepacs: Language Arts (Location: CLE-LIFEPAC)
$26.75 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Little Glass Lake: Ducks
Little Glass Lake #1, GATB Library Level 2B
by Jenny Phillips
from The Good and the Beautiful
for 1st-2nd grade
in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA)
$3.83 (1 in stock)
LOE - Manuscript Sandpaper Letters (Uppercase)
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-1st grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$38.00
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 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
LOE Foundations A - Teacher's Manual
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$44.99
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 $8.50 (1 in stock)
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)
$44.99 $25.00 (1 in stock)
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 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 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 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 (2 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 (2 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 Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive - Desk Strip
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$0.99 $0.70 (2 in stock)
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 $6.00 (1 in stock)
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 (2 in stock)
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 Student Whiteboard
from Logic of English, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE)
$12.99
Many Luscious Lollipops
by Ruth Heller
from PaperStar Books
for 1st-4th grade
in Grammar Picture Books (Location: GRA-PIC)
$9.99
McCall-Crabbs Books A-E - Teacher's Guide & Answer Key
by William A. McCall & Lelah Mae Crabbs
from Back Home Industries
for 1st-9th grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$6.00
Merriam-Webster's First Dictionary
by Ruth Heller, illustrator
from Merriam-Webster
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Dictionaries (Location: REF-DIC)
$6.40 (1 in stock)
Merry-Go-Round
by Ruth Heller
from PaperStar Books
for 1st-4th grade
in Grammar Picture Books (Location: GRA-PIC)
$9.99
Mud Trilogy - Set
by Michael Clay Thompson
from Royal Fireworks Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts (Location: GRA-MCT)
$28.00 (1 in stock)
My 2 in 1 Picture Dictionary
from Make Believe Ideas
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Dictionaries (Location: REF-DIC)
$4.80 (1 in stock)
My First Picture Dictionary
by Katherine Howard
from Random House
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Dictionaries (Location: REF-DIC)
$1.20 (2 in stock)
My Second Nature Reader
The Good and the Beautiful Library Level 1
by Jenny Phillips
from The Good and the Beautiful
for 1st grade
in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA)
$8.08 (2 in stock)
My Second Picture Dictionary
Ginn Elementary English Series
by Reid, Crane, & Jenkins, illustrated by Tom Cooke and Bea Holmes
from Ginn and Co.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Dictionaries (Location: REF-DIC)
$4.80 (1 in stock)
My Very First Word Book
by Angela Wilkes
from DK Publishing
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$2.40 (1 in stock)
Old Hat New Hat
Bright & Early Books
by Jan Berenstain, Stan Berenstain
from Random House Books for Young Readers
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$8.49
Oral Language Exercises
from A Beka Books
for 1st-6th grade
in Clearance: English & Language Arts (Location: ZCLE-LAN)
$3.40 (5 in stock)
Panda in the Bamboo Forest
Animal Adventures, Level 2A
by Heather Horn, illustrated by Victoria Skakandia
from The Good and the Beautiful
for 1st-3rd grade
in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA)
$3.83 (1 in stock)
Paragraph Town - Student Book
by Michael Clay Thompson
3rd edition from Royal Fireworks Press
for Kindergarten-5th grade
in Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts (Location: GRA-MCT)
$29.50 (2 in stock)
Rainbow Dictionary
by Wendell W. Wright, assisted by Helene Laird, illustrated by Joseph Low
from World Publishing Company
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Vintage Nonfiction (Location: VIN-NFIC)
$12.80 (1 in stock)
Random House Children's Encyclopedia
by Dorling Kindersley Ltd
from Random House
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Encyclopedias (Location: REF-ENC)
$16.00 (1 in stock)
Reading Basics - Book 1 (old)
An Early Reader Series
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 1st grade
in AOP Lifepacs (Old versions only) (Location: ZCLE-AOP)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Reading Basics - Book 2 (old)
An Early Reader Series
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 1st grade
in AOP Lifepacs (Old versions only) (Location: ZCLE-AOP)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
Reading Basics - Book 3 (old)
An Early Reader Series
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 1st grade
in AOP Lifepacs (Old versions only) (Location: ZCLE-AOP)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
Reading Basics - Book 4 (old)
An Early Reader Series
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 1st grade
in AOP Lifepacs (Old versions only) (Location: ZCLE-AOP)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
Reading Basics - Book 5 (old)
An Early Reader Series
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 1st grade
in AOP Lifepacs (Old versions only) (Location: ZCLE-AOP)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
Red Learning Log
by Wanda Sanseri
from Becky's Bouquet
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
$16.00
Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever (Giant Golden Book)
by Richard Scarry
De Luxe edition from Golden Books
for Nursery-2nd grade
in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER)
$15.29
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