This was so helpful and I loved seeing the other reply about TGTB as we are trying to switch away from there. It just isn't enough challenge for my son and I also like the book selections with Lightning Literature, since I have some background knowledge on some of them.
I’m glad you found this video helpful 😀 both my daughter and I have really enjoyed the book selections 📚 I love that they can be used as independent readers and that all the comprehension questions include answers so I don’t have to or pre read any of the books I’m not familiar with.
Thanks for this great review Michelle! I have been binge watching your videos. I love the literature approach, as I am a second gen homeschooler that grew up on Learning Language Arts Thought Literature. I first heard of LL from my favorite Dr-Lawyer-Turned-Homeschool-Mom, though I have to admit it seemed like a lot of writing. This review makes it seem much more manageable. My 8 yo son is very reluctant when it comes to writing, and coming from TGTB where he had very little, do you think this LL level 3 needs a writing program? I know you are using one with level 4, but I’m wondering if it’s necessary for level 3. Looking forward to your thoughts on this ✨
I first saw it on Project Happy Home as well! We finished level 3 a few weeks ago and I have to say we both really enjoyed the curriculum. To me and my daughter it was very manageable. In terms of writing, I think it did a good job. My daughter coming from public school had very little writing instruction and is also a reluctant writer. I think many people have a problem with that the curriculum doesn’t necessarily hold your hand thru the composition instruction. I found it was enough. There was often examples in the teacher guide as what to expect from your child. It’s also split into manageable chunks. The first daily all you often do is brainstorm an idea. Then plan and eventually write. It didn’t overwhelm my daughter and she was fully capable of doing the work. I think the reluctance was more about her not practicing and nothing was really expected for writing before this. I don’t think an additional writing curriculum would be needed, but again it depends on your child. I only introduced IEW because my daughter needed a more formal outline to work from. I plan on doing IEW over the summer and using lightning lit level 4 composition after that. I will mention though, I recently saw a post that says Light Lit does plan on revamping the composition part. Mainly in response to people requesting more instruction.
@@michellegf Thank you so much for taking the time to respond so thoroughly! This really cleared up my question marks on it. I had seen other reviewers feel the need for more writing instruction... I think I will opt out of an additional writing curriculum, then, as I feel I am confident to instruct as is. I also don't want to overwhelm him (or myself!) with too much in our schedule. Keepin' it simple. Other than LL, would you just recommend a spelling program? Do you supplement with vocabulary as well?
@@homeschoolandme keeping it simple is always a good approach! It’s always easy to add things later if necessary. As far as spelling goes, I’m going to be starting All About Spelling with my daughters this coming school year. It’s the first attempt at spelling, so I can’t give much advice on that. Both my girls loved All About Reading though, so I’m hoping it will be a good fit. I did have my 3rd grader do Wordly Wise for Vocabulary this past year. Looking back though I don’t really see it as necessary. I will be trying out Word Ladders & Vocabulary Workshop for next year. We did like Wordly Wise, just looking to change it up a bit for next year.
I am torn between this program and First Language Lessons 3 for my sons grammar. I like that this ties in literature. Do you feel this is a very strong, conceptual approach to grammar? ✨
Yes I think this works well for grammar. The grammar is directly tied into the lit. I think being able to see examples from what their currently reading is really helpful. I also like that it’s in small chunks, not overwhelming. I also like that it states in the teacher guide that many grammar rules don’t make a lot of sense and memorization is pointless. It’s more about being able to apply the concept. One thing I did was keep a cheat sheet of grammar rules as we went thru the book. I would just write down the rule or for example the steps in diagramming so my child could look at the sheet opposed to flipping back thru the book.
Thank you for this review! May I ask the name of the program you open up for your daughter to type her final drafts? Is it called “canva”? I am not familiar with that! Thank you! 😀
Yes it’s canva. I use the free version. I will usually bring up a flyer template, insert a text box and let her pick out her own graphics. You of course can do the same thing using Microsoft Word, but I think the graphics and design features are much more fun with Canva.
Very helpful I am interested in this for my 7 year old for next year when he is 8, what are your thoughts on how different it is than the good and the beautiful? I really like how literature based it is.
In my opinion it is a lot better then the Good & Beautiful. Lighting Lit goes a lot more into depth with the lessons. I love how LL relates all the grammar lessons and composition to the reading for that week. I also really enjoy the independent reading and so far my daughter has really enjoyed all the suggested books. She really enjoys the poetry weeks as well. For me the G&B was very surface level and lacked practice or depth. That being said LL does require more effort, but my daughter has really grown with the program.
Yes!! We did TGTB this year and as I investigate other options (like LL), I am blown away at how aloof TGTB is! I consider it “Language Arts Sampler,” or “Language Arts Lite.” It is sooooo gentle, and in many ways & in my opinion, far too gentle for retention. It works for a lot of families, but I’m thinking not for us. I love the open-and-go, but I’d much rather have some prep work if it means I can teach with a curriculum that will provide that deep-rooted foundation. LA is a subject no one should skimp on - it is the basis of every other subject! Appreciate your review!
This was so helpful and I loved seeing the other reply about TGTB as we are trying to switch away from there. It just isn't enough challenge for my son and I also like the book selections with Lightning Literature, since I have some background knowledge on some of them.
I’m glad you found this video helpful 😀 both my daughter and I have really enjoyed the book selections 📚 I love that they can be used as independent readers and that all the comprehension questions include answers so I don’t have to or pre read any of the books I’m not familiar with.
Lmkop]]]p
This is a great review, thank you!
I’m glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for this great review Michelle! I have been binge watching your videos. I love the literature approach, as I am a second gen homeschooler that grew up on Learning Language Arts Thought Literature. I first heard of LL from my favorite Dr-Lawyer-Turned-Homeschool-Mom, though I have to admit it seemed like a lot of writing. This review makes it seem much more manageable. My 8 yo son is very reluctant when it comes to writing, and coming from TGTB where he had very little, do you think this LL level 3 needs a writing program? I know you are using one with level 4, but I’m wondering if it’s necessary for level 3. Looking forward to your thoughts on this ✨
I first saw it on Project Happy Home as well! We finished level 3 a few weeks ago and I have to say we both really enjoyed the curriculum. To me and my daughter it was very manageable. In terms of writing, I think it did a good job. My daughter coming from public school had very little writing instruction and is also a reluctant writer. I think many people have a problem with that the curriculum doesn’t necessarily hold your hand thru the composition instruction. I found it was enough. There was often examples in the teacher guide as what to expect from your child. It’s also split into manageable chunks. The first daily all you often do is brainstorm an idea. Then plan and eventually write. It didn’t overwhelm my daughter and she was fully capable of doing the work. I think the reluctance was more about her not practicing and nothing was really expected for writing before this. I don’t think an additional writing curriculum would be needed, but again it depends on your child. I only introduced IEW because my daughter needed a more formal outline to work from. I plan on doing IEW over the summer and using lightning lit level 4 composition after that. I will mention though, I recently saw a post that says Light Lit does plan on revamping the composition part. Mainly in response to people requesting more instruction.
@@michellegf Thank you so much for taking the time to respond so thoroughly! This really cleared up my question marks on it. I had seen other reviewers feel the need for more writing instruction... I think I will opt out of an additional writing curriculum, then, as I feel I am confident to instruct as is. I also don't want to overwhelm him (or myself!) with too much in our schedule. Keepin' it simple. Other than LL, would you just recommend a spelling program? Do you supplement with vocabulary as well?
@@homeschoolandme keeping it simple is always a good approach! It’s always easy to add things later if necessary. As far as spelling goes, I’m going to be starting All About Spelling with my daughters this coming school year. It’s the first attempt at spelling, so I can’t give much advice on that. Both my girls loved All About Reading though, so I’m hoping it will be a good fit. I did have my 3rd grader do Wordly Wise for Vocabulary this past year. Looking back though I don’t really see it as necessary. I will be trying out Word Ladders & Vocabulary Workshop for next year. We did like Wordly Wise, just looking to change it up a bit for next year.
I am torn between this program and First Language Lessons 3 for my sons grammar. I like that this ties in literature. Do you feel this is a very strong, conceptual approach to grammar? ✨
Yes I think this works well for grammar. The grammar is directly tied into the lit. I think being able to see examples from what their currently reading is really helpful. I also like that it’s in small chunks, not overwhelming. I also like that it states in the teacher guide that many grammar rules don’t make a lot of sense and memorization is pointless. It’s more about being able to apply the concept. One thing I did was keep a cheat sheet of grammar rules as we went thru the book. I would just write down the rule or for example the steps in diagramming so my child could look at the sheet opposed to flipping back thru the book.
This is so helpful, thank you
I’m glad you found helpful!
Can you link to the tpt grammar packet you purchased?
It was free on TPT.
Parts of speech posters www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Parts-of-Speech-Posters-1149996?st=527afc291019b0f283058b19c9145600
Thank you for this review! May I ask the name of the program you open up for your daughter to type her final drafts? Is it called “canva”? I am not familiar with that! Thank you! 😀
Yes it’s canva. I use the free version. I will usually bring up a flyer template, insert a text box and let her pick out her own graphics. You of course can do the same thing using Microsoft Word, but I think the graphics and design features are much more fun with Canva.
@@michellegf thank you! What a great way to bring some pizazz (sp? 😂) to the writing portion!
Very helpful I am interested in this for my 7 year old for next year when he is 8, what are your thoughts on how different it is than the good and the beautiful? I really like how literature based it is.
In my opinion it is a lot better then the Good & Beautiful. Lighting Lit goes a lot more into depth with the lessons. I love how LL relates all the grammar lessons and composition to the reading for that week. I also really enjoy the independent reading and so far my daughter has really enjoyed all the suggested books. She really enjoys the poetry weeks as well. For me the G&B was very surface level and lacked practice or depth. That being said LL does require more effort, but my daughter has really grown with the program.
Yes!! We did TGTB this year and as I investigate other options (like LL), I am blown away at how aloof TGTB is! I consider it “Language Arts Sampler,” or “Language Arts Lite.” It is sooooo gentle, and in many ways & in my opinion, far too gentle for retention. It works for a lot of families, but I’m thinking not for us. I love the open-and-go, but I’d much rather have some prep work if it means I can teach with a curriculum that will provide that deep-rooted foundation. LA is a subject no one should skimp on - it is the basis of every other subject! Appreciate your review!
Thank you