Choosing the perfect Language Arts curriculum for your homeschool can be a daunting task. Let me be your guide. As a veteran eclectic homeschooling mom, I’ve deep-dived into a lot of programs over the years in search of the perfect Language Arts curriculum. I love providing comprehensive reviews that help other parents make informed decisions. My reviews cover everything from grammar and writing to literature and vocabulary programs. Trust me to help you find the ideal Language Arts curriculum that aligns with your homeschooling goals.
IXL has a reputation, and not always a good one. Some homeschool parents swear by it. Others say it’s caused more tears than progress. After using it with my curious (and easily frustrated) son, I’ve seen both sides. This review walks you through exactly how IXL works in a homeschool setting, what it’s great at, where it stumbles, and how we’ve made it work without burnout.
Teaching cursive doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With my free cursive alphabet printable, you’ll have a simple, no-stress way to help your kids build confidence, improve fine motor skills, and develop fluent handwriting.
Have you ever tried to teach your kids about science and had them lose interest halfway through? Or maybe you’ve searched for a way to combine subjects like reading, art, and nature studies but ended up feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of resources out there? I’ve been there. Kids…
Getting 6th graders excited about writing can be challenging. You’ve probably experienced it firsthand—the blank stares, the heavy sighs, and the constant “I don’t know what to write!” At this stage, kids are asked to think more deeply and organize their thoughts in ways that feel more structured. And while…
Inside: Boost your 6th grader’s spelling skills with expert strategies, fun activities, and a free printable. Discover essential word lists and top resources for spelling success. In 6th grade, spelling takes on a whole new level of importance. As students transition into more advanced subjects, the words they encounter become…
Inside: Get your kids excited about learning with The Waldock Way’s Greek Mythology Unit Study! This flexible, hands-on literature based unit study turns history and mythology into an unforgettable adventure for the whole family. Imagine your kids getting just as excited about schoolwork as they are about their favorite Percy…
Inside: See how the online book clubs from Literary Adventures for Kids transformed our homeschool literature experience. Read my full review to see how this online program can help you turn reading into an exciting adventure again. I’ve always believed that book clubs needed a physical presence to be successful….
Inside: Heritage Humanities transforms the rich, complex world of classical literature into something accessible and engaging for today’s digital natives. Diving into classical texts of English literature can often feel like navigating a labyrinth, especially for young learners. Marc’s recent experience with the CLT8 exam highlighted a significant gap in…
Inside: Looking for engaging Spring activities for kids and a Valentine’s Day Unit Study to sprinkle some fun and learning into your homeschool day? You’re in the right place. From engaging activity ideas to learning about myths and developing literacy and numeracy skills, this post has it all! Spring is…
Inside: Thinking of ditching book reports in junior high? Hold that thought! Book reports teach vital skills to teens. Learn how to quickly organize and effectively create comprehensive book reports by using my free book report template, a sample of my comprehensive The Ultimate Book Report Master Guide. In elementary…
From the very first moment I opened our BookShark curriculum box over a year ago, I had a strong feeling that this was a homeschooling gem we’d treasure for years to come. And I wasn’t wrong. Because, honestly, what’s not to love about it? If you love reading, you’ll love…
Do you have Harry Potter fans? Do your kids wish for a Hogwarts homeschool? Then this post is for you. I’ve discovered an amazing Harry Potter unit study that has the potential to transform your muggle homeschool into a school of wizardry! Waldock’s Wizards and Wands from The Waldock Way…
We all know vocabulary is an important tool in communication. But many times, in our homeschool, we tend to ignore teaching or implementing it. We assume children learn it from exposure, from great literature, and from all sorts of communication being carried around them. There are countless vocabulary curricula out…
We’ve officially wrapped up both Year 1 and Year 2 of IEW’s SSS Level A, so it’s time for a proper comparison. I know one of the biggest concerns parents have when looking at Structure and Style is the repetition—is it really necessary? Won’t kids get bored? That’s exactly why…
Are you a homeschool mom struggling with reluctant or disorganized writers? For the past six blog posts, we’ve been looking at IEW Structure and Style for Students in a complete review of the homeschool writing curriculum that has the potential to revolutionize how we teach writing. We’re now at the…
Did you know that you can enrich your writing experience by using various IEW tools regardless of the writing program you’re using? We’ve been using the Institute for Excellence in Writing for two years and I’m continually discovering new gems on their website. They have so many valuable tools for…
Do you remember the last time you read something that truly captured your attention and held it until the very end? Writing is a powerful tool that allows us to communicate our ideas and connect with others, yet this essential skill has seen a decline over the past years. As…
We’ve already talked about IEW’s holistic approach to writing and seen how IEW teaches writing through the three programs it offers. Now let’s dive in and explore the components of Structure and Style for Students, a video-based writing program that has been consistently ranked among the best in the industry….
Are you feeling confused or overwhelmed about all the options you have with IEW writing? Then you’re in the right place! We’ve talked about IEW’s holistic approach to writing and why that’s important when teaching writing, now let’s dive into the way IEW teaches writing, and the 3 different options…
I vividly remember Marc’s first steps into the world of learning- it wasn’t always easy, and I didn’t always know what I was doing along the way. Now, as a middle schooler, he’s tackling subjects and concepts that are far beyond his years with excitement and curiosity. But it all…
Never had I thought I would see my 6th grader excited to learn vocabulary! But this is what happened to us with WordUp! The Vocab Show, a gem of a vocabulary program that would spice up your cumbersome vocabulary lessons. In this review, I’ll share everything you need to know…
A real struggle over the years for us has been to find an all-in-one language arts curriculum that fits all the checklists: concise, easy to implement, affordable, and based on classical books. While there is no such thing as a perfect curriculum, Learning Language Arts Through Literature from Common Sense…
Do your kids enjoy writing? I know a lot of homeschoolers are struggling with this subject, us included. That’s why I am constantly testing out programs and looking out for a writing curriculum that would encourage, hone, and teach proper writing skills to M. And hopefully not make him shed…
When it comes to history, I didn’t want to fall into the single-point-of-view trap. That’s why I decided to switch our whole approach to a literature-based homeschool history curriculum. Reading different accounts of an event would create a broader picture of what actually happened and provide us with the chance…
Many experts say it, and I agree: cursive handwriting is an important skill to have. I am saddened to see that more and more US schools have given up on cursive handwriting. I have already written about how to turn reluctant writers around and what I recommend for starting writing…
The English communication skills curriculum I am writing about today is aimed at high schoolers and it’s not our regular choice. I know we only just completed our 5th grade and started planning for middle school, but I am always on the lookout for new curriculum, so I was curious…
Updated: March 26, 2024 Inside: Fix It! Grammar is a one-of-a-kind grammar curriculum for homeschoolers because it transforms traditional grammar lessons into engaging, story-based adventures. Kids learn grammar and editing skills in context without even realizing they are actually learning the complexities of language. This is why the Fix It!…
While we can learn new vocabulary by reading, and M is a voracious reader, I still feel that we need to work on it diligently, year after year. But an aspect that I feel isn’t covered enough by just reading literary works is academic vocabulary. If you’re like me, you’re…
Spelling skills are an important part of our homeschool. We’ve tried numerous programs over the years and all had good and bad parts. Despite the fact that Marc is a great speller, we will continue with spelling instruction because I feel he would still benefit from it. Of course, we…
I know some kids love writing… I know some are great story-tellers. This post is not for them. <3 This post is for the struggling parents and kids. You know who you are. You pull out a worksheet for your 7,8,9,10 year old. It has a lot of “multiple choice”…
What do you do for literature? Do you do book reports for 4th grade? This year, after discussing with our teacher, we decided to take a different approach to the traditional comprehension questions by focusing on book reports instead. Marc doesn’t like writing, and writing composition is difficult for him….
UPDATED: May 29, 2025 Inside: Need a 4th grade language arts curriculum that’s secular, flexible, and actually works for homeschoolers? I’ll walk you through the exact mix-and-match curriculum we used—and how we made it all fit together. Includes book recs, grammar picks, cursive resources, and writing help for reluctant kids….