I have found a new language arts curriculum that I LOVE!!! In fact, I love it so much that it will be my sole language arts curriculum for this upcoming year. It is the language arts curriculum written by Michael Clay Thompson at Royal Fireworks Press. http://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/
The benefits of this curriculum is multifaceted. Unit studies that bring multiple areas together to heighten learning and retention have always appealed to me. Michael Clay Thompson's curriculum works much like a unit study. He intertwines the different facets of language arts: grammar, vocabulary, writing, poetics and literature.
The books instruct in a literary fashion that keep students' interest and are based on the great works of literature. I remember despising books in first grade because I didn't care to see how Jane ran, nor Dick, either! Thankfully, there are no Dick and Janes in this curriculum. The excerpts and sentences are based on our rich history of classical literature. They are interesting and full of meaning. The original literature in this series that is used to teach is funny and captivating as well. My children love to read them!
The levels in this series teach cyclically. Each level gives a painless review of what was already taught while adding new detail and meaning to the foundation that was laid before. It delves deeper into all the facets of language arts than I have ever gone before despite my love of both language and literature.
A funny thing about these books is who they were intended for and who they reach. Originally, this curriculum was written for gifted students. The humorous thing about that is that they teach so well that they are an excellent tool for the average or delayed student. A gifted student may go through the material faster, but the heights of this material are within reach for any student.
These are just some of the benefits of this language arts curriculum. I may return to expound on its benefits at a later date. If you are looking for a new language arts program because the one you are currently using is not fulfilling your expectations, then I encourage you to give Royal Fireworks Press's language arts program a try. Let me know what you think!
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