First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind

I have two students, K and 2, going through this course together. When I purchased the book (from the publisher at a convention) the woman there told me it will work well for a 2nd-3rd grader who has had no introduction to grammar, and I have found that to be the case.

What I love most about this language book is that it is *scripted*! This is a must for an inexperienced teacher like myself. I know grammar (and math, and history, etc.), but knowing and teaching, especially teaching young children, are two very different things. This book is like a gift someone put in my hands; it does the teaching for me, in a gentle and interactive way.

I also love that the lessons only take 15-20 minutes, max, but the children readily absorb the information. My girls had the first poem memorized by the third lesson. Repetition works! They can now easily recite the definition of a noun as well. And none of the memorization work has been grueling. It all came about so naturally.

My DD8 has complained a bit over the copywork, but she struggles with writing anyway, and it's usually only two sentences, so it's not by any means torturous. These enrichment exercises are not required, only suggested, but I felt she could benefit from them, being an older student.