BJU Press English Review

In this video, I'm sharing my thoughts about BJU Press English and I'll let you know if I plan on using it again next year with my kids.
BJU Press*
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*Disclosure: I am an affiliate with BJU Press. Should you purchase through my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. I share my honest thoughts on all the curriculum that I use, whether I am an affiliate or not.
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[@annaw4695]

I know this video is about 3 years old, but I really appreciate your insight. Thank you for explaining the difference between elementary and junior high levels. I purchased Writing and Grammar 7. After listening, I think we need to bump down to English 6.

[@homegrownarrows]

Abeka mama of 3 years here looking to switch to BJU after grade 3. This video was SO helpful… the most thorough review I’ve ever watched. And I’ve watched thousands. 🤣 THANK YOU!!

[@cassieausten9320]

Same here 😊We use Abeka (grade 5) and looking forward to maybe switch to either BJU or Learning Language Arts through Literature for grade 6 or 7.

[@billionairegenius]

Aussie here. G'day 😁 Your videos are SO helpful and appreciate the information so much. Thankyou for taking the time to put them on yt and help us mum's that are trying to figure this homeschooling world out. Which can be so overwhelming esp in Australia where it's not a big thing.

[@sandstorme1363]

We are on our first year of BJU English and the feeling is mutual. Insightful on the 7th grade. My oldest is in third grade and I intend to keep with BJU.

[@cbloom100]

Thanks for the in-depth review. We have similar thoughts! Last year we used the BJU 8th grade Writing and Grammar and Literature with Distance Learning and it was pure torture! That being said, my son is now in a private college prep high school and find his Honors English course easy. Lol. But I wish I would have not made him suffer through it last year. It left him with the feeling that he hates all Literature and English. But my younger son loved English 3 and is now loving English 4. We started this year without the videos and he missed them so I added them in November and he’s happy.

[@nestledin8925]

I’ve used BJU Press for many years. We love the English. You gave a great review on it. Currently, I’m debating using 11th grade English for my Senior. Just to get ready for those SATs coming up.

[@robdebl2414]

Thanks for the video!!:)

[@arleneschussel2989]

Very helpful!

[@kimberlyallen4997]

Very helpful. Thank you for sharing.😊

[@JanelleKnutson]

You're welcome!

[@tashiba-thejoyfulwarrior6445]

This was a great review!! We’re only using BJU 2nd grade Math. But I thought about LA when I ordered it. WE came from Abeka and my youngest didn’t live the videos, so I teach him Language. IEW writing was way too intense for us and now we’re using EIW for my oldest who’s 10 and dyslexic. English is such a touchy subject over here! Whew! I have much to consider for next year. 5 kiddos with varying levels of understanding in LA.

[@JanelleKnutson]

Praying God directs you as you choose curriculum for your family. :)

[@LawandaFinch]

That was very helpful! I will only be a second year homeschool mom for next year. I am currently doing Abeka streaming for my 7 the grader and she absolutely does not like it. So I am going to be looking at alternatives for homeschooling curriculum’s, as I will be adding a 6th grader and a 4th grader also next year. I am so grateful for any information or reviews you can give.

[@JanelleKnutson]

Have you seen my review comparing Abeka Academy and BJU Press Distance Learning? If not, here is the link to watch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3WWm6SCpMuoj68

[@acomicbookmom]

I've struggled with finding good english programs that explain writing for my junior high son as well. I've found Spectrum workbooks to work pretty well for language arts and writing because they tend to explain how to write reports and paragraphs and things like that.

[@JanelleKnutson]

SoAudrey we decided to give Essentials in Writing a try.

[@leannagarcia8769]

Have you looked at "The Good and the Beautiful" language arts curriculum If so what are your thoughts on it? Love your videos by the way!

[@JanelleKnutson]

Hi Leanna! I have had several people suggest The Good and the Beautiful curriculum. I have not used it but have looked over their website. Here are my thoughts... it is written by a Mormon/LDS. While they state that the curriculum has a "non-denominational Christian worldview", I would be cautious and prayerful (if you are not Mormon/LDS) when making a decision on whether to use it or not. Personally, I would not use it because I know that Mormon theology/doctrines do not line up with my Protestant beliefs. I prefer using curriculum that is in line with a Protestant Christian worldview. Just my personal opinion. I'm sure others would disagree. That's okay. That's the benefit of homeschooling... making the best decision for our own individual families. :)

[@Jo-vq8zk]

Such a helpful video, thank you! I especially needed clarification on how 7th grade is different from the elementary English. I'm currently using EIW for my 6th grader......since you've also used EIW, what do you think of it as compared to BJU English (specifically the writing intrtruction)? Also, have you used BJU Reading for any of your kids? I'm looking for a solid reading curriculum that's not too teacher intensive.

[@JanelleKnutson]

BJU English (for writing) and EIW are both excellent writing programs. BJU covers writing and grammar in one year so the writing instruction is really only 1 semester worth. EIW is a full year of writing. It really depends on if your student needs a full year of writing instruction and practice or not and which curriculum they enjoy more. I have used and love BJU reading. I use a different program for teaching how to read/phonics (although that is covered in BJU reading.) But BJU Distance Learning videos for reading are not teacher intensive and give a solid foundation in reading comprehension along with other reading and language skills.

[@Jo-vq8zk]

@@JanelleKnutson Thank you!

[@linnazr]

What English program were you using before that you really liked? Love your videos!

[@JanelleKnutson]

We loved IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) materials. We used IEW writing and also their Fix It! Grammar programs.

[@HeatherNations]

Do you have "Writing With Skill" you would be able to do a review of? I am planning to do Level 1 of that for my oldest next year. He'll be a Freshman next year, but hasn't had much formal writing instruction so I'm just starting him at level 1. Hopefully he can move through it at a quick pace and get "caught up". 😁 I can't find any video reviews on it, though!

[@JanelleKnutson]

I am not familiar with Writing with Skill. Now I have another writing curriculum to look into! Ha! ;)

[@HeatherNations]

Janelle Knutson I believe it's written by the same author of "The Well-Trained Mind". The elementary level of this Writing program is called "Writing with Ease".

[@ashleyvickers6904]

Hey, I saw your teaching on the bju press page that was uploaded 3 days ago. You had mentioned that you wished you had just started your child homeschooling right from the beginning vs putting her in kindergarten, if I understood correctly. Can you tell me why? Im new to homeschooling this year, and started my daughter for second grade. I was thinking of letting my other kids do kindergarten and 1st so they can understand structure and class rules/etiquette and learning to read so its easier to transition for me. But please let me know your thoughts. Thanks

[@JanelleKnutson]

There are a lot of reasons for wishing I had homeschooled her from the beginning. I don't have time to address all of them but here are two big ones. First, even though her public school experience wasn't horrible, it wasn't Christ-centered and there was still a lot of social "stuff" that we had to address. Transitioning from public school to homeschooling was a lot harder than just homeschooling from the beginning. I didn't realize this until I started homeschooling my 2nd child. It was a stark contrast between homeschooling after public school and homeschooling from the beginning. I found it far more beneficial and easier to homeschool from the beginning.

[@izitinyou]

How do you look at curriculum before you purchase it? I need help so badly in choosing a good curriculum for my children, but I really want it to fit their needs as well.

[@Julietroses82]

There are sample pages on most curriculum websites, and KZbin of course has many reviews by fellow homeschoolers!

[@JanelleKnutson]

Samples of curriculum on websites, KZbin videos, homeschool conventions with vendor halls, some places have homeschool curriculum stores, and you can always ask other homeschool moms in your area if you can take a peak at the curriculum they are using. Hope that helps.

[@gracelovehope599]

What are your thoughts on Abeka writing and grammar for high school?

[@JanelleKnutson]

Great question! I have not used Abeka writing and grammar for high school. I hope someone else reading the comments, who has used Abeka for high school, will comment. I'm curious as well. :)

[@gracelovehope599]

Okay, thank you.😊 If you don't mind sharing what curriculum did you use for high school?

[@JanelleKnutson]

I have two videos coming up where I share about writing curriculum and another about curriculum I've used over 14 years of homeschooling. Stay tuned!

[@gracelovehope599]

Sounds great! Thank you.😊

[@kikik5266]

If my 5th grader is weak in grammar and writing can she start in 5th?

[@kikik5266]

If you can jump from 2nd to 4th can you do that from 3rd to 5th?

[@JanelleKnutson]

BJU does a great job with review so it is possible to skip over a year. But, if you feel your daughter is behind in grammar and writing, I'd suggest using one grade lower than what she is in. That's the beauty of homeschooling!