Language Arts Homeschool Curriculum REVIEW || Language Smarts C by Critical Thinking Co

Language Arts Homeschool Curriculum REVIEW || Language Smarts C by Critical Thinking Co
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In this video, I share my midyear curriculum review and flipthrough of Critical Thinking Company's Language Smarts Level C workbook - a language arts curriculum for 2nd grade. Though the language arts workbook has a good scope and sequence, we don't like it nearly as much as Mathematical Reasoning by the same company. Watch to see why!
✦ Who are we?
My name is Tanya, and I'm a doctor-lawyer turned secular homeschooling mom of 3 rambunctious kiddos, ages 8, 5, and 3. You can find videos here about eclectic homeschooling, motherhood, parenting, ADHD, and minimalism. Homeschooling certainly isn't for the faint-of-heart, but I'll try to share what has been working for us along the way - as well as what hasn't been working. Thank you for subscribing and joining our homeschool journey!
✦ Where else can you find us?
Instagram: projecthappyhome
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: @projecthappyhom (Note the missing "e")
✦ FTC Disclaimer: Most of the products featured on my channel have been purchased by me. If I have products sent to me for review or if I partner with a company (e.g., as an affiliate), I will disclose it in the video and/or description. My integrity and relationship with all of you is of paramount importance, and I would never mislead you for any amount of monetary gain. The opinions and reviews that I share are entirely my own.
✦ Intro music:
PACIFIC SUN by Nicolai Heidlas Music / nicolai-heidlas
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC BY 3.0
Music provided by Audio Library • Video
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Please watch: "ADVICE FOR NEW HOMESCHOOLERS || 5 Questions for Homeschoolers"
• ADVICE FOR NEW HOMESCH...
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[@CreatingEssence]

Thank you for such a well done, thorough review. When I hear people say they dislike a homeschool or curriculum piece my brain always wants details because what may be terrible to them could be the magic key to unlocking an area for another. You were so detailed, it really was helpful in understanding the book's approach and why it may or may not be a good choice for others.

[@ProjectHappyHome]

Thanks, my friend - I always appreciate your honesty and realness as well!

[@LeslieMaddox]

It's interesting to hear someone else's thoughts about this book! I got this for 2nd grade for my oldest, but ended up focusing on Kumon grammar books. We used a few pages to support what he was learning in All About Spelling, but that was it. So he's been using it this year just because I have it already. It actually ended up being a good fit for him because he's very uninterested in writing, or the written word in general. What's hilarious is I actually had to point out to him, in exasperation, that the little lines give him a hint to how many letters are in a word! I can see how this wouldn't work for a child that is a strong writer. Next year, we're switching to IEW's Fix It Grammar, along with their writing program.

[@ProjectHappyHome]

I'm going to try The Good and The Beautiful's LA program - and I'll be doing a video soon about whether it is tweakable for secular homeschoolers or not. I am tempted by The Nose Tree from IEW as well, though. Of course, we may send G8 to a cottage school for 2 days/week next year, which would change up our available time. Why don't we talk in real life, my friend? I think I'm going to reach out to you on IG and get a phone call in the works - I feel such kinship with you!

[@LeslieMaddox]

I would love that! Wish we would have visited while you were still in Texas. But a phone call would be great!

[@adrienneloveskeegan]

We LOVE the mathematical reasoning series! I was considering this for next year, which is why I stumbled upon your video. I'll definitely take your review into consideration now, thanks!

[@ProjectHappyHome]

I’m glad it helped - honestly, I can see it being helpful for some kiddos, but my son was horribly bored. 🙂

[@katelyse]

Thanks for the review! I was about to buy this 😬 I’m going to try grammar minutes for first grade. I saw a full pdf of it online and am pleased with what I see.

[@kiras7874]

Thank you for your review. I was curious about these books. I used the Fun-Time Phonics from The Critical Thinking Company for learning to read and we loved it! There is no writing involved so it’s not overwhelming for children who don’t like writing and it also makes it completely reusable. It seems like this series is geared toward children that might struggle with Language Arts.

[@Mommaof4]

Love the honesty and reasoning behind each critique!💕

[@ProjectHappyHome]

Thanks!

[@MommaSchmoozeReviews]

thanks for sharing your opinion on this. the dashes to write the words is not a good challenge, i agree.

[@ProjectHappyHome]

Yeah, right? What were they thinking?

[@marisolgonzalez4143]

Thank you so much for this review and welcome to NC. I moved here almost five years ago myself. I would be interested on what else you use for second grade and how you like or dislike them.

[@ProjectHappyHome]

Thanks for the welcome! I will be doing reviews as the year progresses. I like to do reviews after the mid-year mark so that can reflect my honest opinion. We're very eclectic, so we definitely do a hodgepodge of things. Our core this year has been Build Your Library's Level 1.

[@ThePreciousYears]

We also Iove their mind benders...I was looking at this one but later opted not to get it. I picked another critical thinking book and it was a bust too. Thanks for sharing your honest opinion as always.

[@ProjectHappyHome]

They really are hit or miss. Thanks!

[@1221Alice]

Thank you for this review! Very helpful! Do you have a supplement language arts workbook you do like? I have a curriculum I like but am looking to add variety for my ADHD kiddo with the occasional supplement.

[@ProjectHappyHome]

We like Explode the Code and All about Reading! I’m planning on tweaking the Good and the Beautiful Language Arts to suit our secular family for next year.

[@robbiegleason4462]

I think our version is quite different than yours. We don't have the glossy pages for one thing... I'll get ours out and do some comparisons.

[@ProjectHappyHome]

I’d love that! How weird.

[@HerLovesBooks]

I had glossy pages.

[@BustlingHome]

Thanks for this discussion. It seems the single-purpose books (like Mind Benders, Editor in Chief, etc) from Critical Thinking Company fit my family better than these. subject-based ones.

[@ProjectHappyHome]

I've had the same experience - though I do love their Mathematical Reasoning books.

[@katherinetrumbauer5011]

hi tanya.I'm new to your channel. I was actually referred by homeschooling on the hill. She thought you might use .The good and the beautiful as well. I know it's not secular at all...but I was wondering if you do use it if it's possible to use it in a secular way?

[@ProjectHappyHome]

I love Candice, don't you? She's the best reviewer on YT in my opinion. :) I'm planning on using TG&TB language arts for my turning-4-in-the-fall preschooler (Primer K), my turning-6-in-the-fall kinder-first grader (1st grade), and my rising 3rd grader. I'm going to do videos on each of those levels and share how secular homeschoolers can tweak it - or even if it needs to be tweaked. So far, I've gone through the Primer K level for LA and it appears completely secular - though the other two levels will definitely require some tweaking if you're averse to mentions of religion. Stay tuned for those videos!

[@katherinetrumbauer5011]

Thanks for replying! We aren't opposed to religion necessarily, but we want to teach our children about many different religions. We are starting our homeschool journey this summer. I look forward to seeing your videos.

[@ProjectHappyHome]

We're the same! Thanks!

[@HerLovesBooks]

We hated those glossy pages and it was boring. The math was much better.

[@ProjectHappyHome]

I feel like we are having a conversation thru all these comments! So fun. Thanks for watching!