Lightning Literature Grade 2 | Curriculum Review and Flipthrough

[@ashleymurphy4813]

Hi! Is there any reading comprehension questions in the student workbook? Or is that a discussion in the teacher’s guide? I love the book selections for this curriculum and would use it for comprehension but I already have a grammar and writing program we like. Thanks!

[@YogaNurture]

It's so neat to see you using Lightning Literature as I just recently started it myself. I am using Grade 4 for my 5th grader. I have used the teacher guide to teach composition because it gives more detail on what the child is supposed to do.

[@KidsLearningforLife]

Hi! This is Stacey. After getting to see Jenny using Lightning Literature, I started using grade 4 this year with my 4th and 5th graders. It has been a game changer for us and my boys are loving it! How are you liking it so far?

[@YogaNurture]

@@KidsLearningforLife While it might still be the honeymoon phase, I am loving it! The conversational tone from the author makes me feel relaxed. And the daily steps in writing papers are perfect! I also like that the notes for what to do for composition are in the teacher guide so that I can have discussions with my daughter to make sure she understands what to do, and sometimes we need to brainstorm together. It lets me guide her through the writing process, which can be intimidating. I think it's a great mix of classic learning and what kids need to learn for this day and age. And it includes diagramming which was a must on my list. I also enjoy the predictable daily rhythm. I tried several language arts programs that jumped around too much during one lesson or included too many books to piece together to get all the LA elements. This is so straight forward and yet super rich. I also really enjoy the 4 day schedule with optional explorations for the 5th day. I've looked at TONS and tried lots of curricula over the years for LA, and this just might be the unicorn I knew was out there. haha It wasn't on my radar before because it's secular, which is too bad because there might be a lot of Christian homeschoolers who aren't finding it.

[@hailelacy8056]

If you can't find a book, I highly recommend looking up read alouds on KZbin! I have found a bunch that way when I couldn't get them elsewhere.

[@KidsLearningforLife]

Love this advice!!

[@rachelembree6175]

Agree with KZbin read alouds. They can be such money and time savers!

[@reneej7584]

I'm a little confused- I had just come from your first grade LL video and you did have the teachers guide and said you find the guide helpful? But now you say you've never purchased any teacher's guides? I'm just trying to get a good idea of this curriculum before making my decision on it and if I need the TG or not. If you could clarify your thoughts on it that would be great!

[@KidsLearningforLife]

Sorry about the miscommunication! I had purchased the Teacher’s Guide for Grade 1, and I think I used it at first, because that’s what I thought I needed to do. But I even mentioned in my Grade 1 Flipthrough that I don’t really refer to the Teacher’s Guide much. And I eventually stopped referring to it altogether, so that’s why I never bought it for Grade 2. I think it’s just another big book that you have to purchase and store, so I personally don’t think it’s necessary in my homeschool. I hope this helps!

[@OurInspiredHomeschool]

Does this review the concepts from level 1 in the beginning or is it mostly new material? I am considering this for next year and I am not sure about placement.

[@KidsLearningforLife]

I don’t really feel like it reviews much from Grade 1, and it kind of just jumps in somewhere. Here’s my Flipthrough of Grade 1 so you can see if it might be a better fit 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaCYfaSmgsSVask

[@angiescustoms]

I just started with level 2. We didnt homeschool last year so we didn't do level 1. This seems like its just started pretty basic. I cant say in comparison to level 1 but it starts at a good spot. We also use fix it grammar so at certain points they line up. The teacher guide really just has more questions about the stories and answers thats really about it. A lot of the books weve done read alouds on KZbin or library mostly read aloud youtube

[@ErstwhileEducation]

Could you use this without the teacher guide if you just wanted to use it for the grammar and literature portion?

[@KidsLearningforLife]

Yes, I don’t use the teachers guide at all!

[@kennedygrace7774]

You use 2nd grade for your third grader? Would you say this is an advanced curriculum?

[@KidsLearningforLife]

Yes, this curriculum is a more advanced curriculum.

[@maggieely8037]

Does this include any spelling words or spelling rules?

[@KidsLearningforLife]

No, I don’t think so.