Language arts encompasses so much. Because of this, sometimes things get missed. It is important to encompass all parts of language arts because they are all important. Applied Grammar: Elementary Level I stresses the importance of the different parts of language arts by bringing writing and grammar together.

Applied Grammar: Elementary Level I teaches grammar through categorization and problem-solving rather than memorization. Although the target level is 2nd to 6th Grade, it can be adapted to any age level and has been used with a group of students in Kindergarten - 8th Grade simultaneously. Parts of speech are introduced in the order of natural acquisition.

Applied Grammar: Elementary Level I Book Set includes the Lessons Book, Laminated Mats, Parts of Speech Posters, Writing Folder Inserts, Writing Drills CD, and Word Cards (including a box for the Word Cards). The Work Book is also important to this curriculum and must be ordered separately. There are 30 Lessons total as well as 100 writing drills as well as an Assessment Test on the Writing Drills CD.

The Elementary Level I Lessons Book is very detailed. It has information on methods, materials needed, information about the color codes, rationale, and activities. It breaks down each lesson step by step from teacher tasks to student tasks. There is no guessing. It is very specific down to what the teacher should say. Lessons vary daily, so the time necessary for lessons varies based on tasks for that specific day, but generally we complete the lessons under 45 minutes.  

Parts of speech are not only introduced in the order of natural acquisition, but they also  have color codes. Each part of speech has its own specific color which is used for the Word Cards, Parts of Speech Posters and the Writing Folder Inserts. The color codes for the Parts of Speech Posters (which we’ve hung on the wall) and the Word Cards really reinforces the parts of speech. It not only has offered helpful visual cues, but it is constantly reinforced, which has helped with our daughter’s retention in regards to the different parts of speech.

With each lesson we use almost all of the tools provided as well as her “Think Pad,” which is a notebook where she keeps notes particularly for this curriculum. She also has a folder specifically for this curriculum which is used regularly as well.

Although the curriculum is generally written for use with multiple students, it can definitely be adapted for a single student, and there are even tips on how to do so. This curriculum would work well with a single child or even with multiple children at different levels. A Work Book would be needed for each additional child.

Although I feel like this is a great language arts program for any type of learner, I believe it is particularly helpful for visual learners or children with challenges with memory and attention. Our daughter has Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD and while some of these concepts have been challenging in the past, she has been able to grasp them easily through this curriculum. Although she has commented that some of it is repetitive, she enjoys the curriculum overall and has made great progress. I believe the being repetitive is actually what has helped her with her progress.

At $44.00 for the One Book Set and $13.00 for the Work Book I feel it is a good value for all that is included. It is an effective and thorough language arts curriculum and can be used with a variety of homeschool styles and number of children. I think it’s great that it teaches Grammar and the importance of writing as a tool, which really emphasizes multiple parts of language arts.

-Product review by Emilee Roberts, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, June, 2016