First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind

by Jessie Wise

Parents can assure their child's success in language arts with this simple-to-use, scripted guide. First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind uses picture study and other classical techniques to develop the child's language study in those first two all-important years of school. Each lesson leads the parent, step-by-step, through the simple oral and written projects that build reading, writing, spelling, storytelling, and comprehension skills. Use this book to supplement school learning, or as the center of a home-school language arts course.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Reference, Childrens, Language, Homeschool, Teaching

422 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2002

Reviews

[Delyna]

Daily Grammar lessons for children. Purchase the accompanying CD. Good to begin during Kindergarten (they are more willing do the repetitions). Songs to memorize prepositions, helping verbs and other useful grammar definitions.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this mostly-oral book for language lessons for grades 1-2. This is an old edition which I use better than the author's revised edition sold now. I pare it down even more, since I already do some language items with ABeka (which I use for reading and phonics) and Writing with Ease (same publisher's writing curric for lower grades). So in the end, we get plenty of grammar/writing for these lower grades. I got this for $5, and that was definitely a deal, considering I was unhappy with ABeka's $17 consumable workbooks.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and organized. Good ideas. I've used some of the stories and poems. I don't need the scripting, but I see it could be very useful for someone just starting out in teaching.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding language arts book by the author of The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home. That was my baseline program for homeschooling and this particular book uses the method to teach first and second grade language arts. Pair it with a phonics course like Alpha Phonics Primer for Beginners and all of the Explode the Code 1 workbooks, Getty-Dubay Italic Handwriting Series: Book A Basic Italic, Spelling Workout: Level A, Student Edition 1st Grade, and some easy reader books and you will have my own outstanding language arts, phonics, italic handwriting, and spelling program that will succeed with any child. My own used it beginning at age 4 but you can start at 5-7 as well.

[Aja · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are using this book for our language studies. This book was written by the same co-author of Well Trained Mind and goes in sync with the Well Trained Mind formatted course of study. This book contains 200 lessons for 1st and 2nd grade language work. It is so simple and easy to use, you need no additional materials, just open and discuss the lesson for the day. The reason I give it only 4 stars is because it is almost too simple. Sometimes I double up on lessons just to give a little more potatoes to the days lessons. I should say though, it truly is perfect for Hannah and even Sara Kate has begun participating because it is so simple to teach and grasp the material.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing of this review means that we have completed 2nd grade--wahoo! This is an excellent text for learning grammar, punctuation, memorization of poetry, parts of speech, etc. I do confess to deleting some activities that were just unnecessary or honestly, time-wasters (e.g., look at this picture and tell me what is happening!). Nate is such a veracious reader that his narrative and descriptive skills are well-refined!

I highly recommend this book for 1st/2nd grade grammar/phonics--and, of course, The Well-Trained Mind series is second to none!

[Laura Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a two year language program for first and second graders. I used it with my daughter in a relaxed way (meaning that we used it weekly - not daily, we have a loose homeschooling schedule). I loved the easy way the lessons were layed out. It is an easy introduction to grammar, narration, etc. My daughter still remembers the poems she memorized, the definitions of terms, and lists of words. I recommend this to anyone as an excellent start in Language Arts.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter thinks it is a little redundant, but the repetition is helpful to store information in long term memory. I like how she is expected to memorize poems. I like how the lessons are related to people and places and things with which my daughter has a close relationship. It makes it a little more individualized. The lessons are short and sometimes we do two at a time. I'll definitely stick with this one and go on to volume two.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this 2-year program with my first daughter, and I am now beginning the second year with my second daughter. It really is a painless method. The second year is much more interesting to teach than the first. It is a blend, of narration, picture talks, poetry memorization, grammar terms memorization, and some copywork. There is only a small amount of writing which seems appropriate for this age. There is also a cd that contains the short stories, poetry, and grammar chants.

[JoAnne Styger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though we aren't quite done with the 1st grade portion of this 2 year book, I'm giving it 5 stars. The lessons are short, engaging, and excellent for building English language skills. I'm using it with my second daughter who does not like a lot of reading or writing. Traditional workbooks are stressful for her. She really enjoys this book and has acquired the language skills through dialogue and repetition. Highly recommend for supplement language curriculum!

[Candi · Rating 2 out of 5]

From a Graphic Designer's perspective... I hate this book. It's so hard for me to read what's on each page, because it's not laid out in a way that is inviting. However, it does have good information in there, if I can get past how ugly it is on each page. :) I'm keeping it. Just making it available to borrow.

[Cassie “mommacass” · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 2 year grammer program for the First and Second year of education. The age range is roughly from 1st and 2nd grade. It is a grammer book written to go with the Well Trained Mind philosophy of NeoClassical Education. It is a must have. We didn't use the work book and found the book a complete program. It was definately worth the cost.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start in grammar for young children. My four year old chants the definition of a preposition around the house, and my 1st grader knows all the poems to be memorized because she heard such a thorough review of them when her older sister was going through the book which makes teaching the younger ones all the easier!

[Becomingsix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one of our favorite school books. Short, easy lessons that the children really enjoy. They have learned poems, the days of the week, the months of the year, what a noun is, proper nouns, verbs, pronouns, narrations and handwriting. We will certainly be continuing on with volume two this coming year.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am doing this off and on with my 7 year old. It takes 5 minutes a day, and yet he has managed to memorize 3 poems and a list of pronouns, along with the difference between common and proper nouns, among other things. It's very gentle.

[Cindy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not the most thrilling curriculum on the planet, it really did work very well for us. My son still remembers the definitions and lists of words, which has helped him a lot in higher-level grammar work. We'll use it again for our other kids!

[Go2therock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this to teach my adopted ESL daughters grammar. It was such a God-send! I highly recommend it for older children learning grammar for the first time and for parents as well; it is so well written it serves as an excellent guide to all.

[Andrea M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for teaching grammar verbally. Very basic but thorough. For grades 1-2 meaning it has two years worth of lessons.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview. A bit repetitive.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great grammar book. My kids know the definition of a noun, etc. We are still working through it, but I am very happy with this curriculum.

[Deva · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids love working with the book everyday, I like that it grammar based but not totally in your face. They love the sing song memory work.

[Katrina]

This was a great introduction into English Grammar. Elizabeth learned alot as we went through this.

[Andie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to use, fun for the kids. Easy and straightforward lessons really help little ones learn the beginnings of language arts. I think it would be easy to turn into class room use as well.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children loved this book. I enjoyed the simple assignments and enjoyable reading. Each chapter built upon the previous and gave ample review for retaining all the information necessary

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review may change once I start using it for my home-school curriculum, but I like what I see! I'll be using it next year.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

The concepts are there but the repition is a bit much.

[Terina · Rating 2 out of 5]

It moved a little slow for child #1 (1st grade). Maybe it will work better for the younger one.

[Corie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this five stars if it did not bore us all to tears. My children have learned a lot, but we will be looking elsewhere once we finish the second half.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to grammar for 1st and 2nd graders. I love how most of the lessons can be done orally. This was especially helpful with my son who struggled with handwriting at that age.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been perfect for my daughter. The repetition is really important- she's actually learning the stuff. Great book.