First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind: Level 3

by Jessie Wise, Sara Buffington

The third volume in the First Language Lessons series, this scripted guide uses the classical techniques of memorization, copywork, dictation, and narration to develop your child's language ability in the formative first years of study. The Level 3 Instructor Guide for First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind reinforces the grammar and writing concepts introduced in the previous levels. It also introduces new material, including sentence diagramming. This instructor book has the same simple-to-use, scripted format as the previous levels. (The Level 3 Student Workbook is available separately; the workbook makes it easier for busy parents to spend more time teaching, and less time preparing―you don't have to hand-draw any diagram frames!)

First Language Lessons Level 3 is designed to follow Levels 1 and 2, but can be used as a first grammar text for older students. The optional end-units on writing letters, dictionary skills, and oral usage allow you to tailor the instruction to the needs of your child. Grade Grades 2-4 .

Genres: Nonfiction, Language

480 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2007

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a college and high school English teacher by trade before homeschooling my brood, and while I was confident enough in my understanding of grammar that I could teach whatever we needed, I wasn't quite sure what to teach and when: what needed to precede what, or build off what.

This book was extremely helpful in that regard. I got the third grade edition, which gave enough vocabulary to build toward more sophisticated concepts for my older kids and provided a good middle ground between my first, third, and fourth graders.

However, WOW was this presentation boring. Though I love grammar, the lessons were extremely repetitive and treated kids kind of like they were dumb. Why not go ahead and make some of the diagrams less formulaic, more challenging, to interest them? Once my older kids got the "pattern" of the day, the diagrams became mindless busywork rather than the interesting challenge I've always found them to be.

I have always maintained that the best grammar instruction comes from reading a ton and taking a foreign language. However, this curriculum is good for building a grammar vocabulary and introducing the building blocks, so they can understand the corrections I give them on writing assignments. Your kids might not enjoy it, though.

[Candice Walton · Rating 2 out of 5]

We enjoyed Level 1 of this curriculum, but I don’t care for this teaching style for more difficult concepts like parts of speech and Grammar rules. For Phonics and Language I recommend Abeka. However, Susan’s Story of the World History Curriculum is A-MAZING, it will always be my top choice for History.

[Ardyth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems quick on the day by day, but also dry as dust? I gather lots of people love it, though. Don't think this style of lesson would suit our son. Keeping for myself as a reference.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely useful curriculum for homeschooling lessons in English! Cannot recommend highly enough!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great series

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While we loved parts of this curriculum, my daughter got extremely bored with the repetition, especially the last third of the book. I'm really not sure there is a way to avoid that problem when it comes to learning grammar, but I will be looking for other options for the fall.

[Jenn818 · Rating 4 out of 5]

a teensy bit dry, but a good solid English program.