Language Arts Skills, Literature and Bible

Literature & Language Skills

To read articles on this blog about language arts, please click the following categories. (Note: there is overlap between them!)

• Charlotte Mason Method

• Language Arts

• Learning to Read

• Picture Books

• Poetry

• Reading Aloud

• Storytelling

• Writing

RECOMMENDED CURRICULUM

The curriculum categories you will find on this page are:

• Phonics & Early Language
• Favorite Literature
• Bible Related Resources (including music)
• Books by Patricia St. John
• Typing
• Handwriting

When you click on the titles, you can see more complete descriptions and prices on the Christian Book Distributors web site.  I receive a 10% commission when you order after entering their site through mine.

Phonics & Early Language

Alpha-Phonics: A Primer for Beginning Readers  Samuel L. Blumenfeld Can you teach your children to read in just 10 minutes a day? Yes, with this acclaimed phonics program! Progressive lessons present each letter of the alphabet by its sound and then blend letter sounds to form basic words. More advanced exercises introduce whole sentences. Includes teacher's manual and lesson plans. Nonconsumable. Grades K to 4. 168 pages, spiralbound softcover from Paradigm.  No frills, very practical, my favorite!

Dr. Maggie's Phonics Readers Variety Pack (24 books) By Creative Teaching Press  We have the first several books in this set, and they've gotten heavy use at our house!

The Three R's, One-Volume Edition Ruth Beechick / Mott Media, Llc Simple and direct, this little book has nonetheless been used by many homeschoolers to teach reading, language and math without expense! Charts and guiding explanations allow you to teach phonics and math with ease; the writing section explains the time-tested method of copying and dictating. A wonderful alternative to overly academic books! Includes a phonics/arithmetic chart. Grades K-3. 85 pages, softcover.  This was the foundation of our early years of home schooling.  I'm so grateful!

You CAN Teach Your Child Successfully Ruth Beechick / Mott Media, Llc Learn the "secrets" that will help you teach better! Covering grades 4 through 8, this informative book by experienced educator Beechick shows you what issues in science every child needs to know, what should be learned in each grade, why the Bible is the best foundation for education, how you can teach music and art without being a musician or an artist, and more. 388 pages, softcover.  I still use this practical reference!

Language & Thinking for Young Children  Ruth Beechick / Mott Media, Llc What are pattern stories, and how do they help your child's thinking? What is the best way to expand your child's vocabulary? How can you get more learning from field trips? These and many more questions are answered in this manual, which tells you what to teach and how to teach kindergarten and primary children in many areas of language. Contains a full year's lesson strategy. No workbooks needed.  Another foundational bookby Ruth Beechick!

First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind, Level 1 Jessie Wise / Peace Hill  Now separated into two levels, this is the first volume of First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind ; with the same great content (with lessons following the same order), new picture narration lessons are included. It has also been redesigned for clarity and ease of use.  A complete grammar text for the youngest student, First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind, Level 1 is designed as a one-year program. Copywork, narration, picture study, and other classical techniques to develop the student's language ability are thoroughly covered. Each step-by-step lesson leads parents through the simple oral and written projects that build reading, writing, spelling, storytelling, and comprehension skills. 188 pages, softcover. 100 Lessons.

Favorite Literature Wisdom and the Millers: Proverbs for Children  Mildred A Martin Wisdom and the Millers Make Proverbs come alive for the children in your home, church, or school! Here is a character building collection of lively, inspirational stories. Each chapter explains and illustrates a passage from the book of Proverbs, along with a story based on true life experiences. Follow the four "Miller" children as they learn great truths of life and wisdom; sometimes through their parents' stories, and sometimes the hard way! Will a father's prayer keep his family safe from the burglar? Why did Timmy get a bloody nose at the family reunion? And what is the sad story behind their mother's wooden stool? Read about these, and twenty-two other exciting stories.  The Miller family books are dog-eared favorites in our family!  I wish CBD carried more of them! The Cabin Faced West Jean Fritz  For Ann Hamilton, life out west was anything but adventurous. In fact, she had never been lonelier. She longed for the ease and comfort of the days with friends back in Gettysburg-until a stranger rode into Hamilton Hill and changed her life forever.  One of my favorites from early American history at the time of George Washington. Caddie Woodlawn Carol Ryrie Brink A true "adventurer" at heart, pioneer girl Caddie would rather hunt and plow than sew and bake. She's not afraid of anything . . . and she'll take any dare her brothers can dish out! Based on the memories of Brink's grandmother, this Newbery Medal-winning classic has charmed readers for over 50 years.  The Courage of Sarah Noble Alice Dalgliesh In 1707, young Sarah Noble and her father traveled through the wilderness to build a new home for their family. "Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble," her mother had said, but Sarah found that it was not always easy to feel brave inside. The dark woods were full of animals and Indians, too, and Sarah was only eight! The true story of Sarah's journey is inspiring. And as she cares for her father and befriends her Indian neighbors, she learns that to be afraid and to be brave is the greatest courage of all. Recommended for ages 7 to 10. A 1955 Newbery Honor book.  Oh, how many favorites can I have!  I love this book! My First Little House Series Pack, 12 Volumes Laura Ingalls Wilder  Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers. Now for the first time, the youngest readers can share her adventures in these very special picture books adapted from Wilder's story books. The pictures and text bring Laura and her family to life.Recommended for ages 3 to 8. Hinds' Feet on High Places: Illustrated and Arranged for Children Hannah Hurnard, edited by Diane Layton / Destiny Image Now your 5- to 10-year-olds can enjoy Hurnard's devotional classic! Your kids will travel with Much Afraid and the Chief Shepherd to the High Places, where "perfect love casts out fear." End-of-chapter quiet-time thoughts, Scripture readings, and prayers teach your kids how to follow the Good Shepherd. 128 pages, delightfully illustrated softcover from Destiny Image. Bible Related Resources Bible Story Coloring Pages  Gospel Light Keep small hands busy and young hearts in the Bible with this big book of artwork. Includes 246 perforated reproducible pages with Scripture stories and companion coloring pictures---from Genesis to Revelation. From Gospel Light.  We use this book for early reading practice, as well as coloring fun.  I don't know what I'd do without this book!  It also makes a wonderful resource for Sunday School teachers. The Early Reader's Bible V. Gilbert Beers / Zonderkidz Teach your kids to read and love God's Word with their very own "I can read it myself" Bible! They'll love the feeling of accomplishment they get from reading the Bible themselves. Completely revised, the Early Readers Bible features 64 stories that use a 450-word vocabulary list developed from public school reading materials. Each chapter closes with questions and activities that parents and kids can share together. Also, colorful illustrations and real-life applications increase a child's understanding of God's Word. Recommended for ages 4 to 8.  Some of our children learned to read with this book! The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name Sally Lloyd-Jones  The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the story beneath all the stories in the Bible. At the center of the story is a baby, the child upon whom everything will depend. Every story whispers his name. From Noah to Moses to the great King David--every story points to him. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle--the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, as the story unfolds, children will pick up the clues and piece together the puzzle. A Bible like no other, this book invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures, to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation--and at the center of their story too. Recommended for ages 4 to 8.  This is not an early reader, but very poetic and thought-provoking.  The illustrations are pretty funky. NIrV Kids' Study Bible Revised, hardcover By Zonderkidz A Bible that can handle your kids' hard questions---in their language!Complete NIrV text---ideal for ages 6 to 10 * Over 500 illustrated questions and answers * Eye-catching cartoons * Dictionary * Book introductions * Size: 5.5" x 8.5" x 1.5" * 1600 pages, hardcover from Zonderkidz  Hide 'Em in Your Heart, Volume 1, CD and DVD Steve Green  Little ones learn God's Word easily by singing and seeing its relevance applied to their life! Includes "Do to Others" (Matthew 7:12); "And Jesus Grew" (Luke 2:52); "Believe in the Lord!" (Acts 16:31); "When a Child" (Proverbs 20:11); and more.  I bought this as a tape when my older children were very young, and can still remember so many of the songs! Hide 'Em in Your Heart, Volume 2--CD and DVD  Steve Green  Singing is believing! Help your little ones learn God's Word---and apply it to their lives---with this encouraging CD/DVD collection. Includes "A Joyful Heart" (Proverbs 17:22); "G-O-D Is L-O-V-E" (1 John 4:16); "Do Not Worry" (Matthew 6:25); and 18 more! Wee Sing Bible Songs--Book and CD Pack Pamela Conn Beall  Bible heroes, teachings, parables, praises, and prayers are all contained in this collection of Bible songs. Enjoy over an hour of musical entertainment on one CD. Children will grow in their faith as they sing these songs for years to come! This set includes a 64-page illustrated book with complete lyrics, and 63 inspirational songs and Bible verses. You'll find favorites like: "Jesus Loves Me," "Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam," "This Little Light of Mine," "The B-I-B-L-E," "Father Abraham," "He's God the Whole World," "I'm in the Lord's Army," "Rejoice in the Lord Always," and many more! Recommended for ages 5 to 10.   This is how we learned the names of the books of the Bible! The Praise Baby Collection: Praises and Smiles, DVD  Provident Music Distribution Nurture your baby's spirit and mind with this combination of music and pictures. Multitrack option lets you choose between female, child, or instrumental lead. Includes "Open the Eyes of My Heart"; "God Is Love"; "Holy, Holy, Holy"; and "Shine, Jesus, Shine." This video will actively stimulates early learning in the areas of tactile, cognitive, social, emotional, and most importantly spiritual development of your baby. Approx. 30 minutes.  My grandson enjoys this one now! The Parable of the Lily, 10th Anniversary Edition Liz Curtis Higgs  When Maggie, the farmer's daughter, receives a mysterious gift, she's disappointed to find it's only some dirt and a lifeless bulb. But after tossing it out, she discovers that what was dead has come to life as a beautiful Easter lily! Kids will cherish the 10th anniversary edition of Higgs's beloved story of love, giving, and forgiving. Recommended for ages 3 to 7. The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt Featuring the wonderful illustrations of Tim Jonke, this best-selling children's book tells the Easter story from a new and unusual point of view. Three trees on a mountain dream of what they wanted to become when they grew up. One wants to be a treasure chest, another an ocean-going boat, and the third a signpost to God. Their wishes come true in a way they never expected. Children will be deeply touched as they understand, perhaps for the first time, the significance of Christ's life and his atoning sacrifice on the cross. Recommended for ages 4 and up.  2:52 Soul Gear™: Bible Heroes and Bad Guys Rick Osborne / Zonderkidz Twenty-nine key biblical heroes--and bad guys--shown in the midst of action-packed scenarios teach boys how they can grow smarter, stronger, deeper, and cooler just like Jesus did in Luke 2:52. Humorous illustrations showing lots of muscles and cool equipment draw attention to interesting features and significant characteristics of real men and women who lived in biblical times. As part of the new 2:52 Soul Gear series for boys, this book uses exciting, energy-filled stories to help boys develop into young men of God. Recommended for ages 8 to 12. Hinds' Feet on High Places: Illustrated and Arranged for Children Hannah Hurnard, edited by Diane Layton / Destiny Image Now your 5- to 10-year-olds can enjoy Hurnard's devotional classic! Your kids will travel with Much Afraid and the Chief Shepherd to the High Places, where "perfect love casts out fear." End-of-chapter quiet-time thoughts, Scripture readings, and prayers teach your kids how to follow the Good Shepherd. 128 pages, delightfully illustrated softcover from Destiny Image Books by Patricia St. John Treasures of the Snow When Annette gets Lucien in trouble at school, he threatens her little brother, Dani. But tragedy strikes and Dani is crippled. Annette is so filled with rage that she sets out to hurt Lucien at every turn. Will their quarrel ever end? A classic read-aloud story about repentance and forgiveness. Ages 5 to 8. 228 pages, softcover from Moody. One of my favorites! Star of Light Hamid does not want his little blind sister, Kinza, to be sold to a beggar, by their stepfather, so he decides to rescue her. Together they escape from their mountain village to a town where there may be a new home for Kinza. But this is only the start of their adventures. Will Kinza be safe? What will happen to Hamid who dares not go back home?  Good for missions in North Africa -- set in Morocco! Rainbow Garden   When Elaine leaves her home in London to stay with the Owen family in Wales, she feels miserable and left out. It's only the little secret garden that she finds at the end of the rainbow that makes staying there seem worthwhile. And then something happens that changes her contentment.  Another lovely book! The Tanglewoods' Secret In a struggle to learn to overcome her fiery temper and selfish spirit, Ruth is led to the discovery of a very important Shepherd who can and does teach her how to be good. The story contains beautiful and uplifting examples of what can happen when we let ourselves be found by Him. Anthologies Favorite Poems, Old and New by Random House, Inc Dig into the riches of the very best of children's poetry---from William Shakespeare to Lewis Carroll to A.A. Milne. This treasury of 700 all-time favorite children's poems is a classic kids of all ages will turn to again and again. Discover time-honored favorites like "Casey at the Bat" and "The Wreck of the Hesperus"! Delightfully illustrated by Caldecott Award-winning artist Leonard Weisgard. 598 pages, hardcover from Doubleday. The Book of Virtues  William J. Bennett Bennett, former Secretary of Education, shows your whole family how to learn more about biblical principles from many genres of literature. Stories from the Bible, American history, poems, fables, Greek myths, philosophy, fiction, and fairy tales are all used to illustrate the virtues of self-discipline, compassion, responsibility, courage, and faith. 830 pages, hardcover from Simon & Schuster. The Children's Book of Virtues William J. Bennett Now your 4- to 8-year-olds can have their very own Book of Virtues! Featuring excerpts from Bennett's bestseller specially chosen for younger children, this beautifully illustrated treasury includes inspiring lessons in self-discipline, compassion, honesty, loyalty, and faith. 112 pages, hardcover from Simon & Schuster. Everyday Graces: A Child's Book of Good Manners  Edited by Karen Santorum This book of manners is filled with delightful quotes, two-color illustrations and general niceties. Designed to teach children the benefits of good manners through storytelling and example, you'll cherish the homey atmosphere of Everyday Graces, and the effects it will have on your children. Fabric bound hardcover with gold embossed binding. Typing Typing Instructor Platinum on CD-ROM Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced typist, this award-winning resource will help you improve your speed and accuracy! With more than 300 lesson plans, 30 challenging family-friendly games, and instant test results to track your progress, you'll stay motivated to accomplish your goals. Learn in English or Spanish! Ages 8 and up. My kids have loved this one! Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Version 20 for Schools CD-ROMs by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Help your students type better, e-mail faster, and work smarter!"Personal typing coach" Mavis Beacon provides dynamic one-on-one keyboarding intruction * 16 skill-building games develop speed, accuracy, rhythm, and endurance * Teacher's Resource CD-ROM * Extensive tracking and progress-report tools * English or Spanish instruction * Customizable for various skill levels  Handwriting We have loved using the Italic Handwriting workbooks.  In fact, I decided to learn this italic style myself when Mary was in Kindergarten in the early 1990's!  My handwriting has certainly improved! Italic Handwriting: Book A Barbara Getty  Unique, neat and elegant, more and more students are switching to learning Italic! Italic Handwriting: Book A teaches the twenty-six lowercase and the twenty-six capital letters, teaching one letter per page. Tracing models, writing exercises, and related drawing activities are included on each page. This book is designed for the beginning student of handwriting, Preschool through First Grade. The Italic Instruction Manual is intended for use with this series,and contains explanations; in-depth descriptions of the letters and how to write them; a rationale for italic handwriting; techniques for teaching and assessment; sequence of skills; activities and more.  Italic Handwriting: Book B  by Barbara Getty / Portland State University Italic is a modern handwriting system based on enduring letterforms that are highly suited to rapid and legible writing. Italic conforms to natural, rhythmic hand movements. Italic builds on previously learned concepts and the letter shapes remain the same from basic to cursive, eliminating the abrupt leap from "ball and stick" to looped cursive. Self-assessment is an integral part of the program. Italic Handwriting: Book C by Barbara Getty / Portland State University This is the third workbook of a seven-part series. Covers basic italic and introduces cursive. Words and sentences include days of week, months of year, modes of transportation, and tongue of twisters. Italic Handwriting: Book D  by Barbara Getty / Portland State University This is the fourth workbook of a seven-part series reviewing basic italic and covering the total cursive program. Includes prefixes, suffixes, capitalization, and playful poems. Explores the history of the alphabet in an illustrated way. Italic Handwriting: Book E by Barbara Getty / Portland State University This is the fifth workbook of a seven-part series. Reviews basic italic and covers the total cursive program. Writing practice covers natural history- plants, volcanoes, cities. Explores the history of the alphabet. Italic Handwriting: Book F by Barbara Getty / Portland State University This is the sixth of seven books in the "Italic Handwriting Series" and is recommended for fifth grade. This book is designed to provide further practice with cursive capitals and lowercase joins. For the student new to italic handwriting, this book provides an introduction to basic italic lowercase and capitals and an overview of the cursive joins. Italic Handwriting: Book G by Barbara Getty / Portland State University A comprehensive self-instruction program in basic and cursive italic, the writing content follows a central theme: the history of our alphabet. It is suitable for older students and is illustrated in black and white. Italic Handwriting: The Instruction Manual by Barbara Getty / Portland State University This resource is to be used in conjunction with the workbooks A-F of the Italic Handwriting Series. Includes teaching and assessment strategies, creative student activities, and adaptations to special needs.   A Reason for Handwriting Workbooks by Concerned Group feature Bible verses for the student to practice, and then copy and decorate on a border sheet each week.  Border sheets are outlined with wonderful black-line drawings and graphics that students can color to decorate their handwritten verse. They are wonderful "treats" for grandparents or shut-ins, aunts and uncles or friends to receive in the mail. Your young student will have an opportunity to spread the gospel and send a smile to someone they love.   Verses are chosen not only for the correct letter combinations, but also for inspirational content.   We have used these workbooks in co-op classes, and appreciate the handwriting approach and the Christian emphasis.  A Reason For Handwriting: Kindergarten--Student Worktext by Carol Ann Retzer Great for pre-school and kindergarten! Students begin by tracing dotted lines (paths) that lead a fun character from left to right across the page. After a suggested activity of blowing bubbles, students are given a beginning lesson in forming round letters by tracing the dotted lines of bubbles on a work sheet page. They learn to start on the starting dot and move their pencil counter-clockwise around the circle.  Additional practice and activity pages for each letter are then included to help students practice what they have learned. Since students are only beginning to learn to form letters, this is the only grade level where entire Scriptures are not written for each lesson. The focus of this 142-page text is proper formation of letters and beginning sounds. A Reason For Handwriting: Manuscript A--Student Worktext, Grade 1  by Carol Ann Retzer The pages of this fun workbook feature manuscript handwriting based on verses from Psalms and Proverbs. The course begins with a review of the letter formations learned in Kindergarten and introduces students to the Golden Rule Club and their treehouse. The treehouse is transposed onto the beginning of each line of the manuscript ruled pages and is used as a guide for students to learn the proper sizing and spacing of letters.  After the introductory review lessons are complete, students begin a schedule of lessons that include daily writing practice of selected words in the "Scripture of the week." On Day 4 the student writes the complete verse and then on Day 5 they copy it onto a border sheet from the back of the workbook. A Reason For Handwriting: Manuscript B--Student Worktext, Grade 2 by Carol Ann Retzer A Reason For Handwriting: Transition--Student Worktext, Grades 2-3 by Carol Ann Retzer A Reason For Handwriting: Cursive C--Student Worktext, Grade 3  by Carol Ann Retzer A Reason For Handwriting: Cursive D--Student Worktext, Grade 4 by Carol Ann Retzer & Eva Hoshino A Reason For Handwriting: Cursive E--Student Worktext, Grade 5 by Carol Ann Retzer A Reason For Handwriting: Cursive F--Student Worktext, Grade 6 by Carol Ann Retzer & Eva Hoshino A Reason for Handwriting: A Homeschool Guidebook for All Ages (revised) by Concerned Group This detailed teacher guidebook provides 96 pages of daily lesson plans, specific teaching tips and techniques, remedial and advanced strategies, letter formation charts, vocabulary lists, pre-writing readiness activities, handwriting skills index and more. The same teacher book is used for the entire series from kindergarten through sixth grade.