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7 Best Budget-Friendly Homeschool Language Arts Curriculum

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 7 best budget-friendly homeschool language arts ideas to pair with your unit studies.

Through the years, I’ve given the same long-standing advice. Spend first what money you have budgeted for curriculum on the core subjects. They are essential to a well-rounded education.

7 Best Budget-Friendly Homeschool Language Arts Curriculum

This is a sponsored post for Homeschool Buyers Co-op and I was paid for my time. However, paid for my time does not mean paid off. All opinions are my own and for sure I will always tell you what is on my mind. Read my full disclosure here.

And its reading in the younger grades and literature in the older grades. Too, grammar and writing are vital pieces of a homeschool language arts program.

And it can become expensive quickly when you’re implementing the unit study approach using an all-in-one language arts program.

So, I was excited to share some budget-friendly homeschool language arts curriculum options.

Breaking down the language arts components worked best for me because like most kids, they are ahead in one subject and may need more time on another.

Mapping Out the Components of Language Arts

Picking and choosing the individual parts of a homeschool language arts program gives you a customized curriculum.

It’s a better match for your child’s learning style and a better value when you have a limited dollar amount to get exactly what you need.

►VOCABULARY

For vocabulary, I always try to pull words from what we’re reading about in our unit studies. Reading words in that context and using them in everyday speech is the best way to master them.

But I used the printed version of Wordly Wise 3000 with Mr. Senior to be sure I exposed him to word study as a way to enhance our unit studies. Kids can master more words than we think they can, and to cripple their vocabulary with limited vocabulary instruction can be detrimental.

Lessons don’t have to be long, but they should be comprehensive. Using Wordly Wise 3000, I can expand lessons or cut back according to each son’s need.

    1. WORDLY WISE

    Although I know Wordly Wise 3000 touts that the audio feature is great for struggling readers, I think it’s great for independent learners. I don’t have to supervise my sons to see if they are correctly pronouncing a word.

    I know you’ll love it if you’re looking for an interactive vocabulary program that is not boring.

    2. LITERATURE ADVENTURES FOR KIDS

    Then, literature adventures for kids is my VERY favorite stand-alone self-paced online language arts program. Pair a great book with your unit study.

    Are you a busy, sweet, overwhelmed homeschooler craving a consistent, dependable language arts curriculum that adds a little enchantment to your homeschool? We help homeschoolers just like you reclaim their time and reduce stress with our open-and-go courses that turn every lesson into an adventure

    ►READING OR LITERATURE

    When I started making my own unit studies, I would get a gallon size ziploc bag and put the book and literature guide together in one bag.

    3. PROGENY PRESS LITERATURE GUIDES

    Then, I would mark the reading level on the bag and organize them for the year, and I started off using printed versions of Progeny Press Literature Guides.

    7 Best Budget-Friendly Homeschool Language Arts Curriculum

    Too, I would even unfasten the literature guide so I could add just the pages that my boys needed to do for that year.

    HOMESCHOOL LANGUAGE ARTS

    I printed what I needed that year with one son, and printed a different page or pages needed for another year.

    Now, the guides are interactive which means you don’t have to print; a child can type his answers directly into the document. That is a nifty time-saving tip for a high school teen with a rigorous academic load or a reluctant writer. But sometimes we like to hold our paper in hand so we print. And I still like pairing specific lessons on pages to themes in my unit studies.

    Look at a few things they offer:

    • FOUR LEVELS – Lower Elementary for Grades K-4, Upper Elementary for Grades 3-5, Middle School for Grades 5-8, and High School for Grades 9-12
    • 100+ TITLE CHOICES – We’ve put together SIX different 5-pack bundle choices for you! YOU CHOOSE your wish list from OVER 100 TITLE CHOICES! Choose from excellent reading titles such as Beowulf (*NEW*), The Eagle of the Ninth (*NEW*), Charlotte’s Web, Anne of Green Gables, The Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Secret Garden, The Hobbit, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Pride and Prejudice, The Screwtape Letters, To Kill A Mockingbird, and MANY, MANY MORE!

    ►GRAMMAR

    Grammar is a tool to best apply while writing so I’ve always kept it a separate subject. But grammar is also just the rules of any language. Teaching rules shouldn’t be complicated. Short lessons are best, which is why Analytical Grammar works.

    4. ANALYTICAL GRAMMAR

    In my beginning years, I used a grammar program which combined complex writing assignments with grammar.

    After homeschooling another 5 years, I realized that a grammar program should focus only on explaining grammar rules without time-consuming composition assignments as the only way to learn them.

    Yes, writing assignments are a great way to illustrate grammar rules, but shorter is better.

    Besides, I needed a grammar curriculum which would give me the flexibility to pull writing themes from topics that piqued my boys’ interest in our current unit study. More important, I wanted a program that helped us to use words in a way that conformed to the rules of grammar. I wished I would have used Analytical Grammar, for grades 4-12 earlier, but I’m glad I hopped on board when I did.

    ►WRITING OR COMPOSITION

    Next, identifying a writing program which was engaging for my sons and took them incrementally through the writing process was not easy. Institute for Excellence in Writing, for grades K-12 was our answer.

    Melding Homeschool Language Arts and Unit Studies

    It was a huge load of stress off after separating grammar and composition when I started using Institute for Excellence in Writing, grades K-12.

    7 Best Budget-Friendly Homeschool Language Arts Curriculum

    As you can see in the picture above, the boys were working on our FBI unit study. Dad was helping the boys make a crystal radio after they wrote about it.

    However, their essay followed the writing model learned in Institute for Excellence in Writing or (IEW). IEW makes it easy to choose your own topics to write about or they have writing topics for your children to choose.

    What I liked the most is that although grammar and writing are inextricably linked, it’s important to not overwhelm beginner writers.

    5. INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRITING (IEW)

    The veteran teaching tip is to make one skill or the other the focus at different times. IEW explained grammar while keeping the focus on writing and modeling to my sons how to compose their ideas.

    7 Best Budget-Friendly Homeschool Language Arts Curriculum

    Here is how IEW works: It takes a unique approach provides the structure that students need to develop confidence in the writing process, while gradually guiding them toward greater independence and creativity.

    They will learn nine structural models (note taking, writing paragraphs, stories, simple reports, writing from pictures, research reports, creative writing, essays, and critiques) to help them organize any type of composition.

    ►READING OR LITERATURE

    Then, buying living history literature guides gives me a two for one deal.

    Not only do I use living literature in my unit studies as a topic or theme, but it counts as the reading or literature aspect of the three Rs. Buying living history literature helps me to keep homeschooling affordable.

    6. BEAUTIFUL FEET BOOKS (HISTORY & LITERATURE)

    With living history literature by Beautiful Feet Books.

    Remember, since this is living literature, the vocabulary is not simplified, and it may be harder for some kids.

    Though I school for Biblical reasons, I don’t think you have to teach about it in every book.

    I do try to choose living history books which have a good story line, are intriguing, have a challenging reading level, include details about the time period, and can be easily implemented in a unit study which builds character without feeling preachy.

    It’s a lot to ask for in a book. I’m selective, but I love starting with Beautiful Feet Books.

    ►REVIEW AND ENRICHMENT

    Then I hear about the fear of gaps when doing unit studies. Having a way to fill in gaps or shore up weaknesses is a great feature of IXL Language Arts Practice, which is for grades K-12.

    You probably heard of their math, but their language arts is equally practical.

    7. IXL LANGUAGE ARTS PRACTICE

    Look at what they offer: IXL makes the world of words come alive with fun visuals and interactive questions. Build great writers through playful skills that pique students’ curiosity about language!  

    Then this next deal, which is Discovery Education, for grades K-12 is the one I’m about to pull the trigger on because we love media with our unit studies.

    8. DISCOVERY EDUCATION

    But did you know it’s so much more? It covers every content area.

    Look at what you get:

    It’s easy to see why homeschoolers rave about Discovery Education Streaming Plus and probably the most extensive and feature-rich educational video streaming service in the world.

    But it’s not just a collection of videos that you can watch from beginning to end. This library has been organized into useable video clips, organized and categorized, close-captioned, and supplemented with lesson plans, teaching guides, interactive simulations, images, audio resources, and other resources and materials that you can incorporate into virtually every aspect of your homeschool curriculum.

    What a comprehensive way to enrich a unit study with so many features like audio books, self-paced training, images, games and the ability to customize lessons at your fingertips.

    When you’ve chosen curriculum which gives your child a solid foundation in language arts and covers the significant areas, you can spend more time planning the fun part of unit studies.

    MORE HOMESCHOOL LANGUAGE ARTS RESOURCES

    How to Buy It

    Products:

     ►Grammar: Analytical Grammar for grades 4-12.

    ► Self-Paced Language Arts for all grades: Literature Adventures for Kids

    ►Literature Guides: Progeny Press Literature Guides, pdf format, grades K-12

    ►    Vocabulary: Wordly Wise 3000

    ►Composition or Writing: Institute for Excellence in Writing, grades K-12

    ►    Review and Enrichment:

    Video Streaming: Discovery Education grades K-12

    Language Arts Review: IXL Language Arts Practice, grades K-12

    ►Reading or Literature:

    Living History Literature: Living History literature by Beautiful Feet Books

    Also, look at these other homeschool articles to help you.

    5 Best Resources to Start a Homeschool Unit Study in a Few Hours, 24 Borderline Genius Ways To Relieve Language Arts Boredom and Unfolding of a Homeschool Unit Study – An Easy Mnemonic { I-SIP}.

    Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for AWESOME pins.

    Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


    Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

    What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

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    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    Knowing what are the top 5 homeschool styles is key to narrowing the overwhelm in choosing curriculum. Then matching homeschool styles with learning styles is a seasoned veteran tip. You’ll love the tips on the Homeschool Learning Styles page.

    Learning a few features of each homeschool style and how to pair it with curriculum saves you money.

    I will not only explain styles of homeschooling, but help you to identify which is best for your family.

    What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

    In addition, what is most important for your children to learn and how they learn it will affect your choice of homeschool style.

    And terms like homeschool approach and teaching style are used to talk about homeschooling style. This may or may not be clear.

    What is the Definition of Homeschool Styles

    So, what is a homeschool style?

    Simply put, a homeschool style is an educational approach. An approach is a method to how you teach which is also called your teaching style. It includes your goals and your values. An approach is how you will implement what you want your children to learn. Using curriculum as a tool helps you meet your homeschool style. There are 5 top or major homeschool styles or approaches.

    There are no right or wrong, better or worse, or smarter or dumber approaches. I’ve seen success stories and failures with each approach. Part of deciding a homeschool approach is to determine what are your family’s priorities and what is your teaching style.

    10 Questions to Ask About Your Teaching Style

    Look at these questions to help you identify your homeschool style.

    1. Do you want a consistent schedule or a framework of what to teach?
    2. Is testing a necessary part of your curriculum or do you want your child to demonstrate learning through hands-on and conversations with you?
    3. Will memorization and notetaking be essential parts of your teaching? And will learning be done according to the age of the child or his maturity?
    4. How important is studying nature, being outdoors, and studying art?
    5. Should subjects be learned in isolation or tied together as a unifying theme?
    6. Are you going to follow your child’s lead in everything they want to learn, give them day to day guidance, or use both features?
    7. Does your choices for reading including, textbooks, novels, biographies, classics, or all of them? And how much emphasis will be put on learning about the past?
    8. Which subjects are most important to you to cover?
    9. Where should learning take place?
    10. What emphasis will you place on family learning projects versus one-to-one time with each of your children?

    From your general answers above, pair your answers or goals with homeschooling styles or homeschool approaches.

    Although these are not all the homeschool styles, these are the popular ones you want to know about right away.

    Homeschool Styles

    Here are the top five homeschool styles in no particular order of popularity.

    1. Unit Study
    2. Classical
    3. Textbook/workbook
    4. Charlotte Mason
    5. Unschooling

    Next, look at some of the features of each homeschool approach and a few examples of curriculum which follow that approach.

    As you mull over the differences, look for one or two which fit your idea of how to teach your children.

    Features of Homeschool Teaching Styles

    First, look at the Unit Study Approach. I didn’t start with a unit study approach, but this is the one I switched to after a few years into my journey.

    Unit Study Approach

    The Unit Study approach is a method where you teach all your children together on one topic covering as many of the basic subjects as possible. Hands-on application and projects are a huge part of learning with this homeschool style.

    For example, take the topic the Amazon Rain Forest and since it’s a science heavy topic, tie in a history slant like I did about Theodore Roosevelt on my Amazon rain forest unit study.

    Too, art by Henri Rousseau was my slant on art. There are endless ways to tie in bodies of knowledge and you learn how to tie them in naturally.

    Considerations

    • Some subjects don’t fit naturally into some of the topics which interests your children.
    • It can take a while to know how to lesson plan for multiple ages.
    • There aren’t as many curriculum providers for this approach as there are for others.

    Curriculum Options

    Classical Approach

    Another popular approach is the Classical approach.

    I loved it because of its emphasis on history and classical books. The Classical approach follows the trivium method. Learning is divided into stages according to the ages of the child.

    Besides emphasis on history like Ancient Greece, books are chosen based on the great minds of the past.

    Considerations

    • Because the emphasis is on heavy language arts, some educators feel the subjects are not balanced.
    • Not all families want heavy emphasis on learning about the past.
    • Learning Latin is emphasized.

    Curriculum

    Textbook/Workbook (School At Home) Approach

    Next, the Workbook/Textbook approach is one most familiar to us because it’s the same one used in public schools.

    And a term all-in-one homeschool curriculum means curriculum which has lesson plans laid out with scripted teacher’s manuals and tests. Look at my posts 21 Fun All-In-One Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum and Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed).

    Considerations

    • Laid out lesson plans may feel comfortable to new homeschoolers.
    • If your child struggles in public school this may not be a good fit for you.
    • If you need accountability in a state which keeps records, this may make it easier.

    Curriculum

    • Major companies like Abeka, Bob Jones, and Calvert follow this approach.
    • Easy Peasy All in One is a free online laid out curriculum.

    Charlotte Mason Approach

    Further, Charlotte Mason approach is another one that is popular. With emphasis on nature and art, the approach to language arts is gentle. Gentle does not mean rigorous, but it’s more relaxed in the early years unlike the Classical approach.

    Charlotte Mason was a popular British educator who influenced the homeschool world through her lifetime of teaching.

    Consideration

    • Known for the use of living books which are opposite textbooks, her approach is popular because of the beautiful literature it uses.
    • Some curriculum providers do not provide as much structure as others.
    • Too, the gentle approach to language arts does not appeal to all.
    • And emphasis on fine arts may not be your goal.

    Curriculum

    Unschooling Approach

    Moreover, the Unschooling approach is another popular approach although it has not always been that way. The Unschooling approach seemed to get a bad rap in the early days of homeschooling and still does because some feel it lacks structure.

    However, unschooling proponents vary from little structure to none in their day. In the basic definition, it means to follow the leads of the child. Trusting the natural learning process, proponents tout that a child will learn all he or she needs to if we create a learning rich environment.

    Considerations

    • Because this learning process is child-led there is concern that some kids won’t be introduced to subjects that may seem unappealing to the child.
    • Additionally, since it’s child-led learning there is no laid out curriculum. Curriculum is chosen based on the child’s likes.

    Curriculum

    How to Identify the BEST Homeschool Style for Your Family

    Lastly, the most important part of learning about an educational approach or teaching style is maintaining the focus on YOUR goals. Through the years I’ve learned it’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing and not think about my family’s needs.

    For example, when I started homeschooling I felt the Classical approach embodied how I wanted my children to learn.

    Quickly, I learned that the Classical approach didn’t meet the needs of my children.

    Above all, when you’re looking at these tips below remember you can change anytime as different needs come up in journey.

    6 Ways to Identify the BEST Homeschool Style For You

    • Do not think you have to limit yourself to ONE homeschool style. The most successful homeschoolers mix and match homeschool approaches. For that reason, you’ll notice curriculum which hails to two or even three approaches.
    • Know that you do not have to stick with one or a combination of two teaching styles for your whole journey. In other words, do not buy curriculum too far ahead. You may change your mind, or the needs of your children will change.
    • Ask curriculum provider questions about the approach they take in their curriculum if you don’t know it. Most curriculum provider welcome questions, but be aware that a lot are homeschooling families. They need time to return the call or answer your question.
    • In addition, do not think you have to implement every facet of that teaching method.
    • Then, one of the best tips is to also recognize your child’s learning personality. As parents, we tend to teach only to our homeschool style. And although we homeschool to fit our children’s unique needs we tend to forget.

    Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important Too

    Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

    What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

    YOU WILL LEARN:

    • How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
    • How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
    • A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
    • Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
    • Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.
    What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

    In summary, these other tips and posts I have will help you to learn more about homeschool styles.

    MORE HOMESCHOOL LEARNING STYLES TIPS

    20 Fun Home School Education Coloring Books to Pair With Unit Studies

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    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    I have 20 fun home school education coloring books. You’ll also love my bird coloring pages here at Free Bird Journal – Hands-on Nature (Coloring & Identification Pages).

    Did you know that August 2nd is National Coloring Book Day? And you can find a plethora of home school education coloring books to add to your studies.

    It sounds like the perfect excuse to add to your collection or start a new one.

    20 Fun Home School Education Coloring Books to Pair With Unit Studies

    With that in mind, I came up with 20 great coloring books that go perfectly along with some of our favorite unit study topics.

    While every activity doesn’t have to be a lesson.

     I do like to squeeze in some kind of learning out of everything even if it is just a refresher or reminder to keep some facts fresh in their heads.

    These coloring books look fun and interesting in and of themselves and are great as just standalone.

    I find coloring wonderful as a stress reliever, when was the last time you joined in on the coloring yourself?

    Consider this a challenge for you to start coloring with the kids.

     Now from preschool through high school and for you here is a big list of great choices to match up with whatever topic you need.

    6 Benefits of Coloring

    Coloring is great for kids, a simple pleasure that has a lot of learning built into it like:

    1. Improving Motor Skills
    2. Stimulating their creativity
    3. Teaching color awareness and recognition.
    4. Improves focus and builds hand-eye coordination.
    5. Reducing stress and anxiety.
    6. Helping to improve handwriting.

    Next, look at some of these other home school education coloring books.

    More Coloring Books

    Also, look at these other home school education coloring books to add to your day.

    20 Fun Home School Education Coloring Books to Pair With Unit Studies

    Finally, look at these 20 fun homeschool education coloring books.

    20 Homeschool Education Coloring Books

    I have 20 great coloring books that go perfectly along with some of our favorite unit study topics.

    25 Summer Homeschool Ideas To Keep The Learning Spark Alive

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    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    Today, I’m sharing summer homeschool ideas to keep the learning spark burning. Also, grab more ideas on my pages The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter and Free Summer Unit Study.

    Even if you school year-round, most of us need a change during summer.

    Whether you’re looking to add a few hands-on ideas, a summer unit study or a fun workbook, you’ll love these ideas.

    25 Summer Homeschool Ideas To Keep The Learning Spark Alive

    Also, summertime is a time to focus on those subjects like art, music, and maybe even science, which we would love to do more of.

    Look at How to Incorporate Subjects into a Fun Homeschool Cooking Unit Study.

    Summer Homeschool Ideas

    As I mentioned summer can be a mix of fun and learning.

    Look at some of these classes we love to do during summer.

    Then I’m not above a few fun workbooks especially when it’s hot outside.

    11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle School

    More Summer Homeschool Learning Activities

    In addition, I have a few more ideas if you’re homeschooling multiple ages.

    Finally, look at these fun summer learning ideas.

    Summer Learning Ideas

    Use one or two of these ideas to add to your summer learning program. Add a few hands-on projects to keep learning fun.

    Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

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    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    I have 100 free unit study resources. Unit studies have a way of taking any topic from drab to fab. Grab more ideas on my best homeschool unit studies pages

    They can bring life to the most seeming lifeless topic.

    Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

    So today in sharing toddler to teen 100 free unit study resources, I hope you find something that inspires you and your kids.

    A good amount of the work has been started for you already with the resources I have listed below. And no, I just couldn’t stop at 100 resources!

    Free Unit Study Resources

    General Information & Unit Study How-Tos

    Free Unit Studies

    A

    B

    C

    Also, look at Beautiful Feet literature for some fun literature, history and geography unit studies.

    Homeschool Unit Studies

    D

    F

    Unit Studies for Multiple Ages

    G

    H

    I

    J

    Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

    K

    L

    100 Unit Studies

    M

    N

    O

    P

    R

    S

    Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

    Free Unit Study Printables

    T

    U

    V

    Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

    W

    Z

    Don’t forget that I have the Ultimate Unit Study Planner. Having an eye for detail and creating many unit studies with multiple levels of kids, I know you’ll love it.

    Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources. I have 100 free unit study resources. Unit studies have a way of taking any topic from drab to fab. Grab more ideas on my best homeschool unit studies pages. They can bring life to the most seeming lifeless topic. So today in sharing toddler to teen 100 free unit study resources, I hope you find something that inspires you and your kids.
    • This is a DIY printable Ultimate Unit Study Planner in COLOR.
    • Undated pages, so it is a 1 Time Purchase
    • You do not pay for “Fluff” pages like calendars found freely on the internet and provided here on my blog. Only unique working forms are part of your comprehensive download.
    • Lesson Pages are divided by lower, middle and higher grades.
    • Learning Objective Forms & Assessment Forms
    • Brainstorming Maps

    Feel inspired to try one or two or . . .?  You’ll be hooked!

    You’ll love these other posts and tips too:

    100 FREE Toddler to Teen Homeschool Unit Studies. Your kids will love these ideas and you’ll find plenty of topics to keep homeschool planning easy. CLICK HERE to grab one or two!
    100 FREE Toddler to Teen Homeschool Unit Studies. Your kids will love these ideas and you’ll find plenty of topics to keep homeschool planning easy. CLICK HERE to grab one or two!
    Ultimate Homeschool Unit Study Planner - Comparing Two Different Lesson Planning Pages @ Tinas Dynamic Homeschool Plus


    This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.

    Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources