We recently had the opportunity to further our reading, writing and spelling lessons with Logic of English and their Foundations Level C program. This has been a fun addition to our homeschool day.
We have been using both whole word and phonics over the 2 years to work on reading with my son. After having the opportunity to review the Foundations A program from Logic of English last year, I was excited to be able to continue our studies with the Foundations Level C program. We had forgotten how much fun we had with the program, the learning games, and the blends. After drifting away from Logic of English over the last year, I can say, after reviewing Foundations Level C program this time, I see how much more quickly my son picks up the reading by using this program and I look forward to continuing to use it.
What is Logic of English and their Philosophy
Logic of English takes a unique approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling all in one curriculum. Using multi-sensory activities, which works with many learning styles, Logic of English states that 98% of all English words can be understood and learned by a student if they simply learn 74 basic phonograms and 30 spelling rules.
With their beginning Foundations program, written for ages 4-7, they take this fact and make it fun for the student to learn these basic phonograms and spelling rules. Teaching the single letters A-Z, the Foundations Level A program teaches reading and writing of single-syllable, short vowel words. The student moves through the Foundations levels as they complete each workbook. Foundations is available in levels A-F. Logic of English has additional programs such as Essentials, which is a full reading, writing and spelling program for 8 years old and up, to be completed in 1 year. There is only one level of Essentials. Logic of English also offers a full handwriting program called The Rhythm of Handwriting, which is offered in both manuscript and cursive. (You can read my review of Foundations A here and Essentials here.)
What We Thought of Foundations C
The Foundations Level C program from Logic of English is their 3rd book in their Foundations program. Again, integrating reading, writing and spelling, the multi-sensory activities make the learning fun. We received the Foundations Level C Teachers Manual and Student Workbook for our review. We already had the Basic Phonogram Flash Cards, Red and Blue Phonogram Game Cards and Student Whiteboard so we were able to jump right back into the program.
We did this 3 days a week with our son. Working on a 1st grade level at this time, Foundations Level C begins at lesson 81 in their Foundations lessons. I liked that it starts with the next lesson number and doesn’t start over, that way you can keep track easily with no confusion in the worksheet, especially if they are removed from the workbook. The pages are perforated for easy removal if you like to remove them to a completed folder or remove them to work on them more easily. This would also be helpful if you needed to put together an end-of-the-year portfolio.
My son enjoyed most of the workbook exercise and especially the Bingo game. That was his favorite. My older daughter even played with him and enjoyed the game, even though it was very much below her level. It was fun to play with more than one players.
I taught directly from the Teacher’s Manual with very little preparation. The Teacher’s Manual is written to show you exactly what to say to your student when teaching – in conversation form. I think this would be very helpful to many people starting out teaching their kids to read. The Teacher’s Manual is the same whether you have the manuscript or cursive program. This is nice, especially if you decide to switch handwriting programs at any time.
At first blush, the lessons seem a little long and daunting; however, after you have done them a couple of times, they don’t take a lot of time but are very thorough. The spelling integration in each lesson is good and appropriate. Lesson 81 started with a review of compound words, which my son thought were very fun. The Foundations C Program starts with compound words and the phonograms ir/ur and then moves through some more complex spelling rules. The Foundations Level C program covers lessons 81 through 120. Spelling words in Lesson 81 include words like girl and bird. Spelling words in Lesson 120 includes words like special and chicken, to give you an idea of the progression of spelling lessons.
The Lessons
Cutting Out Vocabulary Words
Each lesson is broken up into the following sections (typically): Phonograms, Phonogram Practice, Spelling Rule, Phonemic Awareness, Vocabulary, Spelling, Comprehension and Writing. The Objectives of the lesson are clearly defined at the beginning of the lesson as well as listing the materials that are needed for the lesson.
The Phonograms section works on the phonograms being studied and/or reviewed. The margin of the Teacher’s Manual tells the teachers which phonogram cards will be needed and gives a step by step what to write on the whiteboard, what to say and what the answers to the questions should be. There is usually a “Multi-sensory Fun” exercise provided for extra fun for the lesson.
The Phonogram Practice section is where games are played to go along with the review of phonograms studied and add new phonograms learned. Games like Bingo, Tic Tac Toe, and various card games are used. Sometimes a Challenge will be provided that the teacher can determine whether it would be appropriate to present to the student to further challenge their understanding of the phonogram. If the game requires a board or special items, it is provided in the Student Workbook and may require some preparation.
The Vocabulary is practiced in various ways and is usually in the form of a worksheet in the Student Workbook. The Spelling section has a list of 3 to 5 spelling words and gives ideas on how to practice them and sound them out. Providing the markings, spelling hints and a sentence using the word.
Gluing his Compound Words
The Fluency and Comprehension section refers to readers that are available for purchase separate in print or download through the company. Logic of English also suggests Bob Books as a supplemental resource. We had these on hand as well. These readers are great and my son enjoyed them. The readers correspond with both Foundations Level C and Level D.
The Writing exercises, at this stage, are focused on copywork and some dictation. There are some writing exercise that utilize the workbook.
Throughout the lessons are Challenges, Teacher Tips, and Multi-Sensory Fun and Reading, Spelling and Vocabulary explanations. These bubbles of information are in the margins and are good to consider within each chapter. If you there are supplies needed for that portion of the lesson, these are also called out in the margin bubbles. The last few pages of Foundations Level C has an assessment for each section (phonogram assessment, spelling assessment, handwriting assessment (copywork), Reading Assessment and Practice Ideas. A Scope & Sequence is provided on the 1st couple pages of the Teacher’s Manual.
If Common Core is your thing, the Logic of English programs provide a Common Core Standards match up in the front of their Teacher’s Manual.
BINGO!!!!
What We Thought
Overall, we really like this program. It is put together well, very thorough, and a complete curriculum for all language arts, which is nice to not need a separate phonics, reading, handwriting, comprehension and spelling program. Some programs don’t do spelling at this stage but I like that the spelling words are available and they were manageable – 3 primary spelling words and 2 bonus words. Very good amount at this stage of learning.
I like that the Teacher’s Manual is scripted and that there are suggestions for challenges and games. The lessons are not long and easy to complete with a lot of variety. We have really enjoyed learning with the Logic of English Foundations Level C and I look forward to completing these lessons and moving on to Foundations Level D.
Check out Logic of English on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest. And be sure to see what the rest of the TOS Review Crew has to say about Logic of English and their Essentials 2nd Edition Program, and Foundations Level A, Foundations Level B, Foundations Level C and Foundations Level D programs.
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