Logic of English--Essentials: A Rose Academy Review

Logic of English Essentials 2nd Edition is a complete spelling, reading, and grammar program. It can be used with anyone age 8 and up to teach phonics rules for reading and spelling along with grammar concepts. Here is what I received in my Essentials Semester 1 complete set: 

• Teacher's Guide volume 1
• Student Workbook volume 1 (print or cursive)
• Spelling Journal
• Basic Phonogram Flash Cards
• Advanced Phonogram Flash Cards
• 2 set of Phonogram Game Cards
• Spelling Rule Flash Cards
• Grammar Flash Cards
• Morpheme Cards, Set 1
• Phonogram Game Tiles
• Spelling Analysis Card
• Phonogram and Spelling Rule Quick Reference

In addition to the listed components there is also available as a digital download a student reader. The student reader can either be printed or read on a tablet. The student reader includes a teacher manual and workbook, which reinforces basic composition skills. We also were able to access and use the student reader with each lesson.

The beginning of the teacher manual includes a very thorough overview of the program including instructions on using the guide with step-by-step instructions. There is also a placement test. This was really helpful to me for placing my child in the appropriate level of difficulty. There are 3 levels: A, B, and C with C being the most advanced. We decided to begin with level B. This way we could move quickly through the topics that he had already mastered previously and then spend more time as needed on the more difficult concepts. This would hopefully fill any gaps that he may have in spelling and reading and allow him to make quick improvement. When we finish with level B, we will be able to continue using the program with level C if he still needs that level of spelling and phonics help. 

Before the main lessons begin, there are several pre-lessons for you to work through with the child if the pre-test instructs you to do so. In order to complete the pre-lessons, you would also need to purchase the handwriting student book. This is available as a physical copy or as a PDF download also in either print or cursive handwriting style. We did not use any of the pre-lessons because we have quite a good background in phonics so there was no need to teach the phonograms or how to form letters.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a huge sucker for games. Especially educational games. I truly believe that the best way to learn anything is through playing a game. Games are incorporated into these lessons. Games are not played everyday, but at least one part of each lesson has a game of some sort. All game cards or game boards are included. The games are short and fun. They really don't require much preparation and they are fun to play. Usually one or more sibling joined in the fun. Keep in mind that this program starts at the beginning so if your child has had some phonics instruction, then you may need to move more quickly through the simple parts so you can focus on the more challenging material.

This program has been recently updated and made to be more user friendly. I had never used the program before so I have nothing to compare it to, but I have been thoroughly impressed with the level of instruction that is in this set. There is enough work in semester 1 for a motivated parent and child to complete the entire thing in one semester; however, we are taking our time working through this. We work for about 15 minutes each day. It is suggested that you continue onto the second semester (scheduled for release in January 2017) once you complete the first semester. Suggestions are also given on the website for what to do if you finish semester 1 before semester 2 is released.

We keep everything needed for Essentials in this tote. I even placed a whiteboard, dry erase marker and eraser, composition notebook, and pen in the tote. That way it's ready for us to grab and go whenever we are ready to work on a lesson. Each set of cards is contained in a zip lock bag and I put rubber bands around the ones that we are currently using. There are several components to this program and surprisingly this simple tote works well to keep everything in place. Plus it sits on top of our school bookshelf reminding us to complete a lesson each day.

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Read about the experience of other crew members, who also reviewed products for Logic of English on the Review Crew Blog. Foundations levels A-D were reviewed along with Essentials 2nd Edition.