Disclaimer: Complimentary Product Received
Each homeschool year brings new challenges, changes, and areas of interest for my children. This year I am excited because my kinesthetically-inclined son has taken a keen interest in stories and writing. This is also the year I discovered Lightning Literature & Composition. This curriculum has been a game-changer for engaging my son in the subject he’s typically liked the least.
What is Lightning Literature & Composition
Lightning Literature & Composition by Hewitt Learning is a comprehensive language arts program for grades kindergarten through twelfth grade that uses books as a spine or foundation from which to teach literary analysis, writing, and grammar. I received the curriculum for the fifth grade which included the Lightning Literature student workbook and the Teacher’s edition which contained teaching ideas and prompts as well as answers to the questions asked in the workbook. The reading books need to be purchased separately or checked out from your local library.
Why I Love This Curriculum!
The Book List
I am a sucker for a great children’s book and Lightning Lit doesn’t disappoint! The book list for the fifth grade contains excellent selections! There are classic books like Anne of Green Gables and The Phantom Tollbooth that I grew up reading. There are also more recent popular books such as Holes and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. Although I absolutely love the book selections, here is what truly sold me on Lightning Literature that stands out from other homeschool language arts curriculum publishers—the intentional inclusivity of the books chosen.
It is very obvious from the book list that Lightning Literature intentionally chose an array of books that can be enjoyed and appreciated by boys, girls, and people of color. Children get to read about the lives of children in other countries and how they overcome adversity like Malala Yousafzai author of I am Malala. They get also get to learn about experience different periods of history through the eyes of children of color as experienced by characters like Deza Malone, the main character of The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis. As a black homeschooler, I appreciate the representation and the diversity of the book selections.
I was also amazed that my son, who has traditionally not been interested in the bland reading selections offered by other homeschool curricula, asked to read The Mighty Miss Malone. I suspect it’s because for once he was reading about an African-American character that he could relate to. It was also good for him to read writing that used different vernacular. It helped him to evaluate language and subtle meaning in a new way that stretched him.
Daily, Manageable Chunks of Grammar
Grammar, Grammar, Grammar. It’s necessary to understand how to communicate effectively in writing, but it can be excruciating if you’re overwhelmed with too many rules and too much practice in a single lesson. Lightning Lit does an excellent job of providing daily grammar instruction that is practical and not too labor-intensive. This was especially beneficial for my son who can sit and focus in short spurts, but needs frequent breaks to move around.
The Teacher's Edition
The teacher’s edition (TE) is thorough in preparing parents for the daily lessons and discussions they will engage in with their children. The TE provides an overview of each week—including what will be chapters will be covered in the book, optional materials, grammar, and composition. It also provides sample answers, and examples to teach the grammar, as well as guidance on the weekly composition assignment.
Another great feature of the TE is the optional extension projects and ideas that offer fun ways for kids to learn more about the historical period they’re reading about and various other aspects of the book they’re reading.
The Takeaway
Finding a literature-based, language arts curriculum that balances grammar, writing, and literary analysis is no small feat. Honestly, it has been like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for my family. However, I feel as though I’ve found a curriculum that pot of gold with Lightning Literature and Composition. I learned about this curriculum at a time when the tedium of drill and kill worksheets and bland reading selections reached fever-pitch in our household. I am so impressed with this curriculum that I plan to switch my youngest over to it as well. Literature and Composition should be engaging, inspiring, and less like a chore. This curriculum has helped me and my son get excited about language arts again.
