TOS Review - Logic of English Essentials 2nd Edition

My youngest is such a logical child that sometimes explaining new concepts is met with a lot of questions that help to wrap her little brain around why things are done a certain way, so I was thrilled to get a chance to review Essentials 2nd Edition from Logic of English. I was anxious to see how this logical child would benefit from this program that takes a unique approach to learning the English language.

What is Logic of English Essentials 2nd Edition?

The Logic of English Essentials 2nd Edition is intended for students age 7 and older. Essentials 2nd Edition covers three levels of learning which is labeled as A, B, or C and is also color coded. The program covers English reading, grammar, spelling and vocabulary as well as Latin and Greek roots and morphemes. It takes a unique and logical approach to word sounds, called phonemes.



WHAT'S NEW IN THE 2ND EDITION? This new edition includes three levels of spelling tests as well as three levels of grammar and dictation in each lesson for teaching multi-grade levels or to use with the same child for three years as the child progresses, a pre-test for proper learning placement, 10 pre-lessons, new additional spelling rules, color-coded and easy-to-follow lessons, new guide to teaching spelling analysis, and there are some other additional goodies that have changed from the First Edition to the Second while leaving the core of the First Edition in tact.

Compare First to Second Edition Here. 

I received a generous package filled with a thick, hardcover Teacher's Guide, the paperback consumable workbook, all of the necessary Flash cards, a Spelling Journal, a Quick Reference Card, and a Phonogram and Spelling Rule fold-out Card.

How Did We Use It?

Having fun with OO that looks like eyes.

         

Feeling the vibrations on her throat and air from lips when pronouncing different phonetic sounds.

Watching her mouth as she pronounces sounds.

   

I used this with my 9-year-old who reads and spells very well, but I am concerned about some gaps in her learning. The first thing I did was sit down and become acquainted with the Teacher's Guide. I set aside several hours for this, and it was quite complex to cover every detail of what was needed to teach. After I was familiar enough with the teaching style, I sat down with my daughter and went over the pre-test which gave me a placement level as to where to start. She basically came out in between levels as her spelling and reading were quite good, but her understanding of all of the phonetic rules was hit or miss on some. So, I chose to go with the basic level for learning the sounds and use the Level C for spelling, throwing in an occasional extended sound when she seemed to be ready for them. After the Placement Test, I chose to start from the beginning with the optional Pre-Lessons A-J before beginning the meat of the lessons with Lesson 1.

Each lesson is presented in an easy-to-follow format, with color coding and boxes that list all of the flash cards and other materials needed, summarize the lesson and/or present helpful tips for teaching.

The flash cards came with two sets - one was manuscript print, and the other cursive. We chose to use the cursive cards since she has learned her cursive letters, and I wanted to give her extra practice recognizing cursive letter and associating them with their sounds.

There are several games that correspond with the lessons. Some use the flash cards. Others use a Bingo sheet printed in the workbook, etc.

This is one of the more advanced sounds, but we had fun with it since my other daughter's name deals with this acute accent present in French.

The instructions say to use pennies, but we didn't have pennies available. We substituted M&Ms instead.

What Did We Think?

The program is well-researched and well-thought out in its unique presentation of the English language. It provides solid phonetic instruction that is thorough. Everything you need is included in the extensive package of materials and books, even though it's not what I would call a grab and go curriculum, because it takes some time for the teacher to familiarize him or herself with how the lessons are to be presented before presenting it to the student. To get the most out of this program, don't expect to pick it up, open the book and start the lessons without first reading how it is all set up. If you like heavy flash card use and hands-on activities combined with workbooks and a teacher instruction book that basically walks you through word-for-word as to how to present each lesson, then this is definitely up your alley.

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Read what other members of the TOS Review Crew thought by clicking on the picture below:

TOS Review: Logic of English

I was asked to review Essentials: Logic of English Complete Set, from Logic of English. The Essentials program is intended for Ages 7+ through Adults and teaches phonemic awareness, spelling, and grammar skills, using a unique and effective approach.




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Let me first say - WOW!  I had heard about this program but had never seen it in action, hands-on. I was already excited to have the chance to review the product but was even more impressed when the large box arrived. I opened it up with my children watching. The items included seemed like an endless Christmas morning amazing gift, as each item I pulled out seemed to be even more impressive than the prior. I was thrilled!  My excitement only grew when I discovered that this program is a common sense approach that allows me, as the teacher, to create custom-built lessons for my individual child's learning style!

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This hardbound printed set with flash cards, which sells for $243, includes:

• Essentials Teacher's Manual (Sells separately for $95)
• Essentials Student Workbook (Sells separately for $25)
• Spelling Journal (Sells separately for $8.00)
• Basic Phonogram Flash Cards (Sells separately for $18.00)
• Spelling Rule Flash Cards (Sells separately for $15.00)
• Grammar Rule Flash Cards (Sells separately for $22.00)
• Advanced Phonogram Flash Cards (Sells separately for $15.00)
• Game Book (Sells separately for $15.00)
• First Set of Game Cards (Sells separately for $10.00)
• Second Set Game Cards - Common Bookface (Sells separately for $10.00)
• Quick Reference Chart (Sells separately for $10.00)

THE WAY IT WORKS:

The Logic of English Essentials brings order to learning the English language. This program is a multi-sensory system that allows students to learn how to read, spell, and write with confidence. The Logic of English uses 74 basic phonograms and 30 spelling rules that were chosen because they are the ones that make up approximately 98% of all English words.  There are no sight words used for memorizing. Instead, students learn the reason behind why the way words are pronounced and spelled.

The main pieces to this curriculum are the teacher manual and the student workbook, either manuscript or cursive. The workbooks are intended to give students practice in handwriting skills.  I chose cursive.  The rest of the components accent the program to give the student a full, rich learning experience filled with enjoyment of the entire learning process.

When I opened the hardcover, very durable quality, teacher's manual, I noticed there were teaching schedules presented for various age or learning levels. I chose to follow the one that was appropriate for my 7-year-old. These schedules are followed by a "Before You Begin" section that has must-do phonemic awareness exercises before beginning the lessons.

Each lesson begins with a big box block of a summary of the lesson, so you know exactly what will be covered.

The lessons are divided into three sections that include four main teaching points for each lesson:

    

    

1. Phonograms - Phonogram Quiz
2. Exploring Sounds 
3. Spelling Rules - (Throughout the lessons, the entire book includes 480 high-frequency words) Rules and Lists of 15 words that include practice sentences, dictionary sound marks, syllables, markings, spelling hints, parts of speech and vocabulary development. It also introduces word roots.
4. Grammar - Using parts of speech in sentences, phrases, and punctuation with vocabulary development activities while learning how to move into writing paragraphs and essays.

There are also optional activities, which are all marked in blue boxes. Choose the activities that best suit your own, individual, child. If you have a kinesthetic learner (like me), select the games and activities that involve movement and hands-on learning. If you have an auditory or visual learner, there are plenty of activities for these students as well.

All of the lessons are presented in a way that students actually learn and not just memorize long lists of rules, and allow the teacher the flexibility to move as quickly or as slowly as each individual student needs.

Every 5th lesson is a review and assessment lesson.  These are intended to be a custom-designed lesson with games and activities included to re-emphasize material as needed.

HOW I USED IT:

Since I was given the choice between manuscript or cursive, I chose the Cursive version, because my kids have tons of chances to practice manuscript writing, but not so much on the cursive end. I have also heard that it can be a good thing to teach cursive first for various reasons.
I noticed right away that the program was different than anything I had ever used, because it sold me on the very first exercise of explaining how to recognize whether a letter is a consonant or a vowel by singing. I also, love how it offers a variety of games and activities - Many which are exciting and fit for my very kinesthetic learner.

 My 7-year-old was the lucky one in my household to get to sit down with me and experience this curriculum, though I did introduce it to my 12-year-old struggling speller as well.

I very quickly discovered that it would work best for us if I concentrated on covering one section per day. Since there are three main sections to each lesson, this meant that each lesson would last at least three days. Staying on pace meant finishing about one and a half lessons a week. Though, since learning is our main goal and the main goal of this curriculum, I was completely comfortable spending more time on some lessons and less time on others. I learned early on that it is best to let my child lead her own learning process as I use the curriculum as a guide.

Each 5th lesson is an assessment and review, which works out great to use as a time to slow down and really make sure your child has learned what was presented to that point.

What I discovered is that even at the early-reading age of 7, my daughter already has a fairly decent grasp on phonics and spelling. Though, she was definitely not beyond what the book instructed by any stretch of the imagination.
The games included really make the learning fun. A lot of the games are card game or Bingo or game board (from the games or workbook pages) style of fun.

Everything you need as a teacher is here. Any materials you need for a lesson is listed clearly at the start. While, you can pretty much pick up the teacher book and follow along to guide your child in learning, there is some teacher preparation to ensure the lessons, games and activities move smoothly.
Logic of English also offers other books and learning apps for a variety of ages and grades:
        

See what other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew had the privilege of reviewing and what they thought, by clicking on the picture below: