Help Me Choose an LA Program!

Each Sonlight Reader and Language Arts package in the lower Cores is a complete phonics program, although some do feel the need to add the optional Explode the Code books for added phonics review.

In the younger years (before Core D) the Readers and LA options are mix and match with the Core. This allows, for example, a child that is just ready to start learning letter sounds to use Core B. Or, on the other hand, a child reading beginning chapter books could just as easily use Core A. This is an excellent feature of Sonlight's lower Cores because children do not learn to read all at the same level. And you can use a single Core for multiple children with different LA programs.

You would not want to do more than one Language Arts level per student in a single year, unless you planned to skip large portions of it. Each program is a complete full year's instruction in phonics, spelling, writing mechanics (such as capitalization), and creative writing. The only LA component you add separately is Handwriting. This is separate because people like to use different handwriting programs.

The Language Arts programs in the higher Core levels—D and up—are tied to the Readers, so Language Arts is included in your Core.

There are 5 Reader/LA levels to choose from before the Core D:

• Grade K Readers and Language Arts for Grade K Readers: this introduces the most common sound for each letter, starts the kid reading and writing words by week 6, and reading little books by week 10. By less than half way through the year the child is expected to write sentences complete with capitalization and simple punctuation.
• Readers and LA 1: this assumes a child can read consonant-vowel-consonant words with a fair amount of fluency and that he is capable of writing complete simple sentences.
• Readers and LA 2: this starts with the child capable of reading vowel-consonant-silent e words and simple multi-syllable words and writing more complex sentences and more than one at a time.
• Readers and LA 3: Readers and LA 3 is firmly on a 3rd grade level. This Language Arts level teaches paragraph writing.
• Readers and LA 4-5: Readers and LA 4-5 is firmly on a 4th to 5th grade level, although some advanced 3rd graders do well with it. It assumes the child can write a paragraph and the assigned reading isn't only long chapter books, but the daily amount is often advanced as well, like 3 chapters a day of some of the books.

Now, how to choose.

First, consider your child's reading level. Sonlight offers a reading assessment here. This tool includes a list of words for each level, plus a sample page from each trimester of that level to help you place your student's reading level. Most of the sample pages, however, only show a portion of a single day's reading assignment. This is important to know because some kids can read a single page, but would struggle with sustaining that reading level over 5 to 10 pages.

Second, consider the child's writing level. This is most important if you are dealing with a child that is an advanced reader. For example, most 5 or 6 year olds that are happily reading chapter books aren't ready to write a paragraph. So, doing LA 3 might be the right reading level, but would be frustrating for a child not ready to write that much. In this situation there are a few options if you want to keep these areas of study separate, but in that case it is best to contact a Sonlight Advisor to figure out what will be best for you and your child.