By Hewitt Learning (Hewitt Research Foundation)·Language Arts · Literature · Grammar · Writing/Composition · Reading Comprehension · Vocabulary · Literary Analysis
2 video reviews: 2 positive
Both reviewers — notably, both secular homeschoolers — chose Lightning Literature and speak well of it. The stronger evidence comes from a mom half a year in: she runs level 3 with her fourth and sixth graders together, reading the chapters aloud while the kids do penmanship, and credits the program with finally making grammar and mechanics rules click for her younger son while giving her older son the *why* behind rules he already followed. She picked level 3 specifically for its book list (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlotte's Web, The Tale of Despereaux, and more) and has already bought the level 4 readers because they like it that much. The second reviewer selected the new Storm level for seventh grade, which pairs with novels like The Hobbit and Alice in Wonderland. One practical note from both: the real books are purchased separately from the workbook and teacher's guide.
Synthesized from 2 independent video reviews — every claim sourced from what real homeschool parents said on camera.
Literature-loving families — including secular ones — who want language arts built around real novels, with grammar taught in context, and the flexibility to combine kids of different ages.
Families who want a self-contained workbook program and don't want to source a separate stack of novels for each level.
2021-2022 HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM PICKS// 4TH GRADE AND 5/6 GRADE //SECULAR HOMESCHOOL 2021-2022 SECULAR HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM PICKS.. I added links below if I forgot to link something please let me know and I will try and add those links.. MRS WORDSMITH'S VOCABULARY https://www.mrswordsmith.com/products/reading-comprehension-vocabulary FREE GRADE 6 GRAMMAR MINUTES https://www.livingston.k12.ky.us/userfiles/87/my%20files/0%20grammar%20minute%206th%20grade.pdf?id=8198&fbclid=IwAR10TBWXqVphyuWLbpzw6pmdBoNshezEzaPQO9iBXkAsU7OlrHaB64fs5G4 MY READING JOURNAL https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Journal-5300524 EVOLUTION THE JOURNEY OF LIFE https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/EVOLUTION-The-Journey-of-Life-6703149 VOCABULARY JOURNAL https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vocabulary-Word-Journal-6716645 AESOP FABLES JOURNAL https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/AESOPS-FABLES-JOURNAL-6716629
Secular Homeschool Curriculum Picks 7th Grade 2024-2025 Middle School
“adrian was not grasping a few things when it comes to grammar and mechanics and this curriculum is actually helping him out to understand certain rules”
“all those readers right there are the ones for the level four so as soon as we are done with this we're gonna go ahead and start level four because we like it that much”
“there's other books that you um have to get to go with it the hobbit alysa's adventure in Wonderland Prairie Lotus Elijah of buckston um all creatures great and small and a day of pleasure”
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Each level is built around a list of real novels you buy alongside the program. One family's level 3 included Rickshaw Girl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Ramona and Her Father, The Big Wave, Charlotte's Web, The Wheel on the School, The Tale of Despereaux, and several weeks with a poetry anthology. The seventh-grade Storm level pairs with books like The Hobbit, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Prairie Lotus, Elijah of Buxton, All Creatures Great and Small, and A Day of Pleasure.
One reviewer does exactly that: she chose level 3 for both her fourth and sixth graders so they could work together, reads the day's chapters aloud while the kids do penmanship, and then each boy works through his own workbook.
Yes — one reviewer says it helped her younger son finally understand grammar and mechanics rules, while for her older son (already strong in grammar) it explained the why behind rules he'd been applying without understanding. She paired it with only a light, independent grammar supplement.