Homeschool Language Arts Curriculum
What actually works — written by someone who scored 1,307 homeschool curricula on 10 dimensions, including how each one handles reading, writing, and grammar.
The short version
"Language arts" is six subjects pretending to be one: reading, phonics/spelling, grammar, writing, vocabulary, and literature.Almost no single curriculum teaches all six well. That's the whole problem.
The biggest mistake homeschoolers make is picking a language arts program by box-set aesthetic — the pretty cover, the literature list, the brand — instead of asking which of the six skills it actually teaches explicitly. Either pick one strong program per skill, or use a known integrated bundle. Don't buy a generic "LA curriculum" and assume it covers everything.
What to look for
- Explicit phonics — systematic instruction in sound-letter relationships, not "learn to read by reading"
- Sequential writing instruction — copywork to dictation to original composition, in that order, not "write a paragraph about your weekend" in 1st grade
- Grammar that builds — gentle in early years, formal (with diagramming or analytical grammar) by middle school
- Honest scope — a program that names which of the six skills it teaches, and which you need to source elsewhere
- Real books — vocabulary and literature taught through actual literature, not vocabulary-list workbooks
The programs that actually work
All About Reading + All About Spelling
The default for early grades. Orton-Gillingham-influenced, scripted, multisensory. AAR teaches reading, AAS teaches spelling — they're separate purchases but designed to work together. Strong on phonics and decoding; teaches nothing about grammar or composition, so plan to pair them with a writing program once your child is reading fluently.
Logic of English
The most genuinely integrated option. Foundations (K-2) and Essentials (2nd grade and up) cover phonics, spelling, grammar, handwriting, and basic composition in one program. Heavier teacher prep than AAR, but if you want one curriculum that teaches four of the six skills well, this is it.
Writing With Ease / Writing With Skill
The cleanest sequential writing program in the homeschool world. WWE (grades 1-4) builds writing through copywork, narration, and dictation — no "just write something" assignments. WWS (grades 5-8) extends it into outlining, summarizing, and original composition. Pair with First Language Lessons for grammar and you have a complete classical sequence.
IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing)
Formula-driven, scripted, structured. IEW gives kids a literal checklist of stylistic techniques (dress-ups, openers, decorations) and source-text outlining. Loved by parents whose kids freeze on a blank page; criticized for producing formulaic prose. Honest answer: it works extremely well as scaffolding for kids who need it, and most kids should graduate beyond the formulas by high school.
Brave Writer
The lifestyle/atelier approach — teaches writing through copywork, dictation, freewrites, and weekly poetry teatime conversations. Less of a curriculum and more of a way of life. Best fit for kids who hate workbooks and parents who can hold a real conversation about a piece of writing. Bad fit if you want a checklist or your child needs heavy structure.
What to avoid
- Programs that conflate "reading lots of books" with "learning to read and write" — exposure is not instruction
- Whole-language and "balanced literacy" approaches that skip explicit phonics in favor of context-guessing
- Generic all-in-one LA workbooks that touch reading, grammar, spelling, and writing on the same page and teach none of them deeply
- Box curricula marketed as "complete language arts" that quietly leave out phonics, spelling, or formal writing instruction
- Anything that promises to teach writing through prompts alone ("write about your favorite season") without sequential instruction in how sentences and paragraphs work
Find your match in 5 minutes
Our matcher asks 7 questions about your child — grade, what they're ready for, where they struggle, your teaching style, budget — and ranks options from our database of 1,307 curricula scored on 10 dimensions, including which of the six language arts skills each program actually teaches. Free, no signup required to see recommendations.
A skill-by-skill LA planner (separate slots for reading, spelling, grammar, writing) is in the works.
Common questions
Do I need a separate writing curriculum, or will my reading program cover it?
Yes, you almost certainly need a separate writing curriculum. Reading programs (even excellent ones like All About Reading) teach decoding and fluency — they don't teach a child how to construct a sentence, build a paragraph, or develop an argument. By around 2nd or 3rd grade, most homeschoolers add a dedicated writing program like Writing With Ease, IEW, or Brave Writer.
What's the difference between Brave Writer and IEW?
They're nearly opposite philosophies. IEW is formula-driven, scripted, and structured — great for kids who freeze on a blank page. Brave Writer is lifestyle-based, conversational, focused on cultivating a writing life through copywork and family discussion — great for kids who hate workbooks. Pick based on your child, not the marketing.
Can my child skip formal grammar in the early years?
Mostly yes. Heavy grammar instruction before age 8 or 9 is usually wasted — kids absorb grammar through good books, narration, and copywork far better than through worksheets. First Language Lessons handles K-2 grammar gently in 10 minutes a day. Save serious grammar for late elementary and middle school.
Is Sonlight (or any literature-based curriculum) enough on its own for language arts?
No. Literature-based curricula are excellent for reading and discussion, but they intentionally don't teach phonics, spelling, grammar, or writing in any structured way — you're expected to add those yourself. If a program lists "language arts" as one subject, ask which of the six skills it actually teaches explicitly.