A successful method confirmed by Dr. Ruth Beechick. By reading fine literature and working with good models of writing, students will receive a quality education in language arts. The best way to learn a skill is to DO that skill NOT read excerpts and fill in blanks. Break out of the mass education drudgery of workbooks/ textbooks and experience learning at its best! Instead of detached skills, the student learns grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, dictation, elocution, etc. as a whole (“real life” language arts).
The Heppner children love this program (and so does Miriam!). One level is easily adapted for more than one grade level. (Just expect more from the older student and give more help to the younger.) You’ll find these a proper balance between the rigid mass-education techniques and the aimless “unschooling” approach.
The main book is non-consumable; the student activity books are not. The people who have purchased the consumable student book have often said how glad they were that they had.
These picture books are an integral part of this level. They can be purchased and are available from Heppner's Legacy, or they can be borrowed from the library.
A Tree Is Nice. Janice May Udry
Little Bear. Else Holmelund Minarik
The Fire Cat. Esther Averill
Bravest Dog Ever. Natalie Standiford
Ox-Cart Man. Donald Hall
Corduroy. Don Freeman
The Little Island. Brown, Margaret Wise
Billy and Blaze. C.W. Anderson
Harry the Dirty Dog. Gene Zion
Abraham Lincoln. d'Aulaire, Ingri and Edgar Parin