Skip to main content

5 Days of Curriculum Evaluation: Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts


Today, on day 3 of our 5 days of ...,  we will look at an innovative, interesting approach to Language Arts.

Last year I discovered Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Curriculum via the Well Trained Mind forum. Right away I took a liking to the approach and the material. And, of course, as a true curriculum junkie, fully happy with FLL as described in yesterday's post,  I gave this new find a try right away. I went ahead and ordered the grammar, vocabulary and poetry textbook.

I have to say, I will most likely buy the next volume for next year.

If you have never heard about Michael Clay Thompson's Language Arts curriculum, here is a synopsis.



It is a 4 strands approach to Language Arts:
  • Grammar: Island, Town and Voyage
  • Vocabulary: Building Language and Cesar's English I and II
  • Poetry: Music Hemisphere, Building Poems and a World of Poetry
  • Writing: Sentence Island, Paragraph Town and Essay Voyage
It also contains a literature strand, which I have not explored yet.

The way the program works is that you cover each of these topics in a year, let's say 6 weeks for Grammar (followed by a practice book made up of 100 sentence for analysis at a one a day pace), 14 weeks/days for Poetry, 25 weeks/days for writing and 18weeks/days to vocabulary, as an example. These books are meant to be read to the students, and invite interaction. I love the fact that they incorporate classic authors, familiarizing my son with their names and what they were about such as Aristotle, Dickinson, Shakespeare and more.

 Grammar itself is taught from a 4 level approach as well:

  • Parts of Speech,
  • Parts of the sentence
  • Phrases
  • Clauses


The program is divided into elementary levels and Middle and Secondary Levels, both of which divided into 3 levels. Each level in the series builds on the previous one, and goes into more depth and details. There is also great connection between the different strands of the curriculum, demonstrating the unity of the English language. That said, you could still start off at any level depending on where your child is at when you start. The first level starts at grade 3 or is appropriate for ages 8, 9, 10. It is meant for gifted kids as it takes a whole picture approach to language, and then goes into the details. However, many have found that it works too with non-gifted kids.

My oldest is very much a whole picture kind of boy and although He has enjoyed First Language Lessons, I figured it would be good for him to see Grammar from a whole picture view point.  How it all fits together; that is what the Grammar series is all about.

Both boys have enjoyed me reading through the grammar book with them, and as we are still working on the accompanying practice books, they love analyzing the sentences.


I went through the vocabulary textbook, and currently am going through the poetry book with my eldest only. The vocabulary is strongly based on Latin roots, he learned about prefixed such as, ex-, sub-, re-, de-, post-, port-. Since he enjoyed learning about Ancient Rome last year and the book makes a lot of references to Ancient Rome, it made it attractive to him.

When it comes to poetry I am very enthralled with what this curriculum it did for Zach. I have always wanted to teach him about poetry but was always falling short (besides the poems he memorized through FLL). Through Music Hemisphere, my son has come to love and get an appreciation and understanding of what poetry is about. Zach is an artist at heart, but it needs to be nurtured in him, and I found one way of doing this. He has really enjoyed learning what poetry is made: play of sounds, rhymes, alliterations, rhythms and imagery such as simile and metaphor.


So, as a whole I have appreciated using MCT (as it is often referred to in the homeschool community) in our Language Arts studies. It has helped Zach practice the concepts learned in FLL in the practice sentences of Island Practice and helped him see how all the different aspects of grammar work together. He has also helped my youngest recognize the different part of speech in sentences. Thanks to the vocabulary part of the curriculum, when we meet words in books or in everyday life I can help him figure out meaning by pointing out stems and that it has been a blessing to see the light bulb come on on many occasions. Now, also when we read picture books (good ones of course), I am able to point out the different aspects of poetry that are sometime present and again, his face will light up.

I think MCT is a great compliment to any Language Arts studies, and for some it might even be everything you need, as as you go up the level the depth and rigor intensify.

Tomorrow, we will be looking at History with Tapestry of Grace.

Comments

Christina said…
I heard MCT speak on poetics at the Cincinnati convention and it changed my perception of the importance of poetry. I will definitely be using his poetry curricula later on.
Cheryl said…
Do you know of anyone who has used the upper grade level philosophy from RFWP? I am nervous about teaching Philosophy and want to know what I should be looking for... ie, I'm a Christian who wants to be sure to have help in facing the various philosophies out there.
Joelle said…
Cheryl, I do not know of anyone, but you can check on the MCT yahoo group, maybe someone there has. Thanks for stopping by.
Trish said…
Hi, I am using the MCT LA for the first time. I was wondering if you knew of a site where they have worksheets to see if the kids are learning the 4 parts of LA. Or should I just make up my own. Thank You and God bless
Joelle said…
Trish, I do not believe they have worksheets, but I just discovered a Facebook group for MCT users, may be they have ideas on there.

Popular posts from this blog

Reformation Day Giveaway

We are approaching October 31, which is an important date for all protestants. This date commemorates Martin Luther’s nailing of his ninety-five theses to a church door on October 31, 1517 in Wittenburg, Germany, which in turn provoked a debate that resulted in what we now call the Protestant Reformation. As the “Father of the Reformation”, Martin Luther is a vital figure in Church History. His sacrifice and willingness to wage battle against the spiritual, religious, and political powers of his medieval world allowed Christians throughout time to embrace the following truths: salvation by grace alone , through faith alone,  and in Christ alone, along with the supremacy of Scripture, referred to as  Scripture alone, and all of it for God's Glory Alone. These being commonly called the Five Solas of the Reformation.  Danika Cooley, author and creator of the Bible curriculum Bible Road Trip ,  has recently written a book for young people recounting Luther's story:   When

Visual Learning Systems - TOS Review

I have to admit I am in love with our first review product from the 2015 crew year. We received a full year subscription to Visual Learning Systems 's Digital Online Science Program Elementary edition and S econdary edition . Science has always been one those subjects I am having all sort of trouble deciding what to use and never being fully satisfied with what we are doing. Well my search is over. I am really hoping to stick with this one. What is Visual Learning Systems? Visual Learning Systems is an online science publisher that provides quality science educational material through videos. They offer Unit Studies for K-12 in DVD or digital format, as well as a Digital Online Subscription for both Primary/Elementary  (K-5) and Middle/High School  (6-12). The program we received, the Digital Online Subscription, is totally online. Therefore you need a computer and an internet connection. It also works fine on tablets. When you sign up you get a log in for the stude

Veritas Press Self-Paced History - TOS Review

Veritas Press  is a long lasting Christian classical homeschool curriculum company. They have served the homeschool communities for a long time. For the past few weeks, we have been privileged to be reviewing one of their latest products:  Self-Paced History . The Self-Paced History curriculum is an online interactive history program. It consists of 160 lessons per course per year, each covering about 32 important historical events. The full program is chronological and is divided into 5 periods: Old Testament and Ancient Egypt  New Testament, Greece and Rome  Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation  Explorers to 1815  1815 to Present  These courses are best suited to kids in the grammar stage, that is grade 2-6. Tuition for each course year is $199, with a discount of $100 for each additional student. You have a full year to complete the course. Because Self-Paced History is an online program, you will need a computer with internet access. You can find more