1st Grade Lightning Literature

Description

Lightning Literature and Composition at the elementary level brings Five in a Row to mind. Utilizing the same "read-through-books-multiple-times-a-week" methodology in the lowest grades yet with a focus on literature appreciation as well as systematic grammar and writing instruction, the goal is both developing a love of great literature and a loving, gentle introduction to language arts. Snuggle up on the sofa, use this course as a road map, and read good books with your child. You'll accomplish the goals of this program! A Teacher Guide, a Student Workbook, and lots of classic (along with some contemporary) children's books are the components for the program.

Grade 1 literature (in order of lessons): Harold and the Purple Crayon; Madeline; Snowy Day; Caps for Sale; Chickens Aren't the Only Ones; Umbrella; Important Book; Joseph had a Little Overcoat; Napping House; Tale of Peter Rabbit; Hello, Goodbye Window; Grandfather's Journey; Doctor De Soto; Frog and Toad are Friends; How the Grinch Stole Christmas!; Story of Ferdinand; Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day; Mother Goose Rhymes; Mabela the Clever; Make Way for Ducklings; Stellaluna; Chester's Way; Story About Ping; Mouse Soup; Bill and Pete to the Rescue; Best Friends for Frances; Always Room for One More; Tikki Tikki Tembo; Millions of Cats; Curious George Flies a Kite; Babar the King; This is London; Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel; How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head; Big Orange Splot; and Wabi Sabi.

The Teacher Guide is the heart of the program and is necessary. It's here that the general flavor of the program is most obvious including its orientation toward teacher-student interaction rather than independent student work. Detailed daily instructions are written in first person to the parent/teacher. The flexibility built into the program is reiterated often with examples of how to adapt the teaching instructions for students who are sluggish or need extra challenge. Weekly schedules have a basic structure. Each day includes literature study, grammar/mechanics study, and work on the weekly composition assignment. All workbook answers are provided in the Teacher Guide

The Student Workbooks include some instructional material but are essentially consumable worktexts. Most of the grammar exercises are included here along with space to write thoughts about the reading selection (i.e. Reading Journal Pages: What this Story is About, What I Think of this Story, and My Favorite Sentence). The books are colorful and appealing.

Aesop's Fables is used throughout the year and included in some of the packages.The Grade 1 Pack includes the Teacher Guide and Student Workbook and the Aesop's Fables. The Literature Package includes all the literature selections needed for the course other than the Fables book.

Grade 1 Teacher - 306 pgs, pb; Grade 1 Student - 467 pgs, pb, three-hole punched, landscape format. Grade 1 handwriting lines are 5/8" with dotted middles.


Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Religious Content
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.