Total Language Plus Literature Based Homeschool Curriculum

written by April Stephens

Total Language Plus is a homeschool curriculum, featuring literature-based unit lessons designed for Grades 3-12. Total Language Plus combines spelling, grammar, literature, and vocabulary into just one single curriculum. Total Language Plus is a program that is Christian-based in nature, but not all of the books in the program have a Christian theme. The fascinating aspect of this program is that whatever book my child is reading, the entire unit study is based on that novel, including artwork, projects, writing lessons, and activities.

A typical week in each grade level includes spelling, writing, grammar, punctuation, critical thinking, vocabulary, word puzzles, artwork, field trips, and projects. Each of the study guides in the program offers a helpful explanation of how to use that particular study guide along with answer keys for parents in the back of each book. On average, each study guide will take about 10 weeks to complete, meaning you will use approximately four guides each school year.

Another great aspect of the Total Language Plus program is that there is not a whole lot of preparation time for parents. Each of the studies in the program is designed so that the student can work on their own independently. This means that parents don’t have to spend a ton of time preparing lesson plans and can dedicate more time to actual teaching. It is also helpful for parents who teach multiple children/grade levels each day.

Total Language Plus has a very impressive list of study guides including:

• Beginning Guides for Grades 3 & 4 – Charlotte’s Web, Courage of Sarah Noble & Sign of the Beaver
• Lower Middle Guides for Grades 5 & 6 – Caddie Woodlawn, Cricket in Times Square & Twenty-One Balloons
• Middle Guides for Grades 6, 7 & 8 – Incredible Journey, Out of the Dust & Words by Heart
• Upper Middle Guides for Grades 7, 8 & 9 – Anne of Green Gables, Swiss Family Robinson & Treasure Island
• High School Guides for Grades 9, 10 & 11 – Pride and Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird & Yearling
• Advanced High School Guides for Grades 11 & 12 – Jane Eyre, Oliver Twist & Scarlet Letter

This is our first year using Total Language Plus. So far we have finished Sarah Noble, The Giver, and My Side of the Mountain. We are currently working on Caddie Woodlawn, The Sign of the Beaver, and Anne of Green Gables. 

I like the fact that my children have to read in order to complete their study guide. In years past, we would put off reading until the end of the school day. We were all mentally and sometimes emotionally exhausted. If we had an errand to run, it would sometimes get left out of our day. I knew we desperately needed a change. Total Language Plus has been a great solution for our family. I have to admit. I have really enjoyed listening to my younger children to read novels. They are great stories!

Another great perk is each state has an area representative. My representative is friendly and available. Whenever I email, she always responds. I appreciate that. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below!