** This is a sponsored post. I received this product or compensation for review purposes only and was compensated for my time. I was not asked nor required to share a positive review; all opinions are my own. READ DISCLAIMER HERE for more information.
When it comes to homeschooling for elementary, Language Lessons for a Living Education is a consistent way to make the foundational concepts of language arts are covered well.
One of the great myths of homeschooling is that you need to do school….at home. In a traditional education, you would expect your child to ALWAYS learn the core subjects of math, science, language arts, history, and of course the electives.
But I’ll let you in on a secret that has saved my sanity many times over the years. There are really only TWO core subjects…not 4 or 5…or more.
I had many years where I was completely buried by the challenges of a raising lots of little kids, foster parenting, and trying to keep everyone fed and clothed. Doing ALL the subjects with ALL the kids was simply not possible.
During those years I implemented my “emergency homeschooling” method many times. And what is that you ask?
Language Arts and Math.
When life got really crazy and I was overwhelmed, we would just consolidate and focus on those two subjects. Math and language arts are the foundations for every other subject. In my mind, I figured that if we progressed there, then when life was less chaotic, we could more easily pivot back to a more robust course load.
And it worked. I now many several adult children successfully life to prove it!
When I am planning curriculum, I always start with these two subjects stil. Ideally I want them to be independent as early as possible so that if we limit school for any reason, they are able to do the work with minimal help.
Master Books Language Arts for a Living Education is a great curriculum for keeping it simple while making progress at grade level. I’ve used it for many years as a foundation in the elementary grades, but this year when I had a chance to review it, I was SO excited about a new addition to the curriculum which makes it better than ever!
Table of Contents
What We Loved About Language Lessons for a Living Education
I recently started using Level 3 Language Lessons for a Living Education with our youngest daughter who is 8. We will continue to use it into next school year.
This core curriculum includes a wide variety of activities—stories, spelling, grammar, copywork, and more. But what I am actually REALLY excited about this year is the addition of the Practice Makes Polished book. It is an extra optional workbook that gives (2) extra SPELLING practice worksheets every week.
This is amazing! If you have used Language Lessons in the past, you know that the spelling is included in the lesson, but the kids need more repetition to master the words. This extra workbook makes that a seamless way to have kids practice their words a couple extra times per week!
Master Books has consistently listened to customers…these kinds of improvements year over year mean that kids are getting a curriculum that is curated by the feedback from homeschool moms just like you and me. I’ve used it for years and have seen it consistently improve.
For elementary, Master Books provides just the right amount of variety without overwhelming kids. Each page is very manageable. The print is large, the layout is clean, and there’s plenty of space for writing. Nothing feels crowded or overwhelming. For a child like her, that makes a huge difference. I can simply say, “Let’s do one page and call it a day,” and that’s completely doable. Most pages take just 10–15 minutes, which keeps things light and consistent.
Heading into 3rd grade, Julia is developing a lot of independence in her school work. She enjoys decipering most of the instructions on her own and she also enjoys the new spelling activities which are helping her practice writing more easily.
Years ago when I was a younger mom, I pursued a more rigorous style of curriculum. But I now realize that a more gentle even pace means school work is getting done more often and with less stress for both of us!
What Weekly Lessons Cover
One of the things I really appreciate about this curriculum is how consistent and well-rounded the weekly lessons are. As a busy mom, I know how easy it is to skip parts of language arts—especially the ones that aren’t your favorite or when your schedule feels full. But with everything included in one book, it’s all right there and easy to follow.
Each week is designed to engage both the creative and logical sides of your child’s brain through a thoughtful mix of stories, phonics, grammar, and hands-on activities. Skills are introduced gradually, helping children build confidence as they develop strong communication skills over time.
Here are the types of activities you’ll find in most weeks:
Creative Writing and Narration Practice
Students practice forming simple sentences and writing short personal stories using prompts. They also “tell back” what they’ve read or heard, which builds narration skills and early confidence in speaking.
Grammar and Mechanics of Communication
Short, approachable lessons introduce grammar concepts like punctuation, compound words, and parts of speech. These are taught in a way that connects to the weekly theme, making them easier to understand and apply.
Picture Study and Observation Skills
Students study carefully chosen images and are encouraged to describe, reflect, and imagine. This helps strengthen observation skills, nonverbal communication, and early critical thinking.
Spelling and Vocabulary Development
Weekly spelling words are used in a variety of ways—practice exercises, dictionary work, and even creating a personal dictionary—making vocabulary more meaningful and memorable. Additionally the Practice Makes Polished book gives students extra spelling practice each week!
Poetry, Psalms, and Bible Reading
Through poetry and Scripture, students are introduced to rhythm, rhyme, and literary elements while also engaging with biblical content in a natural, integrated way.
What’s Inside The Curriculum That Makes It “All In One”!
Master Books’ award-winning Language Lessons for a Living Education Level 3 is a complete, one-year homeschool language arts curriculum designed with a gentle, faith-filled approach. With the addition of the Polished Makes Perfect book, it now includes more spelling practice to build student confidence.
Unlike many intense language arts programs, this curriculum prioritizes learning without overwhelm. It’s designed to build skills in a way that feels manageable and engaging for kids—something many homeschool families are looking for.
Across 180 lessons in the core textbook, students develop a strong foundation in early reading, communication, and language mechanics. They move beyond basic reading skills to apply punctuation, sight words, and age-appropriate vocabulary through a variety of meaningful and practical activities. Along the way, they also grow in observation skills and nonverbal communication.
The course is filled with engaging elements like stories, scripture memory, picture study, spelling, grammar, and creative writing exercises—all woven together in a way that keeps learning both effective and enjoyable. Parents can choose to have their students do every activity or they can pick and choose the once that make sense for that child.
Who This Curriculum Is Perfect For
Language Lessons for a Living Education is a great fit for a child or family who is looking for an “all in one” type language arts curriculum to cover core foundational material. This is not a writing curriculum or a literature curriculum but it does a great job of laying a solid foundation without overwhelm!
In addition, Master Books Language Arts is a great fit for a busy mom with a bunch kids. The workbook style makes it easy to keep everything in one place. The lesson material isn’t too much so if life gets busy, it doesn’t feel difficult to do a couple lessons in one day.
In my opinion, Language Lessons works best for:
- Children who are moving out of a phonics program and are ready to start writing simple sentences
- Students who learn best through stories and real context rather than isolated grammar drills
- Homeschool families who want a complete, one-year language arts program that combines reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary
- Parents who value a Charlotte Mason–inspired approach, including picture study, narration, and scripture memory
- Learners who enjoy visual prompts, hands-on activities, and opportunities for creative expression through writing and drawing
Like math, language arts is a subject families should curate over time. In the elementary years we want to take the time to lay a great foundation of reading and handwriting. But as they grow older you will want to build on that foundation with writing and literature resources as well. Master Books provides a great foundation for parents to build on in the future.
Simplify Language Arts For Less Stress!
When I began my homeschool journey, I thought I needed to teach thorougly every year. What I realize now is that consistenly laying a foundation and actually doing the work is much more important than doing it intensely.
Over the past 18+ years, I’ve learned that its actually amazing to plan a school year intentionally to avoid stress.
It’s also wonderful to use resources that give kids and moms enough bandwidth to still have time for hobbies and interests. As a mom, for many years I felt like I was losing myself. And now that doesn’t happen. Master Books has provided much needed margin in the elementary years!
Check Out All of Master Books Curriculum For Your Family!
Sarah McCubbin and her husband and 9 kids live in Ohio. She loves talking about all kinds of education topics and is passionate about helping families find the best education options in each season! After being very socially awkward growing up, she now loves to help families teach life skills, social skills and leadership to their kids!
Connect With Sarah:
Schooling Year By Year Facebook Group
Facebook Page
Instagram @ten_minute_momentum
PallasCenter.com
More Reading: