If you are looking for a bright, cheery, upbeat workbook that covers all of the concepts required in either first (Language Smarts B), second (Language Smarts C) or third grade (Language Smarts C), then you will enjoy the Critical Thinking Press Language Smarts series.  These thick colorful workbooks are filled with activities designed to introduce your child to concepts such as alphabetical order, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and mechanics as well as various forms of writing.

What gives this program strength is exactly what you would expect from Critical Thinking Press–its attention to building critical thinking skills.  Not only are students learning essential language arts skills, they are also engaging in many different thinking exercises designed to develop critical thinking and analysis.

Expect a few challenges along the way as there are skills taught at each level that are usually reserved for the grade level above.  But this too is part of what one would expect from a company like Critical Thinking Press.

Kids love the colorful presentation and will do well if you are working with them to be sure they understand the skills taught.  This is definitely not a mastery curriculum so if you are looking for repetition and review, you may want to consider the ACE language arts program.  However, if you work through the book with your children and pay attention to those concepts that seem to stump them a bit, you can supplement with the many available online resources to firm up those skills.

But before you max yourself out with finding all kinds of additional resources, remember you will teach these same grammar and mechanics skills again next year.

All in all, a winner for the family who wants to make grammar and mechanics part of language arts but not all of language arts.  I personally would recommend adding another vocabulary program, such as Wordly Wise to your complete language arts program as I don’t think vocabulary gets enough focus in the Language Smarts series.

You can purchase the Critical Thinking Press Language Smarts Series at Curriculum Express.