I have used literature based programs in the following ways.

1.Learning Language Arts Through Literature. I did like the original version but the workbook style was not as good. When we hit fifth grade (I think) the books and poems were all very American including the Star Spangled Banner (that is the year they study American history, I believe) which is great for American's but I wanted a little more Australian content.

2.We also tried writing strands (10 years old at the time) initially I thought it was good but then my son was always doing a shoddy job so I shelved it-then sold it.

3.One year I totally took a year off all language curriculum (10 and 11 year olds). We just used narrations and story writing for a whole year. We were working through Diana Warings Roman Reformers and Revolutionaries etc and I got the kids to do a biography on different people every day.

3.Another term I did a literature study from Currclick on Prince Caspian. It was when the movie was coming out. That year I also read The Little Grammar People by Nuri Mass and we read through a book on grammar.

4.For about 12 months we did dictation and copywork everyday using the Charlotte Mason Method. For the younger ones I still do daily copywork and dictation as it arises in Emma Serl's Primary Language Lessons.

5.We started the year with a combination of dictation and Wordsmith and Emma Serl's Intermediate Language Lessons. This has a nice mix.

6.I've just added novel study guide to this term which is excellent.

We have toyed with other things but that is the main ones.

My older kids have scored highly Year 5, 6 and 7 NSW University English Tests (top 15%-8%) in the last two years.

So juggling has worked for us. Can it work for you!

Smiles Michelle