Language Lessons for Today (2-6) – We used a slightly less updated version of these books. They include copywork, dictation, narration, composition, grammar, poetry study, and art study. Only around 100 lessons per year which means you can do it 3 days per week. The other 2 days could be used for copywork/dictation, a spelling program, or written narration from other school books.
The Good and the Beautiful (K-8) – All inclusive language arts, plus art appreciation and geography. Levels K-5 are free if you are willing to use PDFs. Visually appealing. My one caveat is that it has a very moralistic tone. I couldn’t get past that, but, if you don’t think it will bother you, this may be an excellent choice! This is a popular option.
Writing & Rhetoric (3-9+) – This program mixes the best of Classical, Charlotte Mason, and Modern writing instruction. Great program! You may want to add a spelling and/or grammar program to this.
Copywork, Dictation, and Narration (Oral and Written): completely free
This is the primary method we have used. It is not for the faint of heart since there is no curriculum telling you what to do! It requires that you use high quality books (not textbooks, usually) so that you are copying, dictating, and narrating from the very best mankind has to offer. Any Charlotte Mason program will give you a good book list.
If this approach interests you, read more about it here. Or search the terms on your podcast app (probably with the name Charlotte Mason).
SPELLING RESOURCES
All About Spelling (for struggling spellers)
Spelling Power (for natural spellers or older children)
Or you could just have them study words they misspell in their writing! Periodically review to make sure they still know them.
GRAMMAR RESOURCES (if not included in your Language Arts program, though keep in mind that schools aren’t really teaching much grammar anymore)
Grammarland audio and worksheets – This is an old book written in the late 1800s. My kids enjoyed listening to it! Completely free.
Beowulf’s Grammar – I haven’t used this, but it looks fun for a kid who likes to cut and paste, etc.
MCT Island Level – This is what we used and enjoyed. Publisher says it’s for gifted 3rd graders or average 4th graders, but it covers everything that was covered in my advanced 7th grade English class (minus the diagramming). This is a sit-on-the-couch-and-read-together curriculum. Goofy. Thorough. After you’ve read through the books, you practice one grammar sentence 1-2 times per week for the rest of the year. All you need are Grammar Island TM, Sentence Island TM, and Practice Island TM (and student book if you don’t want to write out the sentences for your child – or we sometimes just did them orally, covering up the answers). Some people use this with their whole family during “Morning Time.”
Junior Analytical Grammar and Analytical Grammar – I am using this for my 7th grader this year. Thorough. Workbook format. Diagramming included. Video teaching if you need it. Here’s a review.
MadLibs – If you just want them to learn the parts of speech, this is a painless and inexpensive way to do that!