Choosing a curriculum
Classical, Charlotte Mason and literature-based language arts, compared
These programs teach reading and writing through real books, copywork, narration and the classical progression from imitation to argument. They ask more of the parent than a workbook, and give a lot back.
The short answer. 12 programs fit, listed alphabetically, not ranked. The best one is the one that fits your child's level and the way they learn, so find out where they are before you buy.
At a glance
| Curriculum | Grades | Style | Parent time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BookShark Language Arts | K to 10 | Literature based, Open and go | Some | Mid price |
| Brave Writer | K to 12 | Literature based, Charlotte Mason | Plenty | Mid price |
| Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool (reading and language arts) | Pre-K to 8 | Open and go, Literature based | Little | Free |
| First Language Lessons and Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind | 1 to 5 | Classical, Open and go | Plenty | Low cost |
| IEW Structure and Style for Students | 3 to 12 | Video lessons, Classical | Some | Mid price |
| Learning Language Arts Through Literature | 1 to 12 | Literature based | Some | Low cost |
| Lightning Literature & Composition | K to 12 | Literature based, Open and go | Some | Low cost |
| Memoria Press Literature Guides and Classical Composition | 1 to 12 | Classical, Literature based | Some | Mid price |
| Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts | 1 to 12 | Literature based | Some | Mid price |
| Moving Beyond the Page | Pre-K to 12 | Literature based | Plenty | Higher price |
| The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts | K to 8 | Literature based, Open and go | Some | Low cost |
| Writing & Rhetoric | 3 to 12 | Classical | Some | Low cost |
The programs, one by one
BookShark Language Arts
BookShark · Language arts · grades K to 10 · Secular · parent time: Some
Teaching style: Literature based, Open and go. Often chosen for: children who like structure.
- Four-day schedule built in
- Literature-rich without religious content
- Daily plans spelled out
- Best value when paired with the full BookShark package
- Lots of reading for the parent
Brave Writer
Brave Writer (Julie Bogart) · Language arts · grades K to 12 · Secular · parent time: Plenty
Teaching style: Literature based, Charlotte Mason. Often chosen for: children who are behind.
- Rebuilds confidence in reluctant writers
- Warm, relationship-based approach
- Ties writing to read-alouds
- Loose structure frustrates checklist-minded parents
- Many products, confusing to buy
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool (reading and language arts)
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool (Lee Giles) · Language arts · grades Pre-K to 8 · Christian · parent time: Little
Teaching style: Open and go, Literature based. Often chosen for: independent workers.
- Completely free
- Daily lessons laid out online
- Levels set separately per subject
- Relies on outside links that can break
- Uneven depth across levels
First Language Lessons and Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind
Well-Trained Mind Press · Language arts · grades 1 to 5 · Not stated · parent time: Plenty
Teaching style: Classical, Open and go. Often chosen for: children who like structure.
- Fully scripted, gentle oral lessons
- Memory work and narration build language
- Cheap
- Dry for some kids
- Parent reads every lesson aloud
IEW Structure and Style for Students
Institute for Excellence in Writing · Language arts · grades 3 to 12 · Neutral, faith-friendly · parent time: Some
Teaching style: Video lessons, Classical. Often chosen for: children who like structure, children who are behind.
- Clear models take the fear out of writing
- Video teacher handles instruction
- Checklists make grading easy
- Formulaic style can feel rigid
- Teacher training adds parent time
Learning Language Arts Through Literature
Common Sense Press · Language arts · grades 1 to 12 · Christian · parent time: Some
Teaching style: Literature based. Often chosen for: children who like structure.
- All language arts skills from real books
- 36-week plans ready to use
- Covers many grades
- Older-looking materials
- Some levels feel light on writing
Lightning Literature & Composition
Hewitt Learning (formerly Hewitt Homeschooling) · Language arts · grades K to 12 · Neutral, faith-friendly · parent time: Some
Teaching style: Literature based, Open and go. Often chosen for: children who like structure.
- Lesson plans laid out for 36 weeks, little prep
- Real children's books, classic and modern
- Literature, grammar and composition in one course
- Not complete: phonics, spelling and handwriting needed separately
- No placement test
- Several novels to buy or borrow each year
Memoria Press Literature Guides and Classical Composition
Memoria Press · Language arts · grades 1 to 12 · Christian · parent time: Some
Teaching style: Classical, Literature based. Often chosen for: children who like structure, advanced children.
- Classic books with guided comprehension and vocabulary
- Composition built step by step on the progymnasmata
- Fits cleanly into a wider classical program
- Heavy workload, pitched above grade level
- Teacher guides carry no ready schedule
- Plain, text-heavy pages
Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts
Royal Fireworks Press · Language arts · grades 1 to 12 · Secular · parent time: Some
Teaching style: Literature based. Often chosen for: advanced children.
- Elegant books that treat kids as thinkers
- Grammar, vocabulary, poetry and writing in one
- Designed for gifted learners
- Expensive per level
- Discussion-based, needs an engaged parent
Moving Beyond the Page
Beyond the Page · Language arts · grades Pre-K to 12 · Secular · parent time: Plenty
Teaching style: Literature based. Often chosen for: advanced children, hands-on learners.
- Project-based units for bright kids
- Links reading to science and social studies
- Higher-order thinking prompts
- Expensive
- Heavy parent facilitation
The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts
The Good and the Beautiful · Language arts · grades K to 8 · Christian · parent time: Some
Teaching style: Literature based, Open and go, Spiral review. Often chosen for: visual learners.
- Beautiful, open-and-go lessons
- Combines phonics, spelling, grammar and writing
- Free PDFs
- Parent-led through Level 3
- Content values-driven, not neutral
Writing & Rhetoric
Classical Academic Press · Language arts · grades 3 to 12 · Neutral, faith-friendly · parent time: Some
Teaching style: Classical. Often chosen for: children who like structure.
- Writes by imitating good models
- Builds toward persuasive and thesis writing
- Engaging classic stories
- Most students start at Book 1 regardless of age
- Series not yet complete
Point of Progress in 20 seconds
Ready to see where your child stands?
See where they stand →Narrow it down for your child
The curriculum finder matches all 45 programs to your child's grade, needs and learning style, your faith and budget, and shows what your state asks of homeschoolers.
Questions parents ask
Which is the best classical and charlotte mason?
There is no single best. The right program depends on your child's level, how they learn and how much time you have to teach. Start from where your child really is: a program that fits their level beats a better program at the wrong one.
How do I know which level to buy?
Use the publisher's placement test where there is one. If you are not sure where your child stands, an independent adaptive test such as Point of Progress (grades 3 to 10, about forty minutes at home) shows their level and the exact skills that need work before you choose.
Are these programs ranked?
No. They are listed alphabetically. No publisher pays to be listed and there are no affiliate links.
Keep reading
Curriculum finder
Match math and reading programs to your child, your faith and your state.
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Secular reading, spelling and writing programs compared.
Best Christian language arts
Christian and Catholic reading and writing programs.
Free curricula worth using
Free math and reading programs, and what free leaves out.
Reading programs for dyslexia
Orton-Gillingham and other structured literacy options.
Know where they stand before you buy the book.
About forty minutes at home, math and reading & writing, grades 3 to 10. The report is ready as soon as the test finishes.
Test your child, $9.99 →or with the ten-week workbook, $19.99This page is Point of Progress's own research, compiled in November 2026 from publishers' websites, placement materials and parent reviews. Publishers update their products, levels, placement tests and prices from time to time, so please verify all information with the provider before you buy. Point of Progress is independent and is not affiliated with any publisher named here.