Common Sense Press Homeschool Product Review
Common Sense Press Product Review
SUMMARY
- Grades: Various
- Subjects: Language Arts, Math, Science, Bible History
- Category: Religious
- Format: Traditional
- Price: $8 – $100
How to Use Common Sense Press
Through our unique format, each book has materials and learning activities geared for the different grade levels. We use pencil icons or pictures to show the teacher which tasks to do with a particular age group. One pencil is for K-2, two pencils for grades 3 – 5, and three pencils for grades 6 – 8.

Common Sense Press Program Features
In 1989, Susan Simpson and Diane Welch published the first Learning Language Arts Through Literature book that launched Common Sense Press. When Susan retired in 2016, John and Diane Welch took over operations. Common Sense Press continues to add curricula designed for homeschoolers, traditional schools, and parents who want to enrich their children’s education. With Common Sense Press products, meaningful hands-on activities replace textbook methods that are often detached from the learning process. For example, Learning Language Arts through Literature series incorporates spelling, reading, vocabulary, grammar, writing, penmanship, and phonics in the same lesson. Research shows that language arts taught in this way is much more effective than when taught in the traditional isolated and fragmented manner.
Before being published, all products must pass two tests. First, they publish materials that are complete and require a minimum of planning. Second, they believe that education is more than just getting the right answer on a multiple-choice test. Learning should be meaningful, comprehensive, and stimulating to the student.
Their products can be ordered from their online store.
The Common Sense Press curriculum offers:
- Religious world views
- Print or eBook formats
- Flexible lesson plans
Common Sense Press Pros and Cons
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Common Sense Press Pricing Information
For this curriculum, pricing varies per product choice. Each book, whether a student text or answer key, is individually priced.
FAQs
Since each book in the series is grade based, it isn’t necessary to complete all the prior books in the series. You can determine the best level in LLATL for your student by using the Placement Tests, Scope and Sequences, and Sample Lessons. Your goal is to challenge the student without frustrating him, so keep that in mind as you choose the grade level. Writing and grammar skills are usually reviewed at each level, so the student can successfully enter the series after assessing his current skill level.
Each book is designed for a 180-day school year. The 36 lessons are divided into five days of activities. For example, for each lesson you will find Day 1 followed by a, b, c, etc. These are all the activities you would expect your student to complete on Monday. Then you will see Day 2 followed by a, b, c, etc. These are the activities for Tuesday. A review follows each lesson to be used at your discretion. Usually each day’s work will take the student approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
The Yellow Book (3rd grade) contains a total of 36 lessons which include four Literature Links. The Green Book (7th grade) and The Gray Book (8th grade) contain 36 lessons which include four Book Studies. The Purple Book (5th grade) and Tan Book (6th grade) contain 36 lessons plus four additional Book Studies.
This schedule is offered as a guideline to provide the teacher structure for lesson planning yet allowing flexibility to adjust the suggested schedule to meet the needs of each student.
For example, we have many families who group the activities into a four day schedule, leaving the fifth day free for outside activities, service activities, etc.
LLATL provides lesson reviews and assessments which may be used in grading the student. In addition, grades and evaluations may be based upon writing assignments, daily work, and dictation exercises. When the students reach the high school level and grades for transcripts become more important, additional test booklets which include course notes, unit tests, and answer keys are available to assist you, as well as a writing assessment service.