Hearth & Story Language Arts

The curriculum uses appropriately complex texts including challenging novels and classic literature.

Novel selections include sophisticated works like Animal Farm by Orwell, Watership Down by Adams, and stories by Oscar Wilde, with vocabulary including advanced words like 'hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia'

The curriculum includes dedicated vocabulary instruction with creative strategies and correlation to literature study.

Grades 6-8 use 'The Dog Ate My Dictionary' workbook with multiple strategies including cut-and-paste activities, and vocabulary correlates with assigned novels. Grade 4 spelling includes challenging words like 'metamorphosis' and 'claustrophobia'

The curriculum provides structured writing instruction across multiple genres with clear progression from paragraphs to essays.

Grade 4 begins with paragraph writing, Grade 5 focuses on five-paragraph essays with graphic organizers and rubrics, and Grade 7-8 includes literary analysis essays and allegory writing. Process includes instruction, examples, and feedback forms

The curriculum strongly emphasizes whole book reading with four complete novels per grade level plus short stories.

Each grade level requires students to read 3-4 complete novels (like The Giver, Animal Farm, Watership Down) with month-long novel studies, supplemented by complete short stories from authors like Hans Christian Andersen

The curriculum provides organizational guidance but limited pedagogical training for teachers.

Includes 'Planner and Resources' files explaining downloading, printing, organizing and scheduling, but review indicates minimal teacher training or background knowledge materials beyond basic logistics

The curriculum is designed primarily for independent student work with minimal direct instruction components.

Materials are 'laid out for students to work through independently, for the most part' with some parent-student discussions required, particularly in grade 4 where 'students might need more assistance'

The curriculum builds some domain knowledge through thematic novel studies but lacks systematic knowledge building across disciplines.

Thematic cores like 'Better Together' and explorations of power provide some knowledge building, and Brain Food lessons cover topics like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, but the approach appears more skills-focused than knowledge-rich

Limited evidence of systematic retrieval practice or spaced review in the curriculum design.

Grammar lessons include 'reviews' and there are answer keys provided, but no clear description of systematic retrieval practice or spaced review strategies

Not applicable as this curriculum serves grades 4-8, beyond the typical phonics instruction years.

The curriculum is designed for grades 4-8, well past the primary grades where systematic phonics instruction is most critical