The Logic of English Essentials

Name: The Logic of English Essentials
Brand: Logic of English

by Logic of English

ElaGrades 2–12

Logic of English Essentials: Structured Multi-Sensory Phonics Program

Logic of English Essentials is a comprehensive, Orton-Gillingham based curriculum that integrates reading, spelling, grammar, and composition for students ages 7 and up. The program uses systematic phonics instruction with multi-sensory activities and teaches phonetic rules that encompass 98% of English words.

Best for

Struggling readers, students needing remediation, homeschool families seeking systematic phonics instruction, and teachers working with students who have learning difficulties or need intensive decoding support

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 3 concerns · 2 neutral

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum provides extensive optional training and detailed teacher guidance materials.

Offers 'optional video training' covering 'phonograms, spelling rules, spelling dictation, handwriting instruction' and more, plus detailed teacher guides

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum strongly emphasizes direct instruction with detailed, scripted lesson plans for teachers.

Lessons 'require direct instruction' and 'teacher's guides include step-by-step lesson plans that are scripted so that the teacher knows exactly what to say and do'

Retrieval PracticeStrength

The curriculum incorporates substantial review and practice through games, dictation, and periodic assessment.

Program includes 'lots of review and periodic assessment' and uses 'games' for review, plus frequent dictation practice

Systematic PhonicsStrength

The curriculum provides excellent systematic phonics instruction based on Orton-Gillingham methodology with comprehensive phonetic rules.

Uses 'intensive phonics approach, teaching rules that encompass about 98% of the words in the English language' and teaches 'each phonogram and introduces all of its sounds together'

Knowledge RichConcern

The curriculum is not knowledge-rich in the traditional sense, focusing primarily on phonetic patterns and language structure rather than domain knowledge.

Program centers on 'phonograms, spelling, grammar, dictation, vocabulary, reading, and composition' with emphasis on linguistic rules rather than content knowledge

Text ComplexityConcern

The curriculum uses controlled texts focused on phonetic patterns rather than complex authentic texts.

Mentions 'phonics-controlled reading practice' in optional reader materials, suggesting texts are designed around phonetic instruction rather than complexity

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsConcern

The curriculum does not appear to emphasize whole books, focusing instead on systematic phonics instruction and controlled reading practice.

Review mentions 'phonics-controlled reading practice' in optional materials and emphasis on spelling analysis and dictation rather than literature study

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

The curriculum includes vocabulary instruction integrated with morphology and spelling analysis.

Includes 'vocabulary' as a lesson component and mentions 'Morpheme Flash Cards' and 'morphology/vocabulary development' in training materials

Writing InstructionNeutral

The curriculum includes composition instruction integrated with other language arts components.

Lessons include 'composition' as one of the integrated components, and students 'compose their own phrases and sentences' in notebooks

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com