How Discovery Guides Take the Stress Out of Language Arts
By: Lanette Judy
If you’ve ever felt weighed down by juggling a separate grammar book, spelling workbook, writing curriculum, and comprehension questions, all while trying to keep up with your child’s reading, you’re not alone. That scattered approach is overwhelming for parents and frustrating for students.
That’s exactly where Total Language Plus Discovery Guides come in. They take all those moving pieces: reading, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, writing, projects, and even biblical reflection, and weave them into one cohesive, literature-based unit. The result? Less stress for you, more meaning for your child, and a homeschool day that actually feels joyful.
So what’s a Discovery Guide? Let’s take a peek inside at some of the features.
Core Elements of a Discovery Guide
Planning Grid - Our guides all start with a grid for you and your students to follow each day. The grid is flexible and provides options for the number of days you would like to complete the work. It suggests pacing (usually 6-9 weeks per novel) and organizes the activities into categories: Vocabulary, Spelling, Grammar, Writing/Enrichment, Comprehension, and Projects. The grid can be adapted for 4-day weeks, co-ops or schools. In addition, our Grade Level packages come with a yearly planner.
Vocabulary - Our vocabulary words are taken right from the novel but more importantly are practiced in a multitude of ways; matching, analogies, story applications and glossary work. Our guides encourage word mastery through repetition and varied practice.
Spelling - Our spelling words are the same as the vocabulary words. We use flashcards, syllable and pattern activities and misspelling correction to learn the spelling words. Activities are included that use movement, art and games to practice the words for younger students while upper levels tie word origins and etymology to deepen understanding.
Grammar - Our grammar is dictation-based practice to target skills such as error correction, verb tense, capitalization, punctuation, and parts of speech. Scripture copywork is used as a method for Grammar.
Comprehension - Our guides use insightful questions to encourage critical thinking skills and written responses. Students may summarize chapters, or answer guided questions. “Personally Thinking” questions encourage personal connection, reflection and discussion.
Writing / Enrichment - Our writing assignments range from structured research papers in upper grades to create or analytical writing projects. Options include reports, character studies, persuasive essays, short stories, and analysis of themes and style.
Projects and Hands-On Activities - Our guides include an extensive list of field trip suggestions, crafts, mapping, cooking, art or service projects that tie to the novel’s content. Some examples include: making butter (Caddie Woodlawn), drawing horse breeds (King of the Wind), or historical research on England (Pride and Prejudice).
Biblical Integration - Each guide has a faith-based focus such as obedience, fruit of the spirit or serving. Scripture copywork, analysis or application is woven into assignments.
Assessment Tools - At the conclusion of Units or as a culminating activity, the guides include vocabulary reviews, multiple-choice and matching assessments, worksheets, and an answer key for parents and teachers.
Discovery Guides are designed as literature-based unit studies that weave together reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, writing, projects, and biblical reflection. They are important because they transform a novel into a multi-faceted learning experience that develops academic skills, critical thinking, and character growth in an engaging and meaningful way.
Don’t take our word for it. Check out these wonderful flip throughs and reviews:
Find your next novel study here: