I've looked at several things. I've used LLATL up until now, but I don't like the HS format. A friend showed me Smarr Publishers Intro to Lit which is based on Classical Education. I've never delved much into that(at least I didn't know it).
Also, what about "formal grammar" during HS?

Thanks for your input.

BTW, I have 3 girls: next year 6th, 8th, 9th.
In Him,
Johnna

Hi Johnna,
Welcome to the board! Hope we hear from you often!
I've looked at Smarr too. It looks very good.
We're going to be doing Sonlight British Lit with our high schoolers next year. Two years ago, we did modern world history and it was great.
I just reviewed a really cool grammar program called Analytical Grammar. It's concise, to the point and not a time waster.
Other opinions?
Christine

The last couple of years we've used Total Language Plus. I like it pretty well, but my girls are getting tired of it so we won't be using it next year. My oldest daughter (10th grade next year) will be finishing up a book called Writing Power which is put out by Kaplan. After that we plan to work thru Write Shop I & II during her jr and sr years. My youngest (7th grade next year) is going to do Write Your Roots. I haven't used it before but it looks really good, and fun. My middle daughter is taking a grammar class at our co-op so we won't do a lot of other composition or literature for her. We haven't done a lot of formal literature, mostly just encouraged them to read a lot of good books.
Lori

Hi Lori,
How you doing?
I don't know about Total Language Plus. Is it a pretty complete language arts curriculum? What's it like?
Christine

Hi Christine,
I think Total Language Plus is very complete. They have guides for 3rd-12th grades. We've only used them for about 6th-9th grades so far. They recommend doing 3-5 guides per school year. We usually have other things going on (on-line classes and such) so my girls usually only do one guide per semester. That pace has worked well for us. They have a web site: http://www.totallanguageplus.com/ The only thing I don't like about them is that they are consumable guides, so with three students using them it can get expensive. It would be nice if they were reproducible. They run about $20 each, so if you used 3-5 per year, per student, it would get a little pricey. But you don't need anything else for Language Arts, and I do think we've had good results from them.

I noticed on their web site they have American Literature guides now. I haven't seen those, but might look into those in another year or so for my daughter to use when she takes American History. That could be really good!
Lori

Hi Lori,
So is each Total Language Plus guide for one book? Is it sort of like the Progeny Press guides? Do they cover more than the subject book?
Christine

Hi Christine,
Yes, each TLP guide covers one book. They are similar to Progeny Press, I think. I've only seen the PP guides for the younger grades so I'm not sure if they're the same format for high school. The basic assignments are all based on the one book, except some of the dictation assignments come from the Bible. There are also Enrichment Activities to choose from and some of those may use different books or other resources.
Lori

Hi Lori,
OK, so I've got to know - what do you use for grammar and writing, or are writing assignments included in TLP?
Christine

Christine,
Everything is included in TLP -- Grammar, Writing, Spelling, Vocabulary, Literature, Thinking Skills. It's very complete. It doesn't teach writing, just gives assignments to choose from. We use the Write Source handbooks as a reference. Last year my older two also took a grammar class at co-op using Easy Grammar Plus. My middle daughter will take it next year. I could have taught it at home, but we weren't getting to it, so this class was good for us. If your students have a basic understanding of grammar you don't need to add anything to TLP.
Lori

Hi Lori,
The Write Source books are awesome. I'm going to have to take a look at TLP.
A new product that I'm excited about is Character Quality Language Arts. Check out www.trainingfortriumphhomeschool.com. She's done a fabulous job!
Christine

Christine,
I've never heard of Character Quality Language Arts. I'll have to check it out.

What grades are your kids that you're considering using TLP with? I'm sure you've said at some point but I don't remember.
Lori

Hi Lori,
This year I'll have a 3rd grade boy, a 6th grade girl and two 11th grade girls (not twins, just close in age).
Christine

I have a friend who used the Analytical Grammar. I really liked the look of it, but it was pricey. The workbook was consummable @ $60 a pop...too much for me. With 3 girls...I need non-consummable in order to justify the cost. I'm going to use IWE for composition, but still unclear as to what to do for grammar. The Smarr does have grammar, but I guess I was looking for something to beef it up.

I'll use Intro to Lit(Smarr) and then I'm planning on using Notgrass US History, World History and British History. They also have literature components(as well as Bible). If you use Notgrass, you can get Lit/History requirements..and Bible if you complete the work. Although, I have read that their lit isn't as thorough as the history. I've read that many people feel a need to add Progeny Press study guides to the work. Notgrass.com

Blessings,
Johnna

Hi Johnna,
Thanks for sharing your plans.
Can you tell us a little more about Smarr and Notgrass? You don't hear people talking about these very much. I'd like to learn more!
Blessings,
Christine