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(LLATL) Language Arts Skills Assessments

A Practical Tool for Assessing Student Strengths and Setting the Right Course

Language Arts Skills Assessment

The Language Arts Skills Assessments are one of the tools we offer to help you assess your students’ abilities at various grade levels. These are especially helpful for those who are new to homeschooling. You should use the skills assessments along with the scope and sequence, sample lessons and your own knowledge of your students’ abilities to make informed decisions on your student’s placement.

Begin by using the Grade Level Skills Assessment for your student’s current grade or the grade just completed. This will reveal skills your student has likely mastered as well as any possible problem areas. 

Since LLATL has regular reviews built into each level that can help students “catch up,” if your student has a few problem areas it does not mean they need to drop down a grade. Using the skills assessments as a guide, look for opportunities to reinforce the needed skills throughout the school year.

If your student answers everything correctly, use the next Grade Level Skills Assessment. Some students who have a good foundation may still answer correctly. Before deciding to move them up a grade, consider the following:

  • The skills assessments cannot cover every skill.
  • Also, each level of LLATL integrates language arts skills, but each also emphasizes different skills and enrichment activities intended to strengthen the student’s foundation.
  • Finally, an important goal of LLATL is to encourage the reading of great literature. Each level introduces the student to dozens of these books. Being exposed to them will enrich your student’s education.

​While students will not be harmed by dropping back one grade or skipping forward one grade, we recommend staying at grade level unless there are extraordinary circumstances.

LLATL Skills Assessments are helpful for families using a homeschool curriculum, allowing parents to ensure their child is placed correctly within the Learning Language Arts Through Literature series. By reviewing the scope and sequence and our sample lessons, you can further fine-tune your student’s placement.

A Clear Path for Student Progress

LLATL Skills Assessments by Grade Level

The Blue Book – First Grade Skills
The Red Book – Second Grade Skills
The Yellow Book – Third Grade Skills
The Orange Book – Fourth Grade Skills
The Purple Book – Fifth Grade Skills
The Tan Book – Sixth Grade Skills
The Green Book - Seventh Grade Skills
The Gray Book - Eighth Grade Skills
The Gold Book - High School Skills

​Each of these skills tests assesses your child’s skills in language arts at the appropriate grade level, ensuring they are ready to progress confidently through their homeschool curriculum.​

A Practical Tool for Assessing Student Strengths and Setting the Right Course

High School Skills Assessment

For students transitioning to high school, we offer the High School Skills Assessment (Gold Placement Test).​

**We offer only one Gold Skills Assessment. If your student scores well on the assessment, they should do well in the Gold Book – World Literature, the Gold Book – American Literature, or The Gold Book – British Literature. We recommend using Literary Criticism in 12th grade.
 

Why Use LLATL Skills Assessments?

  • Provides Information for Customizing Your Homeschool Curriculum: Whether your child is in elementary school, middle school, or high school, our language arts placement tests will help you customize your curriculum to best meet the needs of your student. For example, for students who may be behind, you can choose activities from two levels to bring them up to grade level.
  • Tailored for Homeschooling Families: skills assessments are designed with homeschooling testing needs in mind, making it easy to determine where your child fits in the LLATL curriculum.
  • Holistic Skill Assessment: The skills assessments are structured to evaluate key skills in language arts, including reading comprehension, grammar, and writing, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of your child’s academic readiness.

How to Use the LLATL Skills Assessments

  • Start at Your Student’s Current Grade Level: Use the grade level skills assessment that corresponds to your child’s current level. Whether it’s the 3rd grade skills assessment, the 7th grade skills assessment, or the high school skills assessment, you’ll find an appropriate starting point.
  • Proceed Forward or Backward: If your student finds the material too easy or too difficult, move forward or backward one grade in the series to gain more information about your students’ skill level. These tests allow for customizing between levels, ensuring students are not overwhelmed or under-challenged.
  • Review Scope and Sequence: Use the scope and sequence to gain insight into the skills covered at each grade level, helping you make informed decisions.
  • Check Sample Lessons: Sample lessons are available to preview the curriculum and see how it aligns with your child’s abilities.
Need more information? Check out our full FAQs page.
 

Conclusion

Choosing the right Language Arts Skills Assessment is the first step in setting your student up for success in their homeschool curriculum. Whether you’re preparing your child for middle school, high school, or simply evaluating their progress at any grade level, our skills assessments will guide you in making informed decisions about their education.​