This blog is my attempt to document our busy but BLESSED lives raising and educating our children for His glory. A child of God, wife to one, and mom to 6 fabulous kids. We are in our 16th year of homeschooling using a Classical ~ Literature based approach.

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Thursday, April 20, 2017

Apologia Educational Ministries: Readers in Residence Volume 1 (Sleuth), full set ~ a TOS review



If you are like me, getting a package of new curriculum is like Christmas! Imagine my surprise when I came home and found a box from Apologia Educational Ministries on my front porch. Yes, I knew it was coming, but still, it's always exciting to get a box of new curriculum to try out! Inside was the brand new homeschool reading curriculum called Readers in Residence Volume 1 (Sleuth) full set.

Apologia Educational Ministries Readers in Residence

I am sure you have heard of Apologia Educational Ministries if you are a homeschooler. If you are not, let me tell you a little about them. Apologia is one of those companies that everybody talks about and for good reason too! When most people hear Apologia’s name mentioned they immediately think of their award winning science programs for elementary through high school. But did you know that they now offer a homeschool reading curriculum too?

Apologia Educational Ministries Readers in Residence
For my review I received the Readers in Residence Volume 1 (Sleuth) Full Set that was written by Debra Bell. This full set is geared towards students in the 4th-6th grades or for students who are behind in reading. Some students with special needs may also find this curriculum beneficial as well. This homeschool readers set teaches the student to learn how to comprehend what they read all the while appreciating the beauty of the novel itself.

Apologia Educational Ministries Readers in Residence

Readers in Residence can be used to complete your language arts curriculum as it includes instruction in reading comprehension, literature, and vocabulary. The complete set includes a big spiral-bound all-in-one Student Text and Workbook. I love that the spiral is a bright green color. It makes it very easy to find, especially when the books somehow get up and walk away. A helpful softbound answer key is also included. This answer key book contains complete answers to student activities from the Student All-In-One Text and Workbook.


Over the course of the reading curriculum your student will cover three genres of fiction: historical fiction, animal fantasy, and contemporary realistic fiction using the novels Sarah, Plain and Tall, Charlotte’s Web, and Because of Winn-Dixie. To round out the school year, you will also select three other novels, one from each of the same genres listed.


The Student Text and Workbook is a huge book like I stated earlier with over 550 pages. Inside there are 14 modules over 6 units in this program. Each of the units in the student book are color-coded for ease of use and a helpful suggested daily schedule for 32 weeks is included. I found the fine details the schedule provides to be especially helpful for pacing and getting things done on our end.


I used this program with my current 4th grader, Montana. She is an avid reader now after initially struggling to learn to read. We worked through the program at a slower pace than the suggested schedule and used the program 3 days a week instead of the four days as suggested.


I love that the directions are crystal clear for each section of the assignment. I was able to go over the assignment with Montana and then turn her loose so to speak to complete the pages for the day. I especially liked that novel suggestions were given for the three books that we were to pick on our own. It made my job easier to not have to narrow down the many great novels out there. Read more about this product and download a sample or check out the FAQ’s.


Overall, we have truly enjoyed using this new homeschool reading curriculum from Apologia and will be using it the rest of our school year. I am sure you know Apologia also publishes K-12 Creation-based science and worldview curriculum for children K-12, inspirational books about homeschooling, and hosts online classes through Apologia Academy, but if not definitely check out the website and explore all their offerings. And be sure to check out what my other 49 CrewMates thought of this product, Readers in Residence Volume 1 (Sleuth), by clicking the banner below.

Readers in Residence Volume 1 (Sleuth) {Apologia Educational Ministries Review}


Format ~ spiral bound books 

 Price ~ $89.00 full set 

 Ages ~ 4th-6th graders, students who are behind in reading, or some students with special needs

Apologia Educational Ministries
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