Voyages in English series

Our Lady of Victory/Lepanto Press

Books in this series are reprints of the 1958 editions of the Voyages in English series. (There are also newer, heavily revised editions published by Loyola Press.) These “originals” are distinctively Catholic. Character building is embedded throughout the books. Content is broader and more challenging than newer books as you move past the early grade levels. Content is less challenging at the lower levels than in the newer versions. A variety of exercises accompany each lesson in the text. Many of these exercises should be done orally, but some must be copied from the book.

Optional, Exercise Workbooks are consumable. Answer keys to Exercise Workbooks are available. The Exercise Workbooks might be used in place of some of the exercises within the text (especially for students who have much difficulty with writing), or both might be used for students who need a great deal of practice and reinforcement. On the other hand, you might find that text exercises are adequate without additional workbook activities. The second half of each text focuses on grammar, while the first half covers the range of other English activities.

Teacher’s manuals include some instructional information, but they serve primarily as answer keys. Textbooks are not consumable, but workbooks are.

Voyages in English 1

$8.00, teachers manual (covers grades 1 and 2) - $10

As mentioned above, the early levels in this series are less challenging than many other language arts programs. Little grammatical vocabulary is used. For example, in presenting plural forms they use the heading, “Words for More than One.” If you are concentrating on phonics, beginning reading, and handwriting, this will give you adequate coverage of language arts for first grade. No answer key is necessary but there is a combined grades 1 and 2 teachers manual that has teaching suggestions and answers.

Voyages in English 2

student edition - $8, teachers manual (covers grades 1 and 2) - $10

Second grade level adds adverbs to the parts of speech to be studied, and it continues work on prefixes, suffixes, contractions, subject-verb agreement, and other grammatical concepts. Writing activities include friendly letters, “how-to” paragraphs, and very short reports. The only Catholic reference I found here was the inclusion of abbreviations for Father and Sister as forms of address. While some fantasy appears in the literature, I found nothing objectionable. As with the first grade program, the teacher edition is intended to be the source of instruction, but the student books can be used on their own for less thorough and comprehensive coverage.

Voyages in English 3

student text - $12, teachers manual - $9, exercise book - $12, key to exercises - $3

Voyages in English 4

student text - $12, teacher’s manual - $7; exercises workbook - $11; key to exercises - $3

Voyages in English 5

student text - $14, teacher’s manual - $9, exercises workbook - $13, key to exercises - $3

Grammar concepts are more complex, and topics such as articulation, choral speaking, and interpretation of diacritical markings are covered. Illustrations are minimal, so even though some are dated in appearance, it matters very little. Among topics covered in Book 5 are group discussions, “judging talks,” parliamentary procedure, choral speaking, paragraph construction, outlines, writing poetry, dictionary use, letter writing, book reports, drama, radio broadcasts, and a wide range of grammatical concepts including parts of speech through prepositions, interjections, and conjunctions. Diagramming instruction begins with this level.

Voyages in English 6

student text - $14, teacher’s manual - $9, exercises workbook - $13, key to exercises - $3