All About Reading vs Logic of English Compared

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Choosing between All About Reading and Logic of English feels overwhelming. Both are Orton-Gillingham based programs with strong reputations. Both promise to teach reading through explicit phonics. So which one actually fits your family better?

I’ve used both programs in my homeschool and talked with dozens of families who’ve made this choice. The right answer depends on your teaching style, your child’s needs, and your budget. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide. For more options, check our best homeschool language arts curriculum guide.

Quick Comparison at a Glance

Feature	All About Reading	Logic of English
Price per Level	$100-130	$150-200
Approach	Orton-Gillingham based	Orton-Gillingham based
Includes Spelling	No (separate program)	Yes, fully integrated
Teacher Prep	Minimal (scripted)	Moderate
Levels	Pre-reading + 4 levels	Foundations + Essentials
Best For	Busy parents, struggling readers	Thorough coverage, integrated skills
Lesson Time	20 minutes	30-45 minutes

All About Reading: Program Overview

All About Reading (AAR) is published by All About Learning Press. The program uses an Orton-Gillingham approach with multisensory activities. It’s designed to be easy for parents to teach with minimal preparation.

How All About Reading Works

Each lesson follows a clear structure. You open the teacher’s manual and read what it says. The scripted format tells you exactly what to do and say. Kids use letter tiles to build words. They practice with fluency pages and readers.

The program emphasizes mastery before moving on. Students don’t advance until they’ve learned each concept well. This helps struggling readers build a solid foundation without gaps.

What’s Included

• Teacher’s Manual: Fully scripted lessons with clear instructions
• Student Workbook: Activities and practice pages
• Letter Tiles: Color-coded magnetic tiles for word building
• Fluency Pages: Practice sheets for reading speed
• Readers: Decodable books matched to lessons

The Institute of Education Sciences supports systematic phonics instruction for reading development. All About Reading follows this research-backed approach.

Logic of English: Program Overview

Logic of English (LOE) takes a comprehensive approach to literacy. The program integrates reading, spelling, and handwriting from the start. It’s based on 74 basic phonograms and 31 spelling rules that explain English patterns.

How Logic of English Works

Logic of English focuses on teaching the “why” behind English spelling. Students learn rules that explain most words. The program argues that English is 98% phonetic when you understand all the patterns.

Lessons combine reading instruction with spelling practice. Kids don’t just decode words—they also encode them. This dual approach reinforces learning from multiple angles.

What’s Included

• Teacher’s Manual: Detailed lessons with background information
• Student Workbook: Combined reading and spelling activities
• Phonogram Cards: Flashcards for 74 phonograms
• Spelling Rule Cards: Reference cards for 31 spelling rules
• Readers: Decodable books aligned with lessons
• Game Materials: Various games for practice

Price Comparison: True Costs

Price matters for homeschool families. Let’s break down the real costs of each program.

All About Reading Costs

• Level 1 Complete Set: $120
• Level 2 Complete Set: $120
• Level 3 Complete Set: $130
• Level 4 Complete Set: $130
• Basic Starter Set: $40 (tiles, dividers, magnets)

Total for all 4 levels: About $540

Note: This doesn’t include spelling. All About Spelling is a separate purchase at similar prices per level.

Logic of English Costs

• Foundations A Complete Set: $180
• Foundations B Complete Set: $150
• Foundations C Complete Set: $150
• Essentials Complete Set: $200
• Basic Phonogram Cards: $25

Total for complete program: About $705

Note: This includes integrated spelling and handwriting instruction.

Real Cost Analysis

All About Reading looks cheaper at first glance. But add All About Spelling and the gap narrows. If you need both programs, Logic of English may actually cost less while providing more integrated instruction.

Teaching Style Comparison

How these programs teach differs significantly. Your teaching preference matters here.

All About Reading: Scripted Simplicity

All About Reading is fully scripted. You read what’s on the page. This makes teaching easy. You don’t need to understand phonics deeply yourself. The manual guides you step by step.

Lessons are short—about 20 minutes each. The pace is gentle. Kids who need extra practice get it before moving on. There’s no pressure to cover a certain amount each day.

Best for: Parents who want simplicity. Busy families who can’t prepare lessons in advance. New homeschoolers unsure about teaching reading.

Logic of English: Comprehensive Understanding

Logic of English requires more parent preparation. You need to understand the phonograms and rules yourself first. Lessons are longer—30 to 45 minutes. The pace is more intensive.

The trade-off is depth. Kids learn why words are spelled certain ways. They understand English as a logical system. This knowledge transfers to new words they encounter.

Best for: Parents who enjoy understanding the “why” behind things. Families who want comprehensive coverage. Older students or advanced younger learners.

Spelling Integration

This is where the programs differ most dramatically.

All About Reading: Separate Programs

All About Reading teaches reading only. For spelling, you need All About Spelling—a completely separate curriculum. Both are excellent, but managing two programs takes more time and organization.

Some families like this separation. You can progress at different paces in reading and spelling. You can skip spelling if your child already spells well. The flexibility has value.

Logic of English: Built-In Integration

Logic of English combines reading and spelling from day one. Each lesson teaches both skills together. What kids learn to read, they also learn to spell. The integration reinforces learning.

Students see the same phonograms and rules in both contexts. This dual exposure strengthens retention. Many families find integrated instruction more efficient.

Who Should Choose All About Reading?

All About Reading fits certain families better. Consider this program if these apply to you.

Choose All About Reading If:

• You want minimal prep time
• You prefer scripted, easy-to-follow lessons
• Your child is a struggling reader who needs gentle pacing
• You have limited teaching time (20-minute lessons)
• You’re a new homeschooler nervous about teaching reading
• You want to teach reading and spelling separately
• Budget is tight (lower upfront cost)
• Your child needs lots of repetition and review

All About Reading Strengths

• Extremely easy to teach
• Excellent for struggling readers
• Short, manageable lessons
• Clear mastery-based progression
• Strong support for learning differences
• Quality decodable readers included

Who Should Choose Logic of English?

Logic of English suits different family needs. This program works best in these situations.

Choose Logic of English If:

• You want integrated reading and spelling
• You enjoy understanding the “why” behind concepts
• Your child learns better with explanations and rules
• You have more time for lessons (30-45 minutes)
• You’re comfortable preparing lessons in advance
• You want comprehensive coverage in one curriculum
• Your child is advanced or older
• Long-term cost savings matter (includes spelling)

Logic of English Strengths

• Comprehensive approach covers reading, spelling, handwriting
• Deep understanding of English patterns
• Rules that apply to 98% of English words
• Integrated skills reinforce each other
• Works well for older remedial students
• Strong foundation for advanced vocabulary

Head-to-Head: Key Differences

Lesson Length and Pace

All About Reading: 20-minute lessons. Gentle pace with lots of review. Kids master each skill before moving on. Less intensive daily commitment.

Logic of English: 30-45 minute lessons. More intensive coverage. Faster overall progression. Requires more daily time investment.

Parent Preparation

All About Reading: Almost none. Open the book and teach. Everything is scripted and ready. You can teach without previewing lessons.

Logic of English: Moderate preparation needed. Parents should understand phonograms and rules first. Previewing lessons helps teaching flow smoothly.

Learning Depth

All About Reading: Focuses on getting kids reading. Teaches what they need to know. Doesn’t overwhelm with explanations. Practical and results-focused.

Logic of English: Emphasizes understanding the system. Kids learn rules that explain patterns. More analytical approach. Builds foundation for advanced literacy.

Switching Between Programs

What if you start one and want to switch? This happens to many families.

AAR to LOE

Moving from All About Reading to Logic of English is fairly smooth. Use the LOE placement test. Most skills transfer. You may need to fill some gaps in spelling rule knowledge, but the phonics foundation carries over.

LOE to AAR

Switching from Logic of English to All About Reading is also manageable. AAR’s gentle approach accommodates students at various levels. You might find some overlap with concepts already learned. That extra review usually helps rather than hurts.

What About Struggling Readers?

Both programs work for struggling readers, but differently.

All About Reading for Struggling Readers

All About Reading was specifically designed with struggling readers in mind. The multisensory approach helps kids with dyslexia and learning differences, which aligns with What Works Clearinghouse recommendations for foundational reading instruction. The mastery-based progression means no child gets left behind. Many special needs families choose AAR for its gentleness and structure.

Logic of English for Struggling Readers

Logic of English also helps struggling readers, particularly older ones. The comprehensive rule system gives students tools to decode new words independently. Some remedial students respond well to understanding “why” English works the way it does. The approach can be empowering for frustrated readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both programs together?

You can, but it’s not necessary or recommended. Both are complete programs. Using both creates overlap and takes more time. Choose one and stick with it.

Which is better for dyslexia?

Both are Orton-Gillingham based, which research supports for dyslexia. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development confirms that systematic phonics instruction benefits struggling readers. All About Reading is specifically marketed for struggling readers and has more built-in support. Many dyslexia families prefer AAR’s gentler pacing.

Which one is more rigorous?

Logic of English is more rigorous academically. It covers more ground and goes deeper into the logic of English spelling. All About Reading is effective but less intensive.

Can older students start either program?

Yes. Both have placement tests. Logic of English Essentials works well for older students starting phonics. The Home School Legal Defense Association notes that it’s never too late to address reading gaps. All About Reading Level 1 can work for any age with appropriate supplemental reading material.

Which has better resale value?

Both programs resell well in homeschool communities. Teacher’s manuals are non-consumable and hold value. Student workbooks are consumable and need replacing. Materials quality is high for both.

Do I need anything else with either program?

All About Reading: You’ll likely want All About Spelling for complete language arts coverage. Logic of English: The program is comprehensive. You may want additional read-alouds but don’t need other curriculum.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

There’s no universal winner here. Both are excellent programs based on solid research. Your choice depends on your family’s specific situation.

Choose All About Reading When:

Simplicity matters most. You want short lessons with minimal prep. Your child needs gentle pacing and lots of review. You prefer teaching reading and spelling separately. Budget is tight upfront.

Choose Logic of English When:

Comprehensive coverage appeals to you. You want integrated reading and spelling. Your child benefits from understanding rules and patterns. You have time for longer lessons. You value long-term cost efficiency.

Both programs will teach your child to read. Both use proven methods. The “right” choice is the one you’ll actually use consistently. Consider your teaching style, your child’s needs, and your available time.

Still unsure? Read our detailed reviews: All About Reading Review and Logic of English Review.