Grammar besides R&S

[inhisgrip]

We have used R&S and it's just too intense of a program for our family. I'm looking for an alternative. We will be using Preparing with Extensions for my 11 yod. Any suggestions? Thoughts about Easy Grammar? I need ease of use. I'm preggers with 4 other children (one older, 3 ages 6 and under).

Thanks,
Christine

[deltagal]

Christine,
Not knowing anything about your previous use of Rod and Staff I simply want to suggest that you revisit Rod and Staff and the ways it is used with HOD. Our family has been through quite a bit of grammar and Rod and Staff has been the simplest and most effective material we've used. The lessons are incredibly brief, incremental in their approach, and effective. Proper placement makes a tremendous difference, because Rod and Staff is quite advanced, imho. For example, my 13 yo is in Book 5, my 11 yo in Book 3 and my 8 yo in Book 2. Post back on what the previous challenges were and perhaps, we might be able to help you.

[jenntracy]

I have not personally used Easy Grammar, but I have heard lots of ladies in my area use it and they just rave about it.

Jenn D.

[Alison in KY]

Easy Grammar is easy to use, definitely. However, if you have a child who is just going through the motions and is not into grammar, then it probably wont' work.

Christine, I have a newly turned 11 yr old boy that I will start CTC with soon. I was going to use R and S 4, but should I use 3? If so, is 3 even compatible with CTC, or are you using it with something different?j

Alison

[inhisgrip]

I tried to use 4 with my then 10 yo last year and we probably could have kept going. My then 13 yo was using 5 and it was just too much.

It does take more time with me and maybe that's what was difficult. Balancing it all. I'll look at 3 and 4 again. I'll probably go with easy grammar ultimate for my now 14 yo. We are doing an eclectic approach with him for high school.

Thanks ladies

[mskogen]

I have tried my share of grammar too. I will have to say R & S is my favorite. My son is finally retaining what he is learning With the other programs, we did try easy grammar, it was as if just going through the motions. Later there was no retention. I was very skeptical to try R & S b/c when I opened the book and looked at it Looked to be too much. I started reading posts on the board about others using R & S. It changed my mind, to at least try it. Boy am I glad I did. What made me change my mind was the approach. Instead of doing the lessons entirely on paper, we do some orally, some on dry erase board and some on paper. The mix would depend on the child and level. Example my ds 8 does most of it oral. My ds 9 does a good mix of the 3, depends on day and lesson. I really hope this helps. I feel R & S is superior. I pray that God leads you to the right grammar for your family.

[jenntracy]

i am glad to hear some input about Easy Grammar. i plan on using R & S when we get to it, But i was curious about Easy Grammar. I wonder if many moms around here are finding their children are not retaining the information.

[my3sons]

R & S would be time consuming for me if we didn't do a good portion of it orally and on markerboard. We do about 2/3 of it this way, and then my ds finishes it out. So, a typical lesson takes 20 minutes. We do the oral review questions in the teacher's guide, and then go through each section doing 2/3 of it orally/me writing on markerboard to model if necessary, and 1/3 written. I describe it in detail here:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4659&p=34269#p34269

If I didn't do R & S this way, I imagine it could feel like a totally different program. I'd suggest giving this a try if you haven't, as R & S done this way cannot be beat for coverage, ease of completion, and amount of time.

In Christ,
Julie

[deltagal]

True Story - This morning I was nursing our baby and my 13 yo son handed me the R&S 5 teacher's manual and plopped down with the student text on the couch across from me. He said, "I'm so tired from doing math I just want to do something easy for a little bit....and this grammar is EASY." I laughed and said, "Do you really think so?" He said, "yes, it's just enough to learn something new and then you review and review and review...and it's quick!" So this is the gospel from my son who has used Easy Grammar, Shirley Grammar and pieces of Abeka.

Alison in KY asked about placement. It just depends on how much grammar your son has had up to this point. Any R&S level is compatible with HOD. If he's not had much grammar I might begin with 3 and move through it quickly, so you have a good foundation for 4. OR you could begin with 4 and just move slower. I began my now 13 yo with 4 last year when he was 12 and it was a bit of a learning curve for him, because he had difficulty grasping the different parts of speech (at first).

[Alison in KY]

3 isn't written into CTC is it?

I wanted to comment on EG again. It's like everything else, it totally works for some and not for others. I can see that when my son actually starts paying attention and remembering the grammar terms that it would have it's place in our lives. However, on kids who pick grammar up easily then it's probably work out fine...and pretty easy .

Alison

[Carrie]

CTC schedules Rod and Staff English 4 and 5 at half-speed (completing the other half in RTR) in order to provide time for writing and lit. study.

Here's a couple of links where I share our thinking on Rod and Staff that may help as you ponder:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3963

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1996

Blessings,
Carrie

[MamaBear23Cubs]

I am using A.C.E. after completing FLL volumes 1-4. We gave R&S a try but FLL more enjoyable for us. A.C.E. is giving my daughter the independence she needs and something less teacher invasive which is something I need for the next year or so.

[Lynnielou]

I hope it's all right to jump into this thread and ask a question, related to grammar. If not, sorry.

My 9 y.o. dd just completed 4th grade language, with ABeka. She learned all the parts of speech toward the end of this school year, and pretty much has a grasp on them.

Which R & S do you recommend for her?

Thanks,
Lynn

[my3sons]

I hope it's all right to jump into this thread and ask a question, related to grammar. If not, sorry.

My 9 y.o. dd just completed 4th grade language, with ABeka. She learned all the parts of speech toward the end of this school year, and pretty much has a grasp on them.

Which R & S do you recommend for her?

Thanks,
Lynn

I'd say R & S English 4, probably half-speed. Others may chime in as well.

In Christ,
Julie