OK, I think I'm ready to order!

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granolamom6
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OK, I think I'm ready to order!

Post by granolamom6 » Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:22 am

I just need some reassurance and insight. :lol:

I am pretty sure that I am going to order Bigger for my two oldest dc, Sam is 12 and Sophie is 10. We have not done a formal study of American history and so, I am thinking that Bigger would be a good fit for them.

I want to also order R&S English for them to do. I need some help deciding which level to start with. They each have had a some grammar instruction, but nothing very formal. This year my ds has been using Queen's Lang. Lessons for the Elementary Child 2 and now is using Intermediate Language Lessons and my dd is using Queen's Lang. Lessons for the Elementary Child 2.

I would like for them to have a more structured Grammar teaching and to get more into writing instruction, as well. The writing instruction they have had is only what has come up in Queen's or ILL.

Which level should I start them on with R&S? They will be fine if they are both using the same books -- they are not competitive that way. And I want them to have a solid foundation.
Christa, wife to Sonnie since '93

ds- 13
dd - 10
dd - 7
dd - 4 — LHTH
And another blessing due in March '09.

Visit my blog: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/granolamom6/
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inHistiming
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Post by inHistiming » Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:16 pm

Christa,

I think you should check out some samples of the different levels.

http://www.rodstaff.com/school/samples/

Maybe that will help you to see what is in each level, and where your children may fit.

I ordered level 2 and level 3 to use with my 8 and 10 (3rd and 5th) yo when we start Bigger mid-summer. I also questioned what the right level would be for my older DC. I decided to go with level 3 instead of level 4 because, although he has had some grammar instruction, he has never diagrammed a sentence they way R&S does it. I didn't want him to miss that. I figure if it's easy for him we can skip some of the review lessons, get finished, and then start level 4. Level 2 looks as if it will be a perfect fit for my 8 yo daughter. I've read on other posts that R&S is a bit advanced and not to worry too much about 'grade levels' here. I know others who have used or are using R&S right now will chime in with their advice. Good luck with your decisions. :P
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Carrie
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Post by Carrie » Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:51 pm

Christa,

I would look at combining them in either Rod and Staff 3 or 4. Take a look at the samples of Rod and Staff at the link provided in the post above to see which would be a better fit. To help with your comparision, my oldest son had First Language Lessons for grades 1 and 2, Bob Jones Grammar for grade 3, and Easy Grammar for grade 4, yet he started in Rod and Staff 4 (as a 5th grader), due to retaining almost nothing from his previous grammar programs! :wink:

As far as whether or not to do "Bigger...", I do think it is important to have a good solid overview of American history, yet I think it is more important to get the right placement as far as all subject areas go in HOD, so I'll just mention that you may want to check out the placement chart one more time to make sure that "Bigger..." is the best fit for your 10 and 12 year old overall regardless of the history rotation.

Here's the link:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Let us know what you're thinking! :D

Blessings,
Carrie
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