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I just read where Carrie recommended adding Rod and Staff English 2 to Beyond for an 8 yo 3rd grader. My daughter will be 8 yo in October, so she is 2nd grade according to the public school system. We will be starting Beyond with her in a few weeks. I just looked through the grammar lessons on the 5th day of each week, and besides the terminology of predicates, nouns, verbs, etc., I have covered many of those lessons with her already.

So, my question is should I add the Rod and Staff English 2 to her lessons everyday? She has had very little spelling, so I do plan to work on both lists with her this year.

Is there anything else I should consider adding besides making sure she is placed correctly for math?

Thank you!

Hi Mommybelle,

It is not necessary to add in R&S 2 for a second grader unless you feel she is really ready for the additional grammar and writing. In that case, you would just move through the 5th day grammar plans a little quicker (2-3 days a week or every day) and then start R&S 2 at a lesson a day after that. The goal is to complete R&S 6 by the end of grade 8 so there is plenty of time.

I too would say use your own discretion on this. Starting R&S 2, if she is ready for it, would get you ahead and you could take it slower later on when it gets hard. Not starting is fine too. There is really no rush.

Yes, the day 5 grammar lessons are very simple but they are good reminders if your daughter already knows them. You can always do more practice than it suggests.

Thank you both! I may wait until I need to buy the Bigger guide for the math activities and just get the Rod and Staff book as part of the Bigger package then. If it requires more writing, it may be better if I wait. Thanks again!

Many people do R&S 2 orally, thereby making it not too much writing for the child. The grammar is covered very well and thoroughly.

We are doing Rod and Staff 2 with Beyond. We are finishing Unit 7 today, and we have done it almost all orally. I think I have had her write about 4 sentences plus copy a few sentences for the end of the part project. Most days we just do it orally. We did do all of the Beyond grammar activities last year, as we finished the LHFHG FMS early and had a workbook that had all of the Beyond grammar in it (and my daughter liked the activities). If you think she is ready for more grammar, definitely start by speeding up the grammar in Beyond - doing more than 1 day a week. Then, if that goes well and you are finished with the Beyond grammar, then start Rod and Staff 2. Like the others said, Carrie has it scheduled to start Rod and Staff in 3rd grade, but there is also a schedule (starting in Preparing) to be one level ahead. So, there is definitely flexibility to meet your daughter where she is at.

I think you may enjoy just doing the 1 x a week grammar lessons in Beyond this year, as it will give you time to focus on the spelling more, and your dd is just turning 8 yo. I wouldn't work on both spelling lists at the same time though. I think that may be overwhelming and retention would suffer. You can just do Spelling List 1 this year, and next year do Spelling List 2. Spelling List 2 (the same words) are included in Bigger Hearts for His Glory as well, assuming dc who are starting spelling in Beyond will do Spelling List 1 in Beyond, and Spelling List 2 in Bigger Hearts. HTH! Have a great year with Beyond!!!

In Christ,
Julie