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I'm looking at using English 3, at full speed with my 4th grader; English 4 at full speed with my 6th grader; and English 5, half-full speed depending on skill, with my 7th grader. Does this sound like a good plan? We have not had diagramming previously, so I want to make sure before I buy. With this English, do I need another writing program, or can it easily stand on its own? Thanks!

If you've looked at the levels and where you think your kids are at, then you probably placed them correctly. I will say that R&S does a lot of review, so for the older ones you could maybe push them up if you wanted to, but it will build a really strong foundation for them. This is just grammar (HOD only suggests using their grammar) so writing is separate and you would need a different program for that. Depending on which guide you are using, look at the writing recommended for that first, tweak it if needed.

Rod and Staff English is a complete English program which contains grammar and writing. HOD does add in extra writing components throughout the guides.

A formal writing program will come in when you get to CTC.

My understanding is that while R&S has some writing in it, it is not a writing program (as in learn to write creatively, etc). Obviously grammar is a big part of writing and as part of the assignments you write sentences, letters, and paragraphs. But it is not focussed on writing primarily. I am not sure if R&S has another writing program, I know they also have reading and other subjects they sell separately.

Which level of HOD do you plan to use. As many of the other posters have mentioned, starting in CTC, HOD schedules a second writing program. While R&S does a great job with some topics for writing, it would be a bit weak if it was the only creative writing completed. So you will want to make sure that you also order in the creative writing program that is in the level of HOD that you are using as well.

Preparing also has some creative writing in the Poetry assignments.

Blessings,