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Hello, First, I want to say that I've become obsessed with researching HOD's curriculum. Is anyone else like this? I have to know every detail!! I even dream about it!! OK, now that everyone knows I'm crazy, I'll try to get to my point. How much writing/compostion is covered in the Bigger manual and how much in R&S 2 and 3? I'm not talking about copywork, dictation, or handwriting. I mean actual guided writing lessons. Is it about half and half? What about R&S 2 versus 3? I'm planning on using Bigger in the Fall with a 2nd and 3rd grader. I'm trying to decide on whether or not to use R&S. I've looked at samples online and they look good but I'm also looking at other programs. I just want to make sure if I don't go with R&S then do I have all my bases covered. Also, I don't want to overload my kids. The 3 programs that I'm making myself completely crazy with are CLE LA 2 and 3, R&S English 2 and 3, and CQLA pre-a(this covers both 2nd and 3rd grade). Obviously, there is some overlap between bigger and some of these as far as copywork, dictation, and handwriting so I know I'd have to do some cutting in those areas. But again, my main concerns are the actual teaching of writing/compostion. I appreciate any help or advise anyone can give me.

Dawn

I got my dd started in R&S 2 when I pulled her from 3rd grade ps because I wasn't exactly sure of placement. The first 2/3 of the book is parts of sentences like nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, and building good sentences. Unit 5 (last 1/3 of the book) gets into writing paragraphs, using rhyming words to get started on poetry. I wouldn't say book 2 is strong in writing/composition, but you have to know how to form good sentences and the parts of speech before you can do that, so for me it's been a good build up. And that's where the copywork and dictation from the Bigger guide come in too. Helping them learn to form good sentences that flow well to tell a story.

HTH. I'm sure others can chime in about book 3. My guess is you'd want to start with 2 since you have 2nd and 3rd graders. I really love it. We do lots of it orally and I like how sweet and old fashioned it is. We will probably breeze through the rest of book 2 and get started on 3 before we even get to Preparing in the Fall.

LOL Dawn! You are too funny I TOTALLY understand. It's so exciting to find a curriculum that you know is going to help you meet your educational and spiritual goals at the same time. The greatest part of HOD is that there is no honeymoon phase. The more you do it/work it the more you'll love it. I can't answer your technical question, but wanted to chime in on your EXCITEMENT!

Dawn in Indiana wrote: I mean actual guided writing lessons.

As in Creative Writing? I guess I'm not sure what you mean. R&S covers grammar but that's not what you mean, is it?

Dawn,
I am in the obsessed stage too right now. I am exactly the same way, so I must be crazy too I just received my Bigger package 2 days ago and looked over a little of the R&S 2 book so I really cannot help on how much writing is involved but you mentioned some of the LA curr. that I have obsessed over in the past.
We have 2 daughters ages 7 and almost 9. I have CQLA pre-A, which I really like the looks of with the key word approach to writing and no diagramming. It makes more sense to me but it does not make sense to either of our daughters so we have yet to really use it and doubtfully ever will. All of those blank pages for copywork sent panic into our 9 yo.
At the 2 and 3rd grade level I don't feel the need to require much writing unless they enjoy it (which mine do not, in the least). We did the first 2 lessons in R&S last night snuggled on the couch and they were begging to do more. My philosophy is if they enjoy it, they will learn more and perhaps even do more on their own. When I forced reading, they would not touch a book willingly but now that they can choose what to read (within my limits) they will actually read more than the required time. I am hoping writing will turn out the same way. Eventually we will get it all covered. The writing will come with time so I would not worry about it yet (but that is just my opinion)
What appeals to me about HOD is that it is all planned out without thinking "Am I doing enough?". Bigger's age range is 7-9 so you are in the target age group and R&S 2 is what is recommnded at this level for grades 2-4, unless they have already done an advanced LA program (I learned this while studying the website again last night LOL), so I think you will be fine with R&S 2. I am new to HOD, so I would think others could give better insight into that actual program and your question of how much composition, but I just wanted to give some reassurance

Gina

Wow, you ladies are amazing! Amy, Mary, Lee Ann, and Gina, I really appreciate your replies. Lee Ann, Yes, I did mean creative writing. Thanks for clearing that up. Is the creative writing in R&S or is it in the bigger lesson plans? I guess that was where I was trying to go, lol.

The more I think/pray about this, I feel I should just order R&S 2 and 3 with Bigger. This this probably the least complicated way to go. I'm not sure why I try to make everything so complicated. If I feel R&S3 is too difficult for my 3rd grader then I can just combine him with the 2nd grader in R&S2 and save R&S3 for the following year. I can't remember if I said this before but he will be finishing BJU 2 English this Friday. He will be finished with all his bju subjects this friday. His younger sister will finish all her bju 1st grade subjects at the end of May. I want to start them together in the Fall with Bigger. Now I just need to decide what to do with him until the end of May.

Thanks again,
Dawn