English and Math choices in Preparing....

[Michelle]

Hi! I have almost figured it all out! Yeah! I only have to decide on math and english for my ds, who will be using Preparing... in the Fall.

I am still quite terrible at grammar and dread teaching my dc this subject! Therefore, since Rod and Staff has been called "thorough" so many times I am terrified to try and teach it and try to have my dc actually understand it!

I've been looking at Easy Grammar since it seems so, well, easy! That work well with HOD? And would I have to add a spelling program then?

Can anyone let me know what they would do if they were very English challenged like myself? I tell you, I still have no idea where to put a comma!

Next question! Math! My son and I are the math challenged ones in the family, so jumping into Singapore Math at 4th grade doesn't seem like a good idea for either of us. I am thinking of using Christian Light. Does anyone have any math suggestions for us math challenged ones that doesn't cost an arm and a leg too!

God bless you all for being on this forum! Michelle

[dale1088]

Hi Michelle,

R&S being thorough doesn't mean difficult. As a matter of fact, it's so thorough that my dd was like "okayyyyy, Mom, I know what a noun is already - let's move on!!!" It's written so that you can pick it up and roll with it and you'll learn too!!!! Do you have anyone in your area, your local hs group who uses it so you can get a look for yourself? My dd is in 3rd grade but I put her in level 2 because i wasn't sure exactly where to place her when pulling from public school. So we have been flying through the first 2/3 of the book. I would love her to be in level 4 when we begin 4th grade in the fall, so I'm going to get level 3 and see if we can get through most of it this summer. But my dd is strong in grammar and reading. It's set up so nicely that you can easily do one lesson at a time, and the exercises are so thorough that you guys will pick it up even if you go nice and slow.

As for math, I can't say. Again with dd in 3rd grade she placed in 2A and she's not a mathy kid. I think it's going well, but I have added more review for her on some things and plan to stick with Singapore for now. I hate the idea of jumping around in different programs. I have heard many good things about CLE but have never seen it in person.

Good luck. More ladies will chime in I'm sure!

[Mom2Monkeys]

I think most of us are grammar challenged and if you aren't, by the time you get to R&S 5, you'll realize that you are! LOL. You'll need the TM like the majority of us and it's wonderful! I'm using the TM along with R&S 3 right now. I'm pretty grammar challenged and didn't want my kids to be like me. So, R&S is perfect. It's challenging but easy to teach. You don't have to know anything about grammar to teach it...the TM has it all in there for you! You'll do great with it and your kids will thank you later when they know where all those commas and other punctuations go. LOL

On math, have you considered starting him in a lower level of Singapore? Once you finish 6B, you are ready for Algebra (from what I've heard on other boards). So, if you finish 6B by 8th grade, you could start Alg. 1 in 9th. Have he taken the Sinapore placement test?

The main thing I look for in math is just finding one that teaches them to THINK mathematically, not just memorize lists of formulas to pass a test. I'm sure there are other programs out there that will fit the bill, but I bet there are lots of moms that started their older kids in Singapore too.

[Alison in KY]

I am not an English person, FWIW. A friend of mine just spend a year in Easy Grammar and loves it. I used Growing with Grammar for a year and liked it fine, it's pretty independent. I've heard one comparison that it's like Rod and Staff Grammar, except secular and more user friendly, because you write directly in the student book instead of copying onto notebook paper. That's all I've heard.

I'm trying Winston Grammar this year, because I've read good things about it and I like it's style. I haven't started it yet though, so I can't give you a review. I do use All About Spelling and I really like it.

For math, we love Math U See. You can order a demo tape from their website if you are interested.

Alison

[Carrie]

Michelle,

The ladies are doing a good job of helping you talk through options. I agree with the ladies that Rod and Staff does a great job of hand-holding and of guiding you through learning grammar right along with your child. My husband has been doing our oldest son's grammar lessons with him this last half of the year in English 5 because HE wanted to know the grammar and found it so interesting! And believe me, if my hubby can teach it, you can!

At our house, we ran the gamut with our oldest son in both grammar and math. We used FLL 1 and 2, Easy Grammar, and BJU and never found the grammar retention or understanding that we've found with Rod and Staff English. We finally settled on Rod and Staff English for good and have been so pleased with the results in both grammar and writing. My next son has only ever had the grammar in our guides in Beyond and Rod and Staff and has very solid grammar and writing skills as well.

I would also encourage you to try the dictation passages included within Preparing Hearts as your spelling. It has been a great way for my kiddos to become strong spellers within the context of writing (instead of to pass a spelling test). Their progress has been terrific.

Last, I'd encourage you to give your son the Singapore placement test and see what it shows. That will give you a better idea of where you want to go math-wise.

Just a few things to ponder!

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

R & S English is very teacher-friendly, and I think you'd find it a stress-reliever to use. We've enjoyed how clear it is, and how it requires no prep and the lessons are scripted. With Singapore, I'd give the placement a whirl, and see what you find. We've found Singapore to be short, clear, and easy to use, and if more instruction is wanted - there are always the Home Instructor's Manuals.

In Christ,
Julie