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I wonder if anyone here has used HOD with different LA materials like PLL and ILL, Writing Strands, etc. We are still praying about which curriculum to use, but the LA programs through MFW have worked very well for us. Math is easy, since both programs recommend Singapore!
It's tough to have more than one really great choice

I have PLL and ILL too and use them for parts of each year. I don't think it is hard to just substitute the lessons at all. I just write a little note above the box indicating what I did that day.

I've done both since we came from MFW to HOD. You won't need to use the copywork or dictation from PLL or ILL b/c that is in the HOD manual already. Copywork ties into the lessons being taught or poetry being learned in HOD.This is much more CM-style than unrelated copywork. Dictation is scheduled starting with Bigger for the Spelling lesson. I enjoyed PLL/ILL but much prefer R&S now that I'm using it! If you start level 2 in 2nd or 3rd, it really does work well and doesn't seem to be too early-- retention is remarkable when you start something at the right time! You still have all the greatness of the CM copywork, etc. in the HOD guide so you aren't missing out there! So, if you look closely, much of the LA in HOD is very similar to PLL/ILL already. The only difference is in the actual grammar lesson. I do add an occasional picture study using Go Fish For Art.

But, if you still want to go with PLL and ILL, it will still work with HOD! You'll just skip the copywork in one or the other.

I have had the same experience as Tamara.

My son did PLL with Beyond and then moved into R&S 2 with Bigger. It has worked well.

Thanks! I do often find PLL a bit disjointed, for example poetry memorization is sporadic and some days have too much copywork (with other ECC assignments) and some days none.
So how much time is spent on LA with HOD?
What about a fourth grader who hasn't had any formal grammar except Mad Libs ? Where would you start her in R&S?

I would start a 4th grader with MadLibs experience only in book 3.

We spend about 10-15 minutes per assignment in book 3. We talk over the lesson, I do 1-2 from each section on the white board, WE do 1-2 from each section on the white board (I write, she answers), then she writes 2-3 from each section in her notebook. You do NOT need to complete all the exercises in each lesson. It's too much! Also, I have the worksheet packet and if there is a worksheet, I generally have her do that part after we do the white board together and don't make her do the rest in her notebook.

I agree from what you've shared that English 3 would be a good fit for your 4th grader. The ladies did such a good job of answering your questions! They are such servant-hearted women and so willing to help. Thanks, ladies!

Blessings,
Carrie