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I will be starting Preparing with my 11yo ds in about 2 weeks. (I just ordered it and we school throughout summer, so I will go ahead and start it when it arrives). He is currently in 4th grade. I am trying to figure out what to do for him for LA. From what I can tell, alot of LA is in the guide, ie, spelling and writing narrations, but English Grammar is not in the guide, is that right?

Before looking into HOD, my plan for him for English Grammar was that he would use Jr. Analytical Grammar (JAG) for 5th grade, and Analytical Grammar for 6th-8th grades. This is strictly an English Grammar program, no writing, and it's for students who have had little or no previous English Grammar. It contains no writing instruction, but is very thorough and challenging in English Grammar, with diagramming. For writing, I was planning on having him write his narrations, continue copywork and dictation. Up until now, the only English Grammar he has had has been First Lang. Lessons levels 1 and 2. He is an excellent reader, loves reading, and reads independently very well.

I'm wondering if I should proceed with my JAG plan for him, or if I should instead go with Rod and Staff for him. If I go with Rod and Staff, which level R&S would I put him in? Being totally turned off by textbooks, the thought of using R&S English is giving me reason for pause. I have always felt textbooks written for a school setting have too much busywork in them, but I know that Carrie has chosen R&S after looking into other programs and I do trust her judgement. So, if anyone can make me feel better I would appreciate it! plus advice on which level he would need to start.

I appreciate any opinions or advice.
Donna Jo

Also, if I decide not to use R&S, but to go with my Analytical Grammar plan, do you advise a separate writing program? Since there is writing already in Preparing, and in future guides as well, I read there will be outlining, research, written narrations, ... I was wondering if maybe what is in the guide would suffice for writing.

Thank you so much!

I am also usually turned off of classroom texts, but R&S is different. Mostly b/c it works and it's! But also, b/c I'd say almost all of us homeschoolers using it (most certainly those here with HOD) don't use all the "busy work". Mom teaches the lesson, then does a couple sentences from each section orally and/or on the white board, then have the child do just a little from each section on paper.

Personally, I do one on the board and/or orally, then I do another but have my DD8 tell me what to do, then I have her do one on the board, then I have her do the worksheet if there is one. Otherwise she does 2-3 from each section. All this takes just a few minutes of my time (maybe 10min in teaching time, and another 10 for her independent work).

If you go with R&S, then it's in the plans. This can make your days go more smoothly with the plans in there. But, it's easy enough to sub in your own. R&S also includes writing instruction. R&S 3 should follow FLL 1&2 quite well. You may be able to move through it more quickly with him being older, if you chose to do so.

HTH!

Thank you! I borrowed the English 4 book from a friend, and I'm looking it over. It does look good. So nice to be able to see it. about the "worksheets" you mentioned... I see on the R&S website, a "worksheet" booklet for those who need extra practice. Is this what you use?

Thanks for your help!

I think you might be looking at the remedial worksheets. The worksheets I use for level 3 are: http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/1- ... ish_Series

Those for level 4 are: http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/1- ... ish_Series

If you buy the whole set it comes with TM, student text, worksheets, and tests and at a good price.

Just wanted to add that the worksheets could be considered 'busy work' if you're not careful. We are using R&S for my 4th and my 6th grader and I have found the exercises in the textbooks to be plenty...sometimes we do some of it orally, then they have less written work to do. I don't think there's a worksheet for every single day, but there are quite a few and one could easily get bogged down in it. It may be useful for such lessons that prove to be more difficult and you feel your child needs extra practice, otherwise I would say just get the textbook and go through the lessons that way...and the teacher's manual. We do love R&S though. It's very thorough and I believe my children are understanding the concepts very well. And overall it's not too much work just using the textbook.

Thanks! I like the tip about doing alot of it orally.
Sounds like, purchasing the worksheets would be optional.

Thank you.

I just had to chime in that we love doing a good portion of R & S English orally! Here's a past post where I described what works for us, in case it's helpful at all:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4659&p=34269#p34269

Doing R & S English in this manner keeps the lessons shorter, while not sacrificing the excellent content of it. It is Christ-centered, thorough, and teaches English from the standpoint of using excellent English to write well. Those are some of my top reasons for loving it. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks Julie! I went to that link and read how you teach it. I will definately try it that way.

Donna Jo