R&S English placement question

[Heather4Him]

We've been using ACE for English, and we're just finishing up 8th grade (with CTC).

For 9th grade next year, we're using RTR (with extensions), and I'm considering switching over to HOD's recommendation of R&S for English. But, RTR has lesson plans for second half of either the 4th or the 5th grade level of R&S, and I think we would be farther than that by now (since she's using 8th grade level ACE).

Can anyone suggest what level of R&S English we would most likely need or that would correspond to an 8th-9th grade level? (I know that R&S is only recommended to be used through their 7th or 8th grade through high school per HOD, is that right?)

Please help me plan out where to start and how to use the levels through high school--thanks!!

[my3sons]

Heather - we have enjoyed R & S English here! I can depend on it being thorough, and it teaches so much more than just grammar. Sometimes grammar on its own seems to lack carryover into students' work. R & S English, on the other hand, does an outstanding job of teaching grammar for the purpose of good writing and even good speaking skills. And, it's Christian. I also have found doing 2/3 of it orally or on a markerboard (as HOD suggests) is a great way to clip along with it and still retain it well. R & S English is not hard to schedule on your own, and I would guess your dd would be past R & S English 4 or 5 half-speed. Does Ace have diagramming sentences as part of it? Is it fairly rigorous? I wish I knew more about it and could better help you. I'd guess R & S English 7 half-speed if ACE is fairly rigorous, and if it has included diagramming throughout. I know Carrie will be trying to read the board as time allows too, if you can wait a bit, I know she'll get back to you.

In Christ,
Julie

[Heather4Him]

Thanks Julie!!

ACE does have a lot of diagramming, and we've been really happy with it so far. I wasn't planning to switch, except that we love HOD and really value Carrie's recommendations on everything, AND I have to order her next level of English soon, so I was wondering if we should try R&S.

I'm looking forward to Carrie's opinion, too, when she gets a chance. (I know she's super busy!)

[Kathleen]

I'm no where near high school yet...but I did want to tell you that you're right about the English reccommendations for R&S with HOD. They reccommend being through R&S 6 in 8th grade. And then, Carrie has said that R&S 7 and 8 are high school English credit worthy. So my guess would be (without knowing how ACE and R&S compare) that you'll either need R&S 6 (which you could do full speed) or R&S 7?

I'm enjoyng learning English from the beginning with my son. I grew up in a public school where we journaled and wrote a lot and didn't learn a lick of English! I think we felt really good about ourselves though... R&S is doing the job for both of us!

Kathleen

[Heather4Him]

Thanks, Kathleen!! That helps a lot!!

[Carrie]

Heather,

Thanks so much for your patience in hearing back from me! We've had 3 back-to-back conventions in a row (Boston to Arlington to Harrisburg) and are just unearthing a bit! The ladies have done a terrific job of advising you.

Since you are enjoying your ACE, you could always just continue on with it for English. One thing to weigh is whether ACE includes writing instruction, or outlining, or research etc. along with its grammar instruction. This is one thing that Rod and Staff has that many English programs do not include. If ACE does include these areas too, then there may be no reason for you to switch. If ACE doesn't include writing within its grammar instruction, then it may be good to ponder a switch, as we really enjoy the integration of some writing within the grammar instruction (giving it application).

From what I've seen of ACE, it is fairly rigorous, making the switch to Rod and Staff easier if desired. I would likely head into Rod and Staff 7 at half-speed for grade 9, but you'll know better than me as you'll be more familiar with ACE than I am!

Blessings,
Carrie

[Heather4Him]

Thanks, Carrie! That's exactly what I needed! ACE does include all those things you mentioned, and it's been working well, so maybe we will just stay with it for now. But, it's nice to know where to start with R&S if we ever need to change!