Guidance in Grammar

[psreit]

Well, our switch back to Bigger is proving to be successful I only have one part still hanging over my head......grammar. We have been using Growing With Grammar (workbook format) for the past year and it has worked well. So, when we started Bigger, I just stayed with it. We are nearing the end of the first level, so I have been thinking about whether it would be beneficial to switch to R&S. Honestly, I wouldn't have a problem staying with GWG, but I'm wondering if R&S would teach skills not included in GWG. I think my daughter can be stretched a little this year, but I don't want to overload her. Maybe I'm writing this to try to convince myself but any thoughts will be appreciated.

[Gwenny]

I would switch. R&S is very simple to implement, doesn't take much time and is scheduled throughout the guides that are coming up for quite awhile. Carrie has balanced all of the writing assignments with it so you know that everything will be covered and there won't be overlap either. She explains it better in another post about why she has chosen it, etc, but I don't know how to search like others do. Someone can probably find those posts quickly.

[LynnH]

Normally I would say switch, however given your dd's past struggles and her learning challenges I think I would stay with GWG one more year. If she is doing well with it, it gives her some confidence and stability as she meets the challenges of Bigger. I would give her time to fully grow into Bigger and make sure she is doing well through that guide, then reassess as you get ready to start Bigger. For my ds dealing with his dysgraphia when I first brought him home we did GWG with Preparing and then switched to Rod and Staff for CTC. That worked well for him. I think Rod and Staff would have overwhelmed him that first year since he was adjusting to all the writing in Preparing. When we hit CTC he was ready for the rigor of Rod and Staff and has done great with it.

[psreit]

Lynn, thank you. I needed to hear this. I almost sent a post saying I had convinced myself to switch, but your wise words have made me stop and think. I don't want to be impulsive like I was so many times these past two years. When we came back to Bigger, even Carrie said to teach the child, not the grade level. My evaluator has told me that several times. Maybe my daughter would do alright with R&S now, but maybe it would be better to think about it when we get to Preparing. Also, I already own GWG 2. This would take us through Bigger. Then I can reassess. I am seeing progress now, so I'd better 'leave well enough alone'.

Just curious, Lynn. When your son switched to R&S, in which book did he begin? Also, how many GWG levels had he completed? I had wondered where GWG would line up with R&S if we did switch at some point. That is why I wasn't sure if it would be beneficial to switch now or wait a while. I guess when the time comes, I just figure out where she places in R&S and go from there.

Nancy, I appreciate your thoughts. I did read Carrie's reasons for grammar choices, and was impressed by her comment that there was more retention with R&S. So, I was ready to jump in. Retention is my concern. In our case, I think it would be wise to wait until Preparing to possibly switch. It was something I needed to settle in my mind, now I need to let it go for a while.