Dithor and ??? for 5th grade language arts

[momof4arrows]

I plan on using DITHOR for my son's 5th grade language arts. Would it be too much to add on R&S English, Igniting Your Writing, and Vocabulary Vine? I want to cover all my bases, but I don't want overkill. Also, I am unsure what level I should start my son in R&S. He has a strong grammer background because we have used Easy Grammar for the past two years. In looking through R&S 4, however, I see that it is set up differently than what he is use to and contains more instruction in composition. Is it generally better when switching to R&S English to start with the fourth grade level? I would appreciate feedback from some who are more familiar with these programs.
Thanks,

[Mom2Monkeys]

DITHOR doesn't cover all LA, so you'll need to add R&S Grammar and a writing program. DITHOR is a wonderful literature program though!

You only need to complete to level 6 of R&S by the end of 8th grade. So, I think 4 would be a good start. Carrie says to take two years on 5 b/c it's so rigorous! That path would have you complete level 6 in 8th and have a much better grammar education than most high schoolers!

[Tree House Academy]

For my 5th grader, we are using CLE Language Arts, Dictation from the Bigger Manual, and DITHOR. I think it will be a wonderful combination and just enough of all the areas.

P.s. My BA is in English so, in the past, I kind of tended toward the "heavy" rather than light side when it came to LA. What I was doing was overloading my ds and confusing the begeebers out of him. When I calmed down and backed off a bit, he took off in his understanding and abilities.

[Riversidemom3]

Hi,

Just want someone to clarify the previous statement. The pp mentioned needing a writing program in addition to R&S. I thought R&s included writing. Thank you.

Jeri

[Mom2Monkeys]

R&S includes some writing...essays, factual, report type I believe. But for the more creative writings, you need to add a program. Carrie has some excellent choices to cover that part of it. Creative, descriptive, poetry, and the like come from lessons outside R&S. The writing R&S does teach, it teaches well though!

[Riversidemom3]

Thank you.

[Carrie]

Momof4arrows,

You have several options within the plan that you shared. One thing that will make a difference on what language arts components you'll need is whether or not you are using one of our other programs in addition to DITHR. For example, if you are using Preparing Hearts, you could forego Igniting Your Writing (due to the creative writing scheduled within Preparing Hearts). Or, if you're using CTC, you'd want to use Write with the Best instead, since it's scheduled within CTC.

If you're not doing one of our other programs, or are doing Bigger Hearts than you will want to have a writing program for your 5th grade child. You could accomplish this by either doing Rod and Staff English 5 (which would be a rigorous grammar and writing course in one). If you are doing Rod and Staff on grade level, you wouldn't need to add additional writing. Or, you could do Rod and Staff 4 (which is a good place to begin when switching to Rod and Staff). If you do 4, then you'd want to add Igniting Your Writing.

I wouldn't feel the need to add Vocabulary Vine, unless you are not covering vocabulary any other way. We do cover vocabulary within our programs, if you're utilizing any of those. Vocabulary strategies are also covered well in Level 6/7/8 of DITHR.

Blessings,
Carrie

[momof4arrows]

I would like to thank everyone who replied. It is great to know I have a place to come with my questions. I will probably go with the extras I mentioned since I will only be using DITHOR at this time. Also, I'll start with R&S 4. Then, I can take two years with R&S 5 and finish with 6th grade R&S when my ds is in the eighth grade, as was suggested.
Blessings,
Dona