Skip Rod & Staff 3 ?

[homeschool mom]

Hello ladies,
I am finishing up Rod & Staff 2 with a soon to be 10 year old. For next year, should I jump to Rod & Staff 4, skipping level 3 ? Or should I do 3, omitting the review lessons ? How do I get on track & what lessons can be omitted ?

[Jen in Va]

R&S is a very meaty grammar program from the start that builds from year to year. I have a friend who is a former high school teacher (I taught jr/sr high as well), and she uses the grammar 8 book with high school kids of all ages. The reason I mention this is because I think you can go right on with the grammar 3 for next year and continue with the progression as is. Just because it says a particular number on the front doesn't mean it has to be used in that year. The original R&S grammar series ended at 8th grade and included all the grammar a student would need for college--so there is a lot in each text. I remember covering topics and diagramming in that level 8 text that I never had in high school. My kids have always scored off the chart on standardized tests in grammar due to R&S. So don't let the number on the front cause you any trepidation. If, however, you are trying to catch up to Carrie's schedule in the manual, imo, 3rd would be the easiest to skip. Don't try to skip 4th or any above that. If it were me, I'd just continue on with the level 3. I think it is a good thing if a student doesn't get to the level 8 text in 8th grade--there is a lot to digest in that text, so the more mature a student when they get there, the better. Next time I get there, I may have my son take two years to cover that one book--using review worksheets and reviews from the text a couple of days a week to extend the book over two grade levels.

HTH,

[Carrie]

I agree with Jen completely. Rod and Staff is so meaty that the grade level on the book doesn't do it justice. I would also recommend just going steadily through English 3. At HOD, we recommend completing Rod and Staff 6 by the end of grade 8. This will be excellent preparation for high school grammar.

Blessings,
Carrie

[homeschool mom]

Thanks, Jen & Carrie,
My son will be 10 this summer; I hope to finish Rod & Staff 2 by then. I will likely do Rod & Staff 3, but omit the reviews & tests. That way I won't be skipping a whole book. Is this going to cover the material well enough to go on to Rod & Staff 4 in the middle of the year ? Do you need any more information to answer this ?
Blessings,
Homeschool Mom

[Carrie]

Yes that should work well!

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

Thanks, Jen & Carrie,
My son will be 10 this summer; I hope to finish Rod & Staff 2 by then. I will likely do Rod & Staff 3, but omit the reviews & tests. That way I won't be skipping a whole book. Is this going to cover the material well enough to go on to Rod & Staff 4 in the middle of the year ? Do you need any more information to answer this ?
Blessings,
Homeschool Mom

That sounds like a good plan! I agree with what Jen and Carrie have said as well - R & S is hands-down the best grammar program I've seen for retention and for foundational learning in grammar. It's definitely hard enough, and you're on the track to complete more than enough of it.

In Christ,
Julie

[wertzeemom]

Ooh -- I'm glad I read this! I was questioning which grammar levels I should use with my kids. You can also order curriculum samples from R&S for, like, $1.00 each if you don't have the books - to get an idea of the content and the scope & sequence.