More language arts questions, especially writing

[threegreatkids]

I now have our box of Bigger materials in hand, and I feel a bit like Goldilocks when she finally found the "just right" Oh, I can't wait to start!!!!
But, I still have a few more decisions to make. I'll be doing Bigger with dds grades 3 and 4 next year. I did order a copy of Rod and Staff 2, and I really like the look of it. I still have 4 days to return my new copies of ILL and Writing Strands, so I'm needing to make some fast decisions.
Should I do separate R&S with my two daughters? Level 2 looks about right for younger (grade 3) but older (grade 4) has not had formal grammar, just PLL. Should I combine? I'm leaning towards ordering R&S 3 for her.
As for writing, it looks like if she were doing CtC in grade 4 she would start a writing program. What about with Bigger with Extensions? Should I get Igniting Your Writing 1? How does that program compare with Writing Strands (which I own but can return)? Or would Rod and Staff 3 cover enough writing for a 4th grader. Or should I do R &S 2 with her and add a writing program.
As always, thanks!

[Jen in Va]

I've used all of R&S grammar with my older two kids. If I were in your place, I'd start both kids in R&S 2.R&S grammar is a meaty program, and I am in the better late than early camp for starting it. My goal for my youngest is to have him in R&S 8 in 9th (or preferably, 10th) grade--if you put them both in level 2, you'd reach level 8 with the younger in 9th and 10th for the older--perfect! Plus if you keep them together in grammar, it gives you one less thing to do separately with them.

I'm unsure about the writing component of Bigger, as we haven't gotten there yet, so I'll leave that to someone else.

[Mom2Monkeys]

I think I'd wait on the writing program until they've had some practice in written narration. That's the way the guides progress...oral narration, written narration, then a writing program is added. You could add a year of Igniting Your Writing maybe in 5th grade if you really wanted to add a writing program.

R&S covers some writing skills too, but not the creative side. I think 2 just does poetry "study" here and there and how to compose complete, truthful, God-honoring sentences plus parts of speech. I would think you could start there with both, but you might find that 3 is a good fit for the older (even with no previous grammar intro). It goes a little more in depth and adds diagramming. You'll take two years to complete 5 I think in CTC, and you only need to get to the end of book 6 by grade 8 if that helps you plan. If you like to stay the gentle route, then 2 is just perfect as a follow up to PLL for both. I'd think your 4th grader with pick up on it VERY quickly in book 2 or 3.

We have LOVED R&S at our house. So long as you remember not to have them do ALL the sentences in all the sections, and to do some orally and written (white board) with them, I think they'll love it too! My dd liked PLL okay but prefers R&S. I never would have guessed!

[threegreatkids]

Jen and Tamara,
Thanks for your opinions! Looks like we'll have a few options. I'm thinking that if order R&S 3 for older dd that will cover some writing (it sounds like) and when I get the book I'll decide whether I could combine both in book 3, or do 2 and 3, or end up doing 2 for both and saving 3. Since we are using the Extension part of bigger dd9 will be doing written narrations, too, (correct?). Fortunately I have the manual for Preparing so I'll use that for her dictations and for the written narration instruction. She's more than ready for written narrations. I love those narration sections in the Appendix!
So, I think I'll return the original language arts materials I had purchased and jump on the HOD train and pray that the transition is smooth. Neat to know that your dc prefer Rod and Staff, Tamara.
Blessings to you,