Will R&S work for my DD?

[Mumkins]

LA- Nothing is working for her!

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My 8yo, 3rd grader just doesn't do well with LA it seems. I know though, if I can find the right curriculum, I can reach her. We've tried SL, McRuffy's, WWE, AAS, LLATL, Growing with grammar.

IDK what to try next! Any ideas?

Here's some more about her:

We struggled for years to find the right math and to teach her how to readd. We were thinking perhaps she had an LD or was dyslexic. Mid grade 2, it was like a switch flipped and all of a sudden, she could read. Anything and everything.

Math had been a struggle and often left both of us in tears. She just didn't get it. Pages were too busy, work was too boring to keep her attention (though she's better at that now). Too much work, simply looking at it would make her cry. She did saxon well enough, but it was too much. We've put her in MUS gamma this year though and she's doing great! She needed the mastery an small work load.

Spelling is a major issue. I gave her a spelling test out of McRuffy's as I'm still doing that, while searching for something else. I even have her back a grade, but it's not working. She got 8 out of 14 after working all week with the words. There were another 3 words she spelled correctly oraly to me, but incorrect on paper. I really wanted AAS to work for us. Maybe I just don't have the hang of it, but it seems the lessons are way too long and setting up the board is a chore in itself.

Does she sound like the type of child that will do well with R&S? I'm leary to spend more money on yet another curriculum. My basement has boxes of stuff that just didn't work for us.

[Carrie]

Mumkins,

If you get a chance to share which (if any) parts of HOD's language arts you've used in the past, and which guide you're currently using of HOD's we could likely advise you better. I couldn't quite tell which HOD program you're doing now and whether you've gotten a chance to try any parts of the language arts from that HOD guide yet? That would make a difference in our recommendations and in our understanding of which areas of language arts you have covered and in what areas of language arts you're seeking a better fit.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Mumkins]

We did spelling in Beyond for 10 weeks last year. That's all we've tried. Never tried R&S. I look at the examples on the R&S site and it kinda throws me. It says stuff like write the definition of these words from your hymn books - Brethern, and some more words. Even some IDK the meaning of. Then it has them write the words after being listed in phonectic symbols, which I myself wouldn't be very good at. I was never taught that. I wasn't even taught how to read by phonics. I had to learn that when I began homeschooling.


She'll be doing Preparing in the fall.

[Mom2Monkeys]

We did spelling in Beyond for 10 weeks last year. That's all we've tried. Never tried R&S. I look at the examples on the R&S site and it kinda throws me. It says stuff like write the definition of these words from your hymn books - Brethern, and some more words. Even some IDK the meaning of. Then it has them write the words after being listed in phonectic symbols, which I myself wouldn't be very good at. I was never taught that. I wasn't even taught how to read by phonics. I had to learn that when I began homeschooling.


She'll be doing Preparing in the fall.

I'm using R&S and haven't noticed any of that! Are you looking at R&S English or perhaps at their other LA programs (like the readers, phonics, or spelling??). HOD uses R&S English. The spelling is built into the guides through spelling lists in the Beyond and one in Bigger and then dictation from then on out.

[my3sons]

R & S is a Christian English program, so there are references to Scripture occasionally. What you described would be a rare day though! The language sounds more like we'd speak to one another on a regular basis. I do love that it is a Biblically based English program, however, I'm equally impressed with its approach to teaching English with a focus on using it to write well too. Yes, I do think your dd would do fine with R & S English. Proper placement is important, as R & S English is considered advanced. I'd error on the side of placing her too low than too high myself. Diagramming begins in R & S English 3. We've also enjoyed doing a good portion of it orally.

For spelling, 15 years of teaching has taken me on a long spelling journey. I have done many list driven spelling programs and been displeased with the results - mainly because there was a lack of retention and little carryover to children's own writing. The CM approach to teaching spelling via dictation and copywork has been a huge success in our house, but it took me many years to come around to it. I used to do Spelling Power, as well as R & S Spelling, not to mention countless other programs before those. None of them did as much for children's spelling as consistent CM methods did. Dictation takes awhile to see the fruit of though, so patience and consistency are big factors in the amount of success you'll see with it. I'd either suggest going back and doing the CM activities planned for the HOD lists in the HOD guides, or I'd begin with Dictation Level 1. Only you can know where you are in your spelling journey though. If you are a person who believes in teaching spelling by only using spelling lists and are not interested in trying CM methods, then you'd be better off choosing something else.

In Christ,
Julie

[Mumkins]

I don't know what my spelling philosphy is yet. I just want something that will teach her to spell. I haven't been able to do that yet.

Here's the sample I was reffering to for R&S grade 2 English. If we try R&S, I'd order 2.

http://www.rodandstaff.info/samples/pdf ... h_2_17.pdf

[Mom2Monkeys]

I don't know what my spelling philosphy is yet. I just want something that will teach her to spell. I haven't been able to do that yet.

Here's the sample I was reffering to for R&S grade 2 English. If we try R&S, I'd order 2.

http://www.rodandstaff.info/samples/pdf ... h_2_17.pdf

I think they purposely chose words that are unfamilar to get the students to have to use the dictionary markings to know how to say them! I see this so rarely in R&S that I don't even recall ever seeing it! LOL There are a few dictionary lessons, and that would be one of those. The rest is mostly grammar, and some writing...we LOVE R&S! It works very well. I'm learning so much myself I don't it to be confusing in the slightest even though I haven't had many of the lessons myself that we are going over (and I'm just in grade 3! ) I can't say I had the best public school experience

[annaz]

I don't know what my spelling philosphy is yet. I just want something that will teach her to spell. I haven't been able to do that yet.

Here's the sample I was reffering to for R&S grade 2 English. If we try R&S, I'd order 2.

http://www.rodandstaff.info/samples/pdf ... h_2_17.pdf

This is a portion of Grammar where they work on how to use the dictionary. That's all this is about. The book is mostly grammar, but every so often they'll work on alphabetical order, homonyms and dictionary skills. Something else is needed for Spelling.

edited to add: Like HOD for spelling.

[annaz]

LA- Nothing is working for her!
Spelling is a major issue. I gave her a spelling test out of McRuffy's as I'm still doing that, while searching for something else. I even have her back a grade, but it's not working. She got 8 out of 14 after working all week with the words. There were another 3 words she spelled correctly oraly to me, but incorrect on paper. I really wanted AAS to work for us. Maybe I just don't have the hang of it, but it seems the lessons are way too long and setting up the board is a chore in itself.

Does she sound like the type of child that will do well with R&S? I'm leary to spend more money on yet another curriculum. My basement has boxes of stuff that just didn't work for us.

She sounds slower off the block then makes up time later. My dd was somewhat of a late reader too and things that have to do with reading came a bit late as well. But then she was off and running. I call it better late than early. Alleviates frustration on my part. I think you need to try something and stick with it for a while to see results. But also, you may have been trying spelling too early as she learned to read late.If they're still sounding out words, I wouldn't introduce spelling as a subject yet. Make note; this info comes with my own experiences. Does she seem better at mastery programs in general, like MUS? R&S Grammar is only grammar and it's mastery. HOD contains spelling through lists first, then dictation, but in small increments. R&S also has a spelling program. I used AAS and didn't care for it. Boring. Rules, rules and lack of context IMO. I also thought it was way too time consuming. It's possible she needs something more direct and shorter. Baby steps and don't rush it.

[Mom2Monkeys]

This is a portion of Grammar where they work on how to use the dictionary. That's all this is about. The book is mostly grammar, but every so often they'll work on alphabetical order, homonyms and dictionary skills. Something else is needed for Spelling.

I don't know what my spelling philosphy is yet. I just want something that will teach her to spell. I haven't been able to do that yet.

HOD includes spelling, so you don't need anything else for that. And I must say, that although it took me months to let go of my spelling program after starting HOD, in the end, dictation/copywork won!! I saw DD acing all her spelling tests and then 5min. later misspelling the same words in another assignment. But, the words she was doing dictation and copywork with were being spelled correctly!! I have seen more retention, more progress, more carry over by using HOD's method of spelling instruction that anything else I've ever tried (and I've tried A LOT). It works...plain and simple. My spelling philosophy has officially changed. I don't use a separate spelling program whatsoever now. I even asked DD which helped her spell better...the program with the lists and activities, or the way HOD did it...she quickly answered the program was fun, but she learned from HOD.

ETA: HOD does initially include lists for spelling, but the activities used are very CM and effective, and very different than other "list programs". It's used as a stepping stone to starting dictation.

[Mumkins]

She sounds slower off the block then makes up time later. My dd was somewhat of a late reader too and things that have to do with reading came a bit late as well. But then she was off and running. I call it better late than early. Alleviates frustration on my part. I think you need to try something and stick with it for a while to see results. But also, you may have been trying spelling too early as she learned to read late.If they're still sounding out words, I wouldn't introduce spelling as a subject yet. Make note; this info comes with my own experiences. Does she seem better at mastery programs in general, like MUS? R&S Grammar is only grammar and it's mastery. HOD contains spelling through lists first, then dictation, but in small increments.

Yes, after trying horizon's, MUS, saxon, Singapore, BJU and now back to MUS, I'm really happy with that choice. She needs to KNOW something before she moves on.