Rod and Staff English placement, help please...

[momofone]

I can't decide about this for ds. He has been working in BJU English 4 and while it's been o.k. for him, he needs more help in the writing area than in the grammar. Identifying parts of speech and even the basic diagramming has not been hard at all for him, quite easy actually. Grammar seems to be his strong area, whereas math is the most difficult for him (he is improving ). Creative writing is difficult because he has a hard time with coming up with what he wants to say. He actually tries to write as little as possible. English 2 would be on the easy side for ds,(even though ds is using Bigger) so I need to look at English 3 and 4.

I thought about taking HOD's advice and using the R&S to simplify and possibly shorten our language time a bit. Would you use the English 3 or 4. Looking over the sample, I don't think the grammar in English 4 would be a problem, but outlining for writing might be a problem. So, what do you all think? Should I try English 4 or drop back to English 3. DS is 10 (April b'day) and is starting Bigger this week. Oh, and we're excited to start!
Any ideas???

momofone

[deltagal]

I think I would go with 4. Just proceed at his pace. When he hits a difficult patch - review, review, review until he gets it and then move forward. The alternate would be to do 3 at a quicker pace, BUT they really are so much alike. I think the additional information in 4 would be helpful for him and you.

[momofone]

Thanks Florence for the help. The only thing that I was worried about was the writing in 4 versus 3. However, no matter what I use, ds will need hand holding with the writing portions.I need to take a look at both again and try to decide.
Thanks again!

momofone

[my3sons]

I agree with deltagal. I think he'd do fine with R & S English 4, and it will help him with his writing skills at a level that is introductory enough to lay a firm foundation. You could have him do it half-speed, 2 days a week if you wanted, taking 2 years to complete it. HOD has an overall goal for dc to complete R & S English 6 by the end of Grade 8. So, he could do R & S 4 over 2 years with Bigger Hearts and PHFHG, and then when he is 12 yo he'd do R & S 5 half-speed with CTC's plans, when he is 13 yo he'd do R & S 5 half-speed with RTR's plans, and when he is 14 yo and in eighth grade, he'd do R & S 6 full-speed with RevtoRev's plans. That's just one idea though - maybe he is in a different grade them I am thinking. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[momofone]

Thanks my3sons, that makes a lot os sense! I may very well do the plan that you suggested. I don't think I should be in any hurry to finish English 4 this year. I think just doing the English a few times a week (maybe even 3 times a week) will ease ds into R&S as well.

I appreciate everyone chiming in with the help! Thanks again!