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scampbell2003 wrote:Or maybe backing up a level to cover the confusing stuff on a lower level. I'm not sure if that would help. But if it builds on skills maybe that would help. Maybe you should do a post about R & S. maybe some more experienced moms could help you with that:) I think I'm rambling. Lol! Maybe I should go to bed:)

I can't back up a level, we haven't even started a level yet. We are still in LHFHG! I am just thinking ahead and planning for this fall. I know, I still have a guide to go before R&S. Thanks for the idea though.

Sorry glperky. Didn't realize you hadn't even started.

scampbell2003 wrote:Sorry glperky. Didn't realize you hadn't even started.

Oh that's fine. From my questions one would think I had started.

glperky wrote:

scampbell2003 wrote:Okay we are using English 2 and it is super easy so far. I imagine English 5 is a lot more difficult and diagraming going on. They say it is an advance program so I completely understand. Did the Teachers Guide help you at all?

Not really! The teacher guide is what really overwhelmed me. I have a friend that has the English 2 books, maybe I should look at them.

Me too! The format just sort of wigs me out.

annaz wrote:

glperky wrote:

scampbell2003 wrote:Okay we are using English 2 and it is super easy so far. I imagine English 5 is a lot more difficult and diagraming going on. They say it is an advance program so I completely understand. Did the Teachers Guide help you at all?

Not really! The teacher guide is what really overwhelmed me. I have a friend that has the English 2 books, maybe I should look at them.

Me too! The format just sort of wigs me out.

I love not being the only one. So, do you use it anyway?

glperky wrote:
I love not being the only one. So, do you use it anyway?

No. I tried for 4 years and every year I changed. I use Climbing to Good English. Not pretty in the least, but workbook form, including review with answers.

annaz wrote:

glperky wrote:
I love not being the only one. So, do you use it anyway?

No. I tried for 4 years and every year I changed. I use Climbing to Good English. Not pretty in the least, but workbook form, including review with answers.

Thanks! I am just afraid that if I don't use R&S, that I will leave something out.

glperky wrote:
Thanks! I am just afraid that if I don't use R&S, that I will leave something out.

I tried to find something just as inclusive and thought CGE was as close as I could get. R&S has great coverage. I would try it and if it doesn't work, then change.

Alphabetizing is also practiced quite a bit in Cheerful Cursive. You will get plenty of it over the years.

Spelling Rules are usually covered through phonics. Rod and Staff does include some work with spelling within the English lessons. For example, my 10yo is using English 4 and yesterday's lesson was on making nouns plural (i.e. when to add -s, -es) and spelling irregular nouns. I worshiped spelling rules early on and have come to the conclusion that they are only useful sometimes. I find it very very easy to troubleshoot spelling issues as they arise. Dictation is a slow burn and so far I am seeing excellent results with my kids. That said, if I ever have a struggling student who may benefit from a remedial phonics or spelling program I wouldn't hesitate to implement one.

Rod & Staff is such a user friendly, thorough, customizable English program. I can imagine freaking out as you peruse English 5 as it is meaty! But, I promise that if you start with English 2 you will not be intimidated by 5 when you get there.

Take a look at your friends English 2 books! I've not looked at teacher's guides at all (we're only up to level 3 at our house), but I really like Rod and Staff. My daughter doesn't necessarily. Meaning it's not a super-duper fun program, but she's learning and learning well. It's very comprehensive and methodical in its progression. Doing it as HOD recommends with a good chunk of it orally, it doesn't take up much time out of our day, either.

mom23 wrote:Take a look at your friends English 2 books! I've not looked at teacher's guides at all (we're only up to level 3 at our house), but I really like Rod and Staff. My daughter doesn't necessarily. Meaning it's not a super-duper fun program, but she's learning and learning well. It's very comprehensive and methodical in its progression. Doing it as HOD recommends with a good chunk of it orally, it doesn't take up much time out of our day, either.

OK, she is bringing it to church tonight for me to look at, but I don't think that is going to help, because I know what the future brings when we hit grade 5.

glperky wrote:

mom23 wrote:Take a look at your friends English 2 books! I've not looked at teacher's guides at all (we're only up to level 3 at our house), but I really like Rod and Staff. My daughter doesn't necessarily. Meaning it's not a super-duper fun program, but she's learning and learning well. It's very comprehensive and methodical in its progression. Doing it as HOD recommends with a good chunk of it orally, it doesn't take up much time out of our day, either.

OK, she is bringing it to church tonight for me to look at, but I don't think that is going to help, because I know what the future brings when we hit grade 5.

One year at a time, right?!? I remember looking at R & S English 5 and thinking we'd never get there. Now we are finishing R & S English 6, and my ds KNOWS his stuff! Doing it orally for the most part has been the key. Also, HOD plans for half-speed in many of the upper levels, alternating grammar with a creative writing program, and taking 2 years to complete an R & S English level. That makes it easy to implement and not overwhelming. I know of families trying to replace R & S English that have gone to doing 3 different things. It just is so all inclusive, and there is nothing out there like it, that it seems to have to be replaced with so much. I'd try it if I were you. It is Christian, can be done orally for the most part, and does an awesome job of teaching not only grammar, but grammar for the purpose of becoming clear, organized, excellent writers. There. That's my plug for it.

In Christ,
Julie

Ooo, here are a few good threads that may help too...

R & S English pacing – Carrie explains why the half-pacing, etc.:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5494

Copy just portion of how we do R & S English on markerboard, with diagramming skeletons, etc.:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9727&p=71166#p71166

In Christ,
Julie

Julie
What is the pacing through the guides for R&S. We are in Bigger now and enjoying English 2. But in Preparing is Grammer only 3 days a week? And is that how it is scheduled from Preparing on up? Only 3 days a week?

Thanks!