X-Post: Looking for encouragement from those who have used AG

[Joyful_Journey]

Once you slogged through all three seasons, were you happy with the end result? I've been working myself up into a curriculum research frenzy the last few weeks trying to decide what to do for my 7th grade dd (and the kids coming behind her). She completed the first 10 weeks of AG this fall, but we (okay, maybe mostly I) were growing a little weary of the parse/diagram repetition. I was also bothered that we weren't hitting any review of punctuation, etc. the first year of the program. After looking at a ton of other options, I've now swung back around to take another look at the next two seasons of AG. They look pretty good. Sigh.

 

I wouldn't mind completing the next two seasons next year for 8th grade if I had some reassurance that by the end of the program she would really be rock solid in grammar without any gaping holes. So for those of you who have completed it (or are nearing completion), do you feel as if it has covered everything? Any regrets? Did you supplement with anything like Daily Grams along the way (this occurred to me as a way to mix up the monotony of the parse/diagram exercises while also hitting some of that punctuation review I've been missing)?

[5LittleMonkeys]

Dd14 is a few lessons away from completing Season 2 of AG. I have been very impressed with her growing knowledge and retention. She has maintained an A average on all of the tests. Now, that may not mean anything to you, but this is my VSL child who normally can only learn things in context. She completely bombed with R&S grammar several years ago.

 

I don't know that AG is the most rigorous grammar program out there, but I think it does a good job of covering what's important for the average student. It is thorough enough for us. The only thing I add is to make sure she uses new concepts in her writing. Especially in Season 2.

 

If you want to break up the monotony Killgallon would be an excellent addition and reinforcement.

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I understand your concerns about the lack grammar practice while doing AG. My oldest student completed AG in 2 years. While she was going through that time, I had the same concerns. I think we used Daily Grams at the same time, and that was just ok.... not hugely impressive.

 

I much prefer what I did with my second child. He used Christian Light Education during 4th-6th grades. CLE includes diagramming plus grammar. This year in 7th grade, we quickly reviewed Season 1 because CLE covered everything in Season 1 with only a few minor differences. We got Season 2 done in 1st semester of 7th grade and are getting through Season 3 in second semester.

 

Using CLE combined grammar and diagramming. I could probably have continued with CLE, but I really love AG and wanted him to do that.

I'll use this same combination with my youngest child.

 

 

Just a side note...

For high school, I bought AG's High School Reinforcement for my oldest. Now, she had been away from AG for a whole year, and concepts were a bit fuzzy when she returned to do the reinforcement book. In hindsight, I think I would have gotten CLE's English I course for a review. They sell it as 5 books to be done in 9th grade and 5 books to be done for 10th grade. I think we would have used them all in 9th grade for our review.

[Joyful_Journey]

Thanks for the suggestions! Going to look into Killgallon and CLE for reinforcement!