rod and staff First Post: HELP! I'm confused about the Rod and Staff vs. Bauers' Books!

[Guest lkstavast]

OK, everyone!  I've tried reading and re-reading "The Well-Trained Mind"  book, in the last two months or so.  I have 8 kids, ages 14 to 11 months.  I am trying to figure out how to teach my older 3-4 boys English (spelling, writing, grammar, vocab, and anything else!) As well how to start my younger kids off. I have bought the writing series and the First Language Lessons from Mrs. Bauer.  But I'm really confused about when to start and stop the Rod and Staff series that she recommends in her books for teaching sentence diagramming and grammar, etc.  That is my focus right now.  So, I was thinking I'll just start the Rod and Staff series where is starts with the second grade, and several other years.  I was thinking of teaching grades 9,8,6,and 3 with the Rod and Staff series.  But when I'm using other vocab books and the writing books, is it necessary in the older grades?  I just don't know anything about Rod and Staff!!! -especially compared to the First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind.  It seems they may overlap material, I don't know!  Do I buy all of her books as well as all of the Rod and Staff Engilsh Grammar books???