If not R&S grammar

[3girls4me]

I feel like I shouldn't feel this way because rod and staff is so well loved and apparently very thorough for grammar, but checking my kids work drives me crazy. I do some oral, but also some written. Yes, for them to practice but also so I can move on to another child for awhile. So I want written work. But I hate the fact that we have to do it all in a separate binder. What other options are out there besides CLE? I don't want the spelling and handwriting included.

I'm peeking a bit at Winston grammar and Analytical Grammar.

Oh and this is for 5th grade.

Thanks!

[Lang Syne Boardie]

I feel like I shouldn't feel this way because rod and staff is so well loved and apparently very thorough for grammar, but checking my kids work drives me crazy. I do some oral, but also some written. Yes, for them to practice but also so I can move on to another child for awhile. So I want written work. But I hate the fact that we have to do it all in a separate binder. What other options are out there besides CLE? I don't want the spelling and handwriting included.

I'm peeking a bit at Winston grammar and Analytical Grammar.

Oh and this is for 5th grade.

Thanks!

 

I don't think it's possible to homeschool fifth grade without having to check your child's work or use notebook paper instead of workbooks sometimes. Or daily.

[3girls4me]

Yes. I check quite a bit and anticipate that in every subject. There is just something about checking R&S that is tedious. (Not to mention my daughter doesn't like it) And it seems there has to be a good alternative. Just trying to simplify. Maybe anything else will be more of the same. But I want to gather ideas.

[ByGrace3]

Hake? I am considering Hake or IEW's new Fix It for my rising 5th grader.

[3girls4me]

Hake? I am considering Hake or IEW's new Fix It for my rising 5th grader.

Does Hake include a lot of writing too? Meaning composition, not handwriting? I have something for that and was hoping for straight grammar.

[SnMomof7]

Cross off CLE's spelling and penmanship. I do it all the time! Still need to check it though. Sorry.

[3girls4me]

I don't mind checking it. Something is just frustrating to me about checking R&S

[hollyhock]

Climbing to Good English might be a good option. I switched to it from R&S English and it works well here. The kids are a lot more independent.

[Tess in the Burbs]

My kids checked their work. I assigned half. Then if they missed they had to do more of what was missed.

[Momto4inSoCal]

We finished R&S early and are using Jr Analytical Grammar and I really like it! You will still need a writing program though. In JAG (not sure if AG is the same.l) they diagram and there isn't enough room in the book so you still need seperate paper for that.

[Ecclecticmum]

It's a little different, but have you looked at Cozy Grammar?

[AdventuresinHomeschooling]

We are planning to do MCT next year. I am looking forward to it after a few years of Shurley that have become tedious. We are starting it in 4th, but it is not too late to do it for 5th. Our local private, classical school started it in 5th after Shurley. Rod and Staff tempt me so much because of how much they are loved and their thoroughness, but the font hurts my eyes. It is definitely more cost effective, When it is tedious for me, it is even more tedious for my children. I love grammar, but I just can't bring myself to buy R&S. I have heard good things about Winston. Another choice would be A Beka just for grammar. They are very thorough and include diagramming. It is probably the only A Beka subject I would consider for upper grades. They review a lot, but you could possible skip every other grade. They do have some composition, but it would be easy to cut.

[ByGrace3]

Does Hake include a lot of writing too? Meaning composition, not handwriting? I have something for that and was hoping for straight grammar.

The writing portion is in a separate book.

[jbsoil]

We are switching from R&S to Easy Grammar next year.

[Ellie]

I feel like I shouldn't feel this way because rod and staff is so well loved and apparently very thorough for grammar, but checking my kids work drives me crazy. I do some oral, but also some written. Yes, for them to practice but also so I can move on to another child for awhile. So I want written work. But I hate the fact that we have to do it all in a separate binder. What other options are out there besides CLE? I don't want the spelling and handwriting included.

I'm peeking a bit at Winston grammar and Analytical Grammar.

Oh and this is for 5th grade.

Thanks!

 

You should absolutely feel free not to like something just because many others do. :-)

 

I'm not sure, though, exactly what your beef is with R&S English. Regardless of what your dc do, you will have to check it; I never found it more difficult to correct a piece of paper than a workbook, and R&S's teacher manual makes correcting assignments so easy. And with R&S, you give a dc his assignment and let him work on it while you do something with another child.

 

At any rate, if you want *only* grammar, my fave is Easy Grammar.

[Junie]

I also don't like Rod and Staff, although I feel like I should.  A friend looked at me as if I had grown another head when she found out that I passed on free R&S grammar curriculum.  I looked at it for a little while and passed it on.

 

I use Abeka.  BC (Before Children) I taught in a Christian school.  They used Abeka and I liked it, so that's what I chose for my own kids.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

I love Rod & Staff, but I can see that it would be tedious to do the assignments, and to grade them.  We do it mostly orally (Grade 4), with occasional writing on a white board (diagramming, etc).  That wouldn't work in your situation.

 

R&S does have workbooks, though not for every lesson.  Perhaps you could do the oral part, then assign workbook pages as they come up?

 

OR, look at Easy Grammar.  It's all workbook.  My friend used it with both of her girls, and swore it was the best thing ever.  :)  I have not used it, so I can't give my opinion.

[TarynB]

Another vote for Hake. We use it as a secular alternative to R&S. I allow DS to write in the book, like a workbook, instead of writing on separate paper. We use only the grammar book, not the writing supplement book. It's rigorous, thorough, and independent.