Fix It! updates...

[Jess4879]

When debating about grammar this year, I remember quite a few people commenting about using Fix It!  For those who have been using it, do you still like it? 

 

We started with the Nose Tree and are finishing week 14.  I don't hate it, but I don't love it.  It's quick and easy.  I like that it includes vocabulary and copy work.  I have found that I don't actually like copying a story sentence-by-sentence though.  It leads to confusion at times - especially when addressing when to start a new paragraph and/or when to use quotations.  I don't love that quite often a sentence will contain an advanced grammar concept that hasn't been taught yet.  I don't think it's harming the kids, but it annoys me. 

 

When we first started, the kids really enjoyed it, now they suck it up and get through it.  There isn't a lot of complaining, because the lessons are super short, but I get sighs and groans when I remind them to get it done. 

 

I am debating about seeing it through or moving to Winston Grammar, which was top of my list alongside Fix It. 

 

Or maybe it's just January and I need a curriculum to pick on.  HAHA

Edited January 22, 2016 by Jess4879

[zarabellesmom]

I think we made it to about that point too. I haven't replaced it with anything yet. Even more 😢 is how my daughter doesn't remember anything from the year of MCT island that we did.

[Chelli]

Fix-It is quasi working here. It gets done. She can find the parts of speech. The vocabulary is good.

 

However I really feel that something is missing, but I don't know what. I think, maybe, more explanation instead of just a list of pronouns, articles, etc. My daughter relies too much on the lists and the flashcards instead of internalizing it.

 

I think I need to go back and add MCT Town level back in with it, but like ZaraBellesMom I was shocked at how little she remembered from Island when we took the pretest for Town. That made me bummed since it's not a cheap program.

 

I might add in Grammar-land (the vintage book) or look at doing Analytical Grammar with her. I really don't know.

[Tenaj]

We are on Week 21 of The Nose Tree with my three middle school-aged boys.  It gets done and they like it because it is short but I do feel like something is missing.  I need to get the next book out and see what get's added in there.  I guess what I'm seeing is that the kids are getting really good at finding the parts of speech but they aren't really noticing the structure of the sentences (subjects, predicates, direct objects), though they are becoming more aware of clauses because of the who-which.  

 

 

 

I originally choose Fix-It so that we could spend more time on Latin this year.  Our Latin includes a lot of grammar and diagramming so I felt that we could do something a little lighter for our English grammar.

[Mrs Twain]

I use R&S English as my main grammar program.

 

I use Fix It for editing practice, applying grammar knowledge, extra vocabulary, and cursive practice (with the rewrite). Personally I don't think it is enough as a stand alone grammar program.

[UCF612]

We are using Fix It! We'll probably stick with it for awhile for the practice since it is quick and easy but I don't think it'll last past this year (3rd grade) as our stand alone grammar.  We'll be adding in Latin next year so I'm hoping the 2 together will help.  If not I'll adjust from there.  

[lotsofpumpkins]

My oldest 3 are using Fix-It Nose Tree this year; we have finished through week 19, I think. They like that it's short and easy. I have enjoyed the break from grading long, intense grammar lessons. That being said, we are going back to CLE next year. :)

[amiesmom]

We are using Fix It and I plan on sticking with it. We also do Latin, so I'm not afraid of having too little grammar by only using Fix It. I will say that after going through FLL 1-4 my DD could still not tell you what part of speech any given word in a sentence was, unless it was the sentences set up in the FLL manual. So after half a year, she can now identify parts of speech, that makes me happy!

[michaeljenn]

Just bumping this thread for more Fix it! updates!!  I am considering ditching CLE LA and just doing Fix it! this fall.  I am terrified to do this, but I feel like the concepts may stick better.   Advice and experience welcome!

[Targhee]

Fix-It is quasi working here. It gets done. She can find the parts of speech. The vocabulary is good.

 

However I really feel that something is missing, but I don't know what. I think, maybe, more explanation instead of just a list of pronouns, articles, etc. My daughter relies too much on the lists and the flashcards instead of internalizing it.

 

I think I need to go back and add MCT Town level back in with it, but like ZaraBellesMom I was shocked at how little she remembered from Island when we took the pretest for Town. That made me bummed since it's not a cheap program.

 

I might add in Grammar-land (the vintage book) or look at doing Analytical Grammar with her. I really don't know.

Curious, did you use the Practice books? Or the writing (Sentence Island/Paragraph Town)? My kids have had wonderful rents toon with MCT, but I think the daily practice sentences make a difference. Also, it is very compatible with their learning styles. Had they been more parts-to-whole or sequential learners another program like R&S would probably have been better.

[Targhee]

We are using Fix It and I plan on sticking with it. We also do Latin, so I'm not afraid of having too little grammar by only using Fix It. I will say that after going through FLL 1-4 my DD could still not tell you what part of speech any given word in a sentence was, unless it was the sentences set up in the FLL manual. So after half a year, she can now identify parts of speech, that makes me happy!

I think a HUGE part of this is age. It's been my experience that many topics and parts of education are best reserved for when the child is ready. Ten minutes a day over four years to learn basic grammar before the mind is really ready to comprehend and apply it may cost a great deal more time and effort (and frustration) than waiting a few years when they can pick it up in no time.

 

Sorry - neither of my comments are about Fix-It. just proposing one solution to the lack of retention might be time, another learning style.

Edited June 30, 2016 by Targhee

[Flowergirl159]

Ha, I just ordered Fix It! to use with my DD11. It should arrive next week.

 

So this thread was a interesting read :)

 

She has done a little grammar over the years from Easy Grammar Grade 3, EIW Grade 5, and now working on Visual Latin 1. We tried Simply Grammar in January this year, but it was too simple for her - she was bored to tears.

 

I did also purchase Winston Grammar this week, so after reading a blog post on how one homeschooling mama used the Winston cards with Fix It!. Not quite sure how I will use the two yet, I will see when they arrive.

[rjand6more]

It was so awesome to have a "light" grammar year with dd(5th grade).  She was seriously stalling out with CLE.  She could not identify a noun with regularity!  I knew she knew, but she could not answer correctly often.  LA was tears and sadness.  Then, I decided to do Wordsmith Apprentice and Fix It!  Nose Tree last year.  It was like magic happened. :)  It may be that she did learn it all and it was all jumbled up to her.  It was the best LA year yet.  She can label a sentence like nobody's business.  We will move on to JAG next year.  I am SO happy we gave Fix It!  a try.  I ordered another one for fun!

[OneStepAtATime]

Love Fix-It! Over the long haul there has been better retention and application than with anything else we used but we usually do the lessons collaboratively. We discuss. I use the TM as a guide. They rarely need the cards now. The material is definitely sticking. Gentle, slow introduction to grammar but it is working here.

[Homeschoolmom3]

I use R&S English as my main grammar program.

 

I use Fix It for editing practice, applying grammar knowledge, extra vocabulary, and cursive practice (with the rewrite). Personally I don't think it is enough as a stand alone grammar program.

I agree...I used Fix it last year for my Middle schooler and I looped it with Rod and Staff. I don't think it's enough even with our Latin studies yet I am a big grammar/writing gal! We did as much as we could do orally with the two programs and it worked great!

[hhm]

Fix it! is working well for dd11. She worked through Nose Tree and about half of Robin Hood last year. Grammar is finally sticking and is transferring over to her writing (IEW). We're happy with it!

[jens2sons]

Thank you for this post!  I ordered IEW TWSS & Fix It! Nose Tree (supposed to receive it in the mail today or tomorrow) and I have this huge sense of buyers remorse.  Now that I have read all your posts, now I know why.  I have R&S English 3 and I'm wondering if I should just return the IEW and use the R&S.  Why add in Fix It! if it's not thorough?  Isn't R&S enough work by itself?  

[rjand6more]

Thank you for this post!  I ordered IEW TWSS & Fix It! Nose Tree (supposed to receive it in the mail today or tomorrow) and I have this huge sense of buyers remorse.  Now that I have read all your posts, now I know why.  I have R&S English 3 and I'm wondering if I should just return the IEW and use the R&S.  Why add in Fix It! if it's not thorough?  Isn't R&S enough work by itself?  

 

 

I think R&S IS enough. If it's working for your child and there is not frustration and boredom then there is no reason to add to it.  I think CLE is an awesome(very complete) program.  And "I" love it.  But, dd was hating LA and not able to apply all that she learned.  I think Fix It! is great at application and we needed that for a season.  The only thing she definitely wanted to continue this year was another Fix It! book. And in my mind that is invaluable.  To find a program that makes the day smoother and helps to instill confidence is a real blessing.

[michaeljenn]

Thank you for the updates:)  I plan to use Fix it! for sure next year, but still debating on continuing CLE or I may do Rod and Staff orally for the most part and Fix it!  I would love to JUST do Fix it! this year though..  ugh... those decisions are so tough.  My 12yo will be taking WWS 1 with WTMA, and my 9yo will continue with IEW using SWI A or All Things Fun and Fascinating.  

 

They both usually get everything correct in the grammar programs, but there are still lots of silly errors in their writing.  I am hoping Fix it!  can resolve this issue.  

[KeriJ]

Bumping for more updates. :)

[OneStepAtATime]

We are nearly done with Book 2. What I have found is that the program builds very gently over time until it gets to quite in depth grammar by the end of the series. It adds layers with each book. More and more is sticking for the kids and they are seeing the bigger picture now, as well as the pieces. Discussion has been crucial, though. We talk about what will be covered for the week and the story itself at the beginning of the week then at the end of each week we talk about what was covered and reread the story so far, or at least the last part of it to keep straight on the context. Helps a lot and doesn't take long.

 

We are sticking with the program. Both kids are moving through and retaining and the lessons are short. Easy to accelerate or slow down, too, so we can go at the pace of the child and based on our schedule for that week.

 

I do want to emphasize only buy the newer version. The older one is not a complete grammar program. The new one is, but it builds knowledge slowly, builds those layers over time. For some that works better (like my kids). Maybe not for everyone though.

Edited December 12, 2016 by OneStepAtATime

[OrganicMom]

Excited to read these comments. We are doing Hake grammar, but my daughter requested we do Fix It! Along with it. We just received SWI - A in the mail too.

 

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[OneStepAtATime]

Since this got revived I will give another update. DD is in Book 3 now. It is definitely still working here. The lessons are getting more complex but when she hits a snag we slow down a bit and review. Things are working really well. The TM has been essential for me, though, in trying to answer her questions. She is absolutely fine with continuing to work through the summer on Fix It so Book 3 should be done by August and Book 4 will be started in September.

[coloradomomof5]

Interesting. We have a 3rd grader using FLL and she is the only one in the family who can identify parts of speech when we do Latin as a group.

 

I like Saxon grammar. Independent and thorough. I feel like something is missing in FixIt! As I own most of it but can't bring the kids to use it. Maybe as a summer review or and off year for grammar...

 

 

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[kolamum]

When debating about grammar this year, I remember quite a few people commenting about using Fix It!  For those who have been using it, do you still like it? 

 

We started with the Nose Tree and are finishing week 14.  I don't hate it, but I don't love it.  It's quick and easy.  I like that it includes vocabulary and copy work.  I have found that I don't actually like copying a story sentence-by-sentence though.  It leads to confusion at times - especially when addressing when to start a new paragraph and/or when to use quotations.  I don't love that quite often a sentence will contain an advanced grammar concept that hasn't been taught yet.  I don't think it's harming the kids, but it annoys me. 

 

When we first started, the kids really enjoyed it, now they suck it up and get through it.  There isn't a lot of complaining, because the lessons are super short, but I get sighs and groans when I remind them to get it done. 

 

I am debating about seeing it through or moving to Winston Grammar, which was top of my list alongside Fix It. 

 

Or maybe it's just January and I need a curriculum to pick on.  HAHA

 

We use it, we finished The Nose Tree. There were only a few times when the things you mentioned were an issue because they traveled over more than a week, however something to keep in mind.. it's simplistic so depending on the age of your students there is no reason you can't do all 4 sentences at a time if you wanted.

 

In our house we do 1 a day, sometimes 2 depending on the schedule. The kids don't re-write them, they type them. I'm happy if they do it daily & just as happy if they do it at the end of the week. I enjoyed Fix-It, enough so that I purchased the next couple of books before the local IEW Distributor closed her doors. I love that the grammar learned stuck. I love the card aspect so that if a child was struggling for any reason {because let's face it sometimes you know you know something, but you don't know what the abbreviation is or whatever..} we could narrow it down by process of elimination.

 

I love that it was quick & to the point. I love that there is no groaning over it. I love that my "hand-holding" student doesn't need to hold hands for this, & when that student wants to I can place the cards in front of him & fein that the washer needs my dire attention. I also really appreciate that it can be used with a large group of students, that I only need the TM & can get access to the student books in pdf format {I have to print on special paper for my kids.} 

 

I can see your point, but in order to know if the indentation belongs there the clue is that the child is suppose to read the previous sentence to see if the topic changed. I will say we had ONE issue with that with Nose Tree & i think it was more because we had an extra week off from grammar. 

 

Fwiw, if it doesn't work for your family it has a really high resale value & speed {at least in my neck of the woods}.. Also, if Mamma's not feeling the love I think that spills onto the students. I've had to really watch myself for subjects I can't stand because I noticed it was pushing a negative attitude onto some of my students. If they are negative about it because they REALLY don't like it, you could also return it to IEW, they have an amazing refund policy.

[Blossom'sGirl]

We are doing Book 3 this year.  I have my 6th, 8th, and 11th grader all do them together.  They seem to like it.  At first, my youngest two did the Nose Tree two years ago and then I decided last year to include my older student.  My 6th grader is also doing Rod and Staff Grade 6 (he hates it).

 

My boys have become very good at recognizing independent and dependent clauses and all the other "fixes".  It has been a good addition for us, and we intend to do Book 4 next year.

 

At the beginning of the year, each student gets a new colored composition book where they write the story and I check it.  I also have them write the vocabulary starting about 3/4 of the way toward the back of the book.  I print the student pages all out at the beginning of the year, but I only give them to them weekly so they don't read ahead.

[BatmansWife]

The kids don't re-write them, they type them. 

 

That's a great idea!  I think my daughter would really like that for a change.  

[michaeljenn]

Bringing this thread up again... any new updates??  Anyone posters above who continue to use Fix it?

[OneStepAtATime]

Still using it.  Still finding it very effective.  Due to some wackiness with our schedule and some personal issues we got a bit behind in Fix-It ( had hoped we would be done by end of September or end of October) but DD will be done with Book 3 at the latest by Christmas and start Book 4 in January.  She is definitely applying what she is learning in Fix-It to her writing as a whole.  We could rush through but Book 3 has more complex material so we will just keep going at our current pace.  DD is fine with working through summers, especially since Fix-It lessons take so little time.

[michaeljenn]

Are you using it as a supplement or as your only grammar program?  

[OneStepAtATime]

Are you using it as a supplement or as your only grammar program?  

At this point it is our only formal grammar program.

[Insertcreativenamehere]

We started using it last year and continued this year. My 7th grader is doing 2 sentences a day and my 5th grader is doing one. I also have them type at the end of the week and that works well. They both have excellent applied grammar thanks to years of CLE Language Arts so I feel comfortable going lighter this year. We also do Latin and there is some grammar in Writing and Rhetoric so I feel like they're getting plenty. 

 

As always, I'll re-assess for next year but for now, it's going smoothly for us! 

[michaeljenn]

Thanks:) We have used Rod and Staff and CLE in the past, so my 8th and 5th grader have a pretty good grasp of grammar.  We are using Fix it! with IEW SWI A and B.  I think it just "feels strange" that we are not using a textbook for grammar this year.  My 5th is doing 2 sentences a day in book 1, and my 8th is doing 2-4 sentences a day depending on our time and what is being taught. I figure we will slow down once we get to book 3.  I was able to purchase all of Fix it! on clearance at Mardel a few years ago and it has been sitting in my closet.  I just looked through all of the books, and it gets meaty the further you progress.  

[OneStepAtATime]

Thanks:) We have used Rod and Staff and CLE in the past, so my 8th and 5th grader have a pretty good grasp of grammar.  We are using Fix it! with IEW SWI A and B.  I think it just "feels strange" that we are not using a textbook for grammar this year.  My 5th is doing 2 sentences a day in book 1, and my 8th is doing 2-4 sentences a day depending on our time and what is being taught. I figure we will slow down once we get to book 3.  I was able to purchase all of Fix it! on clearance at Mardel a few years ago and it has been sitting in my closet.  I just looked through all of the books, and it gets meaty the further you progress.  

Yeah, it builds up in layers.  It starts out seeming to be really light but it is building those layers and helping the student to understand all the parts and how they work together as a whole.  By book 6 those layers are pretty thick.  :)

[Jess4879]

My middle kiddo ended up picking up The Nose Tree again and she's almost finished it.  I still don't love it and it still feels light to me.  I can't really say that working through it has made any huge difference in her understanding, and I'm curious to see if what she's learnt will stick long term.  The vocab portion has been pointless as she hasn't retained those words at all.  I am undecided if we will continue with the next book...  

[OneStepAtATime]

My middle kiddo ended up picking up The Nose Tree again and she's almost finished it.  I still don't love it and it still feels light to me.  I can't really say that working through it has made any huge difference in her understanding, and I'm curious to see if what she's learnt will stick long term.  The vocab portion has been pointless as she hasn't retained those words at all.  I am undecided if we will continue with the next book...  

 

If you haven't already, you might try to make the whole thing more interactive.  I found that without discussion it didn't stick for my kiddos nearly as well.  I also talk with them about the grammar before they mark the sentence then check it immediately and discuss again as I mark.  I focus on praising the things they got right.  I sit nearby and we discuss both the grammar and the vocabulary. 

 

What helped also with the vocabulary was getting a big print dictionary and having them look through the various definitions for the word to find the one that fits best within the story.  If they aren't sure, we discuss it.  They write the one down that seems to fit the best within the context but we discuss the other options (when there are other options) and sometimes create sentences verbally using the other definitions for the word.  Because the lessons are so short, we have plenty of time to discuss it all and interact with the material.  It definitely sticks much better that way, at least for me and my kids.

 

But yes, Nose Tree is much lighter than the other levels.