I don't have much advice but just wanted to mention that isn't most of the review in R&S in the TM? So maybe you could just skip that part.... just a thought. FWIW, we *love* R&S English here. :)

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

And if so, how much? I'm thinking it's defintely not as much as R&S. I keep hearing about how it uses labeling parts of speech..is that all there is? I'm not even sure what this is...just writing the parts of speech above the words? It seems that would look very cluttered. I like diagramming so if BJU doesn't have this, I'll need to look elsewhere. Thanks!

This is our first year using it (2nd and 4th grades) and I really like it! It's laid out very nicely and yes, very easy to teach. The workbook can be done totally independently. At first glace, R&S Spelling seems on the easy side since the words aren't that hard. But it's what they have to *do* with the words that can be quite challenging! It seems very thorough to me (as with most R&S materials, lol).

I would move him up. I agree with what Ellie said... I think R&S Spelling is worthwhile even for a natural speller. :-)

I used R&S Phonics 1 and I agree with what the pp said... there is lots of repitition and lots of writing, but it was doable. It is *very* thorough and has a rigorous feel. I enjoyed it and I credit R&S Phonics for teaching my ds how to read when other methods weren't working. Haven't tried R&S 2nd grade phonics.

Thank you for responding, I appreciate you sharing your perspective!

Thanks for your input! Knowing other people aren't that concerned about testing makes me a lot more laid back about it. :)

We're also using R&S English (we're in grades 2 and 4 now) and I don't plan on supplementing the writing at all. I will have them practice what they've learned in R&S writing in other subject areas when needed. I plan on using R&S all the way through 8th grade and I hope it's enough writing!

do you take this into consideration when buying your curriculum? Do you buy materials that are up to current standards so they can do well on the standardized test? I've been thinking about this more lately for some reason. For example, we use R&S for math and I really like it. However, it is not up to current standards, especially in the early grades. This hasn't really bothered me much, but lately I've been wondering if my children wouldn't benefit from a more modern math program? Does it matter if they all get to the same place in the end? I guess I'm just thinking out loud here and wondering how other homeschoolers feel about it??

R&S Math 2 R&S English 2 R&S Spelling 2 Pentime 2 God's Wonderful Works Science Beginning Geography (Evan-Moor) Abeka Art 2 Lollipop Logic Spectrum Reading 2 Explode the Code 4, 5, 6 Lots of good living books for read-alouds and readers

Have you looked into MCP?

I have the TG guides for 2nd and 4th and I like to use them for the test sentences. I sometimes need to check my 4th graders answers... the questions can be tricky!

What about Rod & Staff?? It's not fast paced, has TONS of review and spends a good deal of time on math facts.

In your humble opinion, of course. :-) Maybe Singapore??

For grades K-2, I really like the science texts from Christian Liberty Press. They are very age-appropiate and so easy to use. :-)

I'm specifically wondering about 5th grade and up. I like the looks if it, but I'm just wondering if there are any sort of writing assignments?? Thanks!

Not free, but there are some nature study books at Queen's Homeschool. I believe they are called the Discovering Nature Series.

Can anyone compare these two? I'm pretty sure they are both traditional, "old school" math, but are there major differences in their scope & sequence or content? Thanks!

This year I am using R&S English, Spelling, Math, Science, and Social Studies with my 4th grader and 2nd grader. I love everything! Rod & Staff is such a solid and thorough curriculum and I find it so easy to use. It isn't flashy, you won't find bright and colorful workbook with R&S. It is a no-nonsense curriculum that gets down to business where academics are concerned. It is completely Christ-centered and wholesome. There is some teacher involvement from me, but it's not excessive. With my 4th grader, I will teach him the math and English lesson for the day and then send him off to do his assignment. Spelling, Science, and SS can be done completely independently if you wish. I agree with the pp.....FIAR is very different from R&S and if FIAR is what is working, I would not make a switch cold turkey. :) HTH!

:lurk5:

Yesterday I was going through and organizing all of my curriculum and I have lots and lots of books that we used with HOD (we did 3 years worth). I realized that we enjoyed just about all of them with a couple of exceptions. The ones we didn't like are: -A Pioneer Sampler. The siblings are mean to each other and it always went unchecked without any consequences. It just bothered me and I won't be reading this book again. -Sarah Whitcher's story was boring for us. What HOD books, if any, have you not enjoyed??

Yes, I would put her in at her grade level. And I agree with what others have said... the words themselves are not that hard, but it's what they have to do with the words that is challenging. We love R&S Spelling here!

Last year, I did cursive with my 3rd grader using Cheerful Cursive. It was just okay. I like the Pentime series better.

I wasn't sure how to vote so I chose 'other'. My church has it and I'm not sure how I feel about it.... I guess I'm neutral. I have a 7 year old and 9 year old and we'll be keeping our 9 year old with us in church starting this fall even though he's old enough for the children's church. I guess I feel children that age are plenty old enough to start sitting in the regular service and don't need to be entertained so much anymore. My 7 year old will go to the children's church for probably another year or two and then we'll do the same thing with him... keep him with us.