Lorriekay Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 (edited) What would be second and third runner-ups as far as rigor for LA? We use TOG and do have the Writing Aids with it. We are considering MCT. But I want to know what would be some other rigorous curriculums to consider. I Have read 100 Top Picks by Duffy .. I have the book. I am trying to narrow down my selection to just a few. LA comes naturally to my DS so I want a Strong program (for his 1st grade national testing he placed 6 grade level in all LA areas and post high school level in *word decoding*) I want the right fit but I don't want to torture him either LOL Any ideas? Thanks, Loretta Edited August 25, 2010 by Lorriekay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Create Your Ritual Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 I am doing MCT with a 1st & 4th grader, but also have them doing Rod & Staff English at their levels. I think that is a very rigorous program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 Another vote for Rod & Staff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS_ Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 I am not a MCT fan. We use FLL and then start Rod and Staff English in 4th grade. I would consider these some of the best grammar program on the market. After trying MCT, my ds is not a fan, either. . .he begged me to switch back to R&S, which we'd been using since 2nd grade. He didn't feel like he learned anything with MCT and although he never loved grammar to begin with, did think R&S was teaching him something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly in the Country Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 Rod & Staff (my dd really likes MCT, but seriously,for rigor: Rod & Staff :001_smile:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 and another vote for Rod & Staff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorriekay Posted August 26, 2010 Author Share Posted August 26, 2010 Wow thanks, guys! I will have to take another look at Rod & Staff. Cadam .. does Rod & Staff begin at fourth grade, why are you using something else until fourth grade? Is it because First Language Lessons is better for the youngers? thanks, Loretta :auto: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorriekay Posted August 26, 2010 Author Share Posted August 26, 2010 SaDonna .. May I ask why you are using both MCT & R & S? Does one provide something the other doesn't. Would you say R&S is rigorous and thorough enough to use alone? Just wondering why you are using both. I really only want One LOL. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 We like CLE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 No grammar until 2nd grade, then FLL, then Rod and Staff until...well, until high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Create Your Ritual Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 From what I know so far of my very short homeschooling experience, I just tend to use two different methods of learning when it comes to Language Arts. Anytime I can make it literally "come alive" to them (ie.. The Sentence Family, MCT Grammar Island) I think I have them hooked. They just enjoy it, and don't even realize they are actually learning something. The Rod & Staff is a rigorous curriculum though from what I can tell so far (certainly not saying MCT isn't). I don't think that one HAS to use both, I just like to know that I have covered all the bases by doing something creative alongside something more methodical. The R&S doesn't really take my oldest that long to do, maybe 15 minutes tops, and right now we are finishing up The Sentence Family and that takes the other 15-20 minutes I have scheduled for grammar. We will then incorporate MCT into the mix... so you are really asking someone that has NOT used MCT, but is just basing it on what I have seen & read, along with listening to MCT talk online. Plus I kind of know my kids pretty well, so hopefully I have chosen things that will interest them. ;-) But, time will tell. I will say that R&S has English Sets that start in 2nd grade, in case you are interested in starting earlier. I happen to choose R&S for my youngest over FLL only because with a 2 year old in tow I knew there would be times that I wouldn't be able to read aloud to him every lesson. That's another reason why I have both MCT & R&S. I just needed R&S there to assign them to do WHILE I was getting the little one settled, that way they were continually learning and then I could jump in with The Sentence Family or MCT when the little one was settled. Sorry I don't know more, hopefully that helps. ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 We like CLE. Based on the samples I've seen and the placement test that I gave to my DD, I agree that this is a rigorous LA program. It also appears to be a bit more engaging than R&S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 We like CLE. We do too. I think it's rigorous but the lessons are short and varied, a great balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenmamato3 Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 -would anyone consider Shurley rigorous? at this point, i would, though i haven't done the entire of it yet -i don't think FLL is rigorous at all. we just finished up FLL2 yesterday (my just-turned 2nd grader who is very gifted in LA) and he doesn't think at all that it's difficult. we frequently squish MULTIPLE lessons into one LA time. i know there's a difference between fll2 and fll3 in intensity .... or at least that's what everyone has advised me about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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