Which do you prefer, FLL or Rod & Staff English?

[lovetobehome]

Just curious about this. I am using RS 5 for my son, he has used all years so far (2, 3, 4). My daughter is working in book 2, but I am ready to try book 3. Then I thought about FLL. I don't mind buying and trying both, but curious what the hive thinks!

[Heather in OK]

R&S.

 

We tried FLL and I promply sold it. My girls were bored to tears.

 

I also really like CLE.

[RainbowSprinkles]

We used FLL 3 through lesson 15, then switched to Rod and Staff. We are only on lesson 5, but I much prefer R&S over FLL.

[AHASRADA]

We used FLL 1/2, which worked very well as a gentle approach to grammar at such a young age. However, when I ordered FLL3, I also promptly sold it, since it was too bulky and too much of the same. I didn't feel it had enough structure to it for that age.

 

We loved R&S 3, and have R&S 4 lined up for this year.

[lovetobehome]

Really hel[pful, thanks! I will stick with RS!

[ABQmom]

I love FLL 1 and 2, but like other posters switch to R&S at book 3 because FLL is too redundant.

[robsiew]

This is really helpful to hear. I'm using FLL 1&2 right now with my 1st grader. I was thinking to put him into FLL 3&4 when we get there (which I don't have), but now I'm wondering if I should just use R&S 3 and 4 which I am using this year for my older two...

[JenC3]

LOVE R&S! Can't say the same about FLL or Primary Language Lessons.

[Goldilocks]

I love FLL. I used 1/2 and 3. I was put off by the tediousness of 3 (there is a lot of teacher script), but the content is amazing. There was not much writing for child (difficult for my ds), the optional activities were sooo fun, and they learn so much. I switched to R&S this year for grade 4 because I need my ds to be more independent. It appears that all of the concepts covered in R&S 4 he has already had a lot of practice with in FLL 3. I'm sticking with it because I need to teach him to work independently, but I really miss FLL.

[Marcy KY]

I would choose R&S over those choices. But we discovered a new LA program we're loving: Total Language Plus.

[Aconnolley]

OK, I'm going to be in the minority, but I like FLL! :001_smile: My 7 year old dd did FLL 1/2 last year and I couldn't believe how much she learned. Plus it was pretty painless. It didn't take long each day and she didn't mind doing it. We are using FLL 3 this year and so far it is being pretty easy since she learned everything so well last year, but I don't mind that. I can see that it will soon pick up the pace and she is now learning diagramming. If the teachers manual says to repeat the definition of a noun 3 times and she already knows it WELL, we laugh and say it once in a funny voice or something. I haven't used R&S, but we love FLL. She loves the poems and everything. I will just have to figure out what to use after FLL 4! ;)

 

My 9yo son wanted to do Easy Grammar for 4th grade this year and he hadn't used FLL so I let him. I know that it doesn't have diagramming though. I guess that I will see how it goes for him this year. My daughter will definitely be using FLL 4 next year though.

 

Angela

[forevergrace]

Started w/FLL, finished level 4 in May, and just started RS level 5 in August. Follows FLL perfectly, so we are happy campers.

Forevergrace

[mjpeter]

My boys have just started with R&S 5 and 6, and everyone is very happy with it.

 

No experience with FLL.

[Jane Elliot]

I prefer FLL hands down. And I used R&S 3-10 with my older kids before FLL was published. I was happy with R&S, but my dc who have used FLL have retained a lot more and we enjoy the lessons more. I think FLL lays a better foundation. 10yod who used FLL 1-4 is using R&S 5 this year and came to it so much more prepared than my older dc. Because of this, she is able to do it independently whereas my older dc who had done R&S 3-4 were still needing some hand holding in R&S 5.

 

The poetry in FLL is much better, too, but that isn't a make it or break it issue with me.

 

I still use R&S 5-10, but for grades 1-4 I absolutely prefer FLL.

[Hedgehog]

We use R&S. I bought FLL but dc struggled to understand it. They get on with the R&S explanations a lot better - no idea why - just a better fit I guess!

[Brenda in FL]

I prefer FLL. 3 and 4 weren't available for my oldest so he used Rod and Staff. But when child #2 reached 3rd grade I switched to FLL.

 

I think it's very thorough and at times had material that was in a higher level in R & S. However, the diagramming is very simple, most have the frame already drawn - diagramming was more difficult in R&S.

 

Mostly I liked the one-on-one time with my child, the poetry memorization, having dictation added in occasionally and not having to stress my child with grammar exercises to write out!