Time required for CLE LA vs. R&S English and Spelling

[jer2911mom]

We are currently using CLE LA 200 and while I have really liked 100 and 200 for the phonics work, I feel like the LA takes quite a bit of time each day. We used to do the penmanship but have switched to ARFH. I had planned to use 300 next year, but with the update not coming out until the following year and us having to move to the older format, I'm looking at my other options. Would R&S English and Spelling go any faster than CLE LA? The other thing about CLE LA is that it requires at least 160 days to finish it, more if you are doing the extra creative writing days. There just isn't time to take days off when you need a break from it. It seems like R&S 3 English would have fewer lessons. It would be nice if every LA component didn't have to be done every single day. We are just looking for more balanced days and I was wondering if R&S would help in that regard. I also like that R&S would have less of an emphasis on quizzes and tests.

 

Thanks,

Kathy

[SilverMoon]

If you do R&S English four days a week you'll finish it in a school year. If you double up two easier back-to-back grammar lessons in one sitting you'll have it down to three days a week.

 

We do the spelling five days a week, but it's painless, mostly independent, and rarely ever takes more than 15-20 minutes a day. The 3 book has three sections of work, and the third one is very light. My DC did section A on day 1, section B on day 2, had a practice test on day 3, did the small section C and practiced the missed words on day 4, and then the final test on day 5.

[daybreaking]

We use R&S English & Spelling. We're currently using grade 4. My son works independently on the spelling, for about 15 minutes a day. For the English, we work together for 15 minutes, doing the review questions in the TM, reading the lesson together, and then doing the oral drill. With whatever time is remaining, we'll do part of the written assignment orally. The remainder of the assignment, which he does independently, takes him about 15 mintues. (On days where there is a writing assignment, such as an essay, it takes him longer.) So, in all, for us, the English & Spelling take about 45 mintues a day.

 

The grade 4 English has 127 lessons. If you do the tests, your year would be 138 days, which gives buffer time for longer written assignments, adding in the extra worksheets, having a sick day, etc. The grade 4 spelling has 34 lessons. We do one lesson a week. Since there are only 4 pages per lesson and I have my son do 1 page a day, we have a buffer day each week. If you wanted, you could work 5 days a week an complete 1 1/4 lessons a week, thus finishing earlier in the school year.

[jer2911mom]

Thank you both! This information is really helpful!

 

Kathy