We don't like Hake Grammar

[readinmom]

So this has been a big fail in our start to the school year.  Dd wants a more focused approach.  Rod and Staff?  Looking for suggestions...TIA

[TarynB]

Sorry to hear your DD isn't liking it.  Just curious, since you say you want something with a "more focused approach", is it the amount of review in each lesson what your DD doesn't like?  (Because it is a ton of review, as written.)  If so, maybe you could try reducing the number of review questions your DD has to complete, if you haven't done that already.  Where we finally landed is that my DS usually does every third review question (was doing every other question, but that was still more than necessary) in each lesson and that's been plenty of review for him.  I also let him write in the book instead of writing on a separate piece of paper.  I really like the way Hake presents the new concepts in each lesson and using it this modified way with less assigned review is going well for us.  I also like that each review question includes a reference to the lesson in which it was taught, so its easy to flip back if something needs to be refreshed.

 

Rod & Staff is what SWB recommends, but we need something secular.  If we weren't using Hake, I'd be looking at Analytical Grammar or go back to Easy Grammar.  (We stopped doing Easy Grammar in 4th grade only because it doesn't teach diagramming and DS needed more frequent review, but I think its a great program too.)  HTH.

[readinmom]

I like the idea of cutting it down.  Just disappointed because I thought it would be a great fit.  Overall, it looks to be a great program. 

[boscopup]

R&S would be a good choice for focused work (I'm assuming she doesn't like the spiral). You'll have a chapter on nouns, then learn multiple lessons in sequential order about nouns. There is constant review, but it's usually less than half the lesson.

 

I only assign about half the exercises.

[cherimoya]

Junior Analytical Grammar

[CyndiLJ]

We liked the idea, but hated the curriculum.  Sorry to hear it didn't work for you either.  We went to Growing with Grammar/Soaring with Spelling/Winning with Writing.  Winning with Writing was not what I would have hoped for but Growing with Grammar was as painless as could be, and we did well with it.

[Guest]

Bob Jones {can be done without the expensive TM if you do not mind not having an answer key.}

 

Voyages in English

 

Exercises in English {grammar only portion of Voyages in workbook format}

 

ABeka

 

Rod and Staff {My kids all detest R&S because it is so over the top religious in nature. It is a real distraction for them.}

 

Growing with Grammar {though my two olders used levels 3-6 with zero retention. It is too easy to just plug and forget. If you teach the lesson, it might work better.}

 

Easy Grammar {the preposition first approach was not a fit for my guys.}

 

Winston Grammar {you will need a separate resource for punctuation}

 

Shurley Grammar {bit of a learning curve for you to teach}

 

Jr. Analytical Grammar/Analytical Grammar

[nansk]

I'd also say JAG, because it focusses on one part of speech per lesson.

If you want a similar, but cheaper option, look at Steps To Good Grammar from walch.com. I think it covers slightly more than JAG and has diagramming.

[readinmom]

Thanks, everyone, for the great suggestions!

[Guest]

Thought of one more:

 

Memoria Press Grammar Recitation