Blessed with seven Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Hi, If I have a 5th grader that has had NO formal grammar at ALL can they go into the 5th grade text for Rod and Staff? I had an email from someone who sells Rod and Staff that there is much review from 2ne to 5th but starting in 6th it gets much harder. Opinion? Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I started my 5th graders with the 4th grade level but I wanted relaxed. Its a good fit for relaxed study. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 We did 4th and 5th last year and the differences are minimal. 5th had more to the definitions. So it got more detailed about adverbs and had specific words explaining different kinds of them. 4th talked about adverbs. The work was slightly harder. I think it is thorough and I would just start at grade level. There is enough oral work to slow down difficult concepts. I didn't let my younger skip any grades even though 4th/5th is so similar. It's good stuff, so we just do grade level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I heard from someone selling at a convention that the books are advanced, and so it's usually better to start one grade level below. My older DD is working at a 4th grade level, so I'm using r&s 3 with her and it's just right. hth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Assuming this is an average child that does not struggle and reads well for his age, the 5 book ought to be fine. If a particular concept is proving difficult it's very easy to spread a lesson across two days to give it more time to sink in. Eta: This school year I'm on my third kid to use the 5 book. It's very age appropriate for the average kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 I'd do 5, unless the kid struggles. Take a look at the samples online, and you can get a good idea of the work involved. It starts at the beginning, but moves quickly because it's grade 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuzySparkle Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 My 5th grader is in her first year of homeschooling. As far as I can tell, her grammar instruction in ps has been pretty light. We are in the first chapter and are really noticing how little she has been taught. That said, beginning in chapter 3, each part of speech has it's own chapter with thorough introduction. While the first two chapters may require some slowing down to work through them, I feel the rest will be easier on us because it's explained in depth. The stuff we're working on now is explained well, but it's her first introduction to some of it. Even with it being difficult, I would not have moved down a level. I think this is only hard now, because she has never been exposed to this level of grammar study. I am happy we chose English 5 for her and feel she will do well with it even with no prior R&S under her belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessed with seven Posted September 10, 2013 Author Share Posted September 10, 2013 Thank you all so much for the information!! eeek...it isn't letting me change the font size, sorry so small, not sure what is going on.. :huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 When my son was in 5th, we started with the fourth grade book. The first chapter was grueling--all about subjects and predicates and my son struggled really badly. But then the second chapter kicked in with much simpler concepts. This is happening again with my 2nd child. It looks like each R&S book is laid out the same way--thee first chapter is always about subjects and predicates and confuses kids when they first run into them. But starting in the 2nd chapter it gets back to familiar territory that kids have seen before. So if you start and it's terribly confusing just push through to chapter 2 (maybe take 2 days per lesson) when it should start getting easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 I've always used it on grade level. From what I remember, I think 5th grade is the last one where you can jump in at grade level; any older and they recommend starting with 5 for no prior instruction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessed with seven Posted September 11, 2013 Author Share Posted September 11, 2013 Another Rod and Staff question, getting cold feet. For one who is NOT good in English Grammar, Composition, is Rod and Staff easy to teach?? I mean this is really, really not my area at all!!! So..if the kids have questions I need to be able to look at the book and easily be able to figure it out. Thanks!! I have been going back and forth between wanting to do Rod and Staff and feeling like we should just do Analytical Grammar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 Yes, it is easy to teach. If you want only grammar, then maybe you should do AG. R&S's English series is a more comprehensive *English," teaching composition, public speaking, using reference materials, and so on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clear Creek Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I have not studied grammar since sixth grade and I have been able to teach R&S grammar without any problems. The lessons are very incremental - they only teach one concept per lesson - and the lessons as written in the student book are very clear and include many examples. If that isn't enough, there is a scripted teaching portion in the TM, but I haven't needed it yet. The answers for all of the oral and written student work are in the TM, they don't leave you guessing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 The TM will hold your hand as much as you need it to. There's a scripted plan for teaching the new lesson, a full answer key, and random tips for catching common problems. It's a great course for a parent who needs to learn with the kids. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessed with seven Posted September 11, 2013 Author Share Posted September 11, 2013 Awesome, sounds great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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