grammar for third grade?

[dirty ethel rackham]

We are finishing up FLL 1 & 2 with dd8. I am wondering where to go from here. We did Abeka with my older boys and we are looking for a change. They hate it. Here is what I am looking at:

 

Voyages in English: I have heard good things about it, but it is SOOO expensive. I looked at the older version (the Catholic content appeals to us,) but, based upon recommendations from this board, that version may be too dull.

 

FLL 3: We enjoyed FLL 1 & 2. My concern is that the series will not be done by the time we are ready for it. Will it be a lot of busy work?

 

Rod and Staff: This never appealed to me before because it required much copying rather than a consumable worktext. My boys just wouldn't go for that.

 

tia,

[Mamabyrd]

My 3rd grader is using Growing with Grammar. When my 5th grader was in 3rd grade, we started the year with Rod and Staff. It is terrific, however, my dd couldn't stand having to do all the work on her on paper. We switched to GWG and it became one of her favorite subjects. So, now I have one in the 5th grade book and one in the 3rd grade book. Rod and Staff has a writing component and with GWG you'll need something else for writing. GWG is great for teaching grammar, though. HTH

[dcjlkplus3]

I was just looking at PHP website and it looks like FLL4 just came out, so that will be my plan for the grammar stage(unless it stops working), but my dd7 just started 2nd grade and FLL2.

[partyof5]

After FLL 1 & 2, we went with R&S and have found it to be easy to implement and VERY effective. I choose to blend a lot of oral work with a small amount of written with each assignment--I do not assign it all as written. My dd would just melt if I did that. The workbook is consumable and very inexpensive and that provides a quick and easy supplement as well.

 

We've used R&S for a few years now (she's in 5th grade now) and I am quite pleased with what she has learned.

 

I know SWB recommends a supplemental writing program with R&S because the writing component is not very strong or thorough. I have used a few different programs alongside R&S successfully.

[8filltheheart]

Have you looked at Follett Educational Services website? You can get the 95 eds of VIE for about $15. That is the edition I used when I was using the series with my kids.

[rafiki]

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[arcara]

We're enjoying GWG. It's our first year using it. It's thorough and to-the-point. You do have to have a separate writing program. We're using WWE.

[CactusPair]

If you like a consumable workbook, Loyola press puts out another grammar book called Exercises in English 2008. Much, Much less expensive.

 

I think GWG looks good, as does Easy Grammar.

 

Good luck!

[Mapi]

We are using Daily Grams and Easy Grammar 3 as well as R&S English 3. Writing goes along with Reading for comprehension. For creative writing we are journaling with prompts and word banks.

[dirty ethel rackham]

Momof7,

 

I remember you saying that your kids did not like the older version, that they thought it was dull. The 95 version - is that the one? Or are you talking about older editions?

[dirty ethel rackham]

I am looking at giving Writing with Ease a try. Writing has always been difficult in our home. Writing was never my strong point and I haven't a clue how to grade it. I can give pointers to make something better, but I still don't feel confident. Writing Strands was a disaster for us. We did IEW SWI with both of my boys which got us from tears and gnashing of teeth to at least getting words on paper. They have a long way to go.

[HollyDay]

Last year my 3rd grader did GWG 3 very successfully. When her big sister was in 3rd grade, we used BJU - also very successfully.

[runningirl71]

We are finishing up FLL 1 & 2 with dd8. I am wondering where to go from here. We did Abeka with my older boys and we are looking for a change. They hate it. Here is what I am looking at:

 

FLL 3: We enjoyed FLL 1 & 2. My concern is that the series will not be done by the time we are ready for it. Will it be a lot of busy work?

 

tia,

 

I've done FLL3 as a review for my 4th grader last year. She really enjoyed it. No, it is not a lot of busy work, imo. There are one or two pages to do after explaining the concept learned. There are poems to memorize and copywork/dictation as well. There is also a section for letter writing/dictionary skills. It is a very flexible program and there are even 3 different schedules written out in the front of the book that you can choose from to fit your needs. It only took my 4th grader 15 minutes or so to complete the work. We did FLL3 3 days a week. I felt this program was thorough enough and challenging enough. There is basic diagramming taught as well. I think if you combined this with WWE, that would be a very complete LA program.

 

I have also done Shurley English with my kids (they both did 2 years of this) and I really enjoyed it, but it was very teacher involved, and sometimes took 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week. Once you get into the groove, it doesn't take that long on some days. We did do the writing component, which is why it may have taken longer for us (many people drop the writing component). I mention this b/c I think the grammar songs/jingles are invaluable. In fact, I may not use this when it comes time to teach grammar to my now 3 yo, but I will probably use the jingles! FLL is a little dry, imo, when it comes to memorizing facts. Shurley Grammar made memorizing grammar rules fun and easy. My two oldest can still sing the songs. And, my dd still recites the jingles to help her with grammar, although we aren't using the program anymore! If you could get just the jingles cd and combine it with FLL, that might be an option!

 

I don't know about the other two programs you've mentioned, but I hope you find what fits for your family!:)

[HollyDay]

I have no idea how my post got into this thread! I was responding to 3rd grade grammar - WOW - not sure what happened!! Sorry

[8filltheheart]

The older editions that are "dull" (only in my opinion, now!!) are the ones from the 60s. They are the Catholic versions. The 95 eds are completely secular.

 

HTH

[dirty ethel rackham]

I noticed that the books available on Follette are the TM's. Do I need a student book or a workbook?

[8filltheheart]

Not the workbook, but yes, you need the student text. They are widely available, so I don't think you should have any trouble locating one.

[dirty ethel rackham]

Thanks to all of you for your input.

[Hannah]

Just to add one more option...we're using the free Kiss Grammar. My 3rd grade started with the 2nd grade text. It's very thorough.

[anissarobert]

My 3rd grader is using R & S. I love this series. I am using it with my oldest as well. I do some of the work orally, but since our focus this year is on math and handwriting, (his weak areas) I am having him write out more of the assignments than I did with FLL.