R&S Language 3

[macilustr8]

I am considering R&S Language for 3rd grade next year. For those of you who use R&S, what do you like about it? Is it different from FLL 3? I can't choose between the two programs. I have been using FLL 1 & 2 with GWG, but I am looking around and I have noticed so many of you seem to be using this curriculum so I took a look and I do like it. Does it have dictation and copy work in it like FLL? If not do you add that to your day as well, and do you add a separate writing program as well? Sorry so many questions! I just want to make the right choices next year so that I don't buy more than I need. I was going to add WT with whatever grammar program I am using, but with R&S, I am not sure if I would need it or not.
Thanks ladies,
Amy

[Mom2legomaniacs]

Hi! I used R&S 3 and am now in book 4 with my ds. He also used FLL for grades 1 and 2.

I really like the way this program is structured. It is very thorough, IMO. With the writing exercises (those begin later in book 3 and continue all the way with 4 and on), they are done very gently without overwhelming the student. The book is so easy to use, for us. But we do a lot of the exercises orally since my ds hates to write (the physical act and the creative process). We have moved gradually into having him write more and more. Our patience was worth it. He is doing well.

It does not have dictation and copy work. You would have to go another route with that. But that's really not all that hard to do. There are lots of sources for copy work and such online.

You really don't need another writing program with R&S at this point. But many do use one anyway. If you take what is presented in R&S and carry it through the other subjects, that is enough for now. But it depends on your goals and what your child is capable of. I am going to add in IEW for writing very soon. My oldest is in 4th and I have a 1st ds as well.

Hope this helps! There a several good programs out there. You just have to decide what style you like and what works best for your child.
Good luck!

[stephanie]

I am considering R&S Language for 3rd grade next year. For those of you who use R&S, what do you like about it? Is it different from FLL 3? I can't choose between the two programs. I have been using FLL 1 & 2 with GWG, but I am looking around and I have noticed so many of you seem to be using this curriculum so I took a look and I do like it. Does it have dictation and copy work in it like FLL? If not do you add that to your day as well, and do you add a separate writing program as well? Sorry so many questions! I just want to make the right choices next year so that I don't buy more than I need. I was going to add WT with whatever grammar program I am using, but with R&S, I am not sure if I would need it or not.
Thanks ladies,
Amy

I've used R&S 3 with all my dc so far. I did FLL 1,but then switched to R&S 2 in 2nd grade. It does not have copywork or dictation exercises. We do the lesson in R&S, some oral, some written, and the worksheets for extra practice when needed. I supplement with WT 1 for a writing program, although I don't think it's necessary. I just like how WT is set up,and the writing is more interesting for my dc. WT also covers grammar-parts of speech/mechanics of writing. As for dictation I use Spelling Wisdom. I take our copywork from books that we are reading from like The Blue Fairy Book or our read-aloud. I'm sure my language arts may be a bit over-kill, but it seems to be working for us. I like it b/c WT really reinforces what we do in R&S. However, R&S is considered to be a very thorough program. My eldest is doing R&S 6 now and I find it to be thorough. I'm sure the ladies here will have lots of suggestions for you as well. As for us, we love R&S!

[macilustr8]

Thank you for your help! Is Spelling Wisdom a spelling program?

Do you think that if I add copy/dictation to R&S language 3, would it be too much? I would also like to add WT 1. Hmmmm, too much? Ds doesn't like to write at all, but I think next year it will be necessary...

[Mom2legomaniacs]

Possibly, depending on your child. It would have been for mine. Copy work and dictation would be enough for us. Sorry I don't have much more to offer than a possibly. I will say that I really am impressed with the R & S grammar. It is great!

[stephanie]

Thank you for your help! Is Spelling Wisdom a spelling program?

Do you think that if I add copy/dictation to R&S language 3, would it be too much? I would also like to add WT 1. Hmmmm, too much? Ds doesn't like to write at all, but I think next year it will be necessary...

Spelling wisdom can serve as spelling b/c it uses the word in the context of a sentence. However, we use a separate spelling b/c I want my dc to learn spelling rules. We do studied dictation on Mon-Wed., and I test them without looking at their dictation paper on Thursday. They do SWO Mon-Wed., and we test on Thursday unless they need an extra day of studying. We do grammar 4 days/wk. I try to do most of it orally, but I do require some writing of them. Copywork is done on Mondays with WT and Fridays. Instead of grammar on Friday I have them do maybe a poem for copywork,and then they go and highlight or circle the parts of speech that we are studying. That kind of serves as a mini-grammar lesson for them just to change it up a bit. Oh yeah, WT is done probably 3 days/wk. Some weeks I can't get to it but 2 times. So have I completely confused you now? You can PM me if you need any further explanation. By all means, this is just what works for my dc. You can do whatever you feel to lessen or add to. I know I'm a bit heavy in LA, and I don't want you to think this is what's expected of you!