Do you combine LA curriculums? IF so what and how...

[Mosaicmind]

I already bought language arts guides from SL. They did not cost me much because I got a 50% repurchase discount. I like some of what they contain, but not all of it especially the grammar and usage part. We used R&S English for 2nd grade this year and I really liked it. So, I am thinking of using it alongside the SL LA. What are your thoughts or opinions?

Would this be too much? Should I just stick with the R&S? I would be using grades 3 & 5. Thanks so much.

[Sue G in PA]

Well, I do combine but only b/c I can't decided on just one! :D We use LLATL which has a little of everything LA...reading, writing, grammar, spelling, etc. We will start WT in the fall which also has a bit of grammar. For my upcoming 3rd grader, that could be enough, but I'm adding in PLL b/c I really like it and it is so very different in its approach to grammar. For my 5th grader, I'm adding ILL b/c he's never had real exposure to narrations, picture study or dictation before. Dd11 will continue R&S and I won't add anything to hers. Each of the programs we use could be used alone, but as I have such a problem deciding...I'm going to use them all and just alternate days/weeks and see how it goes. B/c each is so very different, I don't foresee a problem. Perhaps just choose the parts of SL LA that you like and add that to R&S? Or, just use R&S alone b/c it is certainly "thorough" enough.

[Dayle in Guatemala]

We LLATL with Ridgewood Grammar starting in Grade 4 through Grade 6. We start Writing Strands 3 in Grade 6 and use that every year after for writing.

[SkiMom]

I'm doing exactly what you are considering. I have used R&S along with SL-LA for several years now. What has made it work for us is that I have chosen R&S to be my "main" program and SL-LA as a supplement only. This way my dc get the solid grammar and writing instruction that comes with R&S but if we don't have time for the SL work, we don't do it...and it's no big deal (except for the dicatation...we always do that!) To be honest there are times when it is too much, but I don't feel bad about dropping the SL assignments because they are still getting the R&S lessons.

So why do I bother with SL? I like adding SL because it gives my dc extra practice in writing and because it ties in with their literature and history readings. For the SL writing assignments I only expect my dc to write according to the skills they have learned in R&S. For example, when SL assigns a research report I only have my dc do it on the same level as what R&S would expect. My Grade 3 student is currently doing an SL mini report. My expectations for this report is that she write a proper paragraph as instructed by R&S. My Grade 5 student is doing an SL research report, but only as in depth as he has been taught with R&S. I hope this makes sense.

[Calming Tea]

this year I am combining 3...

Climbing To Good English is a traditional English that has lots of writing, covers some phonics, punctuation, sentence skills, and beginning grammar.

Queen's Language lessons covers some phonics, copywork, picture study, poetry appreciation and narration.

And I will probably also be doing spelling.

I will most likely skip the copywork in the Queen's b/c CTGE has tons of handwriting and I don't want to overwhelm my son.

So...if SL has narration and poetry, I would use those and skip the grammar. If the copywork is lovely lines of poetry or scripture, I would use that but if it's just copying sentences from readers, I would skip it.

If SL has no poetry, no narration, and no lovely copywork, then I would definitiley skip it because it would be totally redundant alongside Rod and Staff. I get nervous about using too many similar curricula because then if the year is going poorly, I don't really know which one isn't working for those skill sets. But that's just me.