Recommended for upcoming 8th grader just finishing R&S English 7

[Di3kids]

I just found out on this board that R&S English 7 could be taught to 9th graders! No wonder I thought it was rather challenging... it WAS! Anyhow, after reading this, what would you suggest for my son (upcoming 8th grader) who did not really "struggle" with grammar this year but did not really look forward to it, either? I had planned on R&S English 8, but perhaps I should take a break and really focus on writing (which he really does enjoy). What do you think? Thanks.

Diane

[Michelle in MO]

through R&S 8, perhaps spreading it over two years, if necessary, while focusing in more on writing. There is a R&S 9 and 10, but I've also read that some skip that and focus in on writing almost exclusively (besides reading/literature) in the h.s. years. I'm tending to agree with that approach, mostly because the h.s. years get so busy. A light grammar review in h.s. isn't a bad idea, but a full grammar curriculum can get to be a bit much.

[LisaNY]

I agree w/Michelle. You could spread the gr. 8 text over two years. I would also get the gr. 8 worksheets, which will offer extra practice/reinforcement.

I have always done most of R&S grammar orally. I have my dd do all the diagramming and chapter reviews in her notebook. She also creates notecards for any grammar concepts she has difficulty remembering.

[H.S. Burrow]

But it is something in our house that is non-negotiable. I haven't considered spreading R&S grammar 8 over 2 years. We also just finished grade 7 and will be using the grade 8 next year and using the Writing Strands for a more focused writing program. I like the writing assignments in R&S but feel that the Writing Strands is more detailed in their instructions and I like how they spread the assignment over a couple of days -- there if you need it -- you can always combine the 3 or 4 days to 1 or 2 if you want.

The more I think about it, the more I like the Michelle's suggestion of spreading it out some. Maybe spread 8, 9 & 10 over grades 8 - 12 and include 2 (or more) research papers along with different writing styles (persuasive, agruementative, instructional, etc) and the great books.

We do the class practices orally and I have my dc do some of the written exercises and worksheets. I have found with my ds (R&S 5 next year) that he answers perfectly on the oral drill and get about half wrong when given the written exercises to do, so I have started having him do all the written exercises....I think it is lack of focus on his task:glare: as he knows that when he is finished, he gets to go outside for 20 minutes!!!

Hope this helps you!

[Di3kids]

I really like your suggestion, Michelle, to spread R&S English 8 over the next two years for my rising 8th grader. This will also help us to get some of our other subjects a chance, such as Rosetta Stone Spanish which has taken a backseat to Algebra, grammar, etc. Thanks for helping me see the light!:):):) He'll be thrilled!

Diane

[Laura K (NC)]

I didn't think Rod & Staff was too difficult to finish in one year, so my oldest did it in 8th grade, and my 7th grader will start and finish it next year.

I found that Rod & Staff, though doing an excellent job in grammar, was weak in writing and literature analysis and reading. We needed the whole 9th grade year to concentrate on those weaknesses, and if we had had to do grammar as well it would have been probably too much work. Literature is demanding in high school. The one credit I gave my son for "English 9" had to include writing, vocabulary, reading comprehension and literary analysis, and literature reading. I was very glad that we didn't have to worry about finishing grammar as well.

[Denise in NE]

I wouldn't bother with the Rod and Staff 9/10 books. I bought them, looked them over, and sold them. Yuch! Once your child finishes the 8th grade text, s/he will have had more than enough grammar! After that, review should be sufficient. We like Analytical Grammar High School Reinforcement books for this, but you could use Daily Grams or something like that. The focus for HS should be literature analysis and writing.

Denise in NE

[lv2sing]

I have asked many moms how to "finish up" formal grammar studies and they have said that when you get thru R and S 7 or a like program to stop doing the formal study and to write your brains out! It has worked for my first one that is to be 15 in a bit.