Favorite grammar programs...

[stephanie]

I've always used R&S for grammar so I was just wondering what everyones favorite programs were. I'd like to take a break from R&S,but not too sure of any other programs that are as thorough as R&S. I'd like something that has writing, dictation, some copywork, and of course all the grammatical rules. Any ideas?

[Linda...inOwasso]

I don't know what grade you're talking about, but my dd7 uses Primary Language Lessons by Emma Serl. From what little I know of R&S, PLL is nowhere near as intense. However, it works perfectly for our long range goals. PLL does include dictation, copywork, picture study & memorization (which we don't use -- we use IEW's poetry memorization).

I do not want to spend years teaching grammar so we will follow PLL with ILL and then do Analytical Grammar in 6th grade.

HTH a little :)

[Lisawa]

I've always used R&S for grammar so I was just wondering what everyones favorite programs were. I'd like to take a break from R&S,but not too sure of any other programs that are as thorough as R&S. I'd like something that has writing, dictation, some copywork, and of course all the grammatical rules. Any ideas?

How about Classical Writing (http://home.att.net/~MikeJaqua/TheBooks.html)??? It has all you asked for. *Ü*

[Sue G in PA]

what about FLL or GWG? My ds9 is really enjoying (if you can really enjoy grammar :)) GWG while my ds6 and ds8 do well w/ FLL when we use it which is not consistently. FLL has the copywork and dictation you want and you could use Writing W/Ease for the Writing component. GWG is straight grammar so you would have to use another writing program if you wanted to add that component.

[Maria/ME]

Oh, my. I had a Grammar conundrum for awhile and everyone here helped me so much. I wrote about it on my blogs weekly report (http://eclecticallyyours.typepad.com/eclectically_yours/weakly-homeschool-report.html) (scroll down under feb 4-8 if you choose to peak) I have decided to probably go with GWG or JAG. I got so many great ideas, however. If you're interested I think you could dig up that post on grammar somewhere. But I'd say the gals here have given you lots of similarly great ideas.

[Cathy in TX]

I see how much my kids have learned with R&S, which causes me not to mind a separate grammar book. Latin grammar is a breeze to understand for my oldest two due to all they've learned with R&S. Truly, switching to R&S has been the best curricular choice I've made to date. If you want to stay with them, you can always take the writing lessons and have your kids do several papers per lesson. That's what I did before we started IEW. Regarding dictation...when my kids were younger, I pulled dictation from books I was reading them like "Farmer Boy" or "The Trumpet of the Swan." It worked well for us.

If you really want to take a break, don't let me deter you! :) I (obviously) love R&S and wanted to give you some ways to keep using it and still get in the other things.

Best of luck,

Cathy

[Bassoonaroo]

We've been using and liking Winston Grammar. I got a workbook for each child and the teacher's guide which comes with colored cards for different parts of speech. Seems to be working.

[BizyPenguin]

and I reviewed it on my blog. It's actually a lot like a workbooky, more modern, more do-able version of R&S (with a little Evan-Moor thrown in).

[GreenKitty]

We really like EG, we add writing.

[Carol in Cal.]

I used FLL, and I liked the approach a lot (repetition, memorization), but the application was not coming very well. And, it bothered me that DD was memorizing poetry in non-original versions for no good reason that I could see, and also that the pronouns were not in the order I consider most functional (subject pronouns first, by case, then object pronouns, etc.). So I kind of wished that I hadn't used it. Although I might have felt differently if we had had FLL 3 and 4 available at the age appropriate time.

I switched to Rod and Staff for 3rd grade, and DD found it extremely difficult. I pushed her on it--I remember doing things like this in 3rd grade, so I thought she should be able to do the same. She was increasingly confused and frustrated, and I realized right before direct objects that she was not going to be able to move forward at all. (I don't accept these realizations very easily or lightly, so this was very hard.) So we stopped and started to just analyze simple sentences from time to time and do a lot of writing and copywork.

We joined a beta group for a new grammar program that involved memorization in the order that I like from CD's, and with written backup exercises. The definitions were thorough and complete. But the program was not really quite ready for beta testing, so the whole effort kind of fell apart. If it ever is released, though, I will be waving its flag--it's will be outstanding if it ever comes out.

So then we went on back to Rod and Staff level 4 at about the middle of 5th grade. Suddenly it was easy--not just because of level, but because DD had learned the logic patterns better to support this kind of analysis. Now she is in 6th grade and sailing through the 5th grade book. I am debating whether to skip a level, but have decided so far, based on input here, that this is a pretty advanced program and that since we are using other materials for writing instruction in addition to the RS assignments, that RS5 in 6th is just fine. I am very pleased with where we have landed on this, and plan to stick with RS.

[Denise in NE]

My oldest daughter started RS in 3rd grade and worked through the 8th grade book; her sister started with the 2nd grade book and is currently in the 6th grade book. Don't give up on it! We have never really taken a complete "break" from it though, I do use IEW in tandem. I have also had the girls do lessons orally, combined lessons, and added creative writing assignments after chapter tests (for no more than a week at a time).

I spent several years in the classroom, and I can't tell you how beneficial this program would have been for my former students - and how much it has benefited my own children. It is the best I've ever seen - hands down- and I've seen a lot!

Denise in NE

[mcconnellboys]

We use Abeka, but it does not include copywork and dictation, per se. I also use Primary Language Lessons and Intermediate Language Lessons alongside that, and those do include this sort of work, but not as much in the way of straight grammar and diagramming exercises. These are by Emma Serl. There are new versions available that include colored illustrations.

Regena

[EKS]

It has been perfect for my dyslexic son who needs lots of review!