Would love some opinions!

[Booklovers]

I have a dd 10 who is in 6th grade. She has scored a 99 in reading comphrension, actually nothing was under 96 in that area at all. We have always used Spelling Power, Worldly Wise , Daily Grams and Easy Grammar but this year we are having a tough time personally wise and we need to ease up on some schooling. I was wondering if someone could give us some ideas about what we can use for grammar and such but in a smaller content.
We have looked at some and definitley know that Bob Jones is not the one.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone,
Kimberley:wave:

[Dianna]

I have a dd 10 who is in 6th grade. She has scored a 99 in reading comphrension, actually nothing was under 96 in that area at all. We have always used Spelling Power, Worldly Wise , Daily Grams and Easy Grammar but this year we are having a tough time personally wise and we need to ease up on some schooling. I was wondering if someone could give us some ideas about what we can use for grammar and such but in a smaller content.
We have looked at some and definitley know that Bob Jones is not the one.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone,
Kimberley:wave:

Kimberley,

My family has always "studied" spelling and vocabulary in context of what we're reading. My oldest three have been visual spellers, so as long as they read widely, they know when a word is misspelled in their writing and correct it. We discuss spelling tips & tricks (i before e except after c and in words that make the "ay" sound like neighbor & weigh), but don't study spelling in any other way. Vocabulary is best learned in context, so they learn that by reading, too. Do you think that approach to spelling and vocabulary would work for your daughter?

As far as grammar is concerned, I haven't been able to find anything that is better than Rod & Staff's English series. A couple of years ago, I would've never thought I would use something like this, but I've changed my mind. :smile2:

I recommend Rod & Staff's English, Level 5 for a thorough introduction. Even if a student is in a higher grade, I recommend starting with this level since the program is advanced. (I've linked samples to this text in my resources and links area: www.carolinahomeschooler.com/links.htm (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/links.htm) )

If you decide to use this, don't feel that you have to do all the written exercises. Just choose some exercises from each chapter to do orally (there are usually two sets of exercises for each lesson, just choose one if your daughter isn't having trouble learning the concept).

However, some exercises, such as sentence diagramming, may be easier to do when they're written down. I recommend doing all the review exercises when they periodically come at the end of an exercise - they'll keep the concepts fresh in your daughter's mind.

You can skip the chapters on Writing, if you'd like. Although the instruction is good, it's a little dry. The grammar instruction is the best I've come across, though. It's a traditional text, and is religiously-oriented, so take those factors into account before you order.

If you approach the text the way I mentioned above, it won't take much time each day to do the assignments.

Another alternative would be to just stop doing the vocabulary, spelling, and grammar portions of your school for a while. If she's doing well in these areas, a break won't hurt her. You could just focus on reading and writing, instead.

I hope some of these ideas help you. Hopefully others will jump in and offer more suggestions. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[SChomemomof3]

I was Spectrum.