Rod and Staff 1st Grade English Options

[Appliejuice]

This past school year, I purchased R&S First grade English for my second daughter. It turned out to be too much for her and I dropped it. Now I want to start it again for next year and I think she is ready for it. The problem I have, is they go over new sounds every day. On the fourth or fifth day they have a review. Here is an example:

For the first week in phonics they cover letters, Tt, Mm, Cc Kk, and then a review. They have two worksheet pages a day. They cover spelling every day, but the words are different for every lesson. They do not have any tests.

For reading they also have two worksheets per lesson.

Doesn't that seem like it is fast? If I take two days per lesson, we won't finish the book for two years.


She knows most of her letter sounds, but gets stuck on some. She is going into first grade and will be seven in September, so she is behind in reading. It took her almost an entire year to learn the letter "e" and now she is doing the same thing with the word "the". She can't remember how to form some letters, but knows them when she sees them.

Anyhoo, I don't know what I am going to do. I don't want to buy another curriculum.

[TiffinKY]

I haven't used this cirriculum, but with a special needs child, I know all about having to modify cirriculum. If you don't to take two days per lesson, would your daughter be able to do one sheet in the morning and another sheet later in the afternoon for "homework"?

[Tressa]

It sounds more like a phonics program than an English program? Is that right? I have never seen the first grade Rod and Staff. I do think that Rod and Staff moves pretty fast. I have had to slow down a little in English 3 for dd. She won't quite be ready for Grade 4 English at the beginning of the year. Anyway, I don't know what to tell you, though. I am sorry. I hope that you can find something.

[chocolatelover]

I got R&S 1 for John.

I thought of it as reading and phonics..

We dropped it....it was pulling him down and he would get overwhelmed by it. We are trying to read the readers but we went on to workbook style stuff. Jump Start is what we used...

I have English 3 for Gaby....she can't remember anything after the lesson. I think we will give it a break.
Or continue w/ it next year.

[Appliejuice]

It sounds more like a phonics program than an English program? Is that right?

They have phonics and reading. The other parts of English start in second grade.

I think I will work with the 100 Easy Lessons during the summer and then use the R&S books when the new school year begins.

[hsmomforjesus]

I have used Rod and Staff 1st grade reading with both of my boys. They picked it up really well. Is your son 6 or older? They recommend using it with a 6 yr old or older, and they have a placement test, for $2 to see if they will be ready for the 1st grade material.

I used it with my oldest son at 6 , and theyounger was listening and started picking it up (and he has some learning disabilities) and then when he was 6 he just TOOK OFF with it. They are now 8 1/2 and 7 and they both read very well silent reading as well as reading aloud.

I am not exactly sure what you were having trouble with but I would be glad to PM with you if you want. (smile) what a blessing we have the freedom to choose curriculum for our children!

[Appliejuice]

Is your son 6 or older? They recommend using it with a 6 yr old or older, and they have a placement test, for $2 to see if they will be ready for the 1st grade material.

I didn't know they had placement tests. That would be helpful.

My daughter is 6 and will be 7 in September. She has trouble with knowing the letters, sounds, and writing the letters. Not all are a problem, just some. Since my first two were early readers, especially my second one, I can't tell if this daugher is average or has a problem.

Example: If you ask her to spell cat, she will think about it and usually tell you c a t. If you ask her was this letter is "s", she will tell you "s" and sounds like "sssss". If you ask her what letter "c" is, she will think about it and tell you "s" and sound like "ssss". There are other like that. H, T (sometimes), and others.

I am concerned that going over a different letter and sound once a day is going to be too much. I am going to work with her on 100 Easy lesson during the summer and see if that helps. I think once she knows all her letters and sounds, she won't have problems with the curriculum.