How do you teach an R & S English lesson in a timely fashion?
I think R & S English is an outstanding grammar program, but we never finish it in a timely fashion. Today, my son took an hour on his review! I realize a review is longer. My son is also a slower worker. However, an hour seems long. One question I have is whether you do all of the oral section with your child (not the five oral review questions, but the oral section that is part of the assignment) and also have him do all of the written? Today, for example, we did the oral, but then the written was almost identical. It seemed like I was having my son do double the work. I’m also struggling on writing assignment days. I usually need two days for them. I have my son write his story, correct it, and rewrite it. Really, I am just wanting to know how you teach an HOD R & S English 4 lesson in a timely fashion? Thanks in advance!
Sincerely,
“Ms. Please Help Me Teach R & S English in a Timely Fashion”
Dear “Ms. Please Help Me Teach R & S English in a Timely Fashion,”
We do the 5 oral questions at the beginning of each lesson, and then we do the entire lesson. However, we do most of the entire lesson orally. This means that we do the sections marked as “Written Exercises” orally too. I only choose one small section in each lesson to have my kiddos do in writing. To do the written exercises orally, I just have my kiddos say the answers instead of writing them. I often read the sentences aloud in the exercises, and then have my child quickly say the answers right after me. My reading parts aloud to them keeps their attention and keeps the lesson moving quickly. Before the lesson begins, however, I have my kiddos read the first part of the lesson to themselves. This way they are prepared for what is to come. This keeps the lesson moving along in a timely fashion like we enjoy in HOD.
Diagramming in a Timely Fashion
We often diagram together on the white board, moving very quickly in a timely fashion through the lesson. I might just draw the diagram lines and have my kiddos point and say where the various words will go. This procedure has allowed us to keep Rod and Staff English very manageable. Even at the upper levels like English 6-8, we are moving very quickly through the lesson and not exceeding 30-40 minutes total on most days for both oral and written work. It is true though that review lessons and writing days take longer. To keep things moving in a timely fashion on writing days, we don’t have kiddos rewrite the entire assignment unless the directions say to do so.
If necessary, do evens or odds to move the lesson along in a timely fashion.
I do think another factor around English 4 is that students have not really cemented their English skills yet, so their answering doesn’t come as quickly. They are having to think harder to remember, and English is not naturally a part of their skill-base yet. So, for some kiddos it may take longer at the English 4 and 5 level until they become more familiar with what is being asked of them. Don’t despair! If your lessons are running long, you could do evens or odds for awhile to keep things moving along in a timely fashion. However, in the long haul I’d try not to make skipping a practice. I would set a goal not to exceed 30 minutes at this stage. If you see you are coming close to that time and are not done for the day, omit any written work and just do it all orally. This is another technique I use when running behind.
Blessings,
Carrie
