Rod and Staff Homeschool Curriculum: Bible Nurture and Reading Series/Math/English
by Pat Gardner
Rod and Staff Homeschool Curriculum Review
I have homeschooled for eight years; I have an 8th grader, 6th grader, 2nd grader, and a preschooler. I have used Rod and Staff homeschool curriculum since my oldest was in 2nd grade. The grammar curriculum is very thorough and taught in "step-by-step" manner with a Godly presentation. Last year I used 5th grade and 1st grade math with two of my children. It is simple, but thorough. I love the oral drill for the students. The teachers' manuals are well-written and easy to use. I simply love the reading/phonics instruction beginning in first grade; it’s very thorough and detailed. As a professional speech-language pathologist, I love that R&S mentions the difference in the sounds of written letters (e.g., voiced and voiceless /th/ or the fact that the written letter "s" very often sounds like a "z" as in the word "is"). I would say that while my daughter, who needs the practice and drill that R&S provides, has made tremendous progress in her reading....she's reading simple chapter books without pictures, I had gone over some phonics via Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons during her kindergarten year. The structured, thorough phonics and reading offered by R&S gave her the firm foundation that she needed to become more of an "automatic" reader. Lastly, I love that the reading material uses Bible stories and also serves as an age-appropriate Bible study. The bonus about Rod and Staff homeschool curriculum is that it is very affordable; many books are hardback and reusable (great if you have multiple children). The teacher's manuals are well-written, containing the answers to students' books, on the same page as the teachers' guides and the answer keys to the speed drills or tests in the back. Not separate 3 or 4 separate books for the teachers. Not fancy-smancy, no bells and whistles. Just good stuff. Great Rod and Staff homeschool curriculum review, Pat; thanks for sharing. Your thoughts and insight will be so helpful to others who are looking for affordable, Bible-based curriculum. Blessings, Heather :) |
