LANGUAGE ARTS: ROD AND STAFF REVIEW
Language Arts: Rod and Staff Review
Rod and Staff Publishers: Traditional Christian-Based Education
Rod and Staff Publishers is known for providing traditional Christian-based workbooks for various subjects, including English. A homeschooling supportive Mennonite publisher, Rod and Staff offers a Bible-focused curriculum across subjects. Emphasizing nonresistance and diligence, their materials use traditional methods like reading and memorization. Designed for classrooms, textbooks may have extra content. Popular offerings include Bible and Nurture Readers, Building Christian English, and Spelling by Sound and Structure. Science uses experiments for illustration, not discovery. History/Social Studies covers world history and U.S. history within a North American context, but some texts may be outdated. The curriculum spans elementary to tenth grade, with a focus on vocational training post-tenth grade.
https://www.milestonebooks.com/
Here's a summarized review based on common characteristics associated with Rod and Staff Publishers:
- Curriculum Philosophy:
- Traditional Approach: Rod and Staff Publishers typically follows a traditional approach to education. This means that the curriculum often emphasizes foundational skills, rote learning, and systematic instruction.
- Christian Perspective: Being a Christian-based curriculum, Rod and Staff integrates biblical principles and values into its English materials. This can be appealing for families seeking an education with a strong faith-based component.
- Subject Coverage:
- Grammar: The curriculum covers grammar in a systematic manner, helping students build a strong foundation in language structure, syntax, and punctuation.
- Reading: Rod and Staff's reading materials include a selection of literature with a focus on Christian values. Reading comprehension and critical thinking skills are emphasized.
- Writing: The writing component of the curriculum covers various types of writing, from basic composition to more complex essays. The emphasis is on clarity, organization, and effective communication.
- Teaching Style:
- Workbook Format: Rod and Staff materials are commonly presented in workbook format. This format can be convenient for both students and parents, providing clear instructions and exercises for practice.
- Incremental Learning: The curriculum follows an incremental learning approach, introducing concepts gradually and building on previous knowledge. This approach is designed to reinforce understanding and mastery of skills over time.
- Integration of Faith: Given its Christian foundation, Rod and Staff Publishers integrates biblical principles into the English curriculum. This can include moral lessons, character development, and the exploration of Christian themes in literature.
- Parental Involvement: Rod and Staff provides teacher manuals to assist homeschooling parents in effectively implementing the curriculum. These guides offer additional teaching tips, answer keys, and explanations of concepts.
- Assessment and Progress Tracking:
- Assessment Tools: Resources for assessments, quizzes, or tests to help parents gauge their child's understanding and progress are available.
- Record Keeping: Parents using Rod and Staff materials will need to rely on more traditional methods for assessing a student's progress, such as reviewing completed assignments, quizzes, and tests, as well as maintaining a portfolio of the student's work.
Links to External Reviews
CONCLUSION
When considering Rod and Staff Publishers or any curriculum, it's essential for homeschooling parents to review sample materials, understand the curriculum's philosophy, and ensure that it aligns with their educational goals and values. Additionally, reading reviews and seeking feedback from other homeschooling parents who have used the curriculum can provide valuable insights. For a more in-depth review of Rod and Staff, we recommend visiting Cathy Duffy Reviews.
Language Arts: Rod and Staff Review