Abstract: A rain gutter guard has mounting tabs that are integrally cut into or otherwise formed with a body of the rain gutter guard. The body includes a hood and a flange extending therefrom. The flange is attachable to a roof, and the hood has a forward surface from which the mounting tabs extend. A system for directing the flow of water into a rain gutter includes the rain gutter positioned adjacent to an edge of a roof and a guard attached to the roof and to the rain gutter. A method of directing water from a roof to a rain gutter includes attaching a guard to the roof and to the rain gutter. Integral mounting tabs extending from the guard position the guard such that it stands off from the rain gutter and defines a gap through which water can flow into the rain gutter.