Grammar lessons are my biggest hurdle as far as required subjects is concerned. I just want to know what everyone else uses for grammar. I have 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th graders. They've had very little formal grammar instruction although my 7th grader is an incredible reader and writer. She wants to be an author when she grows up. We've done a tiny bit with Easy Grammar and are currently working on Writing Strands 2 and 3.
I'm just curious what everyone uses and why.
I've had recommendations for the Building Christian Writing from Rod & Staff but am not sure how I would choose where to start.
Thanks for your input.
3 comments:
We learn 95 of all grammar by the time we're 5 - so really if you've been reading and talking to your kids all along, most of the work is done.
I'm not sure about little ones ( I teach high school), but for older ones research shows that definitely kids learn grammar best when in context. So, have a list of skills (like this one: https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AcicUWRbIcdPZGM3Mm54cnBfMjNjNjN6Y2ZndA&hl=en) and as they read, find examples, point them out. Most states have this kinds of list on
their dept of education website.
Then, when your students write, make sure they are able to edit using those skills. Here's a mom who does something like this: http://deweystreehouse.blogspot.com/2007/03/language-arts-and-thrift-shop.html
Sorry if this is so scrappy and not really a curriculum. It's more of an approach. Probably many different approaches would work fine.
May God bless your grammar!
I've used R&S English and like it quite a bit. I integrates grammar and writing - although I mostly used it for grammar. I've only used it up to 3rd or 4th grade so I can't say how good of a "writing" program it is for the older ones.
I have also used Winston Grammar. It isn't cheap. However, it is very hands on, if you have kids who like that. I liked teaching it - it was simple and I could *see* how the sentence was structured.
I am no help when it comes to writing as it is the hardest subject for me to teach. Out of my 6 only one has loved writing so far. If you have one who loves writing, how about considering a writing group of some kind - even if it is an online (emailing) group. That way they can bounce ideas off each other.
Hey, Susan! We use Rod and Staff English, too, and have been really happy with it. Emma is still working through English 6 "Progressing With courage" which has been a very systematic and graspable grammar study. I think you could do it with your kids in pairs. Even this one volume really covers a lot of the bases. Love to you all, Macrina
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