Teaching Grammar & Curriculum Recommendations

 

This section deals specifically with Grammar (capitalization, punctuation, and parts of speech). Composition skills (sentence structure, writing letters, reports, essays, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry) is covered in Teaching Composition. Handwriting is covered in Teaching Handwriting. Although these subjects overlap, it works better in a home school situation to spend a day or two each week focusing on one of these subjects at a time. (See Sample Curriculum Plan for a recommended schedule.)

Many traditional English curriculums spend too much time on grammar (probably because it's much easier to correct thirty fill-in-the blank, multiple-choice worksheets than it is to correct thirty handwritten compositions) resulting in students who know everything about diagramming sentences, but develop very few skills in composition. As a home school parent; however, you can focus two or three days per week on composition lessons, using these compositions to also reinforce grammar skills, and the other days working on specific grammar instruction. The result will be that your child will not only learn proper grammar, but he will also develop excellent composition skills.

Index:

FOR THE VISUAL LEARNER:

Cozy Grammar produced by Splashes from the River. If you have a Visual or Auditory Learner, you need to check out this video curriculum.

Cut & Paste Language Arts. by TCM. ISBN 0743937074. This resource is enjoyed by K-2nd grade children who like to cut and paste. It also includes a variety of hands-on, craft activities designed to reinforce learning in phonics, parts of speech, grammar and usage, homophones, contractions, alphabetization, compound words, synonyms, antonyms and more.

Editor In Chief, Beginning by Critical Thinking. Focuses on editing in context. Each lesson includes a graphic illustration, a caption to the illustration, and a short paragraph. The student edits the caption and paragraph for errors in grammar and mechanics. Visual Learners will like working with the illustrations. Written for grades 3rd-4th. ISBN 0894557661. Purchase at local educational stores.

Editor in Chief, A1. Written for grades 4th-6th. ISBN . Purchase at local educational stores.

Editor in Chief, B1. Written for grades 6th-8th. ISBN 894555162. Purchase at local educational stores.

The Grammar Key. Here is a complete grammar course for the Visual, Read/Write, and Auditory Learner. The streamlined program makes teaching grammar easy and complete in the shortest amount of time. This is what I would use today - love this program! Windows program. 1-800-480-0539.

Grammar Practice, Grades 1-2 by TCM. Because of the excellent typesetting done on this book, this grammar workbook works well with Visual Learners. I also like the way it introduces one concept at a time making it a good resource for fixing “holes” in learning. It covers parts of speech and punctuation. ISBN 0743936205.

Grammar Practice: Grades 3-4 by TCM. Because of the excellent typesetting done on this book, this grammar workbook works well with Visual Learners. I also like the way it introduces one concept at a time making it a good resource for fixing “holes” in learning. It covers parts of speech and punctuation. ISBN 0743936213.

Grammar Practice, Grades 5-6 by TCM. Grades 5-6. Because of the excellent typesetting done on this book, this grammar workbook works well with Visual Learners. I also like the way it introduces one concept at a time making it a good resource for fixing “holes” in learning. It covers parts of speech and punctuation. ISBN 0743936221.

Internet Activities for Language Arts by TCM. Visual Learners will like using the Internet to learn and reinforce language arts skills. Covers alphabetical order, capitalization, punctuation, parts of speech, antonyms, synonyms, and more. Recommended for 5th+. ISBN 1576904083.

Just for fun grammar review, try some of these online Wacky Stories: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/games/wildandwacky/ and http://www.eduplace.com/tales/

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FOR THE KINESTHETIC LEARNER:

Reading Rods®: Sentence Building Classroom Kit (Grades 2+) Parts of speech and sentence building become easy with color-coded Reading Rods® that link together! Students learn to distinguish the nine most common parts of speech and put them together to form sentences. Kit contains 24 double-sided activity cards, a 48-page Instruction and Activity Book with over 100 full-color demonstration cards, 4 activity trays, and 156 rods in a storage tub. Ages 7-13. This is the best resource currently available for your Kinesthetic Learner.

Games Galore Language Arts by Mailbox. TEC 2514. Your children will go on a scavenger hunt, play charades, go fishing and much more while learning grammar. Great for the child who hates to sit still! Not available online. Purchase from Educational Stores.

Cut & Paste Language Arts. by TCM. ISBN 0743937074. This resource is enjoyed by K-2nd grade children who like to cut and paste. It also includes a variety of hands-on, craft activities designed to reinforce learning in phonics, parts of speech, grammar and usage, homophones, contractions, alphabetization, compound words, synonyms, antonyms and more.

Language Arts Resources from Recyclables by Monday Morning. Use milk jug caps, styrofoam meat trays, small milk cartons, old magazines, construction paper, paper bags, empty boxes, outdated calendars, old newspapers, wrapping paper, popsicle sticks, egg cartons, and used greeting cards to create games that will reinforce language arts skills. This is out of print but it's worth looking for a used copy. ISBN 1878279718. K-4th grade.

The Grammar Key. Here is a complete grammar course for the Visual, Read/Write, and Auditory Learner. The streamlined program makes teaching grammar easy and complete in the shortest amount of time. Windows program. 1-800-480-0539.

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FOR THE AUDITORY LEARNER:

First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise is a great grammar curriculum for Auditory Learners. Grammar and mechanics are taught by reading the lesson out loud to the child. It also includes copy work, memory work, and an enrichment activity to go with the lesson, but you don't have to do everything the author suggests to profit from using this book. I would spend no more than 15 minutes per day, two days per week, on Grammar, at this age. You can reinforce what your child learns in the grammar during composition lessons. I like the way the grammar lessons are presented in this book; however, be aware that this book and The Well-Trained Mind by the same author do not come from a Christian perspective. Therefore, some of the reading selections might not be what you want your child to read. In addition, this type of curriculum can be overwhelming for a Visual and Kinesthetic learner. There is a lot I would skip in this book, including memory work. I would substitute other things to memorize, especially if memorizing is hard for your child. I would not depend on this for composition, either. (Pictured above)

Cozy Grammar produced by Splashes from the River. If you have a Visual or Auditory Learner, you need to check out this video curriculum. See my complete review on my blog at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/EmptyNestMom/46047/.

Grammar Songs, Cassette & Book by Kathy Troxel. The Grammar Songs Kit teaches all the parts of speech (except conjunctions) and rules of punctuation and 72 Greek and Latin roots for building vocabulary. It is appropriate for grades 3 - 8. It includes a 72-page workbook with song lyrics, illustrations, drills and writing exercises; a Teachers Guide and a long-playing sound track with 16 songs.

Shurley English (used copies). I have not personally used this but I have heard from a trusted source that this is a great program for Auditory Learners. You can purchase it new online at http://www.shurley.com/.

After a good basics in grammar taught from any of the above resources, your auditory learner can switch to a read/write curriculum. See below for suggestions.

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FOR THE READ/WRITE LEARNER:

The Read/Write Learner can use just about any curriculum and be successful. For my Read/Write child, my main goal was to cover the most in the least amount of time. I found that we did not have to do a full Language Arts program every year for her to learn grammar. Instead, we focused on composition and short grammar review most years, with a year here and there of concentrated grammar lessons. Here is what I would recommend for most Read/Write Learners during 1st-6th or 7th grade. (For the English major or grammar buff, you will want to do a lot more. See A Beka English below.)

YEAR ONE

How to Punctuate and Capitalize , Grades 2-5. A simple text with an emphasis on capitalization and punctuation. Use for 3- 6 months. Answers included.

YEAR TWO

How to Use Parts of Speech Grade 2-3. A simple text with an emphasis on the eight parts of speech. Answers included.

YEAR THREE

Learning Language Arts Through Literature, Grade 3, Yellow The reading selections are The White Stallion, Madeline, Meet George Washington, and The Courage of Sarah Noble. You will have to purchase these in addition to the curriculum. You will need the teacher's edition also.

OR

Easy Grammar Grades 3. An easy-to-understand, grammar-only textbook. Children must memorize all the prepositions first. Use for one year of concentrated grammar instruction.

YEAR FOUR

Daily Language Review Grade 4 A daily 15 minutes review that includes capitalization, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary, syllables, plurals, parts of speech, sentence structure, contractions, and more. This workbook is more visually appealing than Daily Grams, important for the Visual Learner. Answers included. ISBN 155799658X

OR

DAILY GRAMS GRADE 4 A daily capitalization, punctuation, parts of speech, and sentence structure review that takes 15 minutes per day. Answers included.

OR

The Grammar Key. Here is a complete grammar course for the Visual, Read/Write, and Auditory Learner. The streamlined program makes teaching grammar easy and complete in the shortest amount of time. Windows program. 1-800-480-0539.

YEAR FIVE

Learning Language Arts Through Literature, Grade 5 A complete language arts textbook. Covers grammar, composition, spelling, and vocabulary. The reading selections are Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Trumpet of the Swan by EB White, Meet Addy by Connie Porter, and Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. You will have to purchase these in addition to the curriculum. You will need the teacher's edition also.

OR

Easy Grammar Grades 5. An easy-to-understand, grammar-only textbook. Children must memorize all the prepositions first.

YEAR SIX

DAILY LANGUAGE REVIEW GR 6 . A daily 15 minutes review that includes capitalization, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary, syllables, plurals, parts of speech, sentence structure, contractions, and more. This workbook is more visually appealing than Daily Grams, important for the Visual Learner. Answers included. ISBN 1557997920.

OR

DAILY GRAMS GRADE 6. A daily capitalization, punctuation, parts of speech, and sentence structure review that takes 15 minutes per day. Answers included.

ALL YEARS

Read/Write learners often benefit from using A Beka English as it is the most comprehensive English curriculum available. This curriculum will most likely overwhelm Visual, Kinesthetic, and Auditory learners. Sold only through A Beka Book publishers.

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GRAMMAR FOR JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL:

Easy Grammar Plus, Student Workbook Plus. An easy-to-understand, grammar-only textbook. Children must memorize all the prepositions first. Use for one year of concentrated grammar instruction during senior high for a high school English credit. Answer Key:

DAILY GRAMS JR/SR HIGH A daily capitalization, punctuation, parts of speech, and sentence structure review that takes 15 minutes per day. Answers included. ISBN 0936981059.

The Grammar Key. Here is a complete grammar course for the Visual, Read/Write, and Auditory Learner. The streamlined program makes teaching grammar easy and complete in the shortest amount of time. Windows program. 1-800-480-0539.

Wordsmith, New Edition Grammar and composition for 7th - 9th graders.

Wordsmith Craftsman . Grammar and composition for 10th - 12th graders.

Read/Write learners often benefit from using A Beka English as it is the most comprehensive English curriculum available. This curriculum will most likely overwhelm other learners. Sold only through A Beka Book publishers.

The Elements of Grammar by Margaret Shertzer. Presents a concise, comprehensive course in the basic rules of grammar and usage, along with invaluable tips on how to implement these rules in everyday writing and speaking. Covers punctuation, capitalization, parts of a sentence, and much more. The companion to the classic, The Elements of Style. Both are recommended reference resources. ISBN 0028614496.

Cracking the AP English Language & Composition Exam, 2009 Edition (College Test Preparation), Practice for the Advanced Placement English test to earn college credit.

Internet Resources for Teaching Grammar

Grammar Helps.

English Lessons Online.

English Grammar Quizzes.

Grammar Gorillas from Funbrain. Identify parts of speech.

Guide to Grammar and Writing.

Big Dog's Grammar.

Scott Foresman Writing and Grammar Online for Grades 1-6.

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