60-day returns • free shipping on USA orders $129+
Grammar Observation and Question
- This topic has 26 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 7 months ago by
.
- Posts
I chose not to use AG because of the price. It seemed to me grammar shouldn’t be that expensive. It’s just words. 🙂
http://www.analyticalgrammar.com/media/upload/image/Jr%20AG%20sample%20unit.pdf
This link is to the sample pages of AG – it is very straightforward – every lesson is like this. I hope I did not make it sound like there was anything wrong with the program, because there isn’t – the style just does not seem to appeal to all families.
I forgot to mention that we also have used Simply Grammar – we do it orally, mostly. So that is another one to consider if it has not been mentioned…
@amanda, just in case Bookworm (Michelle) doesn’t get back to this thread right away, she uses Our Mother Tongue. I have not seen it in person myself, but have looked at samples. I love the idea that it has root words built in or in the margin, as I think that is so important. I’d love to see it in person, but haven’t been able to yet.
I already have several grammar programs, well 3, or something like that, and have not purchased anything for awhile..just viewed my friends’ programs or online samples. I do have Rod and Staff’s year 5 to look through that was free and JAG and EGP.
Too many decisions. I’m trying to just use what I have, but when what you have doesn’t work, that’s when the problems and need to reevaluate comes in. Bummer!! I plan to attend a curriculum swap so I’m hoping someone has OMT to look at. I have English from the Roots Up also, which then makes me think I can use that for root words and what we already have for grammar….decisions, decisions.
BTW, you are not the only one struggling with this!! Can you tell??
We use KISS grammar:
http://lettersfromnebby.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/kiss-grammar-what-it-is-and-how-we-use-it/
I like that is it about how words function. Being free is also a bonus. We used R+S for a while but foudn it to be dry and way too much work. We also bought Growing with Grammar but never used it. It seems to follow R+S’s lead but to be pared down a bit but it is still very workbook-y.
Nebby
my3boys is right, I use Our Mother Tongue, in conjunction with Latin, and supplemented with a diagramming resource (optional–my first two boys did not need it, they “got” it, but my third has needed more practice.) This has proven to be plenty for us.
We use PLL, then ILL, and then my oldest moved to R&S Book 7. He has worked though it over two years, so the slower appreach is working for him. He doesn’t love it or even necessarily like it, but I doubt he would any grammar program. It is working and it was very reasonably priced. Also, I can reuse it with our younger children, so that was a big plus.
In conjunction with this, he has worked through Critical Thinking’s Word Roots CD-Roms. These have proven very helpful and we will continue those for younger children as well. It helps me that this part is on the computer, so it self-grades for him.
I don’t know what we’ll do next year for Grade 9. I really need to figure it out, but he may be in a one-day tutorial that includes writing and English classes. He would work on it at home as well as get feedback at the one-day tutorial.
I didn’t gow ith JAG or AG b/c of three things: price, mixed reviews here in the forum, and loads of diagramming that I feel are unnecessary for many students. For those who might need it, there are other ways and programs to address this (which are much less pricey).
Hmmm…I’m liking the look of OMT. Love the history thrown in there. So it includes SOME diagramming, right?
One more thing. My dd has issues with usage. Lay/Lie, Set/Sit, etc. Does OMT help with that?
Yes, there is basic diagramming. Nothing very fancy. No diagramming the Preamble to the Constitution or anything. 🙂
There IS specific instruction on the two topics pertinent to the misuse-prone verbs you mention–a lesson on verb conjugation, and on transitive and intransitive verbs. These two groups are not specifically mentioned or taught, however. So if your children were having trouble with this, then I would, after the transitive/intransitive lesson, add in a separate lesson teaching the conjugations of all 4 verbs, and which are transitive and which are intransitive, and that should clear up the problem.
I don’t know if my opinion will help at all since it seems like R&S may be out for you, but here it is anyway :).
We have used R&S from the very beginning. We have not changed grammar programs since 2nd grade. It is such a gentle approach in the early years, very conversational. I know that with using R&S my children will not miss anything they need. R&S might seem dry to you (I would like to know what comprehensive grammar program is not dry, except maybe MCT?), but it is so so solid. It might repeat a lot, but no one said you have to do every lesson or everything in each lesson. We don’t skip many lessons though. I have found that each year it really does add new depth and understanding to something you thought you already knew. It does not take a lot of time (5-15 min. depending) because we do not do everything in a lesson.Plus it is very easy to understand for both student and teacher. I have found that sticking to something solid and making it work for us has been the best thing I can do when it comes to core subjects jmo. I know that takes lots of hunting sometimes ;).
I just wanted to bump this thread a bit to add my two cents.
Personally, I LOVE grammar!!! I loved learning grammar in school, especially diagramming. I found it so interesting to see how the words fit together within a sentence and it really helped me to see if main parts were missing, dangling, or modifying a different word than what I had intended when I wrote it. And I am by NO means a Type A personality!!
While I do agree that a lot of grammar study may be superfluous, I have always felt that understanding grammar well has helped my writing abilities. Fixing grammatical errors is on the SAT’s as well.
Now, with all that being said, after thirteen years, I am still on the hunt for a grammar program that gives me what I am looking for! I just got back from our state’s homeschool convention with still, sigh, no grammar. I am really liking Applied Grammar and Growing with Grammar and Digging into Diagramming from what I see of the websites. I have the “extras” for Applied Grammar, but not the workbooks, so I may go with that and have them add in diagramming after color-coding the words.
Just had to post my affection of grammar…my kids love to hear me talk about how much I love gerunds!
Maybe one day I’ll write my own grammar program and end up publishing it and touring the country, ala Steve Demme with math!!!
Maybe one day I’ll write my own grammar program and end up publishing it and touring the country, ala Steve Demme with math!!!- The topic ‘Grammar Observation and Question’ is closed to new replies.