Please help me explore some grammar options…

I was coming over here to ask some questions about grammar, and here’s your post!  LOL

I am seriously considering GWG right now for my dd finishing up 5th (so 6th this fall), but using CTGE 4.  The company also has a new Diagramming book that can be used to supplement GWG or any other grammar program.  It is only grammar, which is one thing I was glad about.  I am also trying to find a better writing program, but that’s another discussion.  LOL

I would start w/ the Level 4.  Yes, it’s a bit “low” but I want that review.  I might even skip the things that I know she knows.  I used the ACE diagnostic (which would be another good option to check out) for placement.  I figured even if it was easy, we could go through it a bit faster.  It’s set up for 3-days/wk and you could do 5, which would get you to the next level faster. 

My dd is struggling w/ the simple parts of speech but can read fine.  She knows when it “sounds” off.  Now, that’s great overall, but not when needing to understand grammar to improve what you’re writing yourself.  And, yes, I’m needing more independence from them right now.  

I’ll have to check out Simply Grammar. 

K

Hidden Jewel, I see that you suggested Growing With Grammar might be similar to R&S.  I have been looking at GWG and I like what I see/hear so far.  I am a grammar geek  and I have tried many different things in our 13 years of hs’ing.  So far, I think that R&S is the most complete and accurate grammar program that I have seen.  But, I would love to give them a consumable workbook instead of the hardcover.  Right now we’re using Abeka (usually just one exercise a day), but I’m looking for something more CM friendly, concise but solid.  Love diagramming for grammar.

Have you been using GWG?  

Blessings,

Lisa

Thanks for the info!  Yes, Analytical Grammar looks great but my budget is very tight this year.  Glad to hear more feedback about the GWG though!

I would, and have done, First Language Lessons 3. It has the best step by step method of sentence diagramming and makes grammar make sense. You do have to do scripted lessons with her but they are short. My daughter has a thorough understanding of how the parts of speech work and can diagram like nobody’s business. I can see how it has also bore fruit in her writing. She did 1LL levels 1-4 and I could not be happier with the results. I started my son in 1LL level 1 in grade 2, etc. I have no qualms about using level 3 with a grade 5 or 6 child because the structure is so foundational in it. When I asked Peace Hill Press what to do after my daughter finished level 4 of First Language Lessons, they told me to move on to R&S English because it was similar in structure and a good program. So if I didn’t use 1LL, I would go back to R&S 4 with her because that is where they really dig in to diagramming. But I like the 1LL best. Just my little experience with it.

I’ve been poking around this forum trying to find new things and I stopped here because I personally think grammar is one of the toughest subjects to teach, let alone understand. I’m not familiar with a few of these programs mentioned, but you’ve all given a lot of helpful information for each! My daughter has struggled with a few of the problems discussed here, but a little while ago we switched to the grammar lessons from Zaner-Bloser (http://www.zaner-bloser.com/writing/gum). It’s called G.U.M. (Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics). So far so good! Through the website you can preview all of the workbooks and other accessories to the program, so I was able to really see what I’d be getting from it. One of my favorite things about the program is the Extra Practice opportunities, one of which is to reteach a targeted skill that may have proved to be difficult during the actual lesson. I like that the lessons are really straightforward and throughout the lessons you’ll be working up to implementing all of the grammar lessons into sentence structure practice, and eventually working it all into writing composition. Knowing that writing fluently is the final goal is really important to my daughter because she loves to read and she keeps a journal, but I know she’d like to feel really confident in her writing and know that she’s doing it the right way.

We used GWG this past year and my son enjoyed it (as much as he can, anyway LOL) and seemed to retain the info fairly well. The only issue we had was with diagramming, which it does teach. Neither nor I have ever really gotten it, so for the coming year we are going with Winston Grammar, since it teaches labeling instead.