Name: CHEC Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-06-12T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-14T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Denver, CO

Tagged: Grammar, spelling

This topic has 6 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 12 years ago by Benita.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

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May 30, 2013 at 4:35 pm
amama5
Participant
I know there are lots of posts on here about grammar and I waded through a few of them, but basically I’m not sure if I truly need to start grammar yet for my almost 9yr old that is starting 4th grade. I guess it doesn’t seem that important to me yet, and the thought of adding another subject seems a bit overwhelming:)
After looking at grammar books, I think I like Easy Grammar, but I also like the idea of Queen’s Language Lessons (except for the cost!). So if I went with Easy Grammar do I use it alongside Spelling Wisdom? For those of you that use Queen’s, does it take the place of spelling/copywork/dictation/grammar all in one?
What does your week look like with these subjects? Last year he did one day of transcription, one day of spelling, and one day of Spelling Wisdom/dictation. Thanks
May 30, 2013 at 6:20 pm
momto2blessings
Participant
This probably doesn’t answer your question, but at that age I love Writing Tales. It uses classic literature and incorporates narrations, copywork, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling based on the story. Lessons are pretty short and my does did it mostly independently. And we use Spelling Wisdom 2x per week. Just what works for us:) Gina
May 30, 2013 at 7:08 pm
Benita
Participant
I liked casually reading through Primary and Intermediate Language Lessons with my children. We didn’t do the writing assignment portions – just used it to orally discuss. Very gentle approach that still teaches concepts.
I also like Simply Grammar as a gentle, easy approach for 4th grader. No workbook at this age. We didn’t start anything “workbookish” till 7th or 8th grade. I like Applications of Grammar for that stage.
Then in high school Our Mother Tongue and Grammar of Poetry. So far my two oldest are fine with grammar using this type of approach and the third is coming along nicely. Won’t start any grammar with youngest till probably 2nd -3rd grade when we will start PLL.
BTW, the schoolhouse rock dvd was fun as an extra to learn the songs and have fun with it while reinforcing some things.
May 30, 2013 at 7:08 pm
Wings2fly
Participant
Oh yes, we are now using Writing Tales for ds9 so my vote is for that! He also does daily cursive copywork (transcription). We tried Queens before that and while he did like it (especially the ones with the picture study questions), he retained nothing for any of the grammar. Perhaps it was too gentle or not enough practice and mastery before moving on. WT focuses on one grammer lesson over two weeks in various ways including games. It starts with punctuation. I will give him SW next year and start IEW after WT. I spent months researching for the right programs for us; there are so many available.
May 30, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Benita
Participant
Also, at that age we did Spelling Wisdom level 1 once or twice a week. PLL was done 3 x’s a week. We used the SW for copywork a day or two before giving it as a dictation.

May 30, 2013 at 8:15 pm
HollyS
Participant
At that grade, CMHelp suggests covering complete sentences, subjects, nouns, verbs and basic punctuation. I was very relieved when I read that! You can easily discuss those without a curriculum.

May 30, 2013 at 9:49 pm
Benita
Participant
I agree with Holly. You don’t need a curriculum at that age but if you want something to hold your had a little- PLL or Simply Grammar would be nice and you can find them used rather inexpensively.