Name: Spreading the Feast Gathering
Start: 2025-07-11T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-07-12T23:59:59-05:00
Location: LaGrange, KY

Tagged: Grammar

This topic has 9 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 11 years ago by TailorMade.

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

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May 27, 2014 at 1:23 pm
amama5
Participant
I see on the curriculum guide that grammar is recommended starting in 7th grade, but it seems like I see a lot of posts with children doing grammar in 5th grade, or around then. My son is starting 5th grade, and last year we just did small introductions to parts of speech with Grammar Ray robot books, which he really liked. How many of you waited until 7th grade to do any grammar, and how many feel like that’s not early enough?
I just don’t want school to be a burden to them with things that really aren’t necessary yet.
Thanks!
May 27, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Linabean
Participant
We do grammar informally all throughout and then my plan is to use Our Mother Tongue (along with Jump In) in grades 7 and 8. So dd will be starting her formal grammar program pretty soon now. I am pretty confident that this will all work out fine. Other experienced and knowledgable ladies on this forum helped me come up with this plan and I feel comfortable with it.
For informal grammar we have used the following for various children:
English for the Thoughtful Child vol. 1 and 2
Brian P. Cleary books
Fun parts of other writing programs as it fits (write shop jr.’s grammar folders were fun for my dd)
Grammarland audio book with or without corresponding worksheets
Also just talking over any writing that they have done and pointing out what things are and how they are used as we see them
HTH! Blessings!
-Miranda
May 27, 2014 at 3:59 pm
retrofam
Participant
I am using Winston Grammar Basic with my upcoming 5th grader. We plan to use the advanced level in 7th grade.
I like to use Simply Grammar at some point before 5th. We are new to CM and probably start grammar too soon, but this is my current plan.
May 27, 2014 at 5:07 pm
LindseyD
Participant
I do a bit of grammar w/ my kids when they are 7-8ish. This involves simple, oral exercises out of English For The Thoughtful Child, vols. 1-2 twice a week. I skip over any exercises that are too abstract or unnecessary. I will start more formal grammar instruction w/ ds10 next school year using JAG. I am still debating on whether to include dd9 and make grammar a family subject. Once he’s finished w/ JAG, I’ll wait a few more years and probably do AG with him in late jr. high or early high school.
May 27, 2014 at 9:05 pm
HiddenJewel
Participant
I do light grammar starting in about 4th. If the student takes to it quickly, we do more. If not, we just keeping touching on it briefly and do intensive grammar later on when the brain is more ready for those abstract concepts.
May 27, 2014 at 9:14 pm
Tristan
Participant
We introduce a few basics early because my kids need to be familiar with the terms for the yearly standardized tests we do to meet Ohio law (it’s one option and the quickest). But really, noun, verb, that’s about it. We wait generally unless the child shows interest earlier than 7th/8th to do a more formal grammar course.
May 28, 2014 at 1:03 am
cherylramirez
Participant
We don’t do any formal grammar until 7th grade. If we something comes up we talk about it a bit, but nothing really formal until then. My ds is doing a little now because he is interested, but I won’t require anything of him until next year.
I think the answer to this question may depend upon where you live. As Tristan says they have to do it early because of testing and it may be the same for others. We live in a non-reporting, non-testing state so we are free to do things whenever it suits us.

May 28, 2014 at 4:16 am
amama5
Participant
We live in a pretty relaxed state too as far as that goes, so I will start later than 5th because my son isn’t just dying to do grammar right now:) He did really enjoy the Grammar Ray books, but I found that he didn’t retain most of it, which is fine right now.
Thanks!
May 28, 2014 at 12:23 pm
missceegee
Participant
I did AG season 1 with dd13 this year in 7th and JAG with ds10 this year in 4th. When I did JAG with the oldest we bogged down in adverbs and simply put it aside until 7th. Next year we will continue with AG season 2 for dd and have a break for ds.
May 28, 2014 at 1:36 pm
TailorMade
Participant
We use Serl’s Primary Language Lessons orally somewhere between 6-8 years of age. Grammar is a subject that we are required to teach, but it’s up to me how to approach it through the years. Our almost 8yo has added Queen’s Language Lessons this past year, slowly. But, once she’s finished with that book, I don’t plan on purchasing another. I’ll have her go through Essentials of the English Language (CC) before highschool and then maybe run through a review of OMT a year, or so before graduation. May sound backward to some, but that’s how we roll around here. The Queen’s book has only been used with the youngest of our five DC. She enjoys the picture study, but the copywork does drag on (mentioned in several other threads,) and she really doesn’t need the extra grammar instruction. Serl’s is quite enough. I don’t even think I’d use it this early if it hadn’t been for the fact that our older four had such fond memories of it and insisted that she have her turn.