Comments on: Teaching Grammar Without Requiring Writing

By: Jimmie

Jimmie — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:28:37 +0000

Dropping by to say that I've updated this link on myGrammar for Homeschool lens. Still love the ideas here! .-= Jimmie´s last blog ..Being a Polite Foreigner at the Table =-.

By: Mark Pennington

Mark Pennington — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:13:29 +0000

Why do we continue to teach grammar and mechanics with a strategy (Daily Oral Language) that simply does not work? Why do we force students to rehearse errors and teach grammar exclusively out of the writing context? Would love to hear your responses. More points at http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/grammar_mechanics/why-daily-oral-language-d-o-l-doesnt-work/ and, more importantly, a grammar/mechanics warm-up/opener/bell-ringer that uses a balanced approach of error analysis and model writing is detailed at http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/grammar_mechanics/sentence-lifting-d-o-l-that-makes-sense/.

By: Jimmie

Jimmie — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:57:56 +0000

Great ideas! It's very important to distinguish between handwriting and other tasks whether it's grammar or math. I love your ideas for the photo sleeves books. :-)

By: Weird Unsocialized Mom

Weird Unsocialized Mom — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:52:43 +0000

Starting in 3rd grade, we do both Easy Grammar and Daily Grams. At that point, Daily Grams is designed to be a daily review that takes about 5-10 minutes, while Easy Grammar is the actual teaching text.

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:24:40 +0000

Thanks! So you do both Daily Grams and Easy Grammer? I was planning on Primary Language Lessons, which I have (Amazon should thank me), but it seems like a lot of people have their main programs and then supplement with other short, fun things like Calculadder or Daily Grams, etc.

It is our first year, and I am just focusing on reading and math right now, with fun science books mixed in (he LOVES science). But when he gets older, there is SO MUCH to cover. When I was reading about the workbox system, it was overwhelming to realize people are teaching 12 things.

Anyway. Sorry to ramble - I enjoy your blog and all the bloggy home-school support that is out there!

By: Weird Unsocialized Mom

Weird Unsocialized Mom — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:17:40 +0000

@ Deb -- First of all, don't freak out! ;-) One of the best pieces of homeschooling wisdom I ever got was, "The universe is everything. You can't teach the universe, so quit worrying about it."

To me, the best thing that a homeschooling parent can do, is give their child(ren) the tools to learn what they need to know. Teach them to read and do basic math and they can learn anything!

That being said, Easy Grammar now starts with a 2nd grade book. The 2nd grade book is set up exactly like the Daily Grams books, rather than the actual Easy Grammar books. It's designed to be a daily, guided review.

To me, First Language Lessons Level 1 & 2 (both levels in one book) makes an excellent, gentle starting point. We followed that with Easy Grammar Grade 2. We don't worry too much about what grade level is on the cover. Grammar is grammar and Easy Grammar is taught in a cyclical fashion, so we just move through it all at a pace that works for us.

HTH!

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:05:40 +0000

When can you start Easy Grammer? I looked for it, but what I found seems to be for around 4th grade.

My son is only 4 1/2, but I am a little freaked out that I might leave something out of his education, so I am keeping a list of things I might introduce in the future.

When he was around 1, we were playing with a little girl and her mom and the mom said that the baby's favorite color was yellow. I was all, Oh yeah, I should be talking about colors....

By: Renata

Renata — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:35:31 +0000

This is helpful as my son is great in reading, but although he has pretty good handwriting, he's not quite old enough to do so much writing work. This will help me balance some of it out.