Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
about the book |
The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Homeschooling by Subject Grammar Resources for Homeschoolers by Julie Shepherd knapp, copyright 2006 Those who purchase School-at-Home curriculum packages will find that grammar is included within their language arts lessons. Many other homeschoolers purchase one of the various workbook-based programs for teaching grammar. There are some non-traditional methods available, too. Montessori, for example, teaches grammar using a series of color-coded symbols to stand for the parts of speech. There are also videos, sing-alongs, story books, and games. While some homeschool parents introduce grammar as soon as a child's reading skills have reached 2nd or 3rd grade level, other parents do not see a need to teach grammar until the middle school or even high school years. Others strive to teach grammar more naturally, thru everyday spoken language, thru writing assignments, and thru the reading of well-written books. Take a look at a few options to see which would be best for your student. Workbooks and Worktexts: Grammar Bytes - a free online work text tutorial with optional worksheets to print out, can be used by parents who can then present the information to younger students, or can be read as a tutorial for older students with good reading skills (6 -12), grammar is presented in a light and conversational tone but with good clear examples English Grammar 101 -- free online grammar and punctuation course, the equivalent of 100 hours of classroom instruction, incorporates grades 6-12 content standards. Plain but effective. No writing involved -- click to choose answers or add punctuation. WebEnglishTeacher.com - links to thousands of creative lesson plans and activities for teaching language arts l Spectrum Series by McGraw-Hill -- grade-level K - 12 workbooks for reading, writing, grammar, reading comprehension, and math, provide clear, basic, standards-alligned instruction, available at Borders Books, teacher's stores, and thru Amazon.com Catholic Heritage Curricula -- (preK - 12) complete Catholic-focused language arts programs Winston Grammar -- (5th and up) grammar workbook series uses color-coded cards and learning thru multisensory exercises Shurley English Home School Edition -- teaches parts of speech and other grammar elements by use of jingles -- which students repeat daily to memorize, uses a prescribed question and answer procedure to reinforce concepts, includes teacher manual and student workbooks for 6 levels Building Christian English Series by Rod and Staff Curriculum -- (1 - 10) Christian-focused, Bible-based grammar and punctuation program Jensen's Grammar by Frode Jensen -- (high school) a high-powered, fast-paced grammar worktext, lots of writing exercises Jensen's Punctuation by Frode Jensen -- (high school) a high-powered text gives complete coverage of punctuation rules Painless Grammar by Rebecca Elliot -- (6 - 8) basics of grammar and composition written in a preteen-friendly style, good as a refresher course for teens, available thru major book sellers Literature-Based Learning: English for the Thoughtful Child, Vols 1 and 2 -- (lower elementary) by GreenLeaf Press, designed to follow the methods of Charlotte Mason Simply Grammar by Karen Andreola -- (4 - 8) an intro to grammar basics designed to follow the methods of Charlotte Mason it is a modernized version of one of her publications) A Journey Through Grammar Land by Frode Jensen -- a story-based approach to learning grammar The Sentence Family: Introducing Grammar Through Art and Story by Fr. Dn. James Hughes, St. Michael's School, Santa Rosa, CA -- a single text forms a curriculum aimed at 4th graders, includes descriptions of each of the parts of speech - not described in abstract terms, but through the personalities of children, the interactions of the children, and their pictures,reflect the relationships of the parts of speech. Ruthe Heller series -- a five-volume series on parts of speech, all are non-fiction picture books written in rhyme, published by Penguin Group A Cache of Jewels and Other Collective Nouns; Kites Sail High: A Book About Verbs; Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book About Adjectives; Merry-Go- Round: A Book About Nouns; and Up, Up and Away: A Book About Adverbs Behind the Mask: A Book About Prepositions Brian P. Cleary series -- clever illustrated poems describe parts of speech, grades 2 and up, with Kirkus Reviews Under, Over, By the Clover: What is a Preposition? Dearly, Nearly, Insincerely: What is an Adverb? I and You and Don't Forget Who: What is a Pronoun? A Mink, A Fink, A Skating Rink: What is a Noun? Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What is an Adjective? To Root, To Toot, To Parachute: What is a Verb? The Works of Michael Clay Thompson: These are my personal favorite resources for grammar, vocabulary, and etymology (word roots), as well as introductory studies of poetry and philosophy. Even the lower level books cover advanced grammar and sophisticated vocabulary and include references to, and samples from, classic children's literature. The Michael Clay Thompson books are described as "gifted" resources, but are very appropriate for typical students, as well. Grammar Island Series Caesar's English Series The Magic Lens Series Word Within a Word Series Poetics Series Self-Evident Truths Series The books are not labeled by grade, instead each book is suitable for a range of grade-levels, based on interest and ability. Gifted children may be ready for them sooner than most children. For example, some gifted children (with interest and ability in Language Arts) may be ready for the "Grammar Island Series" for use in grades 3 - 5, while more typical students may find them useful at grades 6 - 8. Likewise, "The Magic Lens" grammar series may be used as either a challenging middle school resource, or at the highschool level. Sample Pages and Table of Contents are available on the Royal Fireworks Press website, student book, practice workbook, and teacher's book available. A new Yahoo! Group, MCLTA, has been formed for support in using these materials! Homeschool Packages are now available, too -- at a slightly reduced price :-) Karen Elizabeth Gordon series -- grammar, sentence structure and vocabulary presented with a lavish, though ghoulish flair, grades 8 - 12 The Deluxe Transitive Vampire, The New Well-Tempered Sentence, Torn Wings and Faux Pas, Sin and Syntax, and The Disheveled Dictionary Grammar, Punctuation, and Capitalization: A Handbook for Technical Writers and Editors -- a free online NASA document helpful to students who prefer writing about technical or scientific subject matter Audio/Visual Resources: School House Rock - fun and memorable videos from the 70's introduce children to educational topics using cartoons with songs and rhymes Power Point Presentations on Punctuation -- part of the online Guide to Grammar and Writing, by the Capital Community College Foundation Stevenson Learning Skills - teaches reading, spelling, grammar, and handwriting using a combination of visual images and mnemonic cues, reportedly helpful for visual-spatial learners, those having trouble with typical programs, and those with learning disabilities Games and Hands-On Learning: DK Games: Silly Sentences -- 1-4 players construct silly sentences using interlocking cards, each part of speech is color-coded, aimed at ages 4-8 Languistic Legos - free lesson plan for teaching sentence structure and punctuation using Lego bricks l Montessori Materials Grammar Cards & Symbols -- free printable cards for use in grammar work (does not include instructions) ...or, buy a complete set here -- wasecalearning Grammar Boxes or from Magnolia Montessori Materials . Here are some free Montessori grammar lesson plans -- Language 6-9: Function of Words to get started, but if you Google "Montessori grammar lessons" you will find many more examples, or join a Montessori homeschool support group for advice The Teaching Learning Company - card games for story-writing and general language arts Rainbow Resource Center - search their "(Not) Just for Fun" section for tons of educational games, puzzles, and activities, or search by subject (such as "reading game"). Magnetic Poetry - for the "fridge" or play online, simple word sets available for new readers Learning Resources - K - 6 manipulatives, board games, and activity kits for reading, spelling, math, and science Kid'sPlace by Houghton-Mifflin, K-5 free language arts games Primary Games - online games for language arts (and other subjects), free "mini games" Game Aquarium - 3 - 6th free online language arts games (and other subjects) Fun Brain - K-12 free online games (many subjects) by Pearson Education Learning Planet.com -- a subscription service for educational games and activities, include some free online games for grammar and math Related Issues 50 Years of Stupid Grammar Advice by GEOFFREY K. PULLUM - on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the publishing of The Elements of Style Patricia's Porch Talk: In Plain Southern English by Patricia Paris Grammar Help, Catch-Ups for Teens, Enrichment |
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