garddwr Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 We have so many things to study, I don't feel like we have time for separate grammar study. It seems to me that my children are immersed in rich language, and will pick up the structure of the language naturally. I don't think it will hurt them to wait to study formal grammar. What would be good reasons to study grammar early? If you have waited what was your experience? Thanks! Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joysworld Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Well, I'm no expert:) but I do not/am not teaching grammar in the early years. Granted, by oldest is only in Kindergarten:D But, for me, as long as he is talking and narrating properly, then I don't find it necissary for my first grader to know any formal grammar rules. This year, without any formal teaching, he has learned that all sentences start with a capital letter, that a sentence conveys a complete thought, and that sentences end with a period, question mark or explanation mark. He's also learned what a semicolon, colon, and comma is. I do not plan to start formal grammar until between 3rd and 5th. At the same time, I have no doubt that he and his sisters will learn grammar info without it being taught formally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 We didn't do formal grammar until dd was 10 or 11. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kel & the Kids Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 This is something I have just run up against with my DS 11/ DD 9. I'm wishing I would have started formal Grammar earlier because we are running up against nouns, verbs, objects and subjects in our language studies (Greek and we'll be starting another language next year) and none of us have a good enough grasp of Grammar for this not to be an issue :blush: I even ran across a problem using the 5th grade Handwriting Without Tears book which dabbles in Grammar while practicing cursive. I started DS in R&S 3 this year (I just happened to have that on hand) and things are much easier for him even though he's just started. My poor DD is really struggling. It's just too much to learn a language plus grammar at the same time. I had the same trouble in college French, I just couldn't keep up since I was expected to understand and use basic Grammar ( I had next to no Grammar in school) Anyway, that's our situation, I'll be starting Grammar earlier with my two little ones, and a stronger Phonics program too (Abeka). Just tools so they can move on to learn other things more easily. I can see where this will be beneficial in what I have planned for them down the road. Ymmv! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonNative Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 We do things like noun, pronoun, adjective etc for 1st grade. We will be starting PLL next week. My 3rd grader will be doing ILL. If I didn't-my kids would be very far behind if I had to put them in PS here in DFW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 I don't believe in Grammar prior to third grade, but then I believe it essential to cover thoroughly each year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 My ds will be starting grammar at age 8 for 3rd grade. Up until now we have not studied grammar except for what he learns from Mad Libs and Grammar Rock. He is my oldest so I can not tell you how it will turn out. He will be doing R&S grammar 2. I tried to do PLL with him this year but dropped it. I do not plan to start any of mine until around 3rd grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cschnee Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 We did grammar in the early years with Mad Libs, Brian Cleary books and Schoolhouse Rock. We started Latin in grade 3 and used that as grammar. We started MCT town in grade 5 as our first foray into formal grammar studies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 (edited) This is something I have just run up against with my DS 11/ DD 9. I'm wishing I would have started formal Grammar earlier because we are running up against nouns, verbs, objects and subjects in our language studies (Greek and we'll be starting another language next year) and none of us have a good enough grasp of Grammar for this not to be an issue :blush: I even ran across a problem using the 5th grade Handwriting Without Tears book which dabbles in Grammar while practicing cursive. I started DS in R&S 3 this year (I just happened to have that on hand) and things are much easier for him even though he's just started. My poor DD is really struggling. It's just too much to learn a language plus grammar at the same time. I had the same trouble in college French, I just couldn't keep up since I was expected to understand and use basic Grammar ( I had next to no Grammar in school) Anyway, that's our situation, I'll be starting Grammar earlier with my two little ones, and a stronger Phonics program too (Abeka). Just tools so they can move on to learn other things more easily. I can see where this will be beneficial in what I have planned for them down the road. Ymmv! :) :iagree:I am not accelerating my ds11 and dd9 through PR 2 (just finished PR1) and WWE and FLL. Ds6, dd4, and dd2 are all doing phonics PR1 slowly) and are being introduced to grammar in a fun and slow way. But I will NEVER go back to doing none. We were using books from AO and other sources (like SL CORE 3). It still was not enough for my ds11 and dd9 to pick it up naturally. It hurt their confidence in writing as well. :( Edited May 19, 2011 by AngelBee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 This was a subject that was discussed a few months ago on one of the TOG forums. It is the position of Marcia Somerville, TOG's creator, that ideally children should not study grammar until at least 6th grade. And when they do, it should be studied concurrently with Latin. Have you ever looked at Analytical Grammar? My kids are too young for grammar, yet, but I am intrigued by AG's position that the study of grammar can be done later than most other programs with very little time commitment. I don't know how I will feel about all of this in a couple of years, but for now, I am not doing grammar with my 6yo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovinmomma Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 We didn't do formal grammar until dd was 10 or 11. How did that work out for ya? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birchbark Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 The main reasons I see to study grammar are: Detailed writing instruction Formal study of a foreign language Standardized testing If you don't plan to do any of these during your elementary years, you may do very well without studying grammar. Personally, I have liked an early, but light study of grammar. I cannot rave enough about The Sentence Family which is a fun intro for all elementary grades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacefully Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 I use very informal grammar until middle school when we use Analytical Grammar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 I don't believe in Grammar prior to third grade, but then I believe it essential to cover thoroughly each year. We don't start "formal" grammar until 3rd grade. There is light exposure to grammar in SWR's The Wise Guide but in my experience, the ideas don't really stick or carryover until the kids are older. My #2 child had some grammar exposure this year with Prima Latina, but didn't "get" it. She'll do GWG 3 starting in the fall & I think that is a good first exposure to formal grammar. My oldest really solidified her understanding of some basic grammar concepts with Writing Tales I this year and Prima Latina reinforced & enhanced it. Maybe my kids are really "slow," but 3rd seemed plenty early for formal grammar. Depending on how #2 does with GWG, I might wait until WT to introduce grammar with future kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelAR05 Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 I have wondered about this as well, especially for my oldest with whom language comes naturally. My husband is a natural born writer and even writes for a living. He says he thinks grammar is unnecessary. He believes if one is exposed to great literature and lots of reading then he/she will know how to write well. Because writing is such a struggle for me, it is hard for me to go along with him. I don't want my girls to struggle like I have. I will reread and have to think a long time before putting something in an email or thread post (like here :)). Though I do understand grammar and remember grammar from school I am a weak writer. Maybe it depends on the child. I am glad to see others waited until the children were older and were fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcelmer Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 I didn't do much till 3rd either, but then we had the opportunity to send the kids to a private Christian Classical school... They were woefully behind, and DS was placed a grade lower. (spelling/writing issues too) So, if you choose this route, just make sure a private school isn't in your kids future. (the grade placements was a combo of poor grammar/spelling skills, and the timing of when they tested him. We had just switched to year round, and DS had only been in 3rd grade for 2-3 months when he was evaluated) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 We have so many things to study, I don't feel like we have time for separate grammar study. It seems to me that my children are immersed in rich language, and will pick up the structure of the language naturally. I don't think it will hurt them to wait to study formal grammar. What would be good reasons to study grammar early? If you have waited what was your experience? Thanks! Sarah It has been difficult to find a good Spanish program that we can use without already having a good foundation in English grammar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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