What do you think are the most important grammar concepts?

[ruth]

I'm taking an informal poll:

 

In the elementary years what grammar or language arts concepts do you think are the most important (other than reading and phonics)?

 

Thanks for your input.

 

Ruth

[Lori D.]

But I'd say those grammar skills which contribute to good writing and speaking skills; in other words, grammar mechanics, rather than grammar diagramming/parsing or functions. Specifically, I would say the first grammar skills to work on would be:

 

- punctuation

- capitalization

- subject/verb agreement

- complete sentences (no fragments or run-ons)

 

That said, you can do a little informal grammar instruction along with learning grammar mechanics. For example, you can learn the 2 parts of a sentence (subject and predicate), while learning the grammar mechanics of writing a complete sentence. You can further learn that nouns and pronouns are generally the subjects of the sentence (the "who" or "what" of a sentence), and that the predicate is composed of at least a verb. You can learn about nouns when you learn what types of words are capitalized.

 

Just my opinion! Warmly, Lori D.

[ruth]

Thankyou Lori,

 

 

I'm doing a little research, and I hope others will respond. Please take a second to give me your 2-cents. I'm not looking for a program, thinking of writing one :eek:! And some of the best input is from the parents who have done it already.

 

I'd really love to hear the "I'm so glad we covered this concept", or "that was such a waste of time for my kids to learn in the elemetary grades".

 

Any opinions are welcome. Thankyou

 

ruth

[ThelmaLou]

R&S English always starts to get hairy for my older elementary and junior high kids when they have to start differentiating between adverb and adjective clauses, prepositional phrases, etc...I think being able to answer the question, "What question does this phrase answer" in order to determine what it modifies is valuable. Make sense?

 

For example, "Snow was falling before we reached home." What does "before we reached home" modify? Well...what question does it answer? It answers the question "When." When what? When snow? No......When falling. It answers the question "When" about the verb "falling." So "before we reached home" is an adverb clause and it modifies the verb "falling."

[Lori D.]

One thing I'd suggest is some research -- look at some other grammar programs geared as "first grammar programs". That will give you a better idea of what concepts generally are covered, and from what point of view -- that will help you just to know what to cover and ideas on *how* to cover it if your program will be just for your own children, but will also help you "find your own niche" if you are planning to write a grammar program for publication! BEST of luck, Ruth!

 

 

- First Language Lessons (levels 1, 2, 3)

http://www.amazon.com/First-Language-Lessons-Well-Trained-Mind/dp/0971412928

 

 

- Growing With Grammar (for grades 1 & 2; and for grade 3)

http://www.growingwithgrammar.com/

 

 

- Write Source handbooks/workbooks (gr. 1 = Write One; gr. 2 = Write Away; gr. 3 = Write On Track)

http://www.thewritesource.com/

[ruth]

thanks again Lori, your links were great!

 

 

Ok, another ? to anyone who will post.

 

When you began the 4 year history rotation what were that ages of your dc and which year did you begin with? ( I won't assume you began with year 1).

 

Thanks again

[LaxMom]

I would agree with what Lori listed for elementary grammar. However, I think diagramming is excellent (yes, there is a copy of Sister Bernadette's Barking Dog in my car to amuse me on rides). As a very visual learner, the diagrams made it much easier for me to understand the relationships between words, particularly with descriptors that aren't in the "regular" (Article adjective noun verb noun) sequence.

 

We started the 4-year history cycle at year one, in first grade. My daughter would have been 5 at that point.

[ruth]

Thankyou Angela,

 

 

I hope others respond too!

 

Thanks

ruth