Daily Grammar Practice

[Guest]

Does anyone use this for grammar? http://www.christianbook.com/grammar-practice-grade-5-teacher-guide/dawn-burnette/pd/378373?event=ESRCN  it looks similar to Fix It!

 

I was thinking about possibly using this in place of Fix It! for the upcoming school year.

 

[Insertcreativenamehere]

I haven't used it, but it looks interesting. I like how it includes diagramming.

[KeriJ]

I forgot about this. I'm going to put this in my possibility list again.

[KeriJ]

The Bible version comes in levels 1-6 rather than grade levels.  It seems much more homeschool friendly that way.  I hadn't seen that version when I looked at it before.  Now I'm even more interested. :)

 

I remember a thread about it a few years ago, but hadn't heard much about it recently.

Edited May 23, 2016 by KeriJ

[73349]

I used it when teaching middle school and liked it (though very occasionally I disagreed with an answer). I plan to use it with DS.

 

It's nice and non-threatening for kids (only one sentence for a whole week!), but the sentences are carefully selected to bring up topics that lead to mini-lessons and review as needed.

[birchbark]

We used it for grammar and loved it. I just wouldn't recommend it for upper levels unless you are a grammar expert, because there isn't much in the way of grammar instruction. I think we maxed out around level 7.

[Guest]

We used it for grammar and loved it. I just wouldn't recommend it for upper levels unless you are a grammar expert, because there isn't much in the way of grammar instruction. I think we maxed out around level 7.

 

Does the TM include grammar instruction?

[birchbark]

Does the TM include grammar instruction?

 

Not really. If you look at the samples on this page, you will see "help pages" toward the beginning of both the teacher's and student's books. They contain just a brief description of the different parts of speech, parts of the sentence, etc. It's more for reference than instruction.

[wehave8]

The Bible version comes in levels 1-6 rather than grade levels.  It seems much more homeschool friendly that way.  I hadn't seen that version when I looked at it before.  Now I'm even more interested. :)

 

I remember a thread about it a few years ago, but hadn't heard much about it recently.

Where did you find the Bible versions?

 

Pam

[wehave8]

We used it for grammar and loved it. I just wouldn't recommend it for upper levels unless you are a grammar expert, because there isn't much in the way of grammar instruction. I think we maxed out around level 7.

Did you try/use the Reading Practice?

 

Pam

[KeriJ]

Where did you find the Bible versions?

 

Pam

 

http://dgppublishing.com/shopping2/index.php/daily-grammar-practice/bible-daily-grammar-practice.html

[KeriJ]

Not really. If you look at the samples on this page, you will see "help pages" toward the beginning of both the teacher's and student's books. They contain just a brief description of the different parts of speech, parts of the sentence, etc. It's more for reference than instruction.

 

I read in one of the book introductions that she recommends that you still teach grammar in the classroom during writing class and other times.  So I think you're right that it was meant to go alongside grammar instruction, not take the place of it exactly.

 

One use I was considering was to use it after a few years of Rod and Staff in order to review the concepts learned.  We might do R&S through 6th grade and then go to the Bible version of the DGP for the rest of middle school.

[birchbark]

Did you try/use the Reading Practice?

 

Pam

 

No, I haven't.

[TracyP]

I used it in 5th with my oldest. I liked it for a break year from heavier grammar but felt like there wasn't enough instruction or practice to use continuously. After going through R&S 6 this year, we will be going to DGP 8. I think it will be great for quick review during 8th and through hs if needed.

 

I will have a 5th grader again next year and he will use DGP too.

[Mom-ninja.]

I use it. I agree that I wish it was grammar instruction, but so far it's working. 

[campyeager]

I thought I would comment on this since I have been using Daily Grammar Practice for the last several months.

 

Prior to using Daily Grammar Practice, we used Rod and Staff.  I like that program, but it seemed that my children were not really understanding or retaining.

 

Daily Grammar Practice is very thorough and I would say advanced compared to most grammar books I have seen (even than Rod and Staff).  It repeats concepts over and over (kind of like Saxon Math) so my children are really retaining it. 

 

The teachers manual is not very helpful in how to instruct, although it is complete.  I created a interactive notebook (lapbook) with the grammar terms as a reference book since some of my children were having a hard time or just feeling overwhelmed with the daily reference sheets.  We still use the daily reference sheets, but if they are having difficulty, I refer to the notebook pages related to the concept.  This seems to have helped.

 

It is very quick.  We actually do 2 sentences a week since I am trying to move my children through a little faster.

 

I started my 3rd and 5th grader in book 1.  This has been okay 5th grade but a little challenging for my 3rd grader.  My third grader had completed about half of First Language Lessons.  My fifth grader had completed half of Rod and Staff grammar grade 4.

 

I started my 8th and 10th graders in book 5.  This has been about right for my 10th grader but challenging for my 7th grader. 

 

Of note, the author is very helpful.  I emailed her and she suggested starting in the 7th book for the 8th and 10th and I think the 3rd book for the 3rd and 5th graders, since I wanted to keep them together.  I wanted to start with book 5 for the olders since I felt they needed the added practice with diagramming and it contained the lines for the sentence already diagrammed in the student book.  I am glad I started them where I did since we all had a lot to learn.  It has been easy baby steps and very doable. 

 

As I said, I am doing 2 sentences a week with my kids because it is so quick.  I expect we will be completing 2-3 books a year. 

 

I do think the price is a little bit high.  However, I am planning on continuing to use it.  The student books are not necessary if you work on a white board, but I like having my kids have their own books.

 

Of note, my 10th grade son took a practice ACT test last summer.  There were many terms on it that are in even the 5th and 6th grade books.  He has a better understanding of clauses, etc., because of doing this program.  If he does not get all the way through the program, I am not worried because it is very deep and thorough.

 

I hope this helps someone.