Language arts woes...help, need suggestions please!

[*AM*]

Oh how we struggle with this here.

 

My boys are not big on this and it has been tough over the years to get them to understand it.    We’ve tried many different things over the years (Seton, Our Mother Tongue, Easy Grammar to name a few) ,but, nothing seems to really stick and they don't retain much of what we've covered. 

 

We've done it together as a group and separately one on one.  I have noticed that diagramming does help them to understand it better. 

 

Would love to hear what others think about grammar and vocabulary choices :)

 

 

This year I am making this our focus and would love to hear any suggestions on what you use and what works and does not.

 

Many thanks from the bottom of my frustrated-well-meaning-momma heart!

 

[Critterfixer]

What is giving you the most trouble? Grammar?

I've used quite a few things. I like Harvey's Elementary Grammar. I like KISS Grammar. I like the Glencoe diagramming books. But if you asked me what I would recommend when it comes to grammar, I would recommend P and P. Patience and Practice.

 

It takes time to understand what grammar is for, and more time to gain the skills to use it wisely. It won't really stick until you are using it all the time.  I would also credit the idea of learning a foreign language as being a really good way to force you to come to grips with grammar. Latin does the job for us. But there are plenty of options there!

[Freedom]

If you want to try something that teaches grammar at the point of use, take a look at IEW Fix-It. They have samples on their website, MP3 talks discussing grammar, and 100% money back guarantee if you try it and you don't like it.

[Ellie]

 

Oh how we struggle with this here.

 

My boys are not big on this and it has been tough over the years to get them to understand it.    We’ve tried many different things over the years (Seton, Our Mother Tongue, Easy Grammar to name a few) ,but, nothing seems to really stick and they don't retain much of what we've covered. 

 

We've done it together as a group and separately one on one.  I have noticed that diagramming does help them to understand it better. 

 

Would love to hear what others think about grammar and vocabulary choices :)

 

 

This year I am making this our focus and would love to hear any suggestions on what you use and what works and does not.

 

Many thanks from the bottom of my frustrated-well-meaning-momma heart!

 

 

So, you're wanting only grammar? Because there are many components to "language arts" other than grammar. :-)

 

But if you're wanting only grammar, my best advice is to pick one thing and stick with it. I'm thinking that you've thrown a bunch of completely different methods at them and haven't stayed with one long enough for it to really stick. Pick one. My choice for *grammar* is Easy Grammar.

 

 

And then you threw vocabulary into your question. :laugh: I like Wordly Wise.