Grade 5 Grammar Help, pretty please!

[tammyw]

I am putting together my grammar plans for my son.

 

I am contemplating the following:

 

-- Easy Grammar 5 (student book & teacher guide -- do I need both?)

 

-- Evan Moor - Daily Language Review

 

-- Evan Moor - Grammar & Punctuation

 

Does anyone have tips for a what would be a good plan for a kid who would not be okay just sitting and doing a lot of grammar -- it needs to be short/sweet/easy to implement/easy to do!

 

I basically want to keep it short and simple and not spend a ton of time on grammar this year.

 

Thanks so much!

Edited August 19, 2016 by tammyw

[Tiramisu]

I'm debating this very question myself.

 

We used EM Daily Review in 3rd and it was awesome for punctuation and little LA odds and ends.

 

We used EG with Daily Grams in fourth. I liked it. It got done without any grief. We just used the workbook, which is a really inexpensive option.

 

I prefer the font and formatting of EM a lot.

 

EG requires a lot less writing and no re-writing to correct sentences. That's one reason I decided on EG for fourth, to eliminate excess writing to focus on writing in more important area. And DG had one sentence combing exercise a day, which was perfect.

 

I like that both are to the point and don't overload.

[tammyw]

I'm debating this very question myself.

 

We used EM Daily Review in 3rd and it was awesome for punctuation and little LA odds and ends.

 

We used EG with Daily Grams in fourth. I liked it. It got done without any grief. We just used the workbook, which is a really inexpensive option.

 

I prefer the font and formatting of EM a lot.

 

EG requires a lot less writing and no re-writing to correct sentences. That's one reason I decided on EG for fourth, to eliminate excess writing to focus on writing in more important area. And DG had one sentence combing exercise a day, which was perfect.

 

I like that both are to the point and don't overload.

 

If he doesn't like a ton of writing, sounds like Easy Grammar might be the best way?

 

I did use the Teacher's Guide for my daughter (grade 7). There were a few cases where I actually needed it, haha.

 

I wonder if Grade 5 will be easy enough to not need the teacher's guide?

 

Edited August 19, 2016 by tammyw

[Lifelong Learner]

Hi Tammy!  I hate sitting around and just learning a lot of grammar too - and I also hate teaching it that way.  To answer your question about whether you need the student book and the teacher guide, I would ask how strong are your English skills.  I teach English and don't have any books for my learners.  I have them create their own books (this is very simple now with Google docs and so many other Word processing programs).  I'd be happy to show you what we have if you would like to see it.  All you really need is something that gives you everything that needs to be taught in the year.  In my opinion, the best way to implement it is through writing.  Again, my students keep an online journal where we can see their long-term progress.  There are lots of online worksheets for beginning practice, but once an idea is understood at a basic level, start expecting it to be used in writing.

 

For example, in 4th grade some of the skills that were learned include identifying sentences/fragments/run ons and being able to use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.  First of all, your child should be able to write using just complete sentences.  In addition your child should have learned how to correct run ons by inserting a period in the correct location.  Once your child learned about coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, he should also be charged with using them correctly in his writing.  If he tends to stay away from them, include how often he must use one in your instructions.

[tammyw]

Hi Tammy!  I hate sitting around and just learning a lot of grammar too - and I also hate teaching it that way.  To answer your question about whether you need the student book and the teacher guide, I would ask how strong are your English skills.  I teach English and don't have any books for my learners.  I have them create their own books (this is very simple now with Google docs and so many other Word processing programs).  I'd be happy to show you what we have if you would like to see it.  All you really need is something that gives you everything that needs to be taught in the year.  In my opinion, the best way to implement it is through writing.  Again, my students keep an online journal where we can see their long-term progress.  There are lots of online worksheets for beginning practice, but once an idea is understood at a basic level, start expecting it to be used in writing.

 

For example, in 4th grade some of the skills that were learned include identifying sentences/fragments/run ons and being able to use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.  First of all, your child should be able to write using just complete sentences.  In addition your child should have learned how to correct run ons by inserting a period in the correct location.  Once your child learned about coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, he should also be charged with using them correctly in his writing.  If he tends to stay away from them, include how often he must use one in your instructions.

 

I have great English skills, but I'm not sure I consider myself a great grammar teacher!

[RebeccaMary]

Another vote for Evan-Moor here!

 

I'm in a similar situation - when it comes to Language Arts, my kids do not like a lot of sit-down workbook stuff (and neither do I!)

 

This past year, when we needed to prepare for our state-mandated Grade 5 standardized test, I bought the Evan-Moor Grammar & Punctuation book. It was a good choice - it took only a few months to complete, my son was well-prepared for the online CAT, and we appreciated the clear rules, clean aesthetic, and minimal writing requirement. I would definitely recommend!

[tammyw]

Another vote for Evan-Moor here!

 

I'm in a similar situation - when it comes to Language Arts, my kids do not like a lot of sit-down workbook stuff (and neither do I!)

 

This past year, when we needed to prepare for our state-mandated Grade 5 standardized test, I bought the Evan-Moor Grammar & Punctuation book. It was a good choice - it took only a few months to complete, my son was well-prepared for the online CAT, and we appreciated the clear rules, clean aesthetic, and minimal writing requirement. I would definitely recommend!

 

So I have the Grade 4 books from Evan Moor -- wondering if I should just have him work on these for this year and not worry about "grade 5" materials?

[tammyw]

Just saw some recommendations for Fix-It Grammar, so now my head is swimming!

[RebeccaMary]

So I have the Grade 4 books from Evan Moor -- wondering if I should just have him work on these for this year and not worry about "grade 5" materials?

 

Probably - If I recall, there was a ton of repetition from year to year. The same rules, just more detailed explanations every year.

[2ndGenHomeschooler]

I'm going to use Fix-It Grammar this year with my 7th and 5th graders. We haven't used before but it looks quick and easy. A friend of mine used it last year and she said they loved it. She said her son could get a whole week done in 15 minutes. We're going to try to get through two levels this year.

 

...not sure if that makes the head swimming thing better or worse...

[Kathryn]

My son is doing Junior Analytical Grammar and their Mechanics book for fifth grade this year. It's short and to the point. He's previously had First Language Lessons and Michael Clay Thompson books for grammar.

[Ellie]

Just saw some recommendations for Fix-It Grammar, so now my head is swimming!

 

The truth is that it almost doesn't matter which one you choose. The secret is...to pick one. :-)

 

We used Easy Grammar. I know the author recommends doing EG and Daily Grams simultaneously, but I don't understand that. DG "reviews" things that haven't been taught yet. o_0 I also don't think it's necessary to study grammar every year, so if I were starting over (when we used EG, DG had not yet been written), it would be EG for the first time when the dc are 10ish, followed by a year of DG, followed by Easy Grammar Plus, and that's it.

[mmasc]

We started out with JAG for fifth grade, and ditched it for Easy Grammar mid-year. It was a good switch. We both like it, and it easily gets done. I bought the TM and have found it useful. I like having the lists in my own book, and the answers.

[Peaceful Isle]

I've never felt a connection with Easy Grammar. I am using BJU for one kid and Voyages in English for the other. Maybe I just like color ;)

 

Fifth grade is still young to ruin it all. With my oldest,  I completely dropped the ball on 5th grade English. We were travelling that year. 

That being said, She tested at a 10th grade level in 8th grade, so I think she is recovering okay. lol

 

Maybe you should browse Rainbow or other places, so you can see many sample pages of many curriculum and then make your choice. 

 

One tip I have learned, be the mom you are, not the one you want to be. I used to long to be a Sonlight/MFW/ read a loud type of mom who makes crafts, and goes on picnics, does science projects, blogs about it and ....but I'm not. I learned that I need to choose curriculum that I know will get done, and it usually always gets done if I do it that way. Just my 2 cents worth 

 

Good luck with whatever you chose! 

[tammyw]

So I'm thinking maybe I'll just use the Grammar & Punctuation Evan Moor Grade 4 book (also have the Daily Language Review Grade 4). Even though it's a grade level behind, it should be fine?

[mamamoose]

We hated easy grammar. We stuck with the but don't think anything stuck. Haha...if we weren't doing Latin grammar we would be looking really hard at fix it grammar

[Tiramisu]

I inadvertently jumped ship from EG and EM by making a totally implusive purchase of Saxon Grammar when I saw a new used copy for $10.

[bluebonnetgirl]

We loved Cozy Grammar.