Curlymom Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 I'm looking for a grammar program for my two middle schoolers (rising 6th and 8th). I've looked at the WTM recommendations, but they seem largely religious and our charter school won't cover that expense. What are secular grammar options for these grades? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 We use Grammar for the Well Trained Mind. I'm pretty sure it would have been a WTM recommendation if it had come out sooner. ? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Analytical Grammar 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taffy Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 We use Hake Grammar (also known as Saxon Grammar). I'm pretty sure it was recommended in a past edition of WTM. We do not use the writing portion of the program - we only use the grammar portion. The grammar book has a soft cover and students are supposed to write their answers in separate notebooks. My kids write directly in the workbook. There is enough white space on the pages to write directly in the book and to diagram sentences too. The formatting of the grammar book is ugly. You need to take a deep breath and look beyond the formatting in order to appreciate this program. The lessons can be self-taught by the kids, or the parent can review the lessons with the kids. Beyond the basic grammar lessons, there are vocabulary words, dictation passages, and journal ideas. (We don't use the dictation or journal ideas - mostly b/c there is not enough time in the day to do it all.) My kids are strong in grammar. They are using the book numbers corresponding to their grade levels (Level 5 for 5th grade; and Level 6 for 6th grade). I think the levels are appropriate. Not too hard, not too easy. My kids would probably have done fine in the next higher level, but there are so many other priorities that I didn't want grammar to become a major headache. There is a lot to like about this program. It's too bad the author/publisher did not spend more time creating an aesthetically pleasing workbook format. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momto6inIN Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 We love Analytical Grammar! Easy to teach, open & go, spreads out over 2-3 years, thorough, so far has worked for my 3 oldest who are all very different learning styles, and when they're done with it they're done with grammar and just need to be held accountable for it in their writing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccolopy Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 We've also been very happy with Analytical Grammar. I can all be covered in one (fairly intense) year if you would like your oldest to finish grammar before high school. Otherwise, you can spread it out however you like. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curlymom Posted May 11, 2018 Author Share Posted May 11, 2018 Thanks everyone! I think we will try out Analytical Grammar. I took a look at the samples and it seems like it will be a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Middle school is a great time to hit grammar hard. We used MCT which worked well with my kids, but it's not everybody's thing. Dd got a 34 on the English portion of the ACT after doing a Magic Lens 1 two years ago. If your charter school will cover it, Barbarian Diagrammatian is an excellent grammar intensive! It doesn't cover punctuation or usage really, but it is a well designed grammar class and Mr Barr runs it very well. I believe they are actually launching a print version of the class, but I'm uncertain of the release date. Good luck choosing! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Growing with Grammar Winston Grammar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
u2006kids Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Thinking of https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/grammar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebastianCat Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Another vote for Analytical Grammar. My kids each did it over 2 years, but it could be done in 1 year for an older student or 3 years for a younger middle schooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyforlatin Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 We use AG as well and have spread it out over the years but using only in the summers. I guess there is no grammar book that can be exciting. I would have gone with Lukeion's grammar, but we haven't been able to find the time, and from what I remember, it seems better to take this class before starting Latin. FWIW, Dd took the SAT and the multiple choice portion that has the grammar section was easy for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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