Grammar

A very simple and lovely grammar book based on the text First Grammar Lessons written by Charlotte Mason in 1928. The text is illustrated with charming 19th century drawings which are used within the text for exercises such as: completing sentences and making sentences of certain types and telling stories using certain parts of speech. The text is intended for fourth grade and up (the Charlotte Mason method recommends waiting until then for formal grammar studies - focusing on reading and narration earlier). It is simple enough to be used as a "lap-text" for the earlier grades as well (for mother and child to work on together in an informal manner). I found the explanations to be very good at helping children understand what the different parts of speech are used for.

I was not taught to diagram sentences as part of my education, so I first viewed such diagrams as a curiosity; however, I have gradually come to appreciate their value as a tool for helping my children understand how the works and ideas in a sentence are related. I have, for example, diagrammed Latin sentences for them to help them understand the structure and grammar of that language.

The First Whole Book of Diagrams is a sort of reader of diagrams, organized by complexity. The first seven chapters overlap with the Elementary Diagramming Worktext in covering basic diagramming, while the next eight present more complex topics such as coordinate conjunctions, auxiliary verbs, imperatives, interjections, direct address, subordinate clauses, verbals, intransitive verbs, and apposition. There follows a teacher's manual, and finally two chapters of complex diagrams of actual prose and verse selections.

We use the First Whole Book of Diagrams for examples, as a source of dictated sentences for diagramming, and as a reference, with the Elementary Diagramming Worktext as our basic text. However, the teacher's manual in the First Whole Book lays out a simple and clear method for teaching grammar through diagramming, independently of the elementary worktext. Mrs. Daly points out that it is vital to teach the right questions to ask in order to determine the function of words in a sentence, since rules like: "A noun is a person, place, or thing," fail with alarming regularity even in simple sentences. This is the approach she takes in the teacher's manual.

The First Whole Book of Diagrams is an extensive resource of diagrams, but it is also fun to read. My oldest two children have enjoyed reading many of the diagrams and puzzling them out. The diagrams are funny, fun, sometimes inspiring, always interesting.

Designed for 4th or 5th grade, this level of the popular Catholic grammar curriculum is another winner! The book has been improved from the earliest editions of the lower levels by using a high-quality, bright-white, erasable paper with a lay-flat spiral binding. The 120 exercises in the worktext provide four short lessons per week for thirty weeks, including regular review of concepts already taught on lessons titled "Practice". There are no tests, although the "Practice" pages could be used as tests. The examples and exercises are gently Catholic, using bits of Catholic history, explanations of Catholic customs, and illustrations from daily family life as the sentences upon which the students practice. Pictures are simple black-and-white drawings and sketches and add to the simplicity of the book. It is very refreshing to use a text that is not filled with politically correct rhetoric and visually overwhelming photos and diagrams!

This level reviews grammar topics covered in earlier grades and extends these topics with grade-level information. A study of the parts of speech and their usage comprises the majority of the lessons. An introduction to traditional sentence diagramming (7 lessons) and sentence construction is also included (about 10 lessons). The exercises require very little actual pen-and-paper work and are ideal for a child who struggles with the physical act of writing. To practice a child's handwriting and to improve his retention, I have my children copy some of the daily practice sentences into their grammar notebooks, rather than just filling-in-the-blanks. For a student of this age, this text is not a complete language arts curriculum; you will also need regular composition exercises.