I HATE English Class!!!

[mchel210]

:):tongue_smilie:First off...let me say...I am venting...I am having a difficult time and just needed to vent! My son is terrible at English. He does get most correct...but it takes a lot of explaining each day on my part. (I am venting below...so please don't look for my correct grammar even though I am speaking of grammar lessons...LOL...)


Why do I have to continue this grammar? I am done for the year. I am so tired of this. I am doing Abeka 6th grade. It just has so many rules that go on and on. For example...today I had to find the appositive in the sentence...but it doesn't explain what an appositive is. I can't find it in the book at all. There is no index and it is not listed in the glossary.

I do believe the fill in sentences...or the questions that ask for the correct tense...verb...noun...ect...do teach a lot...but why must you learn each and every tiny thing?

I am ready to just stop this year and focus on writing only. Isn't that the main goal? Do you need these rules other then for being able to construct sentences?

I cannot think of a time that I have used these rules or looked for specific terms (such as an appositive) in the real world. BUT....I know you MUST be able to write in college.

Beyond learning to write complete college papers with structure ...what else do you need to teach in grammar? Do you need to continue teaching the same tiny rules over and over and expect FULL understanding on each topic? Is my child supposed to master each rule and be able to memorize each term...such as appositive, direct object, ect? Or just be able to demonstrate the rules in his writing skills?

Am I supposed to nit pick the small details...or just to make sure he understands the basics of the lesson?

Ok...So that is all I have today. I am just sitting here trying to think aloud.
Thanks,
Michelle

[MIch elle]

is what we use with great success. If you continue on your journey in formal English I highly recommend R&S.

Samples:http://www.rodandstaff.info/samples/english/

[strider]

I am not familiar with Abeka--I have not personally used it. I can say, though, that I have really appreciated the clear explanations and incremental steps in Rod and Staff's grammar program. You might consider switching to R&S, and possibly dropping down a grade level or two just to be sure the pace and explanations match your son's abilities in this area.

I do think a strong grammar base is necessary for everyone, in every field. Everyone has to be able to write an intelligent memo or report.

Having said that, I do not believe everyone has to know every jot and tittle. I worked at various times as a proofreader, copyeditor, and editor, and NEEDED to know grammar/punctuation really well. It also came in handy for both me and for my grandmother during job stints as an administrative assistant--both of us had supervisors who greatly appreciated the way we could polish up their work. My mother also felt that her understanding of grammar was a definite boon in her short career as a typesetter.

My own dd has demonstrated that her skills definitely lie in the areas of language arts and foreign language (and history, which is kind of connected). Although I do not know what career path she may choose, I am making sure that her grammar skills are top notch and that she has a solid Latin base.

My son, on the other hand, though young, has already demonstrated that his areas of strength are definitely math and science related. Yes, I will require him to do grammar and take Latin, but our pace may be slower, and it is quite possible he will not progress as far in these areas as dd. (That's fine--frankly with the way dd struggles with math her brother will outstrip her within a couple of years.)

The point is that your son may need a slower pace, and a clearer curriculum, if that is not his area of strength.

One further thought--I do have a friend whose daughter was really, really struggling with grammar. They found that the approach in Learning Language Arts Through Literature really fit her. She is quite artistic and needed to have a more beautiful context for understanding grammar. Rod and Staff's strength is that it is simple and straightforward--but some people find that very dry as well. Just a thought.

[Rhondabee]

(The Abeka Teacher's Edition should have the answers for you. Maybe that will help for now.)

I switched to R&S for 6th grade because I had heard it had review, something we really needed. Not only does it have Oral reviews, it also has Written Reviews.

There are boxes with the basic lesson information at the beginning of each lesson. The lesson is really written to the student (though I read it through with mine). There are more than enough exercises to be sure you understand the lesson before moving on.

And, the writing is incorporated through-out. (And, it reinforces the grammar.)

Although, if you really like Abeka (it's a colorful, cheerful workbook!), you could get Rod and Staff's English Handbook. Then, you would have one book with all the grammar rules in it and a handy index. (And, you could use Wordsmith for writing, which has basically the same writing lessons as R&S, but doesn't really teach grammar.)

Best Wishes~
Rhonda

[Dayle in Guatemala]

One further thought--I do have a friend whose daughter was really, really struggling with grammar. They found that the approach in Learning Language Arts Through Literature really fit her. She is quite artistic and needed to have a more beautiful context for understanding grammar. [/QUOTE]

I was going to suggest LLATL. We've been using that, and I can honestly say that my dc really do have a good understanding of grammar. I think part of the reason it works so well for us is because they can see how it is used in regular literature that they are reading or have read. They copywork the passage and have dictation on the passage each week and learn the different elements of grammar within that passage.

We supplemented from grade 4-6 with Ridgewood Grammar, which is straight forward lessons taking about 10-15 minutes a day and it's easy for them to do without a lot of teacher direction. My dc never complained about grammar and didn't mind the diagramming that was included in the lessons. It was a good supplement to their LLATL curriculum.