Sentence Composing vs. the Grammar worktxt by same author?

[Robin in Tx]

The only difference I can see between the books is the grammar book analyzes sentences from popular authors. Other than that, does anyone know if they cover the same material? Are they meant as alternative or complimentary texts?

I'm thinking about combining one of these with CW Aesop/Homer for the older beginner next year... on the K-8 board, Jackie in AR has advised me it might be unnecessary because Homer incorporates a lot of sentence work. Has anyone seen both and know for sure it covers the same material?

[Kathy in MD]

The only difference I can see between the books is the grammar book analyzes sentences from popular authors. Other than that, does anyone know if they cover the same material? Are they meant as alternative or complimentary texts?

I'm thinking about combining one of these with CW Aesop/Homer for the older beginner next year... on the K-8 board, Jackie in AR has advised me it might be unnecessary because Homer incorporates a lot of sentence work. Has anyone seen both and know for sure it covers the same material?

Both books use sentences from popular authors. The major difference is in how they're organized and that the grammar book will name and explain the types of grammar (mostly clauses) the student is working with. The grammar book will take a part of grammar, such as an appositive phrase, explain the grammar, and have the student work with it by:
matching
unscrambling to immitate
combining
imitating
expanding
creative writing (the student is given prompts, such as the first sentence or add phrases or words at the ^)

Sentence Composing focuses on the skill and, within each skill, uses the various parts of speech and includes paragraph imitating as opposed to paragraph expansion. These skills are:
unscrambling
immitating
combining
expanding

Graphically, the Grammar book has larger type and more white space. It's easier to read(see) for students with visual processing problems, however Sentence Composing is also clear and crisp.

Though each book stands alone, the two books are complementary. I would start with the Grammar book because of the paragraph imitating in the SC book.

BTW, the elementary book follows the Grammar book layout. The sentences are still complex but, for example, the unscrambling sections have only 3-4 sentence parts to unscramble vs 7-13 in the middle school books. This would be a good starting point for 7th and 8th graders with writing or language difficulties. This is the book my 7th grader has just completed and his sentences are much better.

Edit: My comparison was of the Middle School books.