Analytical Grammar alternatives?

[gamommy]

In a nutshell I'm looking for a grammar program for my older two students (working at aprox. 6th grade level) that goes from 0-60 in two seconds flat, lol.

They detest the study of grammar and I agreed that our time in Abeka last year seemed endless. We took forever to cover a relatively small amount of material. We'd like to find a complete program geered for middle school age that would cover all the grammar we'd need in 1-2 years. Other than a few refreshers from time to time, we'd like to tackle this and get it done. It does not need to have a writing component as we'll be using Writing Strands this year.

Analytical grammar looks as though it might fit the bill, but I'm honestly put off a bit by the price tag of implementing it for two students simultaneously. If we don't find anything else then I will shell out for it but I was wondering if there are other alternatives we should be looking at. Any suggestions?

TIA,
Beth

[Hoggirl]

It is inexpensive and thorough. We do a LOT of it orally, so my ds usually spends only 30 minutes per day on grammar. I do get the worksheets and tests. The worksheets are what my ds is required to do. The only written exercises from the text that I assign are those that deal with diagramming, and I don't assign all those. Not sure how much grammar your children have had, so I would't be certain as to where to tell you to start. Probably the 5th or 6th grade level text??? I might lean toward the 5th. I think it is quite advanced, so I don't really think the grade levels mean a whole lot, but I know that working "below" grade level can bug some children.

Oops! Didn't see that you want to get this in one to two years. Perhaps using the 6th and 7th grade texts over the next two years??? R&S does include writing, but we omit those lessons as we use something else.

[one l michele]

Have you looked at Winston? The publisher recommends using Winston Basic in 6th and Advanced in 8th. I wish they had better samples online, the only samples I've seen are of the workbook. I have it and IMO it's really the teachers manual and clue cards that make this program what it is. The workbook has room for them actually to mark the sentences, the examples are clear, it's incremental, and retails for ~ $35.

[gamommy]

Have you looked at Winston? The publisher recommends using Winston Basic in 6th and Advanced in 8th. I wish they had better samples online, the only samples I've seen are of the workbook. I have it and IMO it's really the teachers manual and clue cards that make this program what it is. The workbook has room for them actually to mark the sentences, the examples are clear, it's incremental, and retails for ~ $35.

Thanks for your suggestion! Looking at Winston it's difficult to tell whether or not they touch on punctuation. Do you know if that's included in either course? I really couldn't find a TOC of scope and sequence on their site unless I'm missing it. Thanks!

[one l michele]

Thanks for your suggestion! Looking at Winston it's difficult to tell whether or not they touch on punctuation. Do you know if that's included in either course? I really couldn't find a TOC of scope and sequence on their site unless I'm missing it. Thanks!

Editor and Chief.

[kailuamom]

For what it's worth, I just went back and forth (and up and down and all around!) trying to decide on a grammar program for my 11yo, looking with criteria similar to yours. After all of my research, I did wind up shelling out the big bucks for AG -- it just seems to cover everything I was looking for and in a way I think will work. (I, personally like diagramming and think it helps cement what they learn and AG has some). I may adjust their schedule (speed up over things she knows, slow down in areas she needs help), but they do provide a 2-year schedule that would work well with someone who has had some grammar before.

[kailuamom]

Oh, and I talked with the rep at a convention last weekend. You can photo copy the workbook for your family's use.

And we are going to use Writing Strands with it, too. :001_smile:

[tnmomofboys]

We, too, were just not making it through the Abeka with any real retention. I was grabbing at straws last year and luckily I grabbed AG. It was my best purchase last year. I will do the 3 yr. plan so it made it a little easier for me to justify. My vote is to look for it used.

[unsinkable]

In a nutshell I'm looking for a grammar program for my older two students (working at aprox. 6th grade level) that goes from 0-60 in two seconds flat, lol.

They detest the study of grammar and I agreed that our time in Abeka last year seemed endless. We took forever to cover a relatively small amount of material. We'd like to find a complete program geered for middle school age that would cover all the grammar we'd need in 1-2 years. Other than a few refreshers from time to time, we'd like to tackle this and get it done. It does not need to have a writing component as we'll be using Writing Strands this year.

Analytical grammar looks as though it might fit the bill, but I'm honestly put off a bit by the price tag of implementing it for two students simultaneously. If we don't find anything else then I will shell out for it but I was wondering if there are other alternatives we should be looking at. Any suggestions?

TIA,
Beth

Beth,

I was in yr shoes when my ds was entering 4th grade. I said I needed "Grammar For a Boy Who Just Doesn't Get It and Needs to Get It VeryVeryFast."

I ended up using Junior AG and it was wonderful! It fit our needs perfectly...moved quickly, no busy work. It was a great start for us!

HTH,

[Chris in CA]

No alternatives, we bit the bullet and bought JAG and AG and it has been one of the best purchases I have ever made for our homeschool

[ekarl2]

Oh, and I talked with the rep at a convention last weekend. You can photo copy the workbook for your family's use.


If you're referring to AG, I'm afraid you're mistaken. AG is copyrighted and may not be photocopied. The Teaching the Essay and Teaching the Research Paper are the only products we offer that we allow photocopies within your family.

AG workbooks are consumable and you can purchase extras for other kids. I will say that if you need other workarounds (re-writing the sentences on notebook paper, whiteboard use, etc.) other than photocopies, that's up to you. It's the xeroxing that breaks the copyright.

I'm sorry if there was any confusion.

Warmly, Erin

[kailuamom]

If you're referring to AG, I'm afraid you're mistaken. AG is copyrighted and may not be photocopied. The Teaching the Essay and Teaching the Research Paper are the only products we offer that we allow photocopies within your family.

AG workbooks are consumable and you can purchase extras for other kids. I will say that if you need other workarounds (re-writing the sentences on notebook paper, whiteboard use, etc.) other than photocopies, that's up to you. It's the xeroxing that breaks the copyright.

I'm sorry if there was any confusion.

Warmly, Erin

I guess I did misunderstand. :sad:

[gamommy]

Thanks for all your advice, guess I'll bite the bullet and get the AG.