6th grade English: Would you even consider NOT using a textbook curriculum?

[Melissa in CA]

I am seriously thinking of taking a year off of formal textbook grammar, but I don't know if it would be the right thing to do for my 6th grader. Right now (in 5th) he is using BJU's English 5 and doing well with it, so there is really no reason to not move to BJU's English 6 next year...except that I am bored with it! :D

In perusing Amazon, I see fun things to use like Caught Ya! Grammar in the Middle, that I think he would thoroughly enjoy. I have also found a journaling book titled Unjournaling that has some great writing prompts and Hot Fudge Monday that has some interesting and fun grammar exercises. Add on to that TOG's Writing Aides, an Ancient History copywork book, Sequential Spelling, and Word a Day Vocabulary; and I have a very full LA program (minus diagramming which has me a bit concerned). Yet, I am torn.

Part of me thinks I should keep him in a regular grammar textbook, and just add in these other 'goodies' on Friday's. Perhaps do formal grammar three days a week, informal two days. That is A LOT of expense though.

Has anyone else taken a year off from textbook grammar to try a different approach? I can see trying this in elementary, but am worried about messing him up completely for high school level grammar instruction by taking a year off in 6th.

I have also considered just doing a different textbook...Hake or AG for next year.

{sigh} Advice anyone?

~Melissa

[Linda in NM]

We did...we used some computer games. Last year, in 7th grade, we used Cozy Grammar and Punctuation...this year, we're taking a more formal approach (Our Mother Tongue: A Guide to English Grammar). He's doing fine...in writing. That's the point of grammar, in my never-to-be-humble-opinion <grin>, having taught composition at the college level for nigh onto 30 years....ouch.

Antique mom.

[Melissa in CA]

He's doing fine...in writing. That's the point of grammar, in my never-to-be-humble-opinion <grin>, having taught composition at the college level for nigh onto 30 years....ouch.

This is one of the reasons Caught Ya! Grammar appeals to me. It teaches grammar through writing...learning how to pick apart bad writing, apply good grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, etc.

Having a son in college now, I am seeing that grammar is important, but that writing effectively is more so. Being able to identify bad writing is extremely important. If one doesn't recognize bad writing, one doesn't know when one is writing badly themselves! :D

I also see now that I should have had my son doing more term/research papers. I did a poor job in preparing him for college writing. I hope I can do better with my youngest. :(