Opinions on Winston Grammar?

[charlotteb]

DS is in 6th grade. We've used Abeka Language Arts the whole time. He's always done "ok" with it. I can tell he has a hard time memorizing things long term, although short term he'll do pretty well. But this year seems to be really bad. We started the Parts of speech section first (its in the middle of the book) because I can tell he's weak in that area. Abeka is pretty intense and very workbook-y. DS is just not getting it! So I'm considering Winston Grammar. I see it is very hands-on (which fits ds perfectly) and that you can use level 1 with 9-12 year olds and then there's a level 2 for 8th grade and up! Sounds good :)
Any opinions of it? Or perhaps other recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

[Ellie]

Tried it. Hated it.:glare:

[Lori D.]

We've tried Easy Grammar, Daily Grams, and Analytical Grammar, but Winston was so easy to use and very painless, so we've stayed with it. Below are previous threads with more information on people's experiences with it. Note: I am obviously a fan of Winston, but recognize it does not work for everyone. : )

Hope that helps! Warmest regards, Lori D.


Winston Grammar?
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37313&highlight=Winston

Winston Grammar anyone?
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28375&highlight=Winston

Winston Grammar vs. Analytical Grammar
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12550&highlight=Winston

Winston Grammar Useers
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7274&highlight=Winston

Traditional Grammar vs. a More Integrate/Relaxed...
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5346&highlight=Winston

[Kelley]

We love it too!
Simple, short, and painless way to learn grammar. And it STICKS!!!
We just started Advanced Grammar.
Kelley

[Susan A.]

We began using Winston for the first time this year. In the past we have used Shurley, Rod and Staff, and Abeka, which are all good, but after such rigorous courses I wanted to slow down and spend a year just cementing what my 3 dd's knew (10th, 7th, and 5th). I knew the younger two still did not "get" some things. So far, I am very pleased. It is kind of like "Grammar You See" because of the parts of speech cards that come with it. The girls line up the cards and classify the sentences with an ease and orderliness they never had before. Just know that this program is only grammar. We do dictation and editing for punctuation and usage practice and use Writing Strands/IEW for compositon.

[one l michele]

I bought it to preview it when I decided to delay formal grammar and wanted a plan of what I'll use in middle school. I was considering Analytical Grammar and Winston. I really like what I see with Winston. The samples available online do not do this program justice. When I saw the cards and paged through the books, I knew it's a great fit for us. I like the parsing vs diagramming.

The instructions basically say to introduce cards, model sentence. assign 2 sentences per day. go over any missed, retype and give them the same sentence the next day. when worksheet is completed, spend 2-3 days having dc locate part of speech in a paragraph from reading. when that is easy ask for that part of speech to be used in 2 sentences, which they write and mark. only if they can do that, move on.

[ealedger]

Winston sounds user friendly, but how what would I use to give ds(13) the grammar mechanics?

[deeinfl]

We tried it in the 8th grade and loved it!!! I have saved all of my Winston materials for my next son! We went on to do Winston Word Works and Winston Grammar Advanced. We didn't enjoy WGA as much as Winston Basic as there we felt that we needed more direction than what was offered, but we still got through it, but Winston Basic, we just LOVE!!!! :)

I don't know why, but I think Winston appeals more to boys than to girls. :tongue_smilie:

[Mandy in TN]

I'm considering Winston Grammar. I see it is very hands-on (which fits ds perfectly) and that you can use level 1 with 9-12 year olds and then there's a level 2 for 8th grade and up! Sounds good :)
Any opinions of it? Or perhaps other recommendations?
After that much ABeka WG basic may be very easy. You may use it double pace over one semester and use Winston Word Works when finished. My oldest used it for reivew over about 6/9 weeks. My middle ds was 5th grade or so and used it in a semester. This year I am using it with a friend's dd who is in 5th grade. We are doing it 2 days/ week and it still will not take her 30 weeks to complete.

I don't know why, but I think Winston appeals more to boys than to girls.
I used WG basic with my older boys and they both liked it, so there may be some truth in this statement. It does seem that many of the positive WG posts are from boy moms. However, this year I am using it with my friend's 5th grade dd and she also likes it. :)

HTH-
Mandy

[Lori D.]

All of these can be found at www.rainbowresource.com


"Bite a Day"
(editing practice of a paragraph a day of punctuation, capitalization, word usage, etc; plus grammar concept review; plus vocabulary)
- Giggles in the Middle (Bell) gr. 6-8
- Chortling Bard (Bell) gr. 9-12



Workbook Practice
- G.U.M. Drops (Grammar, Usage, Mechanics) -- gr. 8
- Editor in Chief workbooks -- "B" series = gr. 6-8; "C" series = gr. 8+
- Punctuation Puzzlers -- "C" series = gr. 6-12
- Daily Grams -- jr/sr high level


Instruction and Practice Exercises in One
- Practicing Capitalization and Punctuation -- gr. 8
- Practicing Standard Usage -- gr. 8
- Jensen's Punctuation --
- Capitalization and Punctuation (Educators Publishing Service) -- Intermediate = gr. 5-9
- Exercises in English -- gr. 8



Punctuation Resource
- Commas Are Our Friends (Devine)
(book of grammar and punctuation told through 3 stories, plus optional quiz booklet)