Grammar, vocabulary and spelling suggestions

[choirfarm]

I have been very eclectic with grammar. My boys are in 6th and 8th.

When I pulled them out of ps after 1st and 3rd, I did some grammar workbooks that were rejects my mil gave me. We did some of the Sonlight grammar for cores 3, 4 and 5 with the LA in those cores.

For 7th and 5th grade we started TOG and we did Easy Grammar Plus for about the first semester. Then life happened. I just gave them Editor n Chief. They have flown through 3 CD's since last spring and have done them all now.

I have not done spelling or to be honest, much vocabulary other than just talking about words when I read aloud. I just recently started them on Wordly wise.

So, I'm not quite sure what to do for next year when they are in 7th and 9th. My oldest needs a vocabulary program. On standardized tests that is his weakest area. He does well on grammar. He did better on the ACT than I did when I entered college when he took it for the Duke program. But his vocabulary on the Sat-10 they take every year has never been great, just average. He spells well, too.

My 7th grader probably needs a vocabulary program, but his test scores were in the 99percentile last year. His spelling scores are also way up there, BUT he cannot spell when he writes himself. I think he can recognize by sight if a word is spelled correctly, but if he has to do it himself he cannot. So I guess I should do some kind of program, but what. I tried Spelling Power when he was in 3rd or 4th (can't remember) and he HATED it.

So... I'm not sure what I should do. I don't hink you need grammar every year, but we probably do need a good intensive year and that will probably be enough. What program? Any other suggestions??

Christine

[Lizzie in Ma]

I have been very eclectic with grammar. My boys are in 6th and 8th.

When I pulled them out of ps after 1st and 3rd, I did some grammar workbooks that were rejects my mil gave me. We did some of the Sonlight grammar for cores 3, 4 and 5 with the LA in those cores.

For 7th and 5th grade we started TOG and we did Easy Grammar Plus for about the first semester. Then life happened. I just gave them Editor n Chief. They have flown through 3 CD's since last spring and have done them all now.

I have not done spelling or to be honest, much vocabulary other than just talking about words when I read aloud. I just recently started them on Wordly wise.

So, I'm not quite sure what to do for next year when they are in 7th and 9th. My oldest needs a vocabulary program. On standardized tests that is his weakest area. He does well on grammar. He did better on the ACT than I did when I entered college when he took it for the Duke program. But his vocabulary on the Sat-10 they take every year has never been great, just average. He spells well, too.

My 7th grader probably needs a vocabulary program, but his test scores were in the 99percentile last year. His spelling scores are also way up there, BUT he cannot spell when he writes himself. I think he can recognize by sight if a word is spelled correctly, but if he has to do it himself he cannot. So I guess I should do some kind of program, but what. I tried Spelling Power when he was in 3rd or 4th (can't remember) and he HATED it.

So... I'm not sure what I should do. I don't hink you need grammar every year, but we probably do need a good intensive year and that will probably be enough. What program? Any other suggestions??

Christine

We are doing Daily Grams to keep grammar fresh after years of R&S and we have Greek Morphemes for SAT vocabulary prep. Plug and play both of them.

[plimsoll]

For vocabulary, we've been using the Vocabulary in Action series from Loyola Press (we just do the synonyms, antonyms, and tests) and Roots of English from Memoria Press. My 9yo son enjoys both.

[tullyfamily]

Spelling: Spelling Power

Grammar: Antalytical Grammar (go here: http://analyticalgrammar.com/)

Vocab: we do two things: 1) if a child comes across a word they do not know (either in conversation w/ us or in their reading), they look it up in the dictionary & write it out in their vocab notebook. After they write the definition, I have them write a sentence using the word. They often like to re-read their notebook for fun. 2) we teach vocab through LATIN- they memorize the derivatives from their latin list each week. For each derivative, they do the same thing as #1- write definition & use it in a sentence.

HTH- I do not have kiddos your ages yet!
Heather