looking at grammar from a different point of view

[HollyDay]

What program can I use with a 5th and 8th grader? My oldest is well versed in grammar. She just needs the review to keep the knowledge going while her writing skills catch up with her grammar. My youngest is getting the basics down nicely but still needs more "new" learning (clauses, prepositional phrases, indirect objects, etc). I still want to review punctuation skills - the tougher ones: brackets, colons, (), etc.. What fits this bill?? I want to use one program for both. Preferably, I want to do grammar at the same time.

[Kissy]

I have recently been looking at KISS grammar. It sounds like it would fit your description. You should check it out. The price couldn't get any better at free..:)

http://home.pct.edu/~evavra/kiss/wb/PBooks/index.htm#Levels

[Jen the RD]

My 5th grade dd has really learned a great deal from this program. *I* love R&S, but she hated it. I think for her it was too much repetition and moving at too slow a rate. SBSG Vol. 1 teaches most of the grammar, not writing, that R&S includes in grades 2-5 & even some of 6. It moves at a quick pace, but has good review. You can purchase flashcards which have served as great reinforcement for my dd. This program teaches a child to identify & label every word in a sentence for its part of speech & function. Diagramming is included and some of the sentences have been challenging. There are quizzes included and an end of the book test plus a terrific grammar handbook.

I haven't used Vol. 2 yet; that's for next year. It covers more usage concepts such as singular/plural rules, negatives, rules of capitalization & punctuation, proofreading marks and editing, etc. I really could see how both your dc could benefit from this program. You're 8th grader would probably find it a great review and I think you're 5th grader would feel comfortable with the style and pace. Here's the link: www.summerbookcompany.com (http://www.summerbookcompany.com)
Angela Ankers, the author, is very helpful should you want to talk to her directly.

HTH,
Jennifer