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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: Aug 21 2007 at 10:30am | IP Logged
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OK, so I am realizing as we work through Easy Grammar Plus that ds remembers more grammar from the jr. high years than I thought. His mistakes are carelessness, not lack of understanding, and I figure that will come with maturity.
So can a child have 4 years of literature based English courses for high school without the tedium of Grammar, spelling and vocabulary (except as it comes up in context in the lit. courses)??? Is there any rule that high school *has* to include these subjects?
My goal has never been perfection in these subjects, btw. Just a decent understanding of it all...
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mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Aug 21 2007 at 11:27am | IP Logged
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Depends on your state of residence, I'd say; if grammar isn't part of the public school curriculum per se, or if you don't have to teach "comparable" subjects, you're off the hook. (I live in MD and have to follow the public school requirements...it's pretty broadly interpreted, though.)
Most high school courses here focus on literature with composition (and attendant grammar and spelling) worked in as each literary work is covered. I think you're probably OK doing things the way you've described, as long as your state's homeschool regs don't specify "grammar" as a course requirement.
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Macmom
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Think of composition as "Applied Grammar" and focus more on writing clear, well thought out sentences that flow in well composed paragraphs.
Peace,
Macmom
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SallyT
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I love that term "Applied Grammar!" That's exactly how I'm building it into my co-op class.
It's funny, when we initially had a parents' meeting for this co-op, back last spring, the two questions mothers asked about English were, "You mean you want to do literature and composition TOGETHER??" and "Shouldn't you do at least a semester of grammar?"
We may do some little grammar warmups here and there, but at this stage I think they need to be focused on using what they know about language to write good prose.
Pax,
Sally
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: Aug 21 2007 at 3:05pm | IP Logged
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Well, this is encouraging. Thanks, ladies.
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Blessings,
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mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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StephanieA
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My sister-in-law has headed high school English departments for years and she laughed at me when I said my oldest's freshmen year included grammar. OK, I was stumped. I thought it was suppose to 
Evidently, grammar is assumed by 9th grade in many schools, especially for "honors" English which is what she teaches.
So...I had my second son review grammar for a few weeks while studying for the English section of the ACT sophomore year. This worked well. It reviewed the lie/lay, etc. when remembering "this stuff" really pays off 
Blessings,
Stephanie
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Mary G
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As long as you feel confident that he knows his grammar -- which you'll KNOW if you have him write, write, write -- there should be no need for extra grammar-specific coursework. I would apply this also for vocabulary.
Remember, though, that he'll be tested thru the SAT or ACT on his ability to write and he can't be sloppy on those ....
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MaryG
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: Aug 22 2007 at 7:26pm | IP Logged
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He is writing constantly, in both history and religion, and there are writing projects in his science as well, so I do feel like he's getting a lot of practice.
...rethinking my plans a bit now...
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: does high school have to have grammar?
