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Becky Le
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| Posted: Oct 11 2008 at 1:43pm | IP Logged
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I need to know what I am missing or not understanding with respect to teaching grammar.
I am teaching my 7 year old daughter and 8 year old son together using MODG, with ETC for phonics and MUS for math. My son has both visual and auditory processing disorders but with intensive instruction over the last 2 years is reading well and they are both doing fabulously with the MODG curriculum. We are also "doing" Catholic Mosaic for literature/cuddle time.
My concern is that I am worried they are not doing enough explicit grammar or writing. I find myself longing for the Seton grammar book I used with DS in 1st grade. ETC is ok, but, imo, boring and repetitive and there is no writing. I'm sticking with it because the kids like it and are successful with it but I just feel like I should be doing more. What am I missing? Am I not understanding the theory of classical education? I feel so frustrated and I'm so worried I'm going to let them fall "behind" because of something I've overlooked.  
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Becky, loving wife to Chris and mom to Stephen (11/99), Elizabeth (04/01), Catherine (08/04), Natalie & Samantha (10/07)
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Oct 11 2008 at 2:55pm | IP Logged
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This is only my two cents...
At that age, explicit grammar instruction can be a bit of a waste of time if we are talking about grammar as a formal subject. When they are older they can learn it all in a snap because their minds can work on the more abstract (L. Berquist talks about this in Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum). But if you are wanting to begin more grammar, you might want to begin talking about the parts of speech and some simple work in punctuation- the capital at the start and period at the end type. For parts of speech the Ruth Heller World of Language books are great. Combine this with Grammar Rock (see You Tube for the videos) and you can cover all the basics of parts of speech and such in such a pleasent fun way and they will probably retain the grammar alot more easily than a fill in the blank workbook. With my 8yo and 11yo we have been watching the videos together and have read the first book we could lay our hands on in the Heller series.
At your childrens' age I also do lots of copywork. It is proper sentence structure, punctuation, vocabulary etc. in action and is fairly painless (unless you have one who hates copying). Basically I pick a passage that won't be too long for them, often from a book of poetry or a book they are reading, and I write it out in the proper script if they need it and then they copy it out in their best handwriting.
One more opinion (then I will get down off of my soapbox and go and cook Thanksgiving dinner!), but I really think that at this young age it is important not to develop a distaste for writing. It is individual of course to each child, but I think it important to think about....
Here is a great website that gives some excellent advice on how to grow great writers
Bravewriter
Edited to add: The Bravewriter website helped me so much when I began to worry about the lack of writing assignments I was giving my younger children. Hang in there, it sounds like you are doing an excellent job 
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Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: Oct 11 2008 at 3:04pm | IP Logged
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Are they using Primary Language Lessons? I think that's used in MODG 3rd grade, and that is where they begin grammar study in MODG. Before that, they focus more on intensive phonics(WRTR). The grammar study is very different in MODG than it is in Seton. I think its fair to say that NO ONE does intensive grammar like Seton. Every program will feel light compared to them. 
MODG doesn't do an intensive study of grammar before 6th grade (besides what is in PLL and ILL). Fwiw, I love Laura's approach in this and have altered it to make it work in my home (I don't care for WRTR but we do use PLL/ILL and the Easy Grammar as MODG does).
If MODG is working for you, I'd stick with it and not worry too much. If you really believe that formal grammar at 7 and 8 is necessary, then you could always add in a little bit. Some MODG families begin PLL in the 2nd grade with their advanced children, so that is one option. CHC also has some workbooks in grammar that are relatively simple and still faith based like Seton.
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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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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Oct 11 2008 at 4:06pm | IP Logged
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I have a 7.5 and we don't do any grammar work, specifically. Lots of read alouds, some copywork, exposure to poetry, typing her narrations, informally pointing out punctuation & parts of speech, and the occasional simple sentence for dictation.
Elizabeth's chapter in Real Learning...."Teaching Writing" (pgs. 63-69) talks about the different stages in writing. Page 66 has a paragraph about the different stages (rough ages):
**Before age 5.....informal narrations
**Age 5-10....record their retellings/narrations and have them illustrate in some way.
**Around Age 10.....writing their own narrations.
She then goes on to talk about how copywork and dictation also aid with grammar and spelling. (pg. 68)
Anyway....this whole writing chapter is always very helpful to me when I lose perspective and think we should be "doing more."
I know you are asking about grammar/writing....but there was a similar thread/concern about spelling a couple months ago....Is spelling for a 1st grader necessary?.
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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Becky Le
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| Posted: Oct 13 2008 at 8:51am | IP Logged
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Thank you all so much!  You have set my fears at ease. I was having one of those emotional, panic moments when I posted. My own fears combined with the "bare minimum" thread sent me a bit over the age. Plus classical education is such a new way of thinking for me. I can't tell you how much this board has been a blessing to my family and how much I admire all of you and want to be better for my family because of all of you and your wonderful examples. Thanks again!
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Becky, loving wife to Chris and mom to Stephen (11/99), Elizabeth (04/01), Catherine (08/04), Natalie & Samantha (10/07)
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Someone please help me!
