| Author | |
Red Cardigan
Forum Pro
Joined: June 16 2007
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 470
|
| Posted: May 29 2008 at 11:53am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Help! I've been using the old "Voyages in English" books that OLV sells for grammar ever since first grade. After about fifth grade, though, the concepts seem to get more and more abstract and difficult, and my two older girls have been struggling all year to pass the quizzes etc. I'm thinking that maybe a different approach would work better, especially for my oldest DD who sometimes has trouble just remembering the parts of speech, let alone being able to pick out an adverbial clause and tell which word in the main portion of the sentence it modifies. 
Can anyone recommend a good junior high grammar program that I could use to replace "Voyages" from about sixth to eighth grade? Does anyone have experience with "grammar-frazzled" children, who has found a user-friendly, nonthreatening program that works to teach the basic parts of speech and principles of good English composition without expecting seventh graders to be able to do near-college level work???
__________________
http://www.redcardigan.blogspot.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
folklaur
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2816
|
| Posted: May 29 2008 at 12:21pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Just for grammar? Easy Grammar. Simple, straightforward. We started using it when it was suggested by St Thomas Aquinas.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Red Cardigan
Forum Pro
Joined: June 16 2007
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 470
|
| Posted: May 29 2008 at 1:59pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Laura, that looks interesting--but I'm having trouble finding books for seventh and eighth grade. Does anybody know of a grammar program other than "Voyages in English" that goes up to eighth grade?
TIA! 
__________________
http://www.redcardigan.blogspot.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
folklaur
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2816
|
| Posted: May 29 2008 at 2:16pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
The Easy Grammar Plus book (used after EG6) is considered for junior high - adult.
And...um, what about Warriner's? Doesn't Seton sell them?
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
margot helene
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 26 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 350
|
| Posted: May 29 2008 at 3:24pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I looked at Analytical Grammar at a conference once and thought it was a really doable program. You take two years to complete it. Other families I know really like Shurley Grammar and Caught ya Grammar (can't remember if that is the right title).
Margot
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
folklaur
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2816
|
| Posted: May 29 2008 at 3:37pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
margot helene wrote:
Caught ya Grammar (can't remember if that is the right title).
Margot |
|
|
Oh, oh! Yes! Grammar with a Giggle is the series. My oldest dd used that for a year in High School. She thought it was fun (but it could be tough too.)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Red Cardigan
Forum Pro
Joined: June 16 2007
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 470
|
| Posted: May 29 2008 at 4:23pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks for these recommendations! I'll look into them all. We just need to do something different--I usually like textbook approaches, but I think the thing I'm finding so hard about VOE is that it's so obviously geared toward a traditional classroom.
Thanks again! 
__________________
http://www.redcardigan.blogspot.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Willa
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3881
|
| Posted: May 29 2008 at 5:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Red Cardigan wrote:
Thanks for these recommendations! I'll look into them all. We just need to do something different--I usually like textbook approaches, but I think the thing I'm finding so hard about VOE is that it's so obviously geared toward a traditional classroom.
|
|
|
So true. It is meant to be used as a source and teacher's help, I think, not a self-study course. The tests often don't even cover the same material as the exercises do.
One year, I used Seton's Voyages in English workbook as a supplement for the regular VIE. The trouble was that it was really easy for my son to figure out the "trick" and then simply coast through the page, with no real permanent benefit.
__________________
AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
KackyK
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 22 2007
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1811
|
| Posted: May 29 2008 at 8:28pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have used Shurley English and although not necessarily user-friendly in that you can not just hand the child the book, it has been incredibly effective!!! My oldest ds was having a hard time so I started with this and while he was taking his CAT for the county this week, I heard him using his "helps" that he practices over and over through the year, to answer the grammar questions on the test.
If you use Shurely just for the grammar (and mechanics lessons are good too) and cut out the vocabulary and the writing assignments, it'll only take you, mom, about 10-15 minutes (once you get the rhythm of it) to sit with the child and go over the "jingles" and lesson. Then there are some practice sentences/exercises they do on their own, which have never seemed to take more than 5 minutes on their own.
(Oh and don't be turned off the idea of jingles. My dc thought they were goofy at first, but got over it really quickly. And we switched to saying them like how you'd recite a poem)
__________________
KackyK
Mom to 8 - 3 dd, 5ds & 4 babes in heaven
Beginning With the Assumption
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
So Blessed
Forum Rookie
Joined: Jan 11 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 61
|
| Posted: June 03 2008 at 4:37pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I've yet to meet a person who has used, enjoyed, and actually learned from Voyages 7! I was an English major and I couldn't get rid of my copy fast enough.  We used Easy Grammar Plus and IEW in jr. high with great success. We'll be doing Warriner's 3rd course for 9th grade next year and I'm so excited.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Red Cardigan
Forum Pro
Joined: June 16 2007
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 470
|
| Posted: June 03 2008 at 4:48pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
So Blessed wrote:
| I've yet to meet a person who has used, enjoyed, and actually learned from Voyages 7! I was an English major and I couldn't get rid of my copy fast enough. We used Easy Grammar Plus and IEW in jr. high with great success. We'll be doing Warriner's 3rd course for 9th grade next year and I'm so excited. |
|
|
This is so good to hear! I'm an English major too and thought I could handle Voyages--but seventh grade caused a shipwreck.
__________________
http://www.redcardigan.blogspot.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Willa
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3881
|
| Posted: June 03 2008 at 4:55pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
So Blessed wrote:
| I've yet to meet a person who has used, enjoyed, and actually learned from Voyages 7! |
|
|
You know, VIE 8 almost seemed easier to use in some ways than 7, with a nice diagramming section. Anyone else had that experience?
__________________
AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MarilynW
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4275
|
| Posted: June 04 2008 at 6:14am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh no! I had planned on using Setons Voyages and the Excercises in English for my Grade 7 dd next year? We only do grammar in alternate years - and this seemed the best option.
__________________
Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
10 Bright Stars
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 728
|
| Posted: June 04 2008 at 2:20pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Anyone have any comments about Writing and Grammar, the new program put out by Saxon?
Thanks..
__________________
Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mariB
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 20 2006
Location: Vermont
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3815
|
| Posted: June 05 2008 at 5:46am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I've used Voyages in English 7 twice but I always used grade 7 for eighth grade. My son skipped over to Seton's 9th grade Grammar and Composition class and did just fine.
I was not going to use it anymore. My two boys now take Latin and they are doing really well with the grammar part of it. I made a comment to the boys on how Latin has made grammar so clear.
My oldest said, "Mom, it's the other way around. Grammar has made my Latin understanding of grammar stronger." I said, "What?" You mean Voyages?" And he said, "Yes, Voyages. And, Mom, you should use it with all of the kids." I was really surprised!
Ah...insights from our children. Was using Voyages 7 easy? Nope. But I admit that some of the concepts I skipped over  but made sure the kids understood certain concepts like tenses and appositives...which are used in Latin.
BTW, I really like Warriner's Third course especially that chapter on sentences!
Totally understand why anyone would not want to use Voyages. We have also used Easy Grammar too and it really helped with using voyages. I love the concept of crossing out prepositional phrases and going from there.
blessings,
__________________
marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mariB
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 20 2006
Location: Vermont
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3815
|
| Posted: June 05 2008 at 5:54am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh, and I meant to say that we did Voyages ALL orally!
They wrote in other subjects.
__________________
marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Red Cardigan
Forum Pro
Joined: June 16 2007
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 470
|
| Posted: June 05 2008 at 4:16pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
mariB wrote:
Oh, and I meant to say that we did Voyages ALL orally!
They wrote in other subjects. |
|
|
Okay, now that's interesting. I think the part of the book my dd hates the most is the back "hard grammar" section with the corresponding workbook exercises.
__________________
http://www.redcardigan.blogspot.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
catholicmomma
Forum Newbie
Joined: June 06 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13
|
| Posted: June 09 2008 at 11:13am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I go from Easy Grammar to Warriner's 1st course in 6th or 7th grade. I'm interested in Seton's new 7th grade English, which supposedly will have lots of diagramming in it (comes out in July). I'm planning on having my workshop students diagram sentence patterns every week this year; it will facilitate their mastery of sentence parts - all very logical (I hope).
This is perfect time to combine grammar with writing! Teach phrases and clauses by identifying them from their literature reading first, but THEN have them write their own complex or compound-complex sentences. You can switch clauses around to find the best flow, voice, mood, etc. Too much fun.
Wish there were a textbook for it!
Lisa B in Oh
Grammar Geek
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mare
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 08 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 357
|
| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 3:22pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
This was very informative. I was thinking of using Voyages in English for 6th grade next year. I think I'll look into Easy Grammar instead.
__________________
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
aforb001
Forum Rookie
Joined: April 28 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 59
|
| Posted: Jan 11 2010 at 6:15pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Haven't used this myself, but how about Lingua Mater? CHC uses it for 6th and 7th gr. It seems a more gentle approach.
Adele
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Forum Locked) 
4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Drowning in "Voyages in English"
