Get Smart from Grammar Revolution

I mentioned in another post that we've switched to English Grammar Revolution's Get Smart grammar program.  I wanted something that was not teacher intensive, and also included diagramming.  I wanted to be able to use it with all the boys.  I didn't think I'd be able to find something that suited my requirements, but this program certainly does.

 

We're a couple of lessons into this program, and I've got to say, it's super easy to do.  Nearly all of the 38 lessons has a video lesson of Elizabeth (the program's author) teaching the concept.  There is a Student Edition, which is a worktext to print out.  The worktext begins with a lesson, and following the lesson are 5 sentences to diagram.  You can move as quickly (diagram all 5 sentences in one day) or as slowly (diagram only one sentence a day) as you'd like.  We watch the video, read the lesson, and diagram one sentence the first day, and then for the next two days we diagram two sentences, so each lesson is taking us 3 days. 

One thing I really appreciate about the program is the "Key" Elizabeth has for each sentence.  The student is required to break down the sentence and label each word or phrase.  This has been wonderful for helping the younger boys diagram.  I also love how the concepts build on each other.  And?  I love that it takes less than 10 minutes a day.

Just a Few Snips...

Before



After

2103/2104 Spring Semester Plans

I've been analyzing what we've been using, how it's been working for us, and how it will work since I won't be as available this semester.

I've decided to drop Latin this semester for Luke & Ezekiel.  I wasn't doing a great job teaching, and I've decided that it is something I want to outsource to Dwayne at Visual Latin in the fall.  We had dropped Elementary Greek last semester due to time constraints, so we're picking that back up.

For physics, we're using Physics in Your Life, and using the recommended texts (including Hewitt's Conceptual Physics).  I'd originally purchased these to supplement the Conceptual Physics text, but it turns out Professor Wolfson is a much better teacher of physics than I am, and the boys enjoy the lectures.

I'm also switching all the boys from Rod & Staff English to Grammar Revolution.  Lessons are short in this program, and concepts are practiced by diagramming.  I love Rod & Staff, but it does take a lot of time to teach 5 different levels.  We're going to restart IEW for writing instruction.

The only thing I'm still debating is science for the younger 3 boys.  I have some different kits and books around; I'm leaning towards just using these and letting the youngest 2 learn through doing experiments.  I'm thinking I might go back to my original plan for Jacob, having him work through So You Really Want to Learn Science.


Luke (9th):

• Saxon Algebra 2
• Physics in Your Life
• Grammar Revolution
• Rod & Staff Spelling 7 (word root study)
• IEW Writing
• Argument Builder and/or Rulebook for Arguments Workbook
• Elementary Greek 3
• Notgrass Exploring America
• Trail Guide to US Geography
• American Literature:  Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, Farenheit 451, and To Kill a Mockingbird, along with some short stories and poetry

Ezekiel (8th):

• Saxon Algebra 1
• Physics in Your Life
• Grammar Revolution
• Rod & Staff Spelling 7
• IEW Writing
• Argument Builder and/or Rulebook for Arguments Workbook
• Elementary Greek 2
• Notgrass Exploring America 
• Trail Guide to US Geography
• American Literature:  Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, Farenheit 451, and To Kill a Mockingbird, along with some short stories and poetry

Jacob (6th):

• Knowing Mathematics Green Level
• So You Really Want to Learn Science
• Notgrass America the Beautiful
• A History of US
• Trail Guide to US Geography
• Literature (I'm building off of Veritas Press' last 2 card sets and Sonlight's D & E reading lists)
• Grammar Revolution
• Rod & Staff Spelling 6
• IEW Writing
• First Form Latin

Micah (4th):

• Saxon 5/4
• Various Science Kits
• Notgrass America the Beautiful
• Trail Guide to US Geography
• Literature (I'm building off of Veritas Press' last 2 card sets & Sonlight's D & E reading lists)
• Grammar Revolution
• Rod & Staff Spelling 4
• IEW Writing
• Prima Latina
• Draw Write Now

Nicholas (2nd):

• Saxon 3
• Various Science Kits
• Literature (I'm building off of Veritas Press' last 2 card sets & Sonlight's D & E reading lists)
• The Complete Book of US History
• Trail Guide to US Geography
• Sonlight Readers
• My Book House books
• Grammar Revolution
• Rod & Staff Spelling (finish 2, move to 3)=
• Prima Latina
• Draw Write Now

 

It's a New Year!

Craig heads back to work today, so it's time to take down the decorations, find homes for the gifts, and figure out our spring semester.

Some of the changes on the horizon:

• Luke will finish up robotics at the high school.  They have two teams, Junior Varsity and Varsity.  We've decided to only do JV this year.
• Ezekiel has started team gymnastics (tumbling & trampoline).
• Luke will start drum lessons.
• I'm considering a change for grammar.  I love Rod & Staff, but find it works best for us when I'm teaching it.  I'm looking at Get Smart Grammar from English Grammar Revolution because she has diagramming & teaching videos. 
• I'm also considering going back to Visual Latin & Lingua Latina.  I haven't had the time to teach Wheelock's well.  I think Dwayne is a great teacher, and I'd like the boys to take his online class in the fall.

I'm still figuring out how to balance all of my responsibilities.  A new year is a great time to evaluate old systems and figure out how to run things more efficiently and intentionally. 

Happy 2014!