Simply Grammar: An Illustrated Primer

Rating:
Summary: Super!
Review: I bought this book and found it was not in the format I could use to educate my children. They didn't have the patience to sit and listen to me read instruction to them, then afterward get out a piece of paper to answer the questions, flipping between paper and book. The wording appears simple, but the choice of words were not helpful for us. I gave the book a fair try, but got nowhere and had to start over using another format for teaching my boys grammar at the elementary level. They preferred worksheets and I preferred a series that would progress them through middle school without boring them.

Someone else may find it useful as an introductory book to grammar. It is laid out simply and clearly, and admittedly, I was impressed with it; just not fitting for fidgety little boys. Know your children's style and preferences for learning, this may be for you. Then again, if they are like mine....don't bother!

Rating:
Summary: A for effort
Review: I bought this book and found it was not in the format I could use to educate my children. They didn't have the patience to sit and listen to me read instruction to them, then afterward get out a piece of paper to answer the questions, flipping between paper and book. The wording appears simple, but the choice of words were not helpful for us. I gave the book a fair try, but got nowhere and had to start over using another format for teaching my boys grammar at the elementary level. They preferred worksheets and I preferred a series that would progress them through middle school without boring them.

Someone else may find it useful as an introductory book to grammar. It is laid out simply and clearly, and admittedly, I was impressed with it; just not fitting for fidgety little boys. Know your children's style and preferences for learning, this may be for you. Then again, if they are like mine....don't bother!

Rating:
Summary: A very useful and unique approach to Language Arts.
Review: I was initially sceptical about how useful this book would be to teach Language Arts. I checked it out from the library first and tried it out with my 8 and 9 y.o. daughters. We liked it so well we twice kept it beyond the due date. I purchased my own copy and didn't want to return the library's until mine came in the mail! My 8 y.o. is somewhat gifted in L.A., my 9 y.o. slightly below average. They both benefit from Simply Grammar and they both love it. The lay-out is simple and straightforward. We do the lessons together orally, although I believe an older child could work through the book more independently. We spend about twenty minutes a day, and the children always sigh wistfully when we are done. Simply Grammar has been especially affective with my 9 y.o. I have seen her apply what she has learned from S.G. to her other studies. Her reading comprehension has improved greatly. There is some repetition of difficult concepts, so we have been able to just move on when a particular topic is too difficult, confidant that we will come to it again. I think this approach would be especially refreshing for the child who is feelig a bit burned out with Language Arts, and for the family weary with workbooks.

Rating:
Summary: Super!
Review: Well, I never thought I would be saying my nine-year-old son likes grammar... but here I am. He is about as fidgety as the next boy, but he loves working through this book. We do a lesson a week, which translate to about 10-15 minutes a day. We do them orally, and he just loves it. The information sticks with him from week to week, and the lessons are fun and inviting. This is a treasure.