I started using Growing with Grammar many years ago after my oldest had taken her end of year NYS required assessment test. While she passed the exam per state standards, I could clearly see we were lacking in the English grammar department. So like any mom would do, I hit the Internet to find something that would help me build her up in this department.
What I ultimately chose was Growing with Grammar. From its ease of use to affordable cost, it has been a staple in my house ever since. So much so that in later years when I went looking for a spelling program for my youngest, I turned to Jackris Publishing again! (Be on the look out for that review next month!)
All About Growing with Grammar
The Nuts & Bolts of the Program
- Each level contains around 108 lessons, and they consider each level number to mean grade level. You can see the table of contents and samples from each level here.
- It is set up with the intention to be taught three times per week during a 36 week year. (We use it almost daily and thus get through it more quickly.)
- One lesson is taught per workday, which includes a learning portion and an exercise portion which reinforces the concepts taught in the learning portion of the lesson.
- For Levels 1 and 2, both workbook and reading are combine into one book. For Levels 3 – 8, there are two books: A smaller Student Manual, and a separate Student Workbook where all the practice exercises are contained.
- Every book is spiral bound. This makes them easy to lay flat. The Student Workbook is bound at the top so there is no binding to get in the way while kids are trying to write!
- At the end of each section there is a review built in. Each review question is clearly marked with the section it was taught in. This gives the student and easy way to go back and review that section if they are unsure of how to do that concept.
- Sentence diagramming (I understand some don’t like this method, but it has worked well with our children.) *also note this begins at Level 3
- There is an optional test package available which includes a test to be used in the middle of each section, and one for the end of each section.
- Separate answer key – for both the workbook and exams the answer key is separate. This allows for you to easily have your student working independently.
Why We Love Growing with Grammar
Growing with Grammar has filled a need in our family to adequately cover grammar fundamentals in a way that allows my kids to be more independent with it. In a world where there are plenty of other subjects that my multiple children need help with, this is a great advantage! Add to that they affordable cost, the ease of use and the little details like the way the books are spiral bound and the inclusion of section numbers for easy review, and you have a solid program to use over many years of your child’s homeschooling journey!
Heidi Ciravola is mom to three kids who were all homeschooled. Two have graduated college and one is finishing homeschooling high school. She spends much of her time navigating the high school waters (from electives to college prep) and reviewing homeschool curriculum for all ages. You can find her writing about these things as well as her love of books and homeschool life in general over at Starts At Eight.
Hello, this sounds like a good Grammar curriculum. My son is in 6th grade Middle School and is far behind in English Grammar. We pulled him from public school last year and realized he was not receiving a good education through the institution. May you suggest a good level to start him.
Thank You,
Elizabeth T
Hi Elizabeth, they say that each level equates to grade level. If your son was not up to sixth grade standards I would suggest starting at Level 5 if not Level 4 even. On their website you can view the table of contents and sample lessons for each level. I would look them over with him, and then make a decision based on where you think he falls. ~ Heidi Ciravola
Thank you Heidi. My concern is my 6th grader falling behind if I start him at a lower level, however, he is just not ready for the level 6 from what I’m reading.
I can tell you from experience that skipping steps only leads to stress and learning gaps later. When my son was in sixth grade I had to go back to basics for reading comprehension (I had ignored how bad it was) because it was affecting all his studies. I bought a second grade reading comprehension book and we worked extra hard to bring that skill up to where it needed to be! My only regret is waiting so long to address the problem. It would have been easier to catch up if we had started sooner.
Hello! I was wondering if this was the only curriculum you used for language arts? Or if you used it along with others like Winning with Writing or Soaring with Spelling? I’m trying to figure out a full LA curriculum for my 3rd grader and also my 5th grader. I’d love your input 🙂
Hi Jessica! I chose not to push any formal writing with kids until middle school. In the elementary years we focused heavily on reading, comprehension, spelling, and grammar. I used Growing with Grammar and Soaring with Spelling (my kids are now grown and my daughter is doing this with her oldest son) all through the elementary years.
Thank you so much for the response! That helps make my decision 🙂 I think we’ll do something similar.
You’re welcome! So glad I could help!