Question:
I am the father of seven "home-schooled" children. For a graduate
project in instructional technology, I intend to develop a
computer-based training application that will facilitate learning
English grammar.
I am curious how other home-school families approach the learning of
English grammar. For example, is this something you teach formally, as a
separate discipline from other "language arts?" Or do your children
learn English grammar primarily in the context of writing and reading?
Do you combine both of these approaches? Do you teach grammar at all? Do
you have strong feelings about how (or whether) grammar should be
taught?
Also, if you were to dream up the ideal computer program to facilitate
learning English grammar, what would that program be like? Would it take
the approach of "programmed instruction," guiding students step-by-step
through a sequential curriculum, or would it take a less-structured
approach, providing a highly interactive environment, in which students
explore and "discover" the principles of English grammar? Or would you
like to see a completely different approach
Answer:
Grammar is integral to all language arts.
As we read to and with our kids, they note how words are used. Of course
that includes parts of speech and word useage. They examine capitalization
and punctuation. It seems to just happen as a natural part of reading.
As the kids learn to write, we get a little more formal. There are
several "workbook" series readily available in teacher supply stores (we
use "Basics First" published by Frank Shaffer) to help the kids formalize
what they really already know. By using the worksheets, they learn what
those "rules" of grammar, capitalization and punctuation are called and
practice using them.
Personally, I've found "step-by-step," building on what's already known,
to work best for my kids. I'd also like to see the ability to explore
concepts beyond what the child has already mastered. A current favorite of
my 6th grade daughter is "Grammar Games." She plays it for fun (and it
helps her practice concepts she's mastered or in the process of mastering).
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