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Description
You can tell by simply looking at the cover of this book that it isn't your ordinary grammar curriculum. As you look at a stick drawing of a young man with a mouthful of 'gum' balls, you know you're in for a real grammar treat. The publisher refers to this book as, "Shel Silverstein meets Strunk & White."
Cathy Campbell has a real knack for making grammar understandable but keeping it humorous. There were times I laughed out loud at her drawings and use of descriptive words. The book is divided into 3 sections - grammar, usage, and mechanics. This is no light coverage of the topics, yet students will enjoy reading the definitions and explanations which use terminology such as 'varmints' and 'blahjectives' (vague adjectives which offer an unclear mental picture). The wacky writing examples are packed with unusual names, strange animals, people with questionable hygiene, mythical creatures and generally off-the-wall situations (while we haven't noticed anything outright objectionable here, this book may not appeal to the very conservative household). Excerpts from books like Harry Potter, Winnie-the-Pooh and authors including Dickens, Faulkner and Hemingway add spice as well. Funny blackline doodles appear throughout the book to add humor, but also to give a visual to accompany concepts - a curly-headed pig, a child with a small dragon atop its head, or a bulgy-eyed something.
A CD-ROM is included in the deluxe teacher edition which has printouts of the exercises found in the book, lessons presented in 3 formats - PDF, jpeg, and PowerPoint, writing pointer posters which are also found throughout the book, posters of the rules and definitions with those same cute blackline drawings from the book, classroom stationary for use with the different chapters, and the answer key for all exercises. Exercises range from Mad-lib style fill-ins, to proofreading, underlining, labeling, listing, and more, but you won't find any diagramming in this program. The text and the teacher edition book are the same; the only difference is that the teacher edition includes the CD-ROM, which is a real plus for this program. However, we also offer the text individually, in case you need an extra for an additional student.
If you want a grammar and mechanics course that is solid but is written with a non-traditional flavor, take a gander at Giggly Guide to Grammar. s/c ~ Donna
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Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.