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Description
Studying our language enables us to choose our words wisely, enjoy and appreciate great literature, understand the thoughts of others, give clear and correct expression to our own thoughts, and train our minds to think in an orderly fashion. Designed to give a comprehensive overview of all aspects of our language, Our Mother Tongue can be used as a review and reference tool for the instructor or for introducing an older student to a systematic examination of our language. Starting with the basic facts of grammar (the eight classes of words and the parts and types of sentences), author Nancy Wilson provides a thorough examination of all the major concepts in English by looking at the special properties of nouns, pronouns, verbs, verbals, and modifiers. There are examples, explanations and definitions followed by exercises. Many of the examples and exercise sentences are taken from Scripture and from great English writers. Adding spice to this examination are periodic sidebars detailing the development of the English language. Did you know that many of our grammar rules came into being in the eighteenth century when the Enlightenment inspired thinkers to reduce everything to neat, tidy, governable systems? Diagramming is definitely a part of this overview. Like all graphic organizers, the use of diagramming trains the student to quickly analyze the subject matter - in this case, sentence structure.
Changes in this 2nd edition (2019) include a new layout, daily schedules, a new section on the Oxford comma, fun grammar quotes and increased numbers of exercises. The Student Workbook provides instruction, examples, sidebar info, and several sets of exercises for each section. The Answer Key provides a daily lesson plan (for covering the book in a semester) plus the answers to most of the exercises (including diagrams). Answers to some exercises are more subjective; therefore, answers will vary and are not included in the key.
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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.