The longer I am involved in this complicated dance called life, the more I am coming to appreciate 'the gentle approach' to things. It is all too easy to let the stresses of life, and the apparent demands of time tie your stomach, heart and head into knots. But that does no one any good. And for the homeschooler -- or as we prefer to be called, 'Home Scholars', it is can have a devastating effect on not only us but on our children and on the whole idea of who we are and what we do.
Which brings me to the question of Grammar... did you just shudder? Many people do. Grammar is the step-child of Language Arts, the subject shoved in the closet then dragged out kicking and screaming and forced down people's throats when they are the least receptive. All too often, grammar is taught 'out of sequence', as if it weren't an integral part of language and yet, grammar is the skeleton on which language is built. One does not exist without the other.
Charlotte Mason, the doyenne of late 19th century British education, understood this relationship. Up to grade four, Charlotte Mason encouraged teachers to focus on developing children's appreciation of the beauty of language through recitation, copywork, and narration. Through hearing and reading, through being immersed in the works of Great writers, children absorb the basics of their language much as they learned to speak by listening and imitating when they were babies. Children, after all, are born learners. Beginning in grade four, however, the teacher begins to introduce the parts of speech, one small piece at a time. To reinforce these lessons, the teacher provides the children with passages and, working with them, helps them parse (identify the parts of speech) and analyze the sections she indicates.
And this is where sentence diagramming comes in... There are those who despise the practice, those who have heard of it but have no real idea how to do it, and those who have no idea what it is. Simply put, sentence diagramming is a method of breaking sentences down into their component parts which can -- if done properly -- be a lot of fun and can also (believe it or not) help not only with the learning of English grammar but also in the learning of Foreign languages.
Let me explain: When you diagram sentences (and I will offer a list of sites where you can find worksheets, instructions etc on various methods of teaching the process,) have your children use different colored pencils for each part of speech. You (and your child) can use any color you choose. Verbs could be red and nouns could be blue, adjectives green, and adverbs orange. Varying the color helps reinforce the difference between the parts of the sentence. It also makes the process (and the sentences) more interesting.
Janice | danced
\ l \g
\i \r
\t \a
\t \c
\l \e
\e \f
\u
\l
\l
\y
[If your child is artistically inclined, the lines do not have to be straight (smile). A diagrammed sentence can become a work of art.]
Here is a list of Websites that provide worksheets and direction on diagramming:
Articles on Diagramming:
To Diagram or not diagram
Assorted links on Diagramming:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTsEiVjViiI
As the child becomes more comfortable with the names of the parts of speech, playing MadLibs can help reinforce both the grammar and vocabulary.
If, as Charlotte Mason suggests, your child has already begun to study another language, the process of learning the parts of speech will 'cross pollinate.' The lessons learned in English will help in the process of learning the other language and the lessons being learned in French, Latin, German or Spanish will reinforce the lessons being learned in English.
Sentence diagramming is, of course, only one way to approach the question of teaching grammar. If you are a follower of the Charlotte Mason, you can use Karen Anderola's reprint of Charlotte Mason's own text Simply Grammar: An Illustrated Primer or you may wish to take a look at Simply Charlotte Mason's Hearing and Reading, Telling and Writing: A Charlotte Mason Language Arts Handbook. The first book is very much a beginner book, a gentle book. If you are looking for something rather more challenging, consider Michael Clay Thompson's series which can be found at Royal Fireworks. The books teach diagramming as a part of the process but begins, as Charlotte Mason, by teaching parts of speech as part of language.
Whatever path you and your child choose, grammar should be something gentle, and kindly, something that comes as a part of learning/reading/hearing the language. Reading, speaking, hearing, and writing language beautifully will go a long way to helping your child learn grammar. And as they get older? Writing beautifully... and writing beautifully... and writing beautifully...
