These live, traditional grammar courses are open to students in grades 6-12. Grammar Matters I is designed for students who need to master the basics of grammar. Grammar Matters II is designed for students who need a review of grammar basics but are ready to learn more. They are "intensives" because they cover a lot of material in only a single semester. This is because most of today's students have heavy course loads that don't leave much room for systematic grammar study. The Grammar Matters courses are designed for busy students who need to master English grammar, mechanics, and style but who also need a minimal impact on their overall course load.
Both courses will move quickly and will have a medium-heavy assignment requirement. Following each lesson, students will practice the lesson concept and then will practice all the concepts learned thus far by completing a six-level parsing exercise. In this way, students move toward mastery more quickly, because they are constantly practicing everything they've learned. I will take students as far as they are able to go, so our scope-and-sequence will partly depend on them.
That said, mastery of English grammar does not happen in just a few weeks, no more than the mastery of math does. To facilitate mastery, students will work on application exercises at regular intervals during the semester. This means that we will read all or part of a story, essay, or poem that contains mistakes. These mistakes will reflect concepts that the students have studied up to that point, such as comma placement or subject-verb agreement . Together we will work through these "editing exercises" to find and explain the errors before moving on to new concepts.
Depending on student ability, the courses will attempt to cover all of the following concepts:
GRAMMAR MATTERS I:
* sentence vs. fragment
* comma splices and run-ons
* the eight parts of speech
* subject and predicate (complete and simple; single only)
* noun, verb, and prepositional phrases
* two types of complements -- predicate nominative and predicate adjectives
* the four types of sentences
* independent clause
* two sentence structures -- simple and compound sentences
GRAMMAR MATTERS II:
* review of beginning concepts
* compound subject and predicate
* participial and gerund phrases
* remaining types of complements: direct and indirect objects
* subordinate (restrictive and non-restrictive) clauses
* remaining types of sentence structures--complex and compound-complex
* sentence combining
* simple diagramming
If time allows in either course, we will also study mechanics and/or usage according to student needs. If time does not allow, students may choose to work through the mechanics and usage chapters independently. They may receive grading and feedback for an additional fee. These lessons will include the following:
* semi-colons and colons
* hyphens
* parentheses and dashes
* italics/underlining
* commas
* capitalization
* usage
* style
See more information in "More About Grammar Matters" below.
Textbook: Warriner's English Grammar and Composition: First Course
The original Warriner's textbook series is one of the most highly-respected grammar programs ever published, yet it is now out of print. Although I have searched for a contemporary replacement, I have not found one to match its thoroughness, coherence, and design. Parents are welcome to purchase their own copy, but because the series has many editions, they must contact me first to ensure they purchase the correct edition. Otherwise, they may rent a copy from me for the duration of the course.
Technical requirements: webcam, microphone, and the following Google apps: Gmail, Hangout, Drive, and Classroom; scanner for handwritten assignments (NOTE: Although I am seeking another platform due to rising Google privacy concerns, Google is my only option at this time, because the apps used in the course synchronize for smooth, student-teacher interaction. I recommend that interested families with Google concerns register for an account but limit its use only to these courses. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.)
Tuition: $150
Registration fee (non-refundable): $20
Book rental: $15 ($5 shipping/handling + $10 deposit) -- Note: The deposit will be refunded once the book is returned. Parents who choose to purchase their books will need to contact me for the ISBN# and vendor options.
Dates: The Grammar Matters courses are scheduled according to student availability. They may begin on the first week of any month throughout the year, including summer. They meet two days/week for 18 weeks (the typical length of a semester). If students prefer it and personal schedules allow, the courses can be condensed to a four-day/week schedule lasting six weeks. Courses are always prefaced with an orientation to ensure that all students know how to use the necessary Google apps and how to prepare their assignments.
Days/times:
For a class size of two or more students:
For a class size of one student:
Please note that although classes are shorter for single students, tuition remain the same. The weekly schedule will be set according to student availability and consensus, but classes must be spaced at least two days apart to allow for study and homework.
Note: Classes will not be recorded. Students who miss a class will need to catch up through independent study.
HOW TO REGISTER : Fill out the registration form at the bottom of this page. Within three days a confirmation and tuition invoice will be emailed to you. If you do not receive a response, please email me in case of a technical problem.
MORE ABOUT GRAMMAR MATTERS:
Grammar is the "math" of language, a logical system of words and concepts that make communication possible. Once upon a time, formal grammar study was an important component of English courses in the United States. Today, however, many educators have left formal grammar behind, integrating instruction into their courses as needed or teaching concepts through application only. They widely believe that formal grammar is too abstract to be of much practical use and that it doesn't help produce better writers.
Having seen the disappointing fruit of this philosophy, I disagree with the prevailing viewpoint. On the contrary, I believe that formal grammar instruction is an important part of a comprehensive writing program. Although it is true that grammar study does not produce better writing as far as content and structure go, it becomes very important in the editing and proofreading stages of a project. The more that writers understand their language and its conventions, the more power and control they have over their writing. They are able to spot even subtle grammar mistakes and know how to fix them; they understand how to use correct punctuation to convey the exact meaning they intend; they have a better understanding of how to craft sentences that flow smoothly and fit necessary parameters; and they develop a sense of style that will serve them well in everything they write.
The Denim Beret grammar courses progress in the following order:
* basic grammar
* mechanics
* usage
* style
SPECIAL NOTES:
Both courses will move quickly and will have a medium-heavy assignment requirement. Following each lesson, students will practice the lesson concept and then will practice all the concepts learned thus far by completing a six-level parsing exercise. In this way, students move toward mastery more quickly, because they are constantly practicing everything they've learned. I will take students as far as they are able to go, so our scope-and-sequence will partly depend on them.
That said, mastery of English grammar does not happen in just a few weeks, no more than the mastery of math does. To facilitate mastery, students will work on application exercises at regular intervals during the semester. This means that we will read all or part of a story, essay, or poem that contains mistakes. These mistakes will reflect concepts that the students have studied up to that point, such as comma placement or subject-verb agreement . Together we will work through these "editing exercises" to find and explain the errors before moving on to new concepts.
Depending on student ability, the courses will attempt to cover all of the following concepts:
GRAMMAR MATTERS I:
* sentence vs. fragment
* comma splices and run-ons
* the eight parts of speech
* subject and predicate (complete and simple; single only)
* noun, verb, and prepositional phrases
* two types of complements -- predicate nominative and predicate adjectives
* the four types of sentences
* independent clause
* two sentence structures -- simple and compound sentences
GRAMMAR MATTERS II:
* review of beginning concepts
* compound subject and predicate
* participial and gerund phrases
* remaining types of complements: direct and indirect objects
* subordinate (restrictive and non-restrictive) clauses
* remaining types of sentence structures--complex and compound-complex
* sentence combining
* simple diagramming
If time allows in either course, we will also study mechanics and/or usage according to student needs. If time does not allow, students may choose to work through the mechanics and usage chapters independently. They may receive grading and feedback for an additional fee. These lessons will include the following:
* semi-colons and colons
* hyphens
* parentheses and dashes
* italics/underlining
* commas
* capitalization
* usage
* style
See more information in "More About Grammar Matters" below.
Textbook: Warriner's English Grammar and Composition: First Course
The original Warriner's textbook series is one of the most highly-respected grammar programs ever published, yet it is now out of print. Although I have searched for a contemporary replacement, I have not found one to match its thoroughness, coherence, and design. Parents are welcome to purchase their own copy, but because the series has many editions, they must contact me first to ensure they purchase the correct edition. Otherwise, they may rent a copy from me for the duration of the course.
Technical requirements: webcam, microphone, and the following Google apps: Gmail, Hangout, Drive, and Classroom; scanner for handwritten assignments (NOTE: Although I am seeking another platform due to rising Google privacy concerns, Google is my only option at this time, because the apps used in the course synchronize for smooth, student-teacher interaction. I recommend that interested families with Google concerns register for an account but limit its use only to these courses. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.)
Tuition: $150
Registration fee (non-refundable): $20
Book rental: $15 ($5 shipping/handling + $10 deposit) -- Note: The deposit will be refunded once the book is returned. Parents who choose to purchase their books will need to contact me for the ISBN# and vendor options.
Dates: The Grammar Matters courses are scheduled according to student availability. They may begin on the first week of any month throughout the year, including summer. They meet two days/week for 18 weeks (the typical length of a semester). If students prefer it and personal schedules allow, the courses can be condensed to a four-day/week schedule lasting six weeks. Courses are always prefaced with an orientation to ensure that all students know how to use the necessary Google apps and how to prepare their assignments.
Days/times:
For a class size of two or more students:
- semester courses: 2 days/week for 45 minutes
- six-week courses: 4 days/week for 60 minutes.
For a class size of one student:
- semester courses: 2 days/week for 25 minutes
- six-week courses: 4 days/week for 30 minutes
Please note that although classes are shorter for single students, tuition remain the same. The weekly schedule will be set according to student availability and consensus, but classes must be spaced at least two days apart to allow for study and homework.
Note: Classes will not be recorded. Students who miss a class will need to catch up through independent study.
HOW TO REGISTER : Fill out the registration form at the bottom of this page. Within three days a confirmation and tuition invoice will be emailed to you. If you do not receive a response, please email me in case of a technical problem.
MORE ABOUT GRAMMAR MATTERS:
Grammar is the "math" of language, a logical system of words and concepts that make communication possible. Once upon a time, formal grammar study was an important component of English courses in the United States. Today, however, many educators have left formal grammar behind, integrating instruction into their courses as needed or teaching concepts through application only. They widely believe that formal grammar is too abstract to be of much practical use and that it doesn't help produce better writers.
Having seen the disappointing fruit of this philosophy, I disagree with the prevailing viewpoint. On the contrary, I believe that formal grammar instruction is an important part of a comprehensive writing program. Although it is true that grammar study does not produce better writing as far as content and structure go, it becomes very important in the editing and proofreading stages of a project. The more that writers understand their language and its conventions, the more power and control they have over their writing. They are able to spot even subtle grammar mistakes and know how to fix them; they understand how to use correct punctuation to convey the exact meaning they intend; they have a better understanding of how to craft sentences that flow smoothly and fit necessary parameters; and they develop a sense of style that will serve them well in everything they write.
The Denim Beret grammar courses progress in the following order:
* basic grammar
* mechanics
* usage
* style
SPECIAL NOTES:
- All classes will be conducted via Google Meet with both audio and video.
- Although I do my best to accommodate all student needs and capabilities, I cannot be held responsible for technical difficulties with Google services. Usually it is very reliable, but if a student cannot participate due to technical difficulties, I will modify the lesson as best I can. After two instances of a student not being able to participate due to technical difficulties, families will have the option of doing an independent study instead or receiving a pro-rated refund.