MichelleS
- Reviewed on Tuesday, July 14, 2009
- Grades Used: 3rd-4th and 7th
- Dates used: 2008-2009
I have mixed feelings about this curriculum. On one hand, my kids have learned more about grammar from this curriculum than any other curriculum we've ever used (I've been homeschooling for 11 years btw). This curriculum has helped my children to understand WHY parts of speech are what they are...not just memorize what a part of speech is.
HOWEVER, I have 7 kids. My time is stretched thin....and this curriculum took forever to finish. Here it is summer, and we are STILL not finished with this curriculum, and the next school year will begin in a month. Granted, part of the reason that the lessons take so long is because of the many interruptions I have every day, the lessons themselves are usually way too long for a family my size.
So my recommendation is this. If you have only 2 kids....this curriculum is GREAT. However, if you have more than 2 children that are not independent learners yet, I'd recommend you keep looking.
BTW, the jingles may be "dorky" (as I read one reviewer call them) but they work. And that is the bottom line, right?
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bhcamom
- Reviewed on Thursday, February 19, 2009
- Grades Used: !st
- Dates used: currently (2008-2009 year)
I can't say enough great things about the Shurley program! It has done something that I could never do on my own--teach my son the basics of grammar in a very child-friendly way. As my son learns to read books for the first time, he also has the tools to understand proper sentence formation which has helped his own story telling tremendously. He has a math (legos) mind, but tells me that grammar is his fav. subject.
As for the teaching side, it is very scripted and repetitive. Some hate that, but I love it because you can review the lesson before teaching it and draw ideas from it for the lesson. I never read it word-for-word. But it gives me confidence that I'm on the right track.
I agree with previous reviewers...condense the first 5 weeks into one or two weeks and you'll be fine.
As a side note-- I have my 2 and 4 year old singing grammar jingles--how fun it is to get the whole group involved, plus the opportunities to entertain the grandparents are abundant! ;)
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alabama1974
- Reviewed on Wednesday, January 28, 2009
- Grades Used: 6th
- Dates used: 2008 - 2009
I was discouraged at first by the size of the teachers manual. But like most other curriculums it makes sense when you start to use it. We had used Abeka with my daughter last year in 5th grade and we both hated it . For her, Abeka did not offer enough repitition. You would work on a topic for a week or two and then not see it again for a month. For some kids that keeps them interested, but it just frustrated mine.
We began using Shurley in September and by Christmas my daughter was able to diagram fairly complex sentences without help. Their approach to expository writing has really encouraged her as well. She did think the jingles were a bit dorky (her work) lol. But she sure does remember them. All in all I feel it was a great investment.
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gingersmom
- Reviewed on Tuesday, December 16, 2008
- Grades Used: 3rd grade
- Dates used: September 2008
I can't say enough bad things about this program. I found it just awful. The teachers manual is huge and the children's workbook is tiny. That should have been my first clue. There is very little practice for each item that is taught. I found myself looking on other sites for additional practice sheets for my child.
The teachers manual is long, wordy, boring and most of it is completely unnecessary. I found the "jingles" you are supposed to teach just silly and not worth using.
I gave up after one month of not accomplishing anything with this program.
I switched to Easy Grammar which is amazing! My son has learned so much in a very short time and tells me how much fun it is.
Save your money. Don't buy Shurley English.
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