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Grammar is one of those subjects that is usually met with negative responses. It seems for many children and adults alike to illicit bad memories. The thing about grammar is that it’s supposed to support written (and verbal) communication. What does that mean? Well, it’s supposed to help you speak and write correctly.
Problem #1
Grammar is not static. Did you know that? For instance most of us where probably taught in school to never end a sentence with a preposition. Right or Wrong? Well, most sources now advise it’s okay (although, I still avoid it if possible out of habit!) Check this site out for more. There are not solid guidelines, “expert” sources disagree a lot!
Problem #2
Grammar as a subject does not translate to your own communication. Instead of supporting our writing, grammar has become a subject unto it’s own without purpose for many. Let me ask you when is the last time you’ve diagramed a sentence to help you write? Now, I did enjoy diagramming in school (weird, I know) and my mom says she uses it to help figure out difficult Bible verses but beyond that it doesn’t seem to have much use for the average person.
Now don’t get me wrong, the basics are important; noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition and interjection (basics as defined by Elements of Style.) But, beyond that we are only learning grammar to learn grammar, not support our writing which is fine if that’s your objective.
Solution:
Learn the basics of grammar and use them in your own writing, copywork and dictations. By all means correct your own writing. This means mom, have your children correct their work and find their own errors. When children forget basic grammar (and punctuation) hand them a handbook to look it up.
Handbook? Yes, not a whole curriculum.
Often we moms(generally speaking) are so worried we’re not giving our kids what they need or that they might be missing something that we go overboard? Ever done that?
The 5th grader who comes to an exercise that says, “circle all the adjectives,” and can’t recall what an adjective is doesn’t really need a whole new set of worksheets, he simply needs a reminder (he already learned this in 3rd or 4th grade.)
What is a handbook? Well there’re two sources I have on my shelf, Elements of Style and Practical Stylist. These are not necessarily the best just the two I happen to have. You can google grammar/writing handbook and get many suggestions (and prices.) In my opinion more (cost) here doesn’t always mean better. Every guide I’ve ever looked at basically has the same information. Some do have more color pictures and are more “glossy” but just about any guide will do. Most guides have grammar, punctuation and writing information.
So I pray this brings hope to some of you and your children. Take some stress (and lots of worksheets) out of your life and go back to using grammar the way it was intended; to support your speaking and writing not add another complete academic subject! | 
