Growing with Grammar: Study and Master Grammar for Middle & High School

Course Summary

Over 8 weeks, we'll work through the first three chapters of Growing with Grammar, Level 8. Think of it as a grammar gym — we meet twice a week, and by the end, your sentences will be stronger than ever!

Course Description

This 8-week course provides a thorough introduction to English grammar fundamentals using Growing with Grammar Level 8 (Chapters 1-3). Students will develop a solid understanding of sentence structure and the essential parts of speech through identification, analysis, and sentence diagramming. I approach this class with both rigor and a healthy sense of humor...because mastering grammar doesn't have to feel like a root canal. **Students must have their own copy of Growing with Grammar Level 8 Student Workbook and Student Manual. Course Focus: Sentence structure and types Nouns and their functions Pronouns and proper usage Verbs and verb phrases Direct objects Sentence diagramming techniques Who Should Enroll: This course is designed for 8th grade students and above, including high school students who have never taken formal grammar instruction. No prior grammar knowledge is required—we start with the basics and build systematically. What Students Will Learn: Students will master the fundamental elements that form the foundation of clear, effective writing. Through hands-on practice with identification exercises and visual sentence diagramming, students will learn to recognize how words function within sentences and how proper grammar enhances communication. By course completion, students will confidently identify parts of speech, understand sentence patterns, and diagram simple and complex sentences. Teaching Approach: This is a classic, structured grammar course emphasizing understanding through practice. Each concept is introduced clearly, reinforced through examples, and mastered through diagramming and identification exercises. Students develop both analytical skills and practical application abilities that will strengthen their writing across all subjects. Homework: After each class, students will have assigned homework pages to be turned in by the next meeting. In order to receive a grade, students MUST scan their work clearly using a scanning app (no background objects, only the grammar page visible, all handwriting clear and easy to read). Homework that is not easy to read will not be graded.

Syllabus

Lesson 1 Week 1 1.1-1.2 Sentences and Subjects -Sentences -Four Types of Sentences -Complete and Simple Subjects Lesson 2 Week 1 1.3-1.4 Predicates and Diagramming -Complete and Simple Predicates -Diagramming Subjects and Predicates Lesson 3 Week 2 1.5-1.6 Compound Subjects and Predicates -Compound Subjects and Predicates -Run-on Sentences Lesson 4 Week 2 Chapter 1 Review Lesson 5 Week 3 2.1-2.2 Nouns -Review of Chapter 1 Test -Nouns -Plural Nouns Lesson 6 Week 3 2.3-2.4 Nouns with Special Forms -Nouns with Special Plural Forms -Possessive Nouns Lesson 7 Week 4 2.5-2.6 Pronouns -Pronouns -Nominative and Objective Case Pronouns Lesson 8 Week 4 2.7-2.8 More Pronouns -Possessive Pronouns -Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Lesson 9 Week 5 2.9-2.10 More Types of Pronouns -Indefinite and Demonstrative Pronouns -Interrogative Pronouns Lesson 10 Week 5 Chapter 2 Review Lesson 11 Week 6 3.1-3.2 Verb Introduction -Action Verbs -Helping Verbs and Verb Phrases Lesson 12 Week 6 3.3-3.4 Direct Objects -Direct Objects -Diagramming Direct Objects Lesson 13 Week 7 3.5-3.6 Indirect Objects -Indirect Objects -Diagramming Indirect Objects Lesson 14 Week 7 3.7-3.8 More on Verbs -Linking Verbs -Helping Verbs Lesson 15 Week 8 3.9-3.10 More on Verbs Part 2 -Other Linking Verbs -Predicate Nominatives Lesson 16 Week 8 Chapter 3 Review