High School Reinforcement - American Authors

These materials offer a complete and comprehensive coverage of all three elements - grammar (i.e. parts of speech, complete sentences), usage (i.e. homophones, figures of speech, proper word choice to convey meaning), and mechanics (i.e. punctuation, capitalization).

As of March 2023, this program provides options to select the best grammar fit for your homeschool student. Author Robin Finley's Original Edition includes multiple components: Jr Analytical Grammar, Jr Analytical Grammar Mechanics, Analytical Grammar; High School Review and Reinforcement; and Beyond the Book Report. These first four grammar-focused products will eventually be phased out. The original Analytical Grammar targets Grades 6 and up. This course is designed to complete each of the three, ten-week "Seasons," one each in Grades 6, 7, and 8. Parts of speech, phrases/clauses and punctuation are covered in these "Seasons." Then, after a season is completed, a student will engage in consistent, bi-weekly review. Although the design suggests using this level over three years, there is a lot of flexibility, and it can be used in two years or even one year, if desired. The original Jr. Analytical Grammar, designed for Grades 4-5, is made of two courses to provide preparation in parts of speech (Grammar) and punctuation (Mechanics). These two Junior courses prepare the student for the middle school program but are not necessary. Whether you begin with the Junior courses will depend on your individual student's need. The High School Review assumes a solid foundation of grammar, and provides 18 reinforcement exercises (one every 2 weeks), with sentences to practice parsing, grammar analysis, and copy editing. This course dovetails nicely with literature studies. Beyond the Book Report is a companion program to Analytical Grammar that provides literature and writing (and is still in publication) and can also be used with the new edition of Analytical Grammar.

For students in as early as Grade 4, the New Edition of Analytical Grammar (published by Demme® Learning) combines the content of Junior Analytical Grammar and Mechanics, Analytical Grammar; and Review and Reinforcement into a streamlined, 5-level course (with separate Student Worktexts and Instructor Handbooks for each level). Each of the 5 levels is self-contained and leads systematically into the next, beginning first with Grammar Basics; then Mechanics; Parts of Speech, Phrases & Clauses; and finally, Punctuation and Usage. Each level utilizes an Instructor Handbook and a Student Worktext (purchase separately or as Universal Sets). The Instructor Handbook includes a suggested schedule, a Getting Started guide, expanded notes, and student inset pages with answers. The Student Worktext features expanded and revised lesson notes, updated exercises, assessments, and Application & Enrichment activities (in Levels 3-5) and assessments. Check the available placement test PDF to help place your student in this New Edition.

Now this is what high school grammar should look like - at least in my opinion. Assuming a solid foundation of middle school grammar instruction and mastery - each book provides 18 reinforcement exercises. That's right, one every two weeks! Each exercise is set up the same way.

• Two sentences to parse (label all parts of speech) and diagram
• three sentences designed for grammar analysis skill practice
• section to copy edit.

Complete answer keys are provided in the last half of each 75 page, spiral-bound book. Of course, these provide just the right amount of review and reinforcement for students having completed Analytical Grammar, and it's recommended that the student use his Grammar Reference Book as a resource. However, any student having a good foundation in English grammar will find them helpful review. It's the content of these that set them apart. Each book features either exercise worksheets based on biographical information of the major authors of its designated literary field (i.e. American authors) or background and summary information about Shakespeare's plays. That makes these little books the perfect grammatical complement to high school literature courses. ~ Janice