Reading maketh a full man, writing an exact man, and conference a ready man.
—Francis Bacon
SUBJECT: Grammar and writing skills
TIME REQUIRED: 3 hours or more per week
In many classical programs, English as a subject drops out of the schedule by high school. Reading and writing aren’t separate “subjects,” after all, but skills that cut across the entire curriculum. Reading means coming in contact with the philosophical and creative minds of the past and present, something that occurs in both history and science. Writing takes place every day in every subject. So why do we need English as a subject any more?
Overall, we agree with this point of view. It does assume, though, that the ninth grader has a complete grasp of grammar, syntax, and usage. We haven’t found this to be generally true.
The middle-grade language topics—spelling and word study, grammar, reading, and writing—do change in high school. In the rhetoric stage, the student finally begins to put the knowledge and skills he’s acquired during the first eight years of education to work. Once mastered, basic skills (such as spelling, constructing paragraphs and essays, and developing logical arguments) can be eliminated as specific subjects of study. The skills acquired during the logic stage don’t disappear, but the student’s focus is now on using those skills rather than acquiring them. A painter may take a special class in art school on mixing colors. He won’t stay in this class for the rest of his painting career, but he will continually mix colors as he creates works of art.
HOW TO DO IT
During the rhetoric stage, we suggest that the student keep a single notebook, the language reference notebook. This notebook will serve not as an exercise book, but as a handbook of basic skills. One notebook should be used for the four years of high school.
Divide the language reference notebook into two sections: Words and Grammar.
Spelling and Word Study
Try to finish Vocabulary from Classical Roots E in ninth grade. If necessary, complete books C and D first.
Ninth graders who have followed the program outlined in Chapter 17 know how to spell. They’ve already studied the rules of spelling and the principles of word formation. Any new words they encounter can be spelled by comparing them to words they already know. Words that consistently trip them up (and we all have a few) should be kept on a list in the Words section of the language reference notebook. No other formal spelling work is necessary.
The reading and language study done during the middle grades should have developed the student’s vocabulary skills so that he can tackle classic works without trouble. Even though his vocabulary will continue to grow for the rest of his life, during the rhetoric stage vocabulary acquisition will come “on the job”—from constant reading (exposure to new words in context) and writing (searching for just the right word to use).
We strongly suggest that you do finish up the Vocabulary from Classical Roots series. If you’re on track, you finished book D at the end of the eighth-grade year; book E can be done in the fall of the ninth-grade year. E reviews the roots, prefixes, and suffixes already used; continue to keep a record of these on pages headed “Prefixes and Suffixes” and “Word Roots” (see Chapter 17 for a full description). If you’re not up to book D yet, simply continue with the series until you’re finished.
Follow the pattern recommended in Chapter 17 (Chapter 17):
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Monday |
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30–45 minutes |
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Read through the word roots, definitions, and sample sentences; make 3 × 5-inch flash cards for each Latin root and unfamiliar English word. |
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Tuesday–Thursday Friday |
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5–10 minutes 10 minutes |
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Drill with flash cards. Review flash cards; complete exercises; check. |
Once you’ve finished Vocabulary from Classical Roots E, no further formal vocabulary and spelling work is required. As the student encounters unfamiliar words in his reading, though, he should copy them into the Words section of the notebook, along with pronunciation (these symbols were taught in the Spelling Workout books), origin, definition, and the sentence in which they are used.
When reading Jane Eyre, for example, the eleventh-grade student will come across this paragraph:
In her turn, Helen Burns asked me to explain; and I proceeded forthwith to pour out, in my own way, the tale of my sufferings and resentments. Bitter and truculent when excited, I spoke as I felt, without reserve or softening.
If he’s not familiar with the word “truculent,” he should look it up in the dictionary and make an entry in his language reference notebook:
Truculent. 'tr?ky?l?nt. From the Latin truculentus, wild or fierce. “Feeling or showing savage ferocity, harsh, aggressively self-assertive.” Jane Eyre: “Bitter and truculent when excited, I spoke as I felt, without reserve or softening.”
This word-study exercise will help build both Latin and English vocabulary skills.1 The student will need some encouragement to stop and do this when he sees an unfamiliar word, rather than skimming over it and going on. As the rhetoric stage continues, though, he’ll find himself stopping less often.
During the rhetoric stage, you must have two reference works on hand: a dictionary (unabridged, if you can afford it) and Roget’s Thesaurus. Encourage the student to use the thesaurus continually while writing, choosing the exact word for every occasion.
Grammar
Grammar is the single language-skill area that you should study every year through senior high. Grammar, usage, and mechanics must become completely automatic for truly mature reading and writing to take place. And although the logic-stage student has been exposed to all the grammar skills he needs, the skills haven’t yet had time to become part of his mental apparatus. To keep on reinforcing these skills, continue with the Rod & Staff grammar and composition series. The ninth-and tenth-grade levels are a two-book series that lead the student through advanced grammar and composition.
The high-school program ends with tenth grade. For eleventh and twelfth grade, the student simply needs a grammar handbook and regular review of grammatical principles while writing. Rod & Staff publishes an English Handbook to follow the tenth-grade level of the program; it covers grammar, usage, sentence structure, argumentative essay construction, and proper documentation.
If you are beginning Rod & Staff for the first time, use this chart:
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Beginning |
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Use |
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Ninth grade |
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Seventh-grade text |
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Tenth grade |
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Eighth-grade text |
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Eleventh grade |
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Ninth-grade text |
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Twelfth grade |
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Tenth-grade text |
If you prefer a nonsectarian program, consider using Analytical Grammar: A Systematic Approach to Language Mastery for grades 9 and 10. This program reviews and reinforces all grammatical concepts learned in earlier grades and introduces a few more advanced concepts; it provides exercises and also guides the student in making a grammar notebook which will serve as a handbook (although we do suggest that you purchase a standard handbook reference such as the Rod & Staff English Handbook listed above, or Warriner’s). Analytical Grammar consists of a student workbook, a teacher book, and an additional set of “Review and Reinforcement” worksheets. Divide this course into two and complete half in grade 9 and half in grade 10.
For grades 11 and 12, follow this up with the Stewart English Program, published by Educators Publishing Service. This high-school resource consists of three books: Principles Plus…, Grammar Plus…, and Writing Plus. Complete Principles Plus…(which will be mostly review) and Grammar Plus…in eleventh grade and Writing Plus…in twelfth grade.
Plan on spending around forty-five minutes per day, four to five days a week, or an hour three days a week on grammar skills. Whichever program you select, the student should use the “Grammar” section of the language notebook to keep a running list of grammar rules and principles that consistently trip her up.
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Ninth grade |
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Rod & Staff: Communicating Effectively, Book One OR Analytical Grammar, first half |
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Tenth grade |
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Rod & Staff: Communicating Effectively, Book Two OR Analytical Grammar, second half |
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Eleventh grade |
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English Handbook OR Stewart English Book 1: Principles Plus…and Stewart English Book 2: Grammar Plus… |
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Twelfth grade |
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English Handbook OR Stewart English Book 3: Writing Plus… |
Reading
The rhetoric stage is centered around the study of great books of philosophy, politics, religion, poetry, fiction, biography. Rather than studying history and literature as two separate subjects, the classically educated student recognizes that these pursuits are essentially the same.
Because of this, “reading” as such is swallowed up by the great-books study outlined in the next chapter.
Writing
The high school student will be writing continually about history, science, art, great books, and everything else he studies. The study of rhetoric described in Chapter 24 also builds the student’s writing skills.
The student using Rod & Staff should complete the composition exercises given in those texts. The final two books of the Writing Strands series, Writing Strands 7 and Writing Exposition, are also valuable for all students; they cover forms used in college writing and offer a valuable introduction to persuasive techniques. Consider taking some time in the eleventh-grade year to complete these resources.
We also suggest that the student buy William Strunk and E. B. White’s classic The Elements of Style. Keep it on hand as a reference work. Ideally, the student should reread it, taking notes as he reads, at the beginning of each year, and should refer to it constantly as he edits and revises his own writing.
SCHEDULES
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Ninth grade |
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Finish Vocabulary from Classical Roots series (books C, D, and E); choose Rod & Staff OR Analytical Grammar; follow rhetoric recommendations from Chapter 24; read Elements of Style. |
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Tenth grade |
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Choose Rod & Staff OR Analytical Grammar; follow rhetoric recommendations from Chapter 24; reread Elements of Style. |
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Eleventh grade |
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Use English Handbook OR Stewart English Program; follow rhetoric recommendations from Chapter 24; reread Elements of Style. |
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Twelfth grade |
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Use English Handbook OR Stewart English Program; follow rhetoric recommendations from Chapter 24; reread Elements of Style. |
RESOURCES
For publisher and catalog addresses, telephone numbers, and other information, see Sources (Appendix 4). Most books can be obtained from any bookstore or library; where we know of a mail-order option, we have provided it. Books in a series are listed together.
Spelling/Word Study
Kipfer, Barbara Ann, ed. Roget’s International Thesaurus. 6th ed. New York: HarperCollins, 2002.
$16.95. This is available at most bookstores as well as online.
Fifer, Norma, and Nancy Flowers. Vocabulary from Classical Roots series. Cambridge, Mass.: Educators Publishing Service, 1994.
Order from Educators Publishing Service.
Vocabulary from Classical Roots C. $10.80.
Teacher’s Guide and Answer Key C. $18.75.
Vocabulary from Classical Roots D. $11.55.
Teacher’s Guide and Answer Key D. $18.75.
Vocabulary from Classical Roots E. $11.55.
Teacher’s Guide and Answer Key E. $18.75.
Grammar
Finlay, R. Robin. Analytical Grammar: A Systematic Approach to Language Mastery. Cary, N.C.: Analytical Grammar, 1996.
$99.95. Includes student workbook and teacher book. Order from Analytical Grammar.
Review and Reinforcement Worksheets and Answer Keys. $19.95. Order from Analytical Grammar.
Rod & Staff Grammar and Composition.
Communicating Effectively, Book One: English 9. Crockett, Ky.: Rod & Staff, 2003.
Order from Rod & Staff.
Pupil Textbook. $14.95.
Teacher’s Manual. $18.95.
Tests and Editing Sheets. $2.55.
Communicating Effectively, Book Two: English 10. Crockett, Ky.: Rod & Staff, 2001.
Order from Rod & Staff.
Pupil Textbook. $14.95.
Teacher’s Manual. $18.95.
Tests and Editing Sheets. $2.55.
English Handbook. $15.00.
Stewart, Donald S. The Stewart English Program. Cambridge, Mass.: Educators Publishing Service, 1998.
Order from Educators Publishing Service.
Book 1, Principles Plus…$9.30.
Teacher’s Guide, Book 1. $6.10.
Book 2, Grammar Plus…$10.75.
Teacher’s Guide, Book 2. $8.05.
Book 3, Writing Plus…$9.05.
Teacher’s Guide, Book 3. $8.05.
Warriner, John, et al. Elements of Language: Sixth Course. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 2000.
$92.25. You don’t need the in-print edition; many copies of older editions, titled Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition, Complete Course (published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich) are available used for a very economical price. Search the used-book portals at amazon.com and www.abebooks.com for copies.
Writing
Strunk, William, and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. 4th ed. New York: Pearson, Allyn & Bacon, 1999.
$15.95. Buy at any bookstore.
Writing Strands. Challenging Writing Programs for Homeschoolers series. Niles, Mich.: National Writing Institute, 1999.
The Writing Strands program can be purchased directly from the National Writing Institute or, at a small discount, from Rainbow Resource Center. The books aren’t consumable; you do all the assignments on notebook paper, so you can reuse these books for another child.
Writing Strands 7. $20.00.
Writing Exposition. $20.00.
Evaluating Writing. $20.00.
This booklet for parents/teachers reviews common problems and how to fix them. It also includes an IBM PC program to improve your editing. A good parent resource.