Why should you include English grammar lesson plans in your homeschool curriculum? Basic knowledge of how the English language is constructed and functions prepares children for reading and writing. A strong grasp of English leads to better academic performance in all areas.
Topics and Timelines
English grammar lesson plans must cover a wide range of topics and address the needs of the individual child. The core grammar topics and suggested teaching timelines are:
Preschool and Kindergarten
Introduce children to parts of speech like nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Keep the lesson extremely short and very interactive.
Preschoolers can learn to identify nouns as they go about their daily routine by learning how to tell the difference between a person, place, or thing. Teach about verbs by having them perform an action, like hopping or jumping, to make the connection between the word and the meaning. Kindergartners can begin to practice capitalization and punctuation, but may not completely internalize the concepts.
Elementary
In the lower elementary levels (grades one to five), begin introducing advanced topics like:
- Spelling
- Sentence diagramming
- Note taking
- Outlining
- Paragraph construction
- Original writing from writing prompts
- Proofreading
- Contractions
- Possessives
Lessons should build on prior knowledge and provide both interactive and written exercises to reinforce previous learning. Elementary students should know and be fluent in all the parts of speech as well as English syntax. Copy work is an excellent way to combine teaching grammar with other subjects like science or health.
Middle School
By the time they reach the middle school level (usually grades six to eight), students should know the elements of grammar, which are the nine parts of speech and four types of basic sentences. Lessons should focus on how to use writing, proofreading, and on fine-tuning their literacy skills.
High School
At the ninth to twelfth grade level, students hone their oral and written narration and composition skills. These lessons are opportunities for students to display the skills they have developed over the years: handwriting, grammar, and spelling.
Lesson Scope and Sequence Resources
If you want to design your own lesson plans to individualize your child's education, you might be wondering what to include. Two good sources to consider are Ambleside Online and Classical Christian Homeschooling. For those who want to follow the Charlotte Mason method, Ambleside Online offers a recommended scope and sequence for grades one through twelve. If a classical education style is more to your liking, Classical Christian Homeschooling furnishes a guide to a comprehensive scope and sequence for grades one to six.
Ready to Use English Grammar Lesson Plans
On the other hand, you may prefer the timesaving convenience of using lessons that are ready to teach. Try some of these sources for lessons:
- Instructor Web: Choose from a variety of lesson plans, worksheets, and activity suggestions.
- ESL Galaxy: These interactive or printable grammar lessons and exercises can be used as-is or combined with other materials.
- Teach-Nology: Whether you want one lesson plan or a range of activities, rubrics, and worksheets, the resources here are sure to fit your needs.
Whether you rely on resources like these for all your lesson materials, or simply choose those that best suit your needs, make sure that all materials are age appropriate and user friendly.
Do It Your Way
English grammar lesson plans are crucial because grammar is a core subject for any curriculum. However, the beauty of homeschooling is the measure of control it gives one over what children learn and how and when it is taught. Use this information as presented here, or customize it to fit your family and homeschool teaching style.
