BJU Press English: Grade 4 and 6 Review

After trying multiple writing curricula, I decided to try BJU Press English, and I'm so glad I did. It's the answer to my prayer, and I couldn't be more pleased.

We use the "DVD and Books" Distance Learning Kits.

My 4th and 6th graders have learned a tremendous amount of grammar and have quickly grasped and embraced the writing process thanks to Mrs. Overly's engaging, thorough and effective teaching. I love how the grammar lessons are directly applied in the writing lessons that follow them. This method clearly demonstrates why grammar is so important and how the two (grammar and writing) go together. I will never teach grammar and writing separately again!

Mrs. Overly is such a kind, godly woman. She's extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I am so impressed with her expertise. Also, unlike myself, since she is a teacher on DVD, she is always perfectly prepared and never moody! ;-)

I love the flexibility of DVD's because we can watch the lessons anywhere in the house on any t.v. or computer.

I think it's wonderful that the DVD teacher teaches directly to the homeschool student as opposed to teaching a classroom full of children with a video camera set up in the back of the room as some curriculum providers do it. The bjupress teacher is able to focus all of her instruction on the homeschool student, and no time is wasted.

We have really enjoyed the themes, game shows and the "virtual field trips' as we call them. This adds some fun to the mix.

The video lessons are 15 minutes in length, so it takes us approximately 30 -45 minutes to complete a lesson. In the 4th grade course, completing a lesson usually takes 30 minutes. In the 6th grade course, it usually takes a little longer, more like 30 - 45 minutes.

I feel certain that my children are receiving the best education possible. I would highly recommend the English DVD with Books Distance Learning Kit. It's definitely worth every penny...and then some!

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English 4 Student (2nd ed.) places an emphasis on traditional English grammar as well as practice with vital reference skills and step-by-step use of the Writing Process for eight different types of writing assignments, such as personal narrative, tall tale, persuasive essay, and more. The student worktext provides guided practice, independent practice, chapter reviews, and cumulative reviews. Located at the back of the worktext, the Writing Handbook contains a thesaurus and writing models, and the Grammar Handbook contains a list of abbreviations, prepositions, homophones, and diagramming models.

English 6 emphasizes traditional grammar as well as practice with essential reference skills. The elementary English curriculum provides a step-by-step introduction to the Writing Process for eight different types of writing assignments, such as personal narratives, newspaper editorials, historical fiction, and limericks. The student worktext provides guided practice, independent practice, chapter reviews, and cumulative reviews to reinforce key grammar concepts. Located at the back of the worktext, the Writing Handbook contains a thesaurus and writing models, and the Grammar Handbook contains a list of abbreviations, prepositions, homophones, and sentence diagramming models.

For more information about homeschool products from BJU Press, Check out the BJU Press website.

The Sentence Family: Introducing Grammar Through Art and Story

The Sentence Family is an extraordinary grammar program, and I'm still surprised that I didn't hear about it sooner. This is our 9th year of homeschooling, and over the years I've been consistently obsessed with researching and talking with others about different homeschool curriculum, so for me to have not heard of this FABULOUS program before is surprising to me. EVERYBODY should be talking about "The Sentence Family" when the subject of grammar comes up! It's effective! Plain and simple; it works! And for those of you that are wise with your money- It's cheap! Only $12 from CurrClick!

As the subtitle suggests, it is an "introduction" to grammar, but it is a thorough introduction that creates a good, solid foundation to build upon. Children learn about the four types of sentences, the parts of speech and how to diagram sentences in a fun and engaging way.

Someone recently asked me, "What ages or grades is it for?" Children are all so unique and ready for different things at different times, so I think it all depends on the child. It was created for a 4th grade class, but more importantly, keep in mind that it is an "introduction" and not a complete program.

The program uses story and art to teach grammar. Here are several snapshots of what we've been doing over the last few months:

The Sentence Family is one story, and each lesson is like a new chapter and introduces a new character. So every time you read, you learn about a new member of The Sentence Family. Afterwards, the children sit at the table and draw the character just as it is drawn in the book. Every detail has a purpose. For example, the king pictured above taps his staff on the ground at the end of each imperative sentence he says. This leaves a mark on the ground which represents a period. Imperative sentences end with a period, but on occasion they end with an exclamation point. You see both a period and an exclamation point represented in the picture.

By the way, the directions in the book suggest using 12" X 18", heavy paper. It's easier for the children to draw big pictures, and the heavier the paper the better because it won't tear easily.

The program is color coded! A few times throughout the program, children are asked to underline words in sentences. Each part of speech has it's own color. It starts out simple. Nouns are blue and verbs are red. As the other parts of speech are added, children will learn that adjectives are green and adverbs are orange, and this is all tied into the storyline.

Here you meet Preposition (purple) and see Noun (blue) and Verb (red). When you read the story, you will learn why Verb's hat is falling off, why Noun is leaning against the tree and why Preposition is pointing to Noun! It's all very interesting!

We did all of our diagramming on the dry erase board. I believe this was less intimidating and more fun than doing it on paper. We diagrammed the first sentence together, and then the children took turns diagramming the rest of the sentences.

The program also teaches how to diagram prepositional phrases, and ends with diagramming interjections!

I enjoyed reading the story of The Sentence Family with my children and spending time with them as they drew their fabulous pictures! It was a wonderful experience, and I'm going to miss it all. I loved it so much I even turned their collection of drawings into books as a special keepsake. We've talked a few times about how they need to come out with a Part 2!

Click on this link if you're interested in learning more about The Sentence Family from the school that created it:
St. Michael's Orthodox School

Click on this link if you'd like to purchase it as an ebook:
CurrClick

Selecting Your Courses (for High School) from College Board

Selecting Your Courses

Recommended Classes for College Success

The academic rigor of your high school courses is an important factor in the college admission process. College admission officers see your high school course schedule as a blueprint of your education. They're looking for a solid foundation of learning that you can build on in college.

To create that foundation, take at least five solid academic classes every semester. Start with the basics and then move on to advanced courses. Challenging yourself is part of what makes school fun; but you need a firm grasp of the fundamentals before going on to more advanced work.

The following subjects and classes are standard fare for success in high school and beyond, whether you plan to attend a four-year or two-year college.

English (Language Arts)

Take English every year. Traditional courses, such as American and English literature, help you improve your writing skills, reading comprehension and vocabulary.

Math

You need algebra and geometry to succeed on college entrance exams and in college math classes — and in many careers. Take them early on. That way, you'll be able to enroll in advanced science and math in high school, and show colleges you're ready for higher-level work.

Most colleges look for students who have taken three years of math in high school. The more competitive ones require or recommend four years. Each school has its own program, but some of the courses typically offered are:

• Algebra I
• Algebra II
• Geometry
• Trigonometry
• Calculus

Science

Science teaches you to think analytically and apply theories to reality. Colleges want to see that you’ve taken at least three years of laboratory science classes. A good combination includes two semesters of each of the following sciences:

• Biology
• Chemistry or physics
• Earth/space science

More competitive schools expect you to take four years of lab science courses. You can add two semesters in one of the following subjects:

• Chemistry or physics (the science you didn’t already study)
• Advanced biology  
• Advanced chemistry
• Advanced physics

Social Studies

You can better understand local and world events that are happening now by studying the culture and history that has shaped them. Here is a suggested course plan:

• U.S. history (two semesters)
• U.S. government (one semester)
• World history or geography (one semester)
• One additional semester in the above or other areas

Foreign Languages

Solid foreign language study shows colleges you're willing to stretch beyond the basics. Many colleges require at least two years of study in the same foreign language, and some prefer more.

The Arts

Research indicates that students who participate in the arts often do better in school and on standardized tests. The arts help you recognize patterns, discern differences and similarities, and exercise your mind in unique ways, often outside a traditional classroom setting.

Many colleges require or recommend one or two semesters in the arts. Good choices include studio art, dance, music and drama.

Advanced Placement Program^® (AP^®)

To be sure you are ready to take on college-level work, enroll in the most challenging courses you can in high school, such as honors or AP courses. Research consistently shows that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success and college graduation rates than students who don’t take AP.

Success in AP can also help you in other ways. AP helps you stand out in the admission process and offers the opportunity to learn from some of the most inspiring teachers in the world. Learn more about the AP Program.

For More Help in Choosing Courses

Use College Search to look up a specific college's academic requirements to be sure you are on track to attend the college of your choice.

If you have concerns about your class schedule or progress in school, set up a meeting with your school counselor, teacher or adviser. There are many resources to help you with this process, and with achieving your personal, college and career goals.

This information is from the College Board website, and you can find it HERE!

Required High School Curriculum (RHSC)

The following PDF is one of the most beneficial documents I've read. It is up-to-date information that can help you tremendously in planning your high school curriculum.

Staying on Course PDF

3.2.3 Required High School Curriculum (RHSC)

Last reviewed: January 2010

(Formerly called College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC))

Students are expected to meet the USG’s RHSC requirements. In addition to these course requirements, students are encouraged to take additional academic units in high school to improve their probability for admission and success.

Students graduating from high school in 2012 must present 17 specified RHSC units of credit. Students graduating from high school prior to 2012 must present 16 CPC units.

*4 units of mathematics
*4 units of English
*3 units of science (Students who graduate in 2012 or later must have 4 units.)
*3 units of social science, including one course focusing on world studies.
*2 units in the same foreign language (2 units of American Sign Language may be used to satisfy this requirement.)

The Office of Student Affairs maintains a complete list of courses that can be used to satisfy the RHSC requirements.

This information was found HERE!