I have been using Easy Grammar for 3-5th grade. My daughter is entering 6th this year and I have somehow got it into my head that she needs to learn how to diagram a sentence in the traditional way.

Am I wrong in my thinking? Is there a good point to the skill or is it just an unnecessary hoop to jump through?

If I am right and this skill IS needed, Easy Grammar doesn't do it. Any recommendations out there for a different curriculum?

I'd appreciate some opinions!

JJ in Texas

If you are liking Easy Grammar and wish to diagram sentences, why not do a unit on it on your own.

Try a web search and find some resources. You could even diagram sentences in Easy Grammar.

JJ,

I'd use Pat's suggestion. Here is a link:

Sentence Diagramming

Blessings,

Thank you both for such a great suggestion! I've had my head in lessons plans so deep that I couldn't see the "forest for the trees" (if you know what I mean).

Love the website link you sent. I plan on using it as a supplement and stay the course with my Easy Grammar.

Blessings to you both -

JJ in Texas

I felt the same way you do about diagramming. What I found was that my kids' writing improved once they started diagramming. Here is an example: they would try to use as a topic sentence for a paragraph "Isaac Newton, who was a great inventor, had a very interesting childhood." Then they would go on to describe his inventions. They didn't realize, until they started diagramming, that the main clause of the sentence they wrote was that he had an interesting childhood.

I know there are books available on Sentence Diagramming. I don't know any titles, unfortunately. After using Easy Grammar Grade 4 (which we complete during grades 3 and 4), we switch to Rod and Staff, using the Grade 6 book in grades 5 and 6. I only do the grammar exercises and skip the writing exercises. In case you were wondering, we take two years to complete one book because I like to spend about 2 days a week on grammar and 3 days on writing.

Michelle