Negin2Grenada
- Reviewed on Wednesday, April 07, 2010
- Grades Used: 6th
- Dates used: 2010
I was all excited to start JAG (Junior AG) with my daughter.
Sadly, after lots of trying, and after having completed more than half the program, we had to stop. It simply was not working. I really wanted it to work and then to move on to AG. I had my plans!
We really took our time, me sitting with her, and trying to get her, as well as myself, to understand. Grammar is not my area by any means. We gave it many chances.
My daughter did well in it for the most part, but there were parts of it that she absolutely despised and, may I add, she was VERY vocal about hating it. She kept begging me for a different program, as well as asking me to go online and write some reviews, which I am now doing.
If you want specifics, the things she couldn’t stand about JAG:
* The lack of page numbering and organization – hard to find what she was looking for – no Table of Contents or Index – this is easily remedied, I know. Nonetheless, it drove her nuts. Like me, she likes structure and organization. They encourage the student to go back and look through their notes, to have an open test-taking process, yet, they have an unorganized manual.
* I think she would have liked a bit of color or visual appeal.
* It simply got too detailed and difficult for her – we completed more than 2/3 of the program, but I would say that she only probably enjoyed and understood the first third.
Initially, I loved the idea behind JAG and AG - the organization, the fact that it was for only 11 weeks a year, and so much more - but sadly, it really is not for my daughter and definitely won't be for my son. I think this sort of program appeals more to Competent Carls - and neither of my children are Competent Carls - if you know what I mean (Cathy Duffy learning styles).
I can only imagine this program working if:
the child is a Competent Carl type of learner
wishes to major in English at college
the parent is very good with grammar and diagramming
the child doesn't mind grammar overkill and learning every. single. grammatical. detail. !
the child doesn't mind dry - as in really dry - materials
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tara3437
- Reviewed on Friday, February 26, 2010
- Grades Used: 6/7
- Dates used: 2008-present
My son is nearing the end of the second phase of AG. It's been quite the ride. WE don't use it in the 10 week style. He has been doing the second phase since September.
I thought he was going to die of grammar a few weeks ago but now he's moving through the last 3 chapters with more ease. About 3/4 of the way through the 2nd phase it is VERY intense, probably more grammar than you think they'll ever really need to know. However, the 3rd and final phase depends on this knowledge to properly teach punctuation rules. So, all in all, I'm glad he made it through.
I wouldn't bother with spending a lot of time in grammar instruction prior to this course (in earlier years). However, we used one 5th grade Shurley English course over a couple of years in order to introduce the concepts.
Overall, I'm very happy with the high level of grammar knowledge that my kids will walk away with. It's a solid program and I'm planning to use it with all 4 of my kids.
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daisyc
- Reviewed on Monday, February 01, 2010
- Grades Used: 16 year old
- Dates used: 2007
Hated it. Teaching intensive and confusing to boot!
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terrim
- Reviewed on Friday, January 22, 2010
- Grades Used: 6th grade
- Dates used: 2009-2010
I have taught grammar in the past using the Shurley method - liked it but the Shurley method is very in depth. I wanted a grammar program that would be easy to teach and lay a great foundation. This program was it. We completed the first season and are now using the Reinforcement and Review worksheets - my son learned to parse and diagram sentences up to level 5 - this took me an entire school year to teach my students using other methods - it took 10 weeks with this one.
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