The Shurley English Grammar curriculum includes fun songs as teaching exercises.
Practice Booklet: Introductory and Practice Sentences are provided in the teacher's manual. The parent writes these sentences on the board or on notebook paper. The parent then participates with the child as they classify the sentences together.
The same Introductory and Practice Sentences are also available in an easy-to-use student booklet that is a great time-saver for the child and the parent. Instead of writing the sentences on the board or on notebook paper, your child can classify the sentences in the Practice Booklet. The sentences in the Practice Booklet are enlarged and grouped by lessons. The Practice Booklet is not required for the curriculum, but it is available for parents who want to use this practice tool for their children.
Shurley English provides your child with two important ingredients for success: a love of the English language and the ability to use the English language correctly, with ease and confidence.
Shurley English
Never teaches Isolated Concepts
A concrete set of questions about each word in a sentence is used to teach your child how all the parts of a sentence fit together. Your child always has a clear picture of how to write complete sentences.
Utilizes All Learning Styles
Your child is constantly exposed to "see it, hear it, say it, do it" activities that meet the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles.
Uses Parent-Child Interaction
Shurley English uses repetition, fun, and parent-child interaction to help your child learn difficult English skills. You model each new step in Shurley English for your child. Then, your child actively participates with you as the steps are practiced.
Uses Repetition to Attain Mastery
Shurley English provides enough repetition to master each concept taught. Lessons include daily practice of old skills while new skills are being added.
Provides Tools for Writing Excellence
Your child is taught how to merge a strong skill foundation with the writing process. As a result, you can spend less time going over beginning grammar and editing skills and more time introducing and enhancing advanced grammar and writing skills.
Promotes Higher-Order Thinking Skills
Your child uses grammar and writing skills automatically with dependable results. This leads to higher-level thinking skills because your child is stimulated to learn and use his/her own thought processes to solve difficult language problems.
Leads to Success and Improved Self-Esteem
The most important effect of Shurley English on your child may not be the increased grasp of language and improved grammar and writing skills. Instead, the greatest impact may be your child's heightened self-confidence ans self-esteem. Not only does your child gain confidence in English, but he/she carries this improved attitude into other subject areas as well.
Scope & Sequence
The Scope and Sequence is a listing of skills that are taught at each grade level. As Shurley English progresses from the lower grades to the upper grades, the complexity and the number of skills also increase. The Scope and Sequence is a good tool to help you evaluate which level is most appropriate for your child.
- PUNCTUATION: QUESTION MARK
- PUNCTUATION: EXCLAMATION MARK
- PUNCTUATION: QUOTATION MARKS
- KINDS OF WRITING: EXPOSITORY
- KINDS OF WRITING: PERSUASIVE
- KINDS OF WRITING: DESCRIPTIVE
- KINDS OF WRITING: NARRATIVE
- KINDS OF WRITING: FIGURES OF SPEECH
- KINDS OF WRITING:CREATIVE WRITING
- KINDS OF WRITING: RESEARCH REPORT
- KINDS OF WRITING:JOURNAL WRITING
This booklet is recommended for 6th grade.
ABOUT SHURLEY ENGLISH:
Shurley English Method has been successfully teaching students for nearly 33 years. Founded on the principles of retained learning, this successful way of teaching English has been developed by Brenda Shurley. Click here to see a complete list of Shurley English grammar items.
SHURLEY ENGLISH BACKGROUND SUMMARY - by Brenda Shurley:
After teaching eighth grade English for one year, I felt very frustrated because my students did not retain and understand the material as well as they should after a whole year's work. I saw that they could not remember or apply many of the basic concepts that they should have already mastered in previous grades. The reason soon became clear to me. The skills they were expected to learn and use were taught in isolation with only sporadic practice throughout the year. The result was that most of my students did not like English because they did not understand it.
I knew there had to be a better way to teach language skills so that students could master and apply these skills across the curriculum. I looked for an English program that would meet the needs of my students but was unable to find one. Therefore, in 1971, I decided to develop my own. I wanted my English program to reach children with different learning abilities, to instill a love of learning, and to give students a solid skill foundation from which to build advanced writing and speaking skills. Thus, the Shurley Method was born.
Every fall, homeschool parents begin teaching grammar. Every fall, they feel that they are starting from scratch. Grammar seems to be one of the most elusive elements of Language Arts. Parents are only given definitions and examples of the concepts they are to teach. The problem is compounded when most of the skills are taught in isolation. What are parents to do? How can they find a curriculum that has a strong grammar base, gives step-by-step instructions, connects grammar and writing, and is fun and exciting for children to learn? As parents struggle to find the best curriculum for their children, there are a few programs that are truly designed to meet the needs of homeschooling parents. Shurley English is one of them.
To speak well or write properly, one needs to understand the nature of language, namely its parts of speech and the ways in which words can be combined. Shurley English maintains that effective instruction in English must be founded upon an understanding of how the parts of speech work together in a sentence. A good grammar foundation gives students the skills to improve writing.
Grammar is the structure of sentence composition. Through grammar, students learn how to write, improve, and expand sentences. After they have an understanding of sentence structure, students are then able to combine sentences successfully into paragraphs, essays, and reports.
Shurley English is a unique blend of traditional skills that uses an innovative approach. There are several features that make Shurley English successful.
First, English definitions are taught in jingle form. The rhythm of the jingles is a marvelous tool that helps students learn and retain difficult English concepts. Next, the parts of speech are taught and reinforced through Question and Answer Flows. In the Question and Answer Flow, an oral series of questions and answers determines the role each word plays in the sentence being analyzed. The Question and Answer Flow becomes ingrained in the thought process and can be employed automatically with dependable results. Finally, students are taught to organize their writing according to its purpose. They also learn to keep focused on the topic, to revise and edit their rough drafts, and to write a final paper. The repetition of these special features gives students the reinforcement needed to apply basic grammar skills to the writing process.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How do I know at what level to start my child?
The level selected usually depends upon three things: (1) Grade level, (2) Reading and comprehension level, and (3) Maturity level. Shurley English is a little more advanced than most curriculums, but we normally recommend starting children in their appropriate grade levels.
How do I know if my child is in the right level?
If Shurley English is new to the parent and the child, it may be difficult to determine whether the child is in the right level during the first few weeks. As a general guideline, after approximately six to eight weeks, the child should begin to show more consistency and proficiency during the lessons. Remember, with practice and persistence, mastery develops over a period of time.
Do I need to start in Level 1 if my child has never used Shurley English?
No, not unless your child is reading on a first-grade level.
I have several children. How do I teach several grades together? Can I combine my children into one grade?
To combine children, you must consider maturity and reading/comprehension levels. You can usually combine children if they are only one grade apart (5th and 6th, 3rd and 4th, etc.). Maturity is a big factor when you try to combine younger children with older children. Here are some ideas that might work for you.
- Do jingle time together to make it a fun learning experience for all your children.
- Have your older children do the lessons with your younger children using a kit that is appropriate for the younger child.
- Assign seatwork for the younger ones while you teach your older children their lessons. You will learn to make the necessary adjustments if you choose to combine grade levels.
What do I do if I start Shurley English in the middle of the year and don't finish the level before our school year ends?
You continue the level that you did not finish until it is complete. Then, you start the next level immediately.
Is this a full- year curriculum? What do I do if we finish before the end of the year?
Each level provides enough lessons for the entire school year. If you finish early, provide children with opportunities to sharpen their sensory perceptions and to incorporate those into various creative-writing assignments.
Do all the grade levels come in one kit? Do I need to purchase a kit each year?
All the grade levels do not come in one kit. There is a kit for each grade. You must purchase a kit for each year your child is in Shurley English because each kit contains the complete curriculum for that grade level.
How long will it take to teach each lesson?
Each lesson will usually take between 20 to 45 minutes. It may take a little longer at the beginning because your child is learning the jingles. If you have a lesson that seems too long, teach part of the lesson one day and teach the rest of the lesson the next day. This curriculum allows you a lot of flexibility.
How do I prepare for each lesson?
You need to stay a lesson ahead of your children. Read each lesson the day before you teach it. After several weeks, it will be easier to prepare and teach a lesson. Parents teaching the first four chapters in Level 1 will need more preparation time. These readiness chapters teach grouping skills, which involve gathering additional materials from newspapers, magazines, books, brochures, etc.
How many days should I spend on each lesson?
Each lesson is designed to be taught in one day. You may make some modifications, but, in general, to get the best results from this curriculum, it must be taught every day.
How do I begin?
When you first look at the teacher's manual, it can be overwhelming; therefore, focus on one lesson at a time. Read each lesson just like you would read a storybook. If you read every word in every lesson, you will understand how to teach this program. Do not skip lessons. Every lesson is built upon the previous lessons. Just get started. Remember, read each lesson word-for-word, step-by-step, and page-by-page. Do exactly what it says.
Can we use our own sentences for extra practice?
Yes, you can use your own sentences for extra practice. Be very careful to follow the patterns that are being taught. Do not expect your children to be able to classify sentences that have concepts in them that have not been taught. You could also classify the Practice and Improved Sentences that your children write as long as the children follow the sentence patterns. Note: Because of the volume of calls, we do not classify sentences that are not included in the Shurley English curriculum.
Can I teach jingles from a higher level to children in a lower level?
Yes.
What is the Question & Answer Flow?
The Question & Answer Flow is a concrete set of questions and answers that gives children the ability to determine how each word is used within a sentence. The rhythmic Q & A Flow is done in an energized manner to enhance learning and to ensure enjoyment. By using the Q & A Flow, children are able to completely analyze a sentence. The difficulty level increases during the course of the year.
How long has Shurley English been available?
Shurley English has been available since 1989.
Can you give me the name of a home educator in my area that is using Shurley English?
No, we do not give out names, addresses, or phone numbers of home educators. We suggest you contact another Shurley English home educator through your local homeschool support group.
Can I preview the material before I buy it?
We do not send out materials to be previewed. If the kit is returned within thirty days in new condition, we will refund your money or credit your credit card. We do not accept returns after thirty days. There will be a restocking fee applied to each kit returned.
Does your curriculum teach literature, spelling, reading, or phonics?
No, it does not. However, the Shurley English Literature Selections Booklet is an excellent way to introduce literature to your child. The Literature Selections Booklet is a short study of contemporary and non-contemporary works by various authors from across the nation. Booklets are available for grade levels 1-7.
What if my child cannot read sentences?
Your child needs to have achieved minimal reading skills to begin using Shurley English.
Should my child repeat a level if he/she is struggling?
First, your child needs time to adapt to a new curriculum. If you have chosen a level at or below the child's grade level, you should have no trouble making a few adjustments to get your child back on track. This curriculum gives you the flexibility to slow the lessons down at the beginning (take two days instead of one to finish a lesson). If your child is still struggling after eight weeks in this curriculum, you may need to choose a lower level until the child is comfortable. When you think your child is ready, you always have the option of moving him/her up to a higher level.
Trust the program. Read each lesson just like you would a storybook: word-for-word, step-by-step, and page-by-page. Remember to have fun with the jingles and the Question & Answer Flows. A positive approach by the parent is very important to the success of this curriculum.
Is it better to have more than one child participate in the Shurley English program?
This curriculum will work for an individual child as well as with a group of children. The parent determines the learning environment and makes it fun in both instances. This program provides all children with a chance to achieve success individually or in groups.
Does my child have to write on notebook paper?
Some children write larger than others, so parts of the test and practice assignments that require more writing are done on notebook paper to accommodate for those differences. This also allows more review of skills than would otherwise be possible. Most parents just staple the notebook paper to the test or practice page to keep them together.
Do I need a separate writing program?
You do not need a separate writing program. The writing in Shurley English is very comprehensive. Children are taught how to write paragraphs in the four thematic patterns: expository, persuasive, narrative, and descriptive. Then, they are taught how to expand their paragraphs into essays.
Are there religious references within the text?
Bible-related activities, writing assignments, and sentences with a religious tone are found in some levels of the Shurley English Homeschool curriculum. They are optional and are intended as bonus activities.
Do I need a Practice Booklet?
A kit contains all the materials that you need to teach one child for an entire year. The practice sentences for your child are provided in the teacher's manual. However, these sentences are also available in an easy-to-use booklet. Instead of writing the sentences on the board or notebook paper, your child can easily classify the sentence in the Practice Booklet. It is a great time-saver for the child and parent.
Are the two practice CDs the same as the introductory CD that is already in my kit?
No, the introductory CD in the kit contains the Question & Answer Flows for the Introductory Sentences and the Jingles. The Practice CDs contain the Question & Answer Flows for the Practice Sentences. The Practice CDs are a great time-saver because your child can self-check his/her Practice Sentences.
Does Shurley English provide placement tests?
We do not provide placement tests. The level selected usually depends on three things: (1) Grade level, (2) Reading and comprehension level, and (3) Maturity level. Shurley English is a little more advanced than most curriculums, but we normally recommend starting children at their appropriate grade levels. |
