Reply to Does FCPS teach any grammar

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We are working on a summer bridge activities workbook this summer for my rising 5th grader and my kid knows nothing about grammar (doesn’t know pronouns, where commas go, etc) in any of the activities.  I’m assuming it’s normally taught in other elementary schools since it’s included int he workbook?

How do kids learn grammar?  And how will they learn foreign languages when they don’t know any grammar.  I’m trying to teach the kid as we go through the workbook but curious what is going on.[/quote]

In our experience, not really. Not in any meaningful way. There may be a passing quiz or worksheet on something (e.g., comma usage) but not a thorough grammar curriculum. I asked my kid once, in MS, if they could describe what an adjective was. This kid is an honors and AP student. They could not tell me or describe what an adjective was.

Add on that, the teachers do not provide line edit reviews to correct grammar on written work. A huge problem for me as that is one of the best ways to learn. Instead they use those foolish "rubrics." I know there is a lot of arguments on this point on this site. But without this sort of feedback you simply cannot properly teach grammar and writing. And it's just not done in FCPS.[/quote]

I disagree.  I have asked both my kids every day after school what they have learned in each class and they have walked me through it. (I do this to help solidify their learning and to give me insight on what they are doing in school).  Line edits are not the only ways to learn to write--they have also sorts of targeted interactive worksheets where they correct incorrect grammar in pre-written sentences and circle parts of speech and the like.  I think the "No red ink" program is a reasonably strong way to teach grammar/writing that varies from the traditional line editing practice (which is not possible to do well given the class sizes/teacher workload).  And, really, as computer programs improve, using word processers are increasingly becoming like having a constant line editor.  
Writing is a significant portion of my professional work and I think it's being taught reasonably well.  Sure, I'd love to have my kids receive detailed feedback on all their written work, but I don't think the FCPS approach is foolish.[/quote]

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