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Grammar in a Classical Education
The links that follow provide information, and teacher and student resources, about English Grammar in a Classical Christian model of education for homeschools. These lists may not be exhaustive, although we try. We humbly welcome your suggestions as to how these pages may be improved. Please notify us of any other sites you feel should be here, or of any links that are broken. Thank you.
General Orthography Etymology Syntax Spelling Theory
Orthography is the study of letters, and includes phonics and penmanship instruction. CCH recommends teaching children orthography in first and second grades. Etymology is the study of words, and includes parts of speech, forms, origins, vocabulary, roots, affixes, and capitalization. CCH recommends teaching children etymology in third and fourth grades. Syntax is the study of sentences, and includes phrases, clauses, diagramming, and punctuation instruction. CCH recommends teaching children syntax in fifth and sixth grades. Please see The Subject of Grammar for more details on these divisions.
Grammar from Encyclopedia Britannica
This article describes not only what grammar is, but the history of grammar instruction, of interest to classical educators.The King’s English
By H. W. Fowler, the preeminent grammarian and linguist, at the Project Bartleby site. The entire text of the classic reference, written with wit, to what is and is not correct English, and why.The Guide to Grammar and Writing
Every English grammar and writing rule known to man, all broken down into basic parts, complete with quizzes and other helps. Almost all the grammar on the internet that one would ever need.The Internet Grammar of English
“The Internet Grammar of English is an online course in English grammar written primarily for university undergraduates. However, we hope that it will be useful to everyone who is interested in the English language. [Such as homeschool teachers wanting to fill in the holes of their own grammatical knowledge.] IGE does not assume any prior knowledge of grammar on the part of its users.” It begins with words and their classes and progresses logically through sentences and their parts. This is a wonderful page.Grammar for English Language Learners
From Ohio University, a categorized, annotated list of links to grammar references, special helps for teachers, and other internet resources.Pop-Up Grammar
This is a great concept. The webpage consists of a series of on-line grammar quizzes in various topics of grammar. As you answer each question, a small pop-up window appears telling if you are correct or incorrect, and why. At the end of each quiz, press the submit button to get a score. Helpful for the homeschool teacher beginning classical education with older children to evaluate their grammatical knowledge in order to know what areas need reinforcement. The only problem with the website is that it is hard to navigate--which is why the link points to the quiz menu page rather than the home page.English Grammar Clinic
Very well-done message boards specifically on the topics of English grammar. Christians are not the only ones who get into heated debates over points of doctrine; professional grammarians are perfectly capable of brow-beating their grammatical opponents into submission as well.
Spaulding Education Foundation
The official web home of Romalda Spaulding’s method of orthography instruction, *the* best and most comprehensive method for covering all the basics in orthography, teaching your children to read and spell using phonics, and provide excellent penmanship instruction, in my opinion.Phonics Rules
Learn to read English with phonics from the 19th century Watson’s Graphic Speller. The entire book is online. Be sure to read Message to Instructors before beginning if this will be your primary phonics and spelling program used in school. Even if not, the Message to Instructors contains great advice for teaching by rote and drill, so necessary to a grammar stage classical education.Riggs Institute
A non-profit agency training teachers, parents, and tutors to teach phonics and letter formation (penmanship). Besides their many helpful articles on teaching reading, phonics, penmanship, and preventing learning disabilities, they publish excellent resources homeschool parents can use to teach grammar (orthography, etymology, and syntax) to their children.National Right to Read Foundation
Improving literacy through phonics and good literature. One of the major proponents of providing reading instruction which follows scientifically based reading research (phonics). Their website is a wealth of information; be sure not to miss their Phonics Products for Home, any of which can be used to successfully teach children phonics.Effectively Teaching Children to Read
The entire state of California is dumping whole language (look-say) as a reading instruction method wholesale, (see Teaching Reading for more on that), and other states are following in their wake. The debate continues to rage, and this nice collection of newspaper and research articles on the value of phonics instruction, and the damage caused by whole language, is a helpful reference.
Sentence Parts & Word Functions
They mean, of course, the parts of speech. A nice introduction from The Guide to Grammar and Writing.Online English Grammar
Specifcally, the parts of speech: everything you wanted to know about them. This page is a nicely organized reference.Rules for Capitalization
This webpage is a good resource for capitalization rules, and covers all the bases.Alan Cooper’s Homonyms
Devoted specifically to those words which sound alike, but which are spelled differently and mean different things: like bare and bear. Mr. Cooper also clarifies the difference for us between homonym, homograph, and homophone. However, there is much debate on what exactly is what, even among the experts. Figuring out the Definition lays out the problem and the solution with sense.The Homograph Page
“Homographs are words that have identical spellings but different pronunciations and different meanings.” For example: tear, pronounced TEER, is something our eyes do when we chop onions. However, tear, pronounced TAIR, means a rip in paper or clothing. Also learn the difference between heteronyms, homographs, homophones, and homonyms. Isn’t it amazing what information is available on the internet?Vocabulary Workshop
This English as a Second Language (ESL) website does a thorough job of explaining English roots, prefixes, and suffixes in a well-organized and comprehensive format. When the vocabulary elements have been mastered, go to the exercises page to test your retention.Buncha Roots
Buncha Roots is the most informative Latin and Greek roots in English vocabulary site that I have been able to find on the web. Written by a homeschooling mom, the introduction contains helpful teaching suggestions, and the links to suggested book resources are thorough and helpful.The Word Detective
Puzzled by Posh? Confounded by Cattycorner? Baffled by Balderdash? Flummoxed by Flabbergast? Perplexed by Pandemonium? Nonplussed by ... Nonplussed? Annoyed by Alliteration? Then visit the webpage of the popular newspaper column, The Word Detective, and read the interesting (and entertaining) skinny on the origins of hundreds of words, including ... well, skinny, for example.Etymologic!
The Toughest Word Game on the Web. You will be presented with ten randomly selected word origin or word definition puzzles to solve, and given multiple choices from which to choose your answers. A challenging and fun way to build word logic.Behind the Name
The etymology and history of first names. Interesting and comprehensive, with good links.The Wacky World of Words
Great word games for third and fourth graders (and older people, too) to play to increase their word-awareness.Wordly Wise Wordgames
An awesome word game and puzzle site, probably too challenging for third and fourth graders, but who knows? Put a challenge in front of a child, and he might just turn into a voracious vocabulary VIP, and learn something in the process, too.Building a Better Vocabulary
Another great page from The Guide to Grammar and Writing.Vocabulary University
The home of continuously updated vocabulary puzzles designed to enhance mastery of new vocabulary. Choose vocabulary puzzles on three levels: elementary, junior, and senior (SAT and ACT preparation).Oxford English Dictionary Word of the Day
One complete entry from the dictionary, different every day. Find out not only what a word means today, but where it came from, and how it has been used and spelled historically.Richard Lederer’s Verbivore
“Welcome to the web site woven for wordaholics, logolepts, and verbivores. Carnivores eat meat; herbivores eat plants and vegetables; verbivores devour words. If you are heels over head (as well as head over heels) in love with words, tarry here awhile to graze or, perhaps, feast on the English language.”
Modern English Grammar
This university hypertextbook explains the phrase, the clause, coordination and subordination, the major principles of syntax, and more.Diagramming Sentences
A great, wonderful, helpful page from The Guide to Grammar and Writing. It describes not only how to diagram sentences, but has pop-up windows which provide a visual example when you click on each link. The only thing missing are Mary Daly’s wonderful explanations -- you’ll have to get her book for those, I suppose.Punctuation
Punctuation rules and usages in one place, with exercises. See also the Guide to Grammar and Writing for more on punctuation with online quizzes, and Basic Punctuation for more detailed reference.
Weekly Speller and Spelling Tutor
Weekly Speller and Spelling Tutor are shareware programs you can download here that children can use to practice their weekly spelling lists.Some Rules and Suggestions About Spelling
Tips to help overcome spelling bugaboos, and some of the most common spelling rules in English.Spelling Tips
Brief, but practical, advice on spelling from a copy editor of ten years’ experience.The “It’s” vs. “Its” Page
If there is a whole webpage devoted to this one spelling error, then you know how pervasive it is.The Spelling Doctor
There is no online help here other than a catalog, but the Spelling Doctor uses tutoring in roots, prefixes and suffixes to improve spelling. I plan on looking into some of his materials in the spring; until then this link may prove beneficial.The Phonic Spelling Internet
I came up with the few links you see in this section of this page while searching the internet for phonic spelling webpages. There isn’t much of substance available, other than catalog pages to some great books. But we can build our own resource. I will begin by putting Webster’s Elementary Spelling Book online. (This will, of course, take time. I’m still working on other sections of the website.) Have you developed teaching strategies, used mnemonics or rhymes, or had successes that would benefit other homeschoolers? Have you helped your child overcome his worst spelling bugaboo? Send me your tips (be sure they’re not copyrighted, or that you have the copyright holder’s permission) and together we will build a phonic spelling resource here at CCH that all homeschoolers and educators can freely use.Favorite Phonic Spelling Books
My favorite resources, that I turn to again and again in teaching spelling, are: The Writing Road to Reading, The ABC’s and All Their Tricks, Webster’s Elementary Spelling Book, and Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.
Teaching Grammar
The strength of this page is not just in its grammatical explanations, which are thin, but in its common-sense and clear treatment of how to effectively present lessons, any lessons. Visit to learn the qualities of a good explanation, and the qualities of a good presentation.Why Good Grammar?
A gem of studied consideration of the issue, from the pen of Richard Mitchell, the Underground Grammarian. This is one link on this page (besides the link to the Underground Grammarian itself) that should be read, and re-read, and thought about, and considered, and discussed. Highly recommended.Principal Perspectives: English
What does a classical Christian education have to do with Grammar? Find out.Grammar in the Language Arts Curriculum
This paper by Dr. Robert Einarsson briefly examines the current debate over grammar instruction, and proposes a return to traditional grammar as a solution. This insightful paper also introduces the reader to the concept of “traditional grammar” and what that meant in a traditional (classical) education.Philosophical Roots of Traditional English Grammar
An examination of the philosophy behind traditional English grammar. Another thoughtful piece from Dr. Einarsson.Of Universal Grammar
This page contains the text of the 1771 Encyclopedia Britannica article on the subject.The Decline of Grammar
by Geoffrey Nunberg of the Atlantic Monthly. This thoughtful article traces the method by which grammar as a subject has been taught in this century, the way in which it had been traditionally taught, and what that means for the future of grammar instruction as a whole.Underground Grammarian
Dedicated to preserving the works of Richard Mitchell. When you are finished digesting this site, you will have a beginning of an understanding as to why grammar is so important as a foundation to all of education, and civilization.
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Classical Christian
Homeschooling: Classical Education at Home
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Miller / This page last revised April 2000
CCE Links: Grammar in a Classical Christian Education
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