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Classical Christian
Homeschooling Online Catalog: Etymology of Grammar Curriculum
www.clas...ling.org/curriculum/grammar-etymology.html
This page last revised:
June 2003
Copyright
© 1997-2003 |
Etymology
of Grammar: Grades 3-4
Etymology is the study of the classification, derivation, and properties
of words; it is the next study of English grammar following orthography (the study of
letters) and prior to syntax (the study of sentences). During the study of etymology,
children will learn to alphabetize, break words into syllables, use the dictionary and
library, distinguish between homophones, homonyms, heteronyms, synonyms, and antonyms, use
and spell compound and contracted words, class words by part of speech (noun, pronoun,
adjective, verb, adverb, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections), distinguish when
the same word is being used as different parts of speech, how to make nouns plural and use
verbs in their different tenses, will learn Greek and Latin roots of English words and
their meanings, add prefixes and suffixes to roots, and the changes in meaning and part of
speech that adding affixes causes words to undergo, and will learn the capitalization
rules.
There is no one perfect curriculum that teaches this study of words in its
entirety for the 3rd and 4th grades. However, in the descriptions of each recommended
curriculum, I have sttempted to tell how it is to be used to accomplish the goal of
grammar study for 3rd and 4th grades.
 Primary Language Lessons
Emma Serl
For 2nd and 3rd grade; 2nd grade, if children are reading
fluently and know their phonograms, and know their letter forms and are writing in their
copybook without undue frustration. An experienced teacher of the early twentieth century,
Emma Serl recognized the two things necessary for teaching proper English to a child:
capture the child’s interest, and drill, drill, drill. Primary Language Lessons
is a drill book, but with a difference. The lessons are imaginative, the teaching is
inductive so that children “discover” the proper use of English through gentle
guidance. Serl’s contains 164 lessons, of which some 40 are oral language lessons,
discussing the wonderful paintings decorating the text and questions on the natural world;
some 50 are grammar, mechanics, and usage exercises relating to correct word forms; some
45 are copying / memorization selections; and some 30 are original written composition
lessons, mostly of learning to write polite letters. Some lessons overlap in more than one
category. Not every lesson need be completed, especially of oral language or original
composition (although doing the majority of those will help a child develop natural
language sense); and not every lesson need be completed in one day. The grammar,
mechanics, and usage exercises should be added to the index file once encountered and made
part of the daily drill, which will then be cycled
through and reviewed throughout the grammar stage. The exact length of time it will take
to complete this book will therefore vary with each child, but plan on approximately one
half to one school year.
 Intermediate Language Lessons
Emma Serl
For 3rd and 4th grade, or upon completion of Primary Language
Lessons. The purpose of this book is to lead students in the proper oral and written
use of the English language, and is also a drill book. The etymology lessons continues
instruction in capitalization, the correct use of words, abbreviations, proper form of
nouns and verbs, homonyms, antonyms and synonyms, contractions, and includes instruction
in dictionary use, comparison of adjectives and adverbs, and parts of speech. Serl’s
contains 301 lessons, of which some 90 are oral language lessons, with 3 of those debate
exercises which can be skipped; some 80 are grammar, mechanics, and usage exercises
relating to correct word forms, parts of speech, and writing mechanics; some 30 are
dictation (copying) / memorization selections; and the rest are original composition
exercises of increasing difficulty. Some lessons overlap in more than one category. Not
every lesson need be completed, especially of oral language or original composition
(although doing a good portion of especially oral language, and some of the original
composition, or modifying some of the composition lessons into oral narration -> Mother
writing the narration on the blackboard -> child copying Mother’s writing, will
help a child develop natural language sense); and not every lesson need be or even can be
completed in one day. The grammar, mechanics, and usage exercises should be added to the
index file once encountered and made part of the daily
drill, which will then be cycled through and reviewed throughout the grammar stage.
There is one lesson specifically about dictionary use early in the book.
This lesson can be used as a model, with new words added, and the same lesson repeated
once per week until the child is comfortable and familiar with the dictionary. The
contraction / abbreviation / homonym / synonym / antonym lessons can be used as models,
and other homonyms etc. not covered in this course can also be taught (for example, from
the Reading Teacher’s Book of Lists, or Webster’s Blue-Backed Speller.)
Any lesson of grammar or usage with which a child is struggling ought to be used as a
model, then repeated every few days, using different words and sentences, until the child
masters the concept. The exact length of time it will take to complete this book will
therefore vary with each child, but plan on at least two school years. Work in this book
may be carried into 5th grade, while adding daily syntax
lessons, if necessary.
Syllabication
Serl’s does not teach syllabication. However, The Writing Road to Reading does, as
part of the spelling instruction. And The
ABC’s and All Their Tricks also teaches syllabication. Teach syllabication
naturally as it arises as part of spelling instruction.
Alphabetizing, Dictionary & Library Use
Serl’s teaches very little about alphabetizing, the dictionary (there
is one lesson provided on dictionary use), and library use. The resources below will help
fill in this gap.
 Building Dictionary
Skills, Grades 2-3
Laura Wagner
For 3rd grade. The foundation for using all reference materials
lies with the dictionary. This workbook familiarizes students with the information
included in dictionaries, as well as tools to help them quickly locate words and find
meanings. Practicing dictionary skills will help students effectively use dictionaries to
verify spellings, look up new words, and learn new meanings. The enjoyable activities,
puzzles, codes, and riddles in Building Dictionary Skills introduce the most essential
reference skills supported by the NCTE and IRA standards. The reproducible worksheets
provide progressive instruction of topics such as alphabetizing, guide words, and phonetic
spellings. Students will learn to look up words, pronounce words, and understand
dictionary entries. Dictionary skills are strengthened by specific activities on parts of
speech, syllabic divisions, prefixes and suffixes, and multiple definitions. This workbook
will help children learn to successfully use any dictionary. If after working through all
the exercises in this book, your child is still having trouble with the dictionary, plan
to go through Building Dictionary Skills, Grades 4-5 in 4th grade, and continue
having your child alphabetize their spelling list, and working in the dictionary (with
different words) using the lessons in Intermediate Language Lessons and Building
Dictionary Skills as models.
 Library and Reference
Skills, Grades 2-3
Instructional Fair
For 3rd grade. Join Library Luke and Info, his dog, as they lead
children on a learning romp through the basic library skills. This 48-page workbook covers
what libraries are, the fiction, non-fiction, and reference sections, the dewey decimal
system, finding books, getting help, and more. After all, Library Luke and Info think the
library should be an enjoyable place to spend some time, and research should be a positive
experience. In 4th grade, use Library and Reference Skills, Grades 4-5 to gain more experience using
encyclopedias, the atlas, and other reference and research materials available at the
library.
Roots, Prefixes, & Suffixes
Serl’s teaches some about adding suffixes to roots, especially in
regard to making nouns plural and to changing the tense of verbs, but does not engage in a
full study of the topic as is necessary for 3rd and 4th grade children to have. For those
who choose to use Structures in Spelling, the other resources are not necessary,
unless you would like to include them for thoroughness’ sake.
Please visit Teaching Prefixes, Suffixes, and
Roots for guidance in using The Reading Teacher’s Book of Lists or any
other English grammar reference to teach roots and affixes to grammar stage children.
 Structures in Spelling:
Words with Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes
Tim Brown & Deborah F. Knight
For 4th grade and up. This workbook was originally designed to
help children who had difficulty spelling. However, since it focuses specifically and only
on roots, prefixes, and suffixes, it works great for teaching such to 4th and 5th graders.
The student workbook has 34 lessons in 8 units: Introduction (which teaches concepts,
vocabulary, and spelling rules for adding suffixes), Common Suffixes, Common Prefixes,
Latin Roots, Greek Roots, More Suffixes (more advanced), More Prefixes (more advanced),
and More Roots (more advanced). The lessons introduce related affixes or roots, provide
meanings, some dictionary exercises, and exercises which provide practice in making new
words, taking apart words, and identifying meanings of words. The workbook covers the
great majority of the most common prefixes, roots, and suffixes, generally in order of
increasing difficulty. You will also need the Teacher’s Edition, which reproduces the student pages with answer
key, provides recommended teaching instruction, as well as an appendix of sentences for
dictation keyed to each lesson for additional spelling practice. The Teacher’s
Edition can also be utilized on its own for those who just want the content and order to
teach with ideas laid out for them, but who want to plan
their own lessons of the same type as Serl’s inductive teaching lessons.
 English From the Roots Up
Joegil Lundquist
English from the Roots Up is designed to give children a good grasp
of Latin and Greek roots commonly used in English words. A study in Greek and Latin roots
is recommended even if a child is beginning his Latin and / or Greek language study in the
grammar stage. 100 Latin and Greek roots are systematically presented, with excellent
drill instructions, lists of many common English derivative words to help students
remember the meaning, and teaching notes for each root. The appendix gives great help in
teaching Roman numerals, and games for drill.
 The Reading
Teacher’s Book of Lists
Edward Fry, Jacqueline Kress, Dona Lee Fountoukidis
Some topics of etymology are not covered by Serl’s. They include:
syllabication, alphabetizing, dictionary and library use, Greek and Latin roots, and
prefixes and suffixes. This book does not contain student lessons, but myriad lists for
use in teaching reading or grammar: spelling rules, syllabication rules, capitalization
rules, punctuation rules, phonics rules, classes of words such as homonyms, homophones,
synonyms, contractions, etc.; prefixes, suffixes, Greek and Latin roots, and much, much
more. Every prefix, suffix, and most roots in English words are listed in this reference.
While not every list is useful for the grammar stage, the great majority that are make
this an indispensible tool for etymology instruction.
Using the Online Catalog
 This online catalog is made possible through an association with Barnes&Noble.com. Clicking on the book title or book cover will take
you to Barnes&Noble.com’s information page about that book. You can look at its
price, availability, any discounts currently taken for that title, reviews of the book,
and other information, as well as order it if you decide to purchase the book. You can
even place books in your shopping cart and save them for purchase at a later time. You can
continue to add or delete books from your shopping cart until you are satisfied with your
order and ready to purchase. Clicking on any link to Barnes&Noble.com will open a new
window; to return to CCH, click on the “Window” menu on your browser’s menu
bar, and choose Classical Christian Homeschooling.
Sometimes books go out of print, or the publisher runs out of stock. Any
book not available from Barnes&Noble.com for any reason can be searched using AddAll.com, a book shopping site which
will scan Barnes&Noble.com as well as Amazon.com, Powell’s Books, Book Close Outs
and many other new and used book sites. Be sure to also check BookFinder.com for out of print book
searches.
Still have questions? Ask
me!
 
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