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We tried three different language arts curricula before discovering Easy Grammar. Each one left my kids confused about parts of speech. They couldn’t identify sentence structures. Then a veteran homeschool mom suggested the prepositional approach. Everything changed. Within weeks, my children could diagram sentences that had stumped them for months.
This easy grammar review shares my experience after four years using this curriculum with multiple students. I’ll explain exactly how the prepositional method works, who benefits most, and where the program falls short.
What Is Easy Grammar?
So what makes Easy Grammar different? It’s a curriculum created by Wanda Phillips that teaches sentence analysis through a unique prepositional approach. Rather than starting with subjects and verbs like traditional programs, kids first learn to identify and cross out prepositional phrases. This simple trick makes finding the core sentence elements much easier.
The curriculum spans grades 2-12 with several product lines:
- Easy Grammar – The original series for grades 3-12
- Easy Grammar Ultimate Series – Comprehensive versions with more practice
- Daily Grams – Short daily review exercises
- Easy Grammar Plus – Combined program for older students
Wanda Phillips developed this method during her years as a classroom teacher. She noticed students struggled with traditional approaches and created a systematic way to simplify sentence analysis. The prepositional method became her signature teaching tool.
How the Prepositional Approach Works
The genius of Easy Grammar lies in its foundational strategy. Here’s how students learn to analyze sentences:
Step 1: Memorize Prepositions
My kids started by memorizing a list of common prepositions. The curriculum provides these in alphabetical groups for easier memorization. Most children master the list within a few weeks. We used songs and games to make it stick.
Why does this matter? Once kids recognize prepositions automatically, they can spot prepositional phrases in any sentence. It’s like learning to see a pattern you couldn’t see before.
Step 2: Cross Out Prepositional Phrases
When my kids analyze a sentence, they first find and cross out all prepositional phrases. A prepositional phrase includes the preposition and its object. For example, in “The cat on the mat ate food,” they’d cross out “on the mat.”
Here’s where the magic happens. What’s left is just the simple core: subject, verb, and any objects. No more confusion!
Step 3: Find Core Elements
With prepositional phrases removed, finding the subject and verb becomes easy. The simplified sentence “The cat ate food” reveals its structure clearly. Kids then learn to identify objects, predicates, and other elements.
I’ve watched this approach prevent so much confusion. My children don’t get lost trying to find subjects buried within multiple phrases anymore.
Curriculum Components and Materials
Understanding what you’ll purchase helps with planning and budgeting.
Teacher Edition
The teacher edition contains all student pages plus answer keys. Many homeschool parents purchase only the teacher edition and make copies of student pages. This saves money with multiple children but requires access to a copier.
Answer keys appear on the same page as exercises, making grading quick and easy. The layout keeps everything organized without flipping between sections.
Student Worktext
The consumable student worktext provides clean pages without answers. Students work directly in these books. Each child needs their own copy unless you make photocopies from the teacher edition.
Daily Grams Supplement
Daily Grams provides short review exercises covering capitalization, punctuation, and basic language concepts. Each daily exercise takes about 10 minutes. Many families use Daily Grams alongside the main curriculum for additional practice.
The spiral review format ensures students regularly revisit concepts. This repetition helps cement skills that might otherwise fade.
Advantages of Easy Grammar
After using Easy Grammar for four full years with three different kids, I’ve seen clear strengths. Here’s what I love about this curriculum.
Simplified Sentence Analysis
Does this approach really work? In my experience, yes. The prepositional method genuinely makes sentence analysis easier. Kids who struggled with traditional methods often succeed with this curriculum. Crossing out phrases first removes visual clutter. It’s simpler for their brains to process.
My son went from frustrated tears during language lessons to confidently diagramming complex sentences. The methodical approach clicked for his logical mind.
Independent Learning Design
Easy Grammar works well for independent study. Clear instructions and examples come before each exercise. After the first few weeks, my kids could complete lessons on their own.
This independence freed me to help other children. It was a game-changer for our busy household. If you teach multiple kids, you’ll love this.
No-Frills Presentation
The curriculum avoids distracting graphics and games. Pages present content clearly with ample white space. Students who get overwhelmed by busy layouts often thrive with this straightforward approach.
The simplicity also keeps costs down. You’re paying for content, not elaborate illustrations.
Flexible Pacing
Kids can move at their own speed. Struggling? Repeat lessons. No shame. Already know the concept? Skip ahead. The workbook format makes this easy.
This flexibility saved us. My kids learn at different speeds. Easy Grammar let each one progress without holding the others back.
Affordable Options
Compared to comprehensive language arts programs, Easy Grammar offers budget-friendly pricing. The teacher edition costing around $30-40 can serve multiple children when photocopied. Daily Grams adds modest additional expense.
What’s Inside the Textbook
The Easy Grammar textbook is clean and organized. Each unit follows the same pattern. First, you’ll find a clear explanation of the concept. Next, there are examples showing how the rule works. Finally, practice exercises let kids apply what they learned.
I appreciate that the layout isn’t cluttered. However, if your child needs visual stimulation, this might feel plain.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
Now let’s talk about the downsides. Honest evaluation requires acknowledging limitations alongside strengths.
Drill-Heavy Format
The curriculum relies heavily on repetitive exercises. Kids complete many similar problems to reinforce concepts. I’ll be honest: if your child hates worksheets, they won’t love this. It can feel tedious.
As a result, boredom can set in for creative learners. Some kids simply need more engaging presentation to stay motivated.
Limited Writing Application
Easy Grammar focuses on analysis rather than composition. Students learn to identify sentence parts but get little practice applying concepts in original writing. Families need supplemental writing instruction.
Consequently, some parents feel frustrated by the disconnect. Just because kids know parts of speech doesn’t mean their writing improves.
Memorization Requirement
The preposition list memorization can challenge students who struggle with rote learning. Without this foundation, the entire approach falters. Students must commit the list to memory before advancing effectively.
Black-and-White Presentation
Visual learners may find the text-heavy pages uninspiring. The no-frills approach that some families appreciate can feel dry and dull to others. There are no colorful illustrations or engaging visual elements.
Not Complete Language Arts
Easy Grammar covers only portions of language arts standards. Students need separate curriculum for reading comprehension, literature study, vocabulary development, and writing instruction. The program works as one piece of a larger plan.
Who Thrives With Easy Grammar
Certain student profiles align particularly well with this curriculum.
Logical Thinkers
Does your child love systems and procedures? Then they’ll probably thrive here. My logical thinker took to this method immediately. Following the same process for every sentence gave him comfortable predictability.
Students Who Struggled Before
Children who found traditional instruction confusing sometimes breakthrough with the prepositional approach. The different angle provides fresh perspective. Students who felt defeated may gain confidence.
Independent Learners
Self-motivated students can progress through Easy Grammar with minimal supervision. The clear format supports working alone. Families wanting more independent curriculum find this helpful.
Budget-Conscious Families
The economical pricing makes Easy Grammar attractive for limited budgets. Large families can share materials effectively. The value proposition compares favorably to expensive programs.
Who Might Struggle
Some students and families may find Easy Grammar challenging for specific reasons.
Creative Learners
What about creative kids? Honestly, they may struggle. My daughter who loves variety found the repetitive format stifling. The drill-based approach didn’t engage her imagination at all.
Students Needing Application Practice
Children who learn best by doing may struggle with analysis-focused instruction. Without writing application, concepts can feel abstract. These students benefit from programs connecting rules to actual composition.
Visual Learners
The text-heavy, black-and-white pages may fail to engage visual processors. Some students need color, graphics, and varied presentation. Easy Grammar’s minimalist design doesn’t serve all learning styles.
Comparing Easy Grammar to Alternatives
Understanding how Easy Grammar compares to other options helps clarify fit.
| Program | Approach | Daily Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Grammar | Prepositional method | 15-20 min | Logical thinkers |
| Fix It! Grammar | Story-based editing | 15 min | Engagement seekers |
| First Language Lessons | Classical oral | 15-20 min | Young students |
| Rod & Staff | Traditional workbook | 20-30 min | Thorough coverage |
| Shurley English | Jingle method | 20-25 min | Auditory learners |
Easy Grammar stands apart through its distinctive prepositional foundation. Traditional programs introduce parts of speech without this simplifying strategy. Story-based programs like Fix It! emphasize engagement over systematic analysis. For more options, see our best homeschool language arts curriculum guide.
Sample Weekly Schedule
Wondering how to fit this into your day? Here’s what worked for us. We did Easy Grammar four days a week. Monday through Thursday. Friday was for catch-up or review.
Each session took about 15-20 minutes. First, my kids reviewed the concept. Then they did the exercises. Finally, I checked their work. Simple and consistent. That’s the key.
Practical Tips for Success
Four years of experience taught me several helpful strategies.
Master Prepositions First
Don’t rush the memorization phase. Solid preposition recognition forms the foundation for everything else. Spend extra time here if needed. Games and songs can make memorization more enjoyable.
Supplement With Writing
Pair Easy Grammar with a dedicated writing curriculum. Have students apply concepts in their compositions. Point out when they use structures correctly in their own work.
Use Daily Grams for Review
The Daily Grams supplement provides valuable spiral review. Short daily exercises prevent skill decay over time. The combination maintains and reinforces learning effectively.
Allow Self-Pacing
Let students move at their natural speed. Skip sections they’ve mastered. Spend extra time where needed. The flexible format supports individualized progression.
Add Variety When Needed
If boredom strikes, incorporate games or verbal practice. Not everything must come from the workbook. Creative activities can maintain engagement while reinforcing concepts.
Here are some fun activities we added: preposition treasure hunts around the house, silly sentence contests, and grammar bingo. These broke up the routine nicely.
Cost and Value Assessment
Budget considerations matter for most homeschool families.
The teacher edition runs approximately $30-40 depending on grade level. Student worktexts cost around $20 each. Daily Grams supplements add another $20-25. Total annual investment ranges from $50-80 per student.
Compared to comprehensive programs costing $100-200 annually, Easy Grammar provides good value. However, remember you’ll need additional curriculum for writing, reading, and other language arts components.
The photocopiable teacher edition option reduces per-student costs for large families. This flexibility makes the program economical for families with multiple children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade should my child start Easy Grammar?
Most children can begin around grade 3 when reading skills are solid. Younger students may struggle with the workbook format. Older students catching up can use Easy Grammar Plus for accelerated coverage.
Can Easy Grammar serve as complete language arts?
No. Easy Grammar covers only sentence analysis and basic mechanics. You’ll need separate curriculum for reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, and literature. Use it as one component of comprehensive instruction.
How long does a typical lesson take?
Most students complete daily lessons in 15-20 minutes. Adding Daily Grams extends this to about 25-30 minutes total. The reasonable time commitment leaves room for other subjects.
Is Easy Grammar secular or religious?
Easy Grammar is secular. It contains no religious content or references. Families of any background can use it comfortably. Religious families may choose to add faith-based supplements.
Does Easy Grammar align with Common Core standards?
Easy Grammar covers traditional instruction that overlaps with many Common Core language standards. However, the program wasn’t designed around specific standards. Check alignment with your state requirements if needed.
Can I switch to Easy Grammar mid-year?
Yes, with some adjustments. Students should master the preposition list before proceeding. You may need to start at the beginning of the workbook regardless of grade level to build the foundational skills.
Final Verdict
Easy Grammar delivers on its promise of simplified sentence analysis. The prepositional approach genuinely helps students who struggled with traditional methods. Four years of use confirmed the method’s effectiveness for logical, independent learners.
The curriculum works best as one piece of a comprehensive language arts plan. Don’t expect it to cover writing, reading, or other essential skills. Pair it with appropriate supplements for complete instruction.
Families seeking affordable, straightforward instruction will appreciate Easy Grammar’s no-frills approach. Those wanting engaging, creative curriculum should look elsewhere. Know your student’s learning style before committing.
Visit Easy Grammar’s official website to see sample pages and placement guidance. The What Works Clearinghouse offers research on effective language instruction approaches. HSLDA provides additional homeschool curriculum guidance.
Rating: 4/5
Easy Grammar earns solid marks for its innovative approach and practical execution. The prepositional method works remarkably well for the right students. Limitations around writing application and engagement prevent a higher score. If your child thinks logically and doesn’t mind workbook-style learning, Easy Grammar deserves strong consideration.
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