The Grammar Key

by Robert L. Conklin

The Grammar Key

The beauty of The Grammar Key is simplicity, consistency, and efficiency. Conklin introduces parts of speech along with their sentence functions, using key questions to help with identification. Key questions are repeated and memorized as are lists of helping verbs, linking verbs, determiners, pronouns, etc. Although diagramming is presented within the instruction for each topic, students are never required to diagram sentences themselves (a plus or a minus, depending upon how you view diagramming). Lessons build continually so knowledge is integrated rather than taught in isolation. The course begins with noun recognition and continues through verbals (infinitives, participles, and gerunds).

The computer program runs on either Macintosh or Windows systems. The program won’t dazzle you with speed and sophistication, but it does a straightforward job of presenting both the instructional material and student exercises. The program requires at least eight hours of work to cover all of the topics, but this should be spread out so that students have time to absorb and apply the information as well as time to complete the other written assignments from the workbook. The computer monitors student progress, with the capability of tracking unlimited students from the same program. The publisher asks only that purchasers buy a program for each computer that will be used. The program does not allow students to progress to the next level until they pass the present level, so students cannot skip ahead even if they have previously mastered topics. Occasionally, the program is hypersensitive to placement of the sentence tags, rejecting appropriate answers if they are not placed just so, but the program signals clearly when all of the correct labels are in place. If the computer seems to be rejecting a tag that the student feels is correct, he should try it twice in case the computer is not registering it.

The Grammar Key Workbook serves as a supplement that can be used alongside the Grammar Key program for practice and reinforcement for students from the middle elementary grades through high school. Students mark sentences with labels, arrows, circling, and underlining. The workbook is also available on CD, but the CD consists of the printable pages of the printed workbook rather than an interactive program.

The instructor’s manual that comes with the workbook presents the lessons in such a fashion that students can read it on their own. After the instruction, students shift to the workbook to complete exercises. Periodically they encounter “Writing Practice” assignments that have them identify sentence elements that they have studied thus far within their own short compositions. An answer key comes with the set of workbook and instructor’s manual whether in printed form or on CD.

The workbook and instructor’s manual together might actually be used in place of the computer program. However, the optimal combination is to use both the program and the workbook. The program is a more engaging format and might make learning more interesting for students, but students also should have the actual written practice provide by the workbook.

There are two other items related to The Grammar Key that might be of interest.

The Grammar Key essentials are summarized on an optional set of 15 large folder-size cards that students can use for quick reference as needed in The Grammar Key Card Pack ($19.95). Also, the lessons in The Grammar Key (program or workbook) are not intended to encompass all areas of grammar (e.g., no verb tenses or subject-verb agreement lessons). This means that you still need to cover some usage and mechanics as well as writing instruction elsewhere. Which brings us to The Grammar Key Mechanics and Punctuation program. This computer program works in the same fashion as does the original program. Students identify missing elements or errors in sentence structure or punctuation then correct them on screen. Students cannot progress until they have identified all the necessary corrections. The program is self-checking, making this a real time saver for parents.

The Grammar Key resources are suitable for students who are just learning parts of speech and mechanics or for those who need review and practice in a format different from that of their original textbook or program.

The Grammar Key programs are a practical solution for both parents and students since they make a dull subject more appealing and they save parents time correcting student exercises.