One of the components missing from all the selections of grammar texts, worksheets, games, and other curricula I have gathered over the years was an engaging story. A story sticks in a child’s head forever. If you can tell a story about a hithertofor unstoried subject, then you have won a major victory for retention.
And so we come to the story: “Grammar-Land or, Grammar in Fun for the Children of Schoolroom-shire” by M.L. Nesbitt. The best part is that this book was published in 1878 and is available at no cost online as a download (PDF or eBook versions). And a kind woman has gone to the trouble of creating worksheets to help children internalize the stories and grammar concepts and made those freely available as well. While this story does not go far into the complexities of grammar, it does provide a means to a solid understanding of basics in a manner that will never leave your child’s imagination.
I know, you are probably not looking for yet one more book to add to the pile that you want to read aloud to your kids. If they are old enough, you can let them read it on their own, or if you have a large family you can have the older ones read to everyone and they get practice reading aloud while everyone learns.
All in all, it’s a great deal for a freebie!
