Do you mentally correct grammar? Give your kids that power early!

After a few weeks working with me, middle school and high school students gain the confidence to cut through the sea of words and discover the true structure of sentences and, ultimately, a better understanding of texts.

Simultaneously, students use their newfound grammar skills to write what we call “good sentences,” the building blocks of good paragraphs and good essays!

With all this confidence, they’ll start seeing mistakes and correcting grammar everywhere!  But we’ll try to focus on mentally correcting….

Why grammar?  It sounds so old-fashioned!

The boring answer:  Because grammar is the foundation required in order to write with clarity and, when necessary, with persuasion.  These are important skills to have in school and work.

The fun answer:  It’s really cool!  I swear!  It’s like breaking a secret code that makes your life so much easier.  Each sentence becomes a little puzzle that only grammar nerds can figure out.  (Disclaimer: being a grammar nerd is something your child may not fully appreciate until they are older.  I get it.)

What are my qualifications?

I’m a published author, former journalist, and a communications professional.  I also homeschooled my two kids during their middle school years (they are now both in high school.)  I was a local soccer coach for many years and really enjoy working with middle and high school kids.

While homeschooling, I adapted a grammar curriculum to use with my two kids.  This new curriculum gives students the confidence to “crack the code” that will immediately make them better readers and writers.  When paired with a few writing tips and vocabulary words, however, the results from standardized tests can be outstanding!

Did you hear something? I think that sound was your kid’s confidence going through the roof!  BOOM!

Where are you located?

I am located just east of downtown Seattle in the neighborhood of Madrona.  My tutoring territory covers “between the bridges” and between downtown and Lake Washington.

What are your rates?

I offer 1-hour lessons and charge $40/hour at my home or $50/hour at your home. This price includes all materials, including a binder, and sharpened pencils!

I always do my best to give clients their preferred time slots and locations. That said, students with weekly lessons have scheduling priority.  Weekend and evening times available.

Payment due on the first of every month.  Paypal, cash, or check accepted.

What’s the curriculum timeline?

Sure, there’s a curriculum I follow with weekly lessons … but that isn’t a strict timeline.  I encourage and aim for weekly progress but will always make sure that there is mastery of a topic before moving on.  Conversely, if a topic seems pretty easy to digest, we can move to the next topic during our session.

Weekly homework is given. Completing these assignments should take no more than a total of 45 minutes — or, about 10-15 minutes, 3 times a week.

If the homework hasn’t been completed during the week, we will do it together during our session.

How is the session time spent?

Our session time will start with a 20-30 minute homework review and assessment followed by introduction of the new topic and practice sheet.  Your student will go home with two or three sheets of homework to bring back the following week.  All homework and assessments will be kept in the binder.

What is Grammar — what exactly will be taught?

Grammar is the basis for sentence structure.

We will start with terms that many kids will recognize but they won’t necessarily know how those familiar items can be used and moved around.  Grammar can be sneaky!

Here’s a sketch of what you and your student can expect:

Month 1 – 3:  Nouns, Articles, and Adjectives;  Pronouns; Prepositional Phrases, Subject and Verb (and Agreement!); Adverbs; Identifying Sentence Patterns; Helping Verbs; Conjunctions & Compound “Situations”

Writing Lab

Month 4 – 6:  Participial Phrases; Gerund Phrases; Infinitive Phrases; Appositive Phrases; Adjective Clauses; Adverb Clauses; Noun Clauses

Writing Lab

Month 7 – 9:  Comma Rules and Errors;