Harvey's Revised English Grammar

ElaGrades 7–12

About This Curriculum

A comprehensive classical grammar text based on a revised 19th-century work, covering orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody.

What makes it unique: Goes beyond modern grammar texts by including prosody (study of accent, quality, tone, and technical aspects of poetry) - a topic rarely found in contemporary grammar books

Harvey's Revised English Grammar: Classical 19th-Century Grammar Reference

Harvey's Revised English Grammar is a comprehensive classical grammar text based on a revised 19th-century work, covering orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody for grades 7-12. This traditional curriculum emphasizes formal grammar study but provides minimal instructional guidance or modern pedagogical support.

Best for

Teachers with strong grammar background seeking a comprehensive classical grammar reference for advanced secondary students in traditional or classical education settings

Evaluation Criteria

2 strengths · 4 concerns · 1 neutral · 2 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum provides deep knowledge in formal grammar domains including orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody.

Covers four comprehensive areas of grammar study and 'goes beyond any grammar texts commonly used today, particularly in the fourth section' on prosody

Text ComplexityStrength

The text itself uses complex 19th-century vocabulary and presentation style appropriate for advanced grammar study.

Described as having '19th-century text' style with complex vocabulary, and covers advanced grammar concepts like prosody

Teacher TrainingConcern

The curriculum provides no teacher training materials and expects significant teacher expertise in grammar.

Answer key is available but reviewer emphasizes that 'teacher better know his/her stuff' and describes it as not user-friendly

Direct InstructionConcern

The curriculum provides minimal instructional guidance, placing heavy burden on teachers to provide direct instruction.

Reviewer notes 'almost no instruction, no review' and states 'The teacher better know his/her stuff, because Harvey's alone will not a grammarian make'

Retrieval PracticeConcern

The curriculum lacks review materials and practice opportunities for reinforcing grammar concepts.

Critical reviewer specifically mentions 'almost no instruction, no review, and well, not much of anything'

Writing InstructionConcern

The curriculum does not appear to include structured writing instruction, focusing instead on grammar analysis.

No mention of writing instruction in reviews; described as a grammar text covering technical language study rather than composition

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

The curriculum includes etymology study which can support vocabulary development, though this appears to be through grammar analysis rather than systematic vocabulary instruction.

Etymology section covers 'meaning parts of speech, tense, number, mode, and other attributes of words as they are used in sentences'

Systematic PhonicsInsufficient Evidence

As a grammar text for grades 7-12, systematic phonics instruction is not applicable to this curriculum's scope.

Designed for junior high through high school students, well beyond the typical phonics instruction age range

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsInsufficient Evidence

This curriculum focuses on grammar study rather than reading literature, making this criterion not directly applicable.

The curriculum is described as a grammar text covering technical aspects of language rather than a reading program

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, christianbook.com