Our Mother Tongue

Name: Our Mother Tongue
Brand: Canon Presshttps://canonpress.com/

by Canon Presshttps://canonpress.com/

ElaGrades 7–12

Our Mother Tongue: Classical Grammar-Focused Curriculum for Grades 7-12

Our Mother Tongue is a Christian classical grammar curriculum that teaches the eight parts of speech and sentence diagramming to students in grades 7-12. The curriculum draws from traditional sources including the Bible and nineteenth-century grammar books, with historical connections to Latin and English language development.

Best for

Secondary students (grades 7-12) in classical or traditional Christian education settings who need focused grammar instruction, particularly those studying Latin or pursuing classical education approaches

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 2 concerns · 3 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum incorporates historical knowledge through Latin connections and English language development.

Includes 'Historia' sidebars drawing from Charles Dickens' A Child's History of England and discusses Latin origins of grammatical terms like 'vocative' from 'voco'

Text ComplexityStrength

The curriculum uses age-appropriate examples and historical content for grades 7-12.

Content is 'written at a level that should appeal to older students' and includes sophisticated historical references like 'Hannibal, Caesar, ___ Napoleon were great generals'

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum uses traditional direct instruction methods with clear structure.

Lessons are 'presented in a traditional fashion, with instruction, examples, and exercises' and the course has 'structure and orderliness' ensuring 'thorough coverage'

Writing InstructionConcern

The curriculum does not include composition or writing instruction.

The review explicitly states 'this course does not try to cover all aspects of grammar' and that 'students need more work on...the entire realm of composition skills'

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsConcern

The curriculum appears to use excerpts and sentences rather than whole books for grammar instruction.

The review mentions example sentences from various sources like 'The hobbits huddled around the fire' and historical references, but no mention of reading complete texts

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum includes an answer key but limited professional development materials.

Comes with 'a 60-page answer key' with answers for all exercises, and 'students should be able to work through...independently, although some would benefit from a teacher presenting the lessons'

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes some review components but limited systematic retrieval practice.

Lessons include 'review exercise and/or review questions' and 'the first four units conclude with a cumulative review,' but no mention of spaced review or regular retrieval practice

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

Limited vocabulary instruction beyond grammatical terminology and Latin connections.

The curriculum explains Latin origins of grammar terms but the review doesn't indicate systematic vocabulary building beyond grammatical concepts

Systematic PhonicsInsufficient Evidence

Phonics instruction is not applicable for this grades 7-12 grammar curriculum.

The curriculum is designed for secondary students and focuses on grammar rather than foundational reading skills

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com