Shurley English

Name: Shurley English
Brand: Shurley Instructional Materials, Inc.

by Shurley Instructional Materials, Inc.

ElaGrades 1–7

About This Curriculum

Complete grammar and composition curriculum using jingles, question-and-answer flows, and systematic sentence classification to teach language arts skills.

What makes it unique: Unique jingle-based memorization system combined with systematic Question & Answer Flow method for sentence analysis and classification

Shurley English: Grammar-Focused Classical Program with Jingles

Shurley English is a highly structured grammar and composition curriculum for grades 1-7 that uses memorized jingles and systematic question-and-answer flows to teach sentence classification and parts of speech. The program focuses exclusively on grammar and writing instruction, requiring separate materials for phonics, reading, spelling, and literature.

Best for

Homeschooling families seeking intensive, classical grammar instruction for middle elementary through middle school students who can commit to structured daily lessons

Evaluation Criteria

2 strengths · 2 concerns · 5 neutral

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum uses highly structured, teacher-directed instruction with scripted lessons.

Described as 'highly structured' with 'continual teacher-student interaction' and reviewers noted the importance of parents following 'scripted lessons closely'

Retrieval PracticeStrength

The curriculum emphasizes memorization through jingles and includes daily review components.

Uses 'memorized jingles' for grammar concepts and one reviewer appreciated the 'daily review' component, comparing it to Saxon Math's repetitive approach

Systematic PhonicsConcern

The curriculum explicitly does not include phonics instruction.

Multiple reviews confirm it 'does NOT cover phonics' and requires separate materials for foundational reading skills

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsConcern

The curriculum does not include literature study or whole book reading at all.

Reviewers explicitly state it 'does NOT cover phonics, reading, spelling, or literature' and focuses solely on grammar and composition

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum builds systematic knowledge of grammar and sentence structure but lacks broader domain knowledge.

One reviewer noted it covers 'even geography (states and capitals)' but the primary focus is technical grammar knowledge rather than content across disciplines

Text ComplexityNeutral

The curriculum systematically increases sentence complexity but does not work with complete texts.

Workbooks 'carefully present sentences with particular elements, adding questions to the question and answer flow as sentences become more complex'

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum includes teacher's manuals with methodology explanations and teaching tips.

Each kit includes 'a teacher's manual' that 'explains the methodology and offers useful teaching tips and some creative ideas'

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

The curriculum includes vocabulary instruction as part of its comprehensive grammar coverage.

One parent noted it covers 'comprehensive topics including grammar, vocabulary, sentence diagramming' though specific vocabulary instruction methods are not detailed

Writing InstructionNeutral

The curriculum includes structured writing instruction but with mixed effectiveness according to reviewers.

Covers 'four types of writing: expository, persuasive, narrative, and descriptive' but one detailed reviewer criticized the writing instruction as inadequate, saying it 'failed to properly teach the writing process'

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, successful-homeschooling.com