Writing & Grammar 6, 3rd edition

by BJU Press

ElaGrade 6

BJU Press Writing & Grammar 6: Traditional Christian ELA with Grammar Focus

BJU Press Writing & Grammar 6 is a comprehensive ELA curriculum that integrates composition, grammar, word studies, and study skills from a Christian worldview. The course emphasizes traditional grammar instruction in the first half, shifting toward composition skills in the second half, with mentor texts and writing workshops throughout.

Best for

Homeschooling families seeking a traditional, Christian-based ELA curriculum for Grade 6 students who need structured grammar review alongside composition skill development, with comprehensive teacher support materials.

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 1 concern · 3 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum provides comprehensive teacher support through detailed teacher editions with instructional guidance, rubrics, and additional resources. Digital resources and instructional aids are also available.

Review describes 'lengthy explanation of the program' and 'appendix includes a section of Instructional Aids with rubrics for evaluating compositions, extra grammar exercises, writing prompts, game resources' plus 'Additional digital resources' available

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum is designed for direct instruction with detailed teacher presentation plans, though some grammar lessons can be completed independently. The teacher edition provides comprehensive instructional guidance.

Review states 'The course is designed to be taught from the teacher edition' and 'those that focus on grammar include lesson presentation plans for teachers' while 'composition lessons usually require the use of the lesson presentation from the teacher edition'

Vocabulary BuildingStrength

The curriculum includes dedicated vocabulary instruction through 'Word Studies' that teach prefixes, suffixes, Greek word parts, and homophones. This provides systematic vocabulary development appropriate for the grade level.

Review mentions 'Three Word Studies teach about prefixes and suffixes, English words from Greek word parts, and homophones'

Writing InstructionStrength

The curriculum provides structured writing instruction with explicit teaching of the writing process, multiple writing types, and dedicated 'Writing Workshops' throughout the course. Students learn various genres including informational essays, argumentative essays, and historical fiction.

Review details that 'Students learn to apply the writing process to various types of writing, including informational and argumentative essays, paraphrasing, and personal narratives' and mentions '10 Writing Workshops in the entire course'

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsConcern

The curriculum relies primarily on excerpts and short passages rather than whole books. Most mentor texts are only one or two paragraphs long, with the longest being four pages from Christmas for Somebody's Sister.

Review notes 'The majority of the excerpts are only one or two paragraphs long' and mentions specific short excerpts from various sources including Scientists: Inspiring Tales and Pollyanna

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum includes some domain knowledge through mentor texts from non-fiction sources about science and other topics. However, the primary focus appears to be on grammar and writing skills rather than systematic knowledge building.

Mentor texts include excerpts from 'Scientists: Inspiring Tales of the World's Brightest Scientific Minds' and other non-fiction sources, but these are brief excerpts rather than sustained knowledge building

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes chapter reviews and multiple assessments including eight tests and a final exam. However, there's limited evidence of systematic retrieval practice or spaced review throughout the lessons.

Review mentions 'A chapter review assesses student understanding before they take their test' and 'The course has eight tests, a final exam, and preassessments'

Systematic PhonicsNeutral

This is a Grade 6 curriculum, so systematic phonics instruction is not applicable or expected at this grade level.

The curriculum is designed for Grade 6 students who are beyond the foundational phonics stage

Text ComplexityInsufficient Evidence

The curriculum uses mentor texts from various sources including non-fiction and literature, but most excerpts are very brief. The complexity level for Grade 6 is not clearly established from the review evidence.

Review mentions mentor texts from sources like 'Scientists: Inspiring Tales' and excerpts from Pollyanna, but notes 'The majority of the excerpts are only one or two paragraphs long'

Review Sources

cathyduffy

Cathy Duffy

Key Facts
GradesGrade 6
SubjectEla
PedagogyTraditional
Faith-BasedChristian/Protestant
Pricing$93.33 at Christianbook.com | $93.33 at Rainbowresource.com | $21.11 at Christianbook.com | $21.74 at Rainbowresource.com | $15.28 at Christianbook.com | $15.83 at Rainbowresource.com | $127.05 at Christianbook.com | $130.85 at Rainbowresource.com | $39.72 at Christianbook.com | $40.83 at Rainbowresource.com

Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: cathyduffy, homeschoolcom