How long has the Shurley curriculum been available?

The Shurley curriculum has been available since 1989.

What is a Kit? (print materials)

Print materials for each grade level are sold in a kit. A kit contains everything you need to teach one child for an entire school year. Each kit contains the following three items: one Teacher's Manual, one Student Book, and one Homeschool Audio Resource Subscription.

Do all the grade levels come in one kit? Do I need to purchase a kit each year? (print materials)

All the grade levels do not come in one kit. There is a kit for each grade. You must purchase a kit for each year your child is in Shurley English because each kit contains the complete curriculum for that grade level.

What is a Digital Subscription? (digital materials)

A Digital Subscription contains everything you need to teach one student for an entire school year. The subscription includes one Digital Teacher's Manual and one Digital Student Book for a given grade level.

Do multiple grade levels come in a single Digital Subscription? (digital materials)

All the grade levels do not come in a Digital Subscription. The purchase of a subscription provides you with access to one level for one student. If you have more than one student utilizing the Shurley curriculum, you must purchase a subscription for each student.

I have several children. Do I need a Digital Subscription for each child? (digital materials)

Yes, you need a Digital Subscription for each child using the Shurley curriculum.

How do I know at what level to start my child? Do you provide placement tests?

We do not provide placement tests. The level selected usually depends upon three things: (1) Grade level, (2) Reading and comprehension level, and (3) Maturity level. The Shurley curriculum is a little more advanced than most curriculums, but we normally recommend starting children in their appropriate grade levels.

Do I need to start in Level 1 if my child has never used the Shurley curriculum?

No, not unless your child is reading on a first-grade level. The Shurley curriculum is a little more advanced than most curriculums, but we normally recommend starting children in their appropriate grade levels.

I have several children. How do I teach several grades together? Can I combine my children into one grade?

To combine children, you must consider maturity and reading/comprehension levels. You can usually combine children if they are only one grade apart (5th and 6th, 3rd and 4th, etc.). Maturity is a big factor when you try to combine younger children with older children. Here are some ideas that might work for you.

1. Do Jingle Time together to make it a fun learning experience for all your children.
2. Have your older children do the lessons with your younger children using a kit that is appropriate for the younger child.
3. Assign seatwork for the younger ones while you teach your older children their lessons. You will learn to make the necessary adjustments if you choose to combine grade levels.

Do I need a separate writing program?

If you purchase Shurley English Core, Shurley English Homeschooling, or the Shurley Method for Home Use, you do not need a separate writing program. The writing found in the Shurley curriculum is comprehensive. Children are taught how to write paragraphs in the four thematic patterns: expository, persuasive, narrative, and descriptive. Then, they are taught how to expand their paragraphs into essays.

GETTING STARTED

How do I prepare for each lesson?

You need to stay a lesson ahead of your children. Read each lesson the day before you teach it. If you are utilizing our digital subscription, you may watch the SEDA lesson. After several weeks, it will be easier to prepare and teach a lesson.

How long will it take to teach each lesson?

Each lesson will usually take between 20 to 45 minutes. It may take a little longer at the beginning because your child is learning the jingles. If you have a lesson that seems too long, teach part of the lesson one day and teach the rest of the lesson the next day. This curriculum allows you a lot of flexibility. For students using Digital Materials, the length of each SEDA lesson is noted in the Table of Contents.

How many days should I spend on each lesson?

You should teach one lesson each day. This consistency will provide you with the best results.

How do I begin?

When you first look at the teacher's manual, it can be overwhelming; therefore, focus on one lesson at a time. Read each lesson just like you would read a storybook. If you read every word in every lesson, you will understand how to teach this program. Do not skip lessons. Every lesson is built upon the previous lessons. Just get started. Remember, read each lesson word-for-word, step-by-step, and page-by-page.

What is the Question & Answer Flow?

The Question & Answer Flow is a concrete set of questions and answers that gives children the ability to determine how each word is used within a sentence. The rhythmic Q & A Flow is done in an energized manner to enhance learning and to ensure enjoyment. By using the Q & A Flow, children are able to completely analyze a sentence. The difficulty level increases during the course of the year.

DURING THE YEAR

How do I know if my child is in the right level?

If Shurley English is new to the parent and the child, it may be difficult to determine whether the child is in the right level during the first few weeks. As a general guideline, after approximately six to eight weeks, the child should begin to show more consistency and proficiency during the lessons. Remember, with practice and persistence, mastery develops over a period of time.

Should my child repeat a level if he/she is struggling?

First, your child needs time to adapt to a new curriculum. If you have chosen a level at or below the child's grade level, you should have no trouble making a few adjustments to get your child back on track. This curriculum gives you the flexibility to slow the lessons down at the beginning (take two days instead of one to finish a lesson). If your child is still struggling after eight weeks in this curriculum, you may need to choose a lower level until the child is comfortable. When you think your child is ready, you always have the option of moving him/her up to a higher level.

Trust the program. Read each lesson just like you would a storybook: word-for-word, step-by-step, and page-by-page. Remember to have fun with the jingles and the Question & Answer Flows. A positive approach by the parent is very important to the success of this curriculum.

Is this a full-year curriculum? What do I do if we finish before the end of the year?

Shurley English Core, Shurley English Homeschooling, and The Shurley Method for Home Use curriculum provide grammar, skills, and writing lessons for an entire school year. The Shurley Grammar curriculum provides targeted instruction in grammar only. This edition contains 75 lessons per level that can be taught over the course of the year or in an abbreviated manner as an intensive course.

What do I do if I start the Shurley curriculum in the middle of the year and don't finish the level before our school year ends?

You continue the level that you did not finish until it is complete. Then, you start the next level immediately.

Is it better to have more than one child participate in the Shurley curriculum?

This curriculum will work for an individual child as well as with a group of children. The parent determines the learning environment and makes it fun in both instances. This program provides all children with a chance to achieve success individually or in groups.

Can I teach jingles from a higher level to children in a lower level?

Yes.

Can we use our own sentences for extra practice?

Yes, you can use your own sentences for extra practice. Be very careful to follow the patterns that are being taught. Do not expect your children to be able to classify sentences that have concepts in them that have not been taught. You could also classify the Practice and Improved Sentences that your children write as long as the children follow the sentence patterns.

Note: Because of the volume of calls, we do not classify sentences that are not included in the Shurley curriculum.

Does my child have to write on notebook paper?

Some children write larger than others, so parts of the test and practice assignments that require more writing are done on notebook paper to accommodate for those differences. This also allows more review of skills than would otherwise be possible. Most parents just staple the notebook paper to the test or practice page to keep them together.