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Why Shurley?

Shurley English (also known as Shurley Grammar) is the program that homeschoolers everywhere are raving about and with good reason! With the Shurley Method, you don't have to re-teach the same concepts over and over. Students retain their grammar skills because they use them every day in fun, interactive lessons.


What makes The Shurley Method so unique?

1. Shurley English uses a question and answer flow to determine the parts of speech. As students read through a sentence, they ask specific questions, which help them identify the elements of grammar. It's like solving a mystery or working a puzzle.

2. Shurley English uses jingles which define the parts of speech and teach how to find them within a sentence. Every time your child chants one of these snappy sayings, he's reinforcing the knowledge he'll use for a lifetime.

3. Shurley English uses repetition to attain mastery. Enough repetition is provided to master each concept taught. Lessons include daily practice of old skills while new skills are being added.

Shurley Placement: Choosing the Level That's Right for Your Child

Shurley levels are roughly equivalent to grade levels of the same number. In the early grades, reading level is a big factor, and in most cases you should select the Shurley level that corresponds with your child's reading ability. In public schools Level 1 is usually begun after the first nine weeks of first grade. This gives the students some time to develop the necessary reading skills. As homeschoolers, we have the luxury of being able to adjust the timing to suit our child's needs, so use your best judgment and begin when the time seems right.

Placement in Shurley has more to do with academic aptitude than with what the student already knows about English. The material assumes no prior knowledge of The Shurley Method and even the basic grammar concepts are reintroduced at each level. Most students can begin with the level that corresponds to their current grade. Combining students who are close in age into the same level is a common practice among Shurley users.

We found Shurley Level 7 to be fairly rigorous, as it gets into some advanced concepts. We usually don't recommend it for first time Shurley users unless the child is mature, motivated, or older than 7th grade. Although it can be completed in one year, some people choose to spend 1 1/2 to 2 years on Level 7.

The Shurley Scope and Sequence can be helpful in determining which level is best for your child. Above all, we like to stress the flexibility of The Shurley Method. Parents can easily adapt the material by adjusting the pace and presentation, so there is usually no single right choice.