Sentence diagramming helps us master sentence construction, which helps us write better, read better, and think better. 

Just as builders need to know the nature of their tools -- hammer, saw, screwdriver, wrench, etc. -- and how they work, so also we who communicate and think need to know what our tools of communication and thought are and how they work.

Hence, in this class -- through lecture, interactive discussion, and interactive work -- we will identify and define the parts of speech and we will learn how to diagram sentences containing them. 

“Well organized and patient teacher. Teacher works hard to engage all students. This a great class! Not many schools are teaching this anymore. Great skill to have.” –Margaret S., parent, “Sentence Diagramming: Lesson 1,” 20 Mar 2020

Come prepared to listen, take notes, answer some questions, ask some questions, do some work, and start to make a life-long habit of clear communication, writing, and thinking. We will lay down the basic foundation for sentence diagramming; we will start the journey to better thinking and better living through better grammar. 

“This was a great introduction to sentence diagramming for my son. Mr Gold provided a lot of great resources as follow up to this class. Very helpful!” –Jenni C., parent, “Sentence Diagramming: Lesson 1,” 17 Aug 2020

Tentative schedule:
Week 1
Day 1
Intro; what sentence diagramming is; why it is important
Define noun, verb, pronoun, adjective, adverb, and preposition
How to diagram sentences with a combination of nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions
Day 2
Review
How to diagram implicit "you," interjections, and adverbs modifying adjectives or adverbs
Practice diagramming sentences with a combination of nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions
Day 3
Review prepositions and prepositional phrases
Identify prepositions, prepositional phrases, and the part of speech the phrase has
Day 4
Define compound element (compound noun, compound verb, compound sentence, etc.)
Define transitive verb, linking verb, direct object, indirect object
How to diagram sentences containing compound elements, transitive verbs, and linking verbs (as well as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases)
Day 5
Review
Practice diagramming sentences containing compound elements, transitive verbs, and linking verbs (as well as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases)

Week 2
Day 1
Review
Identify adverbs and adverbial clauses
How to diagram sentences containing adverbial clauses (and sentences containing what we have learned to this point)
Day 2
Review
Practice diagramming sentences containing adverbial clauses (and sentences containing what we have learned to this point)
Day 3
Review
Identify adjectives and adjective clauses
How to diagram sentences containing adjective clauses (and sentences containing what we have learned to this point)
Day 4
Review
Practice diagramming sentences containing adjective clauses (and sentences containing what we have learned to this point)
Day 5
Review
Practice diagramming everything we have learned

And more grammar, time permitting. 

“Great class! My 12 year old learned a lot!”
–Margaret S., parent, “Sentence Diagramming: Lesson 2,” 20 Mar 2020
“Excellent! An important skill for kids to have.”
–Margaret S., parent, “Sentence Diagramming: Lesson 2.5,” 24 Mar 2020

“Very helpful class!”
–Margaret S., parent, “Sentence Diagramming: Lesson 3,” 23 Mar 2020

“Lively discussion of words. Great review of basic concepts before delving into diagramming.” –Kendra W., parent, “Sentence Diagramming: Lesson 1,” 28 Mar 2020

“My son (14) took two pages of notes and seemed to learn grammar faster in the session than I could have possibly taught him myself! Probably because it’s easier to listen to someone (anyone, really) who isn’t your parent. Mr. Gold was engaging and informative, and sent not only one follow-up email (a TY to attendees, with some encouragement and advice) but two follow-up emails (the second had two pages of additional work students could do to practice diagramming sentences). I’d say anyone could benefit from this class; I know my son did because I’ve seen little in his notebooks/binders over the years from school covering grammar/parts of speech, with the exception of Spanish class.” –Amy H., parent, “Sentence Diagramming: Lesson 1,” 24 Jul 2020


(Image from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Examples_of_Reed-Kellogg_diagrams.jpg)