Grammar Zones, as described in the Teacher's Guide, is "a cooperative group unit that explores four basic parts of speech using a travel game format. As individuals and in Grammar Groups, students complete various activities to earn rewards that move them along the Grammar Zones map." The Teacher's Guide, a 160-page spiral bound book, contains basic instructions for each of the four Grammar Zones. The Guide contains a Unit Time Chart that outlines six weeks of study, based on five 50-minute lessons per week. The four Grammar Zones (Noun Town, Adjective Avenue, Verb Valley, and Adverb Bluff) are colorfully rendered on the Grammar Zones Map, which functions like a large game board. Each group tracks its progress throughout the unit. The culminating activity is a game of GRAMO, a "bingo-type" game incorporating everything learned in the unit. The Teacher's Guide also includes reproducible worksheet masters, extension activities, and answer keys.

You will need standard classroom supplies (pencil and paper, dictionaries, craft materials, etc.). If anything special is required, it will be noted in the materials list.

This grammar unit is designed for students in grades third through sixth in a traditional classroom environment. The instructions are designed for groups of five or fewer students within a standard class of 20 to 30 students. It has a competitive game format, but adjustments are suggested if you prefer a non-competitive version. Though informative, this product was not designed for homeschoolers. It probably could be used quite well in a co-op setting or even in a large family teaching multiple age groups, but modifications might still be necessary. Perhaps a creative teacher could even adapt the program for a single student and still use the competitive format as described. However, group activities and discussions are a large part of this program and would require modification. Time frame is another area that would require adjustment since most co-ops do not meet for one hour daily, five days a week. If you scheduled one session per week, the program would stretch to 30 weeks (possibly longer if you need to incorporate time off for holidays and/or vacations).

Grammar Zones does a fair job of presenting the topic of grammar. This program could benefit many types of homeschoolers (unit study, eclectics, classical, etc.). And certainly the additional activities and the game type environment would be enjoyable for many different learning styles.

Unfortunately, the necessity of modifying the schedule and many of the activities presented hurdles that our home simply did not care to tackle. As for financial expense, though the price might be reasonable for repeated uses in a classroom setting, it would likely be too pricey for most homeschools. I would be interested to see this company put out materials more specifically made for homeschooling environments.

Product review by Donna Campos, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, March 2007