It is imperative for all students to learn to critically think in all academic situations. Without using curriculum that teaches this important aspect, they miss out on learning a valuable life skill.  Sentence Diagramming Beginning (grades 3-12) written by Angela Carter and published by The Critical Thinking Company is a fantastic resource to use with students who need more reinforcement with dissecting sentences.  This single 72-page paperback book retails for $12.99 and is perfect for students not sure where to begin when asked to diagram a sentence.  It is also available in eBook format.  There are two other levels, available for purchase, after the beginner book has been completed.  This book is complete in itself, and the twelve lessons cover a wide variety of topics from simple subject and main verbs to compound predicate adjectives and nouns.  With each lesson being four pages in length it is manageable for a student to work through a lesson at one sitting.  Duration of the lesson depends on the student’s ability to grasp the concepts presented.  There is a grey section at the beginning of each lesson, and before a new idea is introduced, which highlights instructions and examples, so the student knows exactly what is expected.  It is simple, clear and concise with the wording, examples and how each lesson is to be mastered.  The pages are even perforated so one could complete the exercise outside of the book.  With an answer in the key it makes for easier self-correction or for teachers to depict mistakes.  Each lesson builds upon the next lesson, so it is critical that they are completed in order.  The lessons gradually become more detailed and complex in diagramming the sentences, and may take the student longer in duration to complete.  At the end of the twelve lessons there is a review in which all the grammar rules taught will be applied.

This book was used with my fifth grader who struggles with diagramming sentences and remembering the parts of speech.  As a supplement to our language arts curriculum, as well as an exceptional way to reinforce the concepts he has already learned yet needs to practically apply what has been taught.  It has been an easy transition with using this book, and with practice two to three times per week any student could have this book completed within two or three months.  Even students who are more mathematical minded find these English lessons to be engaging and quite exciting. 

This product works well with students who are hands-on or visual learners, as there are many ways to practice the concepts introduced.  With a broad range of grade levels from third thru twelfth one could use this supplement during any age, or modified for younger students who are advanced.  Sentence Diagramming could work well within any type of school setting, home, private or public.  And easily modified or adapted to the students learning style.  I felt that this book was complete in itself, and I am always pleased with how they design their books for learning.  With having used Critical Thinking books in other academic studies, I am never disappointed with the quality of products this company produces!  And Sentence Diagramming Beginning is another fantastic resource added to our curriculum, and I highly recommend using this book with all students who are beginning their journey with sentence structure.

Getting students to critically think is a life skill that should not be overlooked.  And students need high-quality resources to provide them a solid language arts foundation, as well as supplements such as Sentence Diagramming Beginning to reinforce concepts already taught. 

-Product review by Pam Havens, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, June, 2018