Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind (GftWTM) is a thorough, scripted grammar program that takes middle and high school students from basic grammar definitions through advanced sentence structure and analysis – all the grammar skills needed to write and speak with eloquence and confidence.
Students can start as early as 5th grade, but most families find better success with a 6th-grade start. For grades 1-5, we recommend First Language Lessons (FLL), Levels 1-4.
Many people pair our intermediate writing curriculum, Writing With Skill (WWS), with GftWTM, but the two are independent of one another. You will need to use a writing curriculum alongside Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind.
How does GftWTM work? How is it structured? What do I need to buy?
- GftWTM is a complete grammar course for middle- to high-school students. It provides instruction and practice to make the student proficient in grammar. To teach the material, you need the Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Core Instructor Text (a one-time purchase) and any color set of the Student Workbook and Answer Key.
- The teacher uses the scripted Core Instructor Text to take the student through up to 4 cycles of grammar instruction. Each cycle is represented by a color.
- The students complete each cycle of instruction in the Student Workbook, finding answers and further instruction in the corresponding color Answer Key. Each color - Purple, Red, Blue, Yellow - offers different content to practice the instruction in the Core Instructor Text. Most families find that it takes 1.5 years or more for the first two repetitions, and that's okay; the point is not speed, but mastery.
- All four colors are at the same “level”. You can use the colors in any order. Although the four Workbooks repeat the same rules and examples, each contains a completely new set of exercises and writing assignments. Each Workbook covers the most basic concepts through advanced grammatical concepts. The material in each workbook falls into three categories: Basic Grammar Lessons 1-40, Intermediate Grammar Lessons 41-80, and Advanced Grammar Lessons 81- 130.
- Check out this article on our website that explains GFTWTM in more detail. Susan Wise Bauer also includes an introductory video.
At what pace should my student complete a "color" of GftWTM?
- Many parents find that each color takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete, especially the first two cycles. Middle grade students, or those who have a hard time with grammar, may only get through Lesson 40 or 50 in the first year, and then need to repeat those lessons for mastery in the next year, using a different color workbook. In the following years, they would do the Intermediate Lessons (Lessons 41-80) in each of those books, and continue the same cycle for the Advanced Grammar Lessons (Lessons 81-130).
- The graphic at the end of this FAQ shows several possible K-12 grammar progressions, adjusted for starting at different ages.
- In this video, Susan Wise Bauer introduces the Blue set and describes how to use the curriculum. This chart shows the flexibility you have in using GftWTM over 4 or 5 (or more) years.
Can I see a sample of the curriculum?
- Look under the product image for any book in the store; click the sample button under that image. If you would like to try the materials for 6 weeks, you can download the first 6 weeks of the Core Instructor Text, the Revised Purple Student Workbook, and the Revised Purple Answer Key.
Do you have a Scope and Sequence for GftWTM?
- Yes. Here is the link to the Scope and Sequence.
Is GftWTM appropriate for a high school student?
- GftWTM is definitely suitable for high-school students. Many families use the books on 4 repetitions of a 1.5- to 2-year cycle...which takes the student all the way from middle school through high school.
Do you have teaching tips for GftWTM?
- In this video, Dr. Bauer offers teaching tips that help you adapt GftWTM to your situation.
- In this video, Dr. Bauer and Jessica Otto (from Well-Trained Mind Academy) discuss using the curriculum in different situations.
- In this video, Dr. Bauer teaches a sample lesson from GftWTM.
Can I use GftWTM in a classroom setting?
- Yes. We have licensing information linked in this article.
Do I need to buy the Grammar Guidebook and Diagramming Dictionary if I use GftWTM?
- We offer two helpful, but optional, reference books for students working in GftWTM and First Language Lessons, Level 4, and a supplement for those who want more diagramming practice.
- The Grammar Guidebook (TGG) is a lifetime reference book for you and your student.
- The Diagramming Dictionary (TDD) is a “power-assist” for teaching sentence diagramming.
- How to Diagram Any Sentence (HTD) pairs with The Diagramming Dictionary to give further practice in diagramming.
- The Grammar Guidebook (TGG) and The Diagramming Dictionary (TDD) provide instructor backup for any grammar curriculum. How to Diagram Any Sentence (paired with TDD) offers even more instruction in 100 example sentences, and can be used with any grammar curriculum. FAQ: How to Diagram Any Sentence