Gross-Out Grammar and Revolting Writing Series
Humorous & Engaging Language Arts for Reluctant Writers
Reluctant Writers
Before discovering the Gross-Out Grammar Series, many kids think they hate language arts. Writing is their kryptonite. Grammar is their ipecac (difficult to stomach or retain). And this essay-induced hypochondria can be a homeschool parent’s Achilles’ heel. The agony of forced, boring, and regimented language arts brings both the frazzled teacher and the overwhelmed student to the brink of tears or tantrums.
Writing lessons can be revolting.
Confusion over so many terms, rules, and tedious worry over commas, thesis statements, run-on sentences, paragraph structure, parts of speech, figurative language can be overwhelming. And if a kid hates even wielding a pencil for more than a sentence or two (in cursive!)… forget about it.
Grammar lessons are just gross.
Symptoms of a reluctant writer:
- Recoils when hearing words like essay, paragraph, write, editing, etc.
- Whines when forced to wield a pencil for any longer than one incomplete sentence.
- Mental and physical paralysis caused by overwhelming number of steps, expectations, and the nonsense of writing about something they wouldn’t even want to read.
- Complete refusal to write, and resignation to and acceptance of their (false) ignorance.
Overwhelmed from the Start
The writing process in many textbooks might as well be written in ancient cuneiform! It is simply too much all at once for a beginning writer to juggle. Often a wall of “hate” and “can’t” goes up; a wall almost impossible for parents to traverse. Almost.
In a moment of desperation, I threw out the usual dry and stuffy curriculum expectations and decided to reach my kid at his level of interest. What would kids most like to talk about? What subjects make them feel like they have something to share? What makes them excited and intrigued. What makes them laugh?
The Gross-Out Grammar Series proves that any subject matter can be used to teach grammar and writing skills.
Get on Their Level of Interest!
Help your kid discover their hidden ability to write and show them that language arts can be hilariously fun! Gross-Out Grammar 1 & 2 and Revolting Writing combine to form a year-long, humor-filled ease into (or creative review of) basic grammar topics and essay writing. Books are written at a middle school interest level and are suggested for students age 9-13 years. However, parents can gear their expectations and schedule to older or younger ages to fit their needs. Whether your student is a reluctant new writer or you are looking for a great way to shake things up with a rogue approach, this program is filled with laugh-out-loud learning and excitement!
How does it work?
All three (3) books combine for a year of language arts learning. The hilarious chapter themes and topics align in each book. The Revolting Writing Journal is intended to be used over one full academic year. Gross-Out Grammar Book 1 is one semester long (half year) and aligns with the first half of Revolting Writing. Gross-Out Grammar Book 2 is the second semester and aligns with the second half of Revolting Writing.
*Books can also be used separately and will stand alone as a writing or grammar workbook.
What is in each book?
REVOLTING WRITING
- The writing prompts in each chapter discretely prompt students to write varying types of essays without bogging them down in technical jargon. Forms of writing prompted throughout the book include: narrative, descriptive, opinion, how-to, persuasive, poetry, etc.
- Next there is an illustration page with a partially begun drawing for students to complete to further depict their writing. What they are unable to get into writing just yet can be shared in their art work. This gives them a break from writing and another creative outlet.
- 18 chapters long; one full year of writing prompts (roughly two weeks each)
- Chapters 1-9 are intended for first semester and align with grammar book 1, and chapters 10-18 align with grammar book 2.
- Each chapter includes a humorous theme and begins with a related vocabulary list and exercise. Words are funny and kid-rousing. One slang term is listed in each chapter that kids may have heard or used buy may not know the correct meaning and usage. They will learn it and how to spell it!
- Lastly, each chapter includes a themed cursive copywork excerpt for handwriting practice. These are short and funny and located in the back of the book.
- Parents should encourage students to use words from the vocabulary page in their writing and may choose to do a spelling quiz at the end of each chapter as well.
- An answer key and certificate of completion are included, and extra jokes and fun facts are found throughout this book.
GROSS-OUT GRAMMAR BOOK 1
- 9 chapters for one full semester of grammar; aligns with chapters 1-9 in the writing book.
- Each chapter is intended for 2 weeks of humorously-themed grammar activities.
- Lessons in this book include: sentence types and practice writing basic structures, punctuation, parts of speech and their proper use in sentences, synonyms, antonyms, homophones, homographs, commonly misused words, run-on and incomplete sentences, compound words, etc.
- Activities include: matching, mad libs, puzzles, drawing, coloring, unscrambling, creative writing, fill-in-the-blank, word games, etc.
- A 45-question Midterm Review Challenge is provided provided to test students on what they learned in the first half of the year.
- Full color illustrations and “Quick Laugh” jokes and tidbits are found throughout both grammar books to increase student interest.
- Answer keys to all lessons and midterm review, plus a certificate of completion, are found at the back of the book.
GROSS-OUT GRAMMAR BOOK 2
- 9 chapters for one full semester of grammar; aligns with chapters 10-18 in the writing book.
- Each chapter is intended for 2 weeks of humorously-themed grammar activities.
- Lessons in this book include: contractions, possessives, rules for capitalization, quotations, abbreviations, dictionary skills, basic approach to essay writing, outlines, editing, proofreading, point of view, tense, figurative language, poetry, rhyme, syllables, building vocabulary skills, pronunciation, etc.
- Activities include: multiple-choice, word games and puzzles, creative response, essay outlining, drafting, proofreading, poetry writing and illustration, fill-in-the-blank, vocabulary, dictionary usage, etc.
- A 45-question Final Review Challenge is provided provided to test students on what they learned in the second half of the year.
- A 30-question Challenge Quiz over lessons learned in both grammar books 1 and 2.
- Full color illustrations and “Quick Laugh” jokes and tidbits are found throughout both grammar books to increase student interest.
- Answer keys to all lessons, final review, and challenge quiz, plus a certificate of completion, are found at the back of the book.
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What Pleased Parents Have to Say…
” My son is actually doing the work. I’m both shocked and excited. Thank you so much for creating these!”
“At first she couldn’t believe I would get her something so gross! But very quickly she came to love how quirky and silly it is! So far it’s our favorite workbook of any kind.”
“When the books came in the mail I announced our summer language arts fun had arrived and everyone groaned. Then they saw the covers and began to flip through the pages AND ASKED TO START RIGHT NOW! They are learning and laughing and that is a blessing!”
“…this was a very good way to break past those barriers toward writing being “boring” or “too hard.”
“I have a very reluctant writer in my 10 year old son, and when it arrived, we were looking through it and he asked me if he could start it now…on a Saturday! I would definitely recommend this book. It is so creative and fun and brings out much laughter and creativity.”
“Finally a language arts curriculum that my boys enjoy! They get to be silly and gross and they are learning! Love it!”
Any subject can be used to teach grammar and writing. Why not use what interests and excites them… and makes them laugh!
By going rogue, the Gross-Out Grammar Series and Revolting Writing get reluctant writers excited, laughing, and willing to try. Sentences about boogers or video games can be used to teach parts of speech just as well as sentences about a walk in the park, and with more enjoyment for middle school aged kids!
Out of desperation, I reached my son and showed him that grammar and writing can be fun and rewarding, if not hilarious. I hope these books bring your student laughter and that it helps ease or eliminate the frustration and bore your student has previously assumed of grammar and writing.
