The son of a friend of mine has just started the 9th grade, and the teacher/school/district has what seems to be a “grammar until Christmas” policy – definitions, drills, fill in the blanks, hunting for the eight parts of speech – everything that makes grammar a nightmare, particularly for kids who aren’t very good with language, and he’s certainly at the top (bottom?) of that list – the very definition of a language-impaired teenage boy. Naturally, he’s flunking (big time!). This is everything that grammar should not be. I told her I had friends in high places who might be able to give some advice. I frankly don’t know what to tell her other than to get tutor.