Hi, I'm new on this list. I'd like to start a discussion of grammar texts that work well in college prep. high school classes. I am using <Grammar Fundamentals> this year, but its explanations and examples are sometimes too sophisticated for ninth graders. I like having plenty of exercises that help the students understand the grammatical concepts. <GF> has exercises that analyze as well as those that ask students to revise sentences. For example, the comma practice sheet has students give the reason for a comma in a given place. I like its sophisticated approach in that respect, but I don't want to overwhelm my students with more analysis than they need. On the other hand, a book like <Rules of Thumb> seems overly simplistic. Another possible topic for use to explore--do you find that the more students do themselves, practice sheets, worksheets, whatever you want to call them, the more they gain mastery? What balance of theory versus practice do you find works best? How do you measure the results? In their ability to identify grammatical structures? In their improved writing? Perhaps my questions cover old ground for many of the members of this list, but I would certainly love to hear your ideas. Carole Hamilton English teacher, St. Anne's-Belfield [log in to unmask]