Intermediate Grammar Course Review

School Library Journal - June 2005

The Intermediate Cozy Grammar Course - Level One. 
2 videocassettes or 2 DVDs. color. 3 hrs. with teacher's guide, reproducible worksheets. Splashes From the River. 2004. 
Video: ISBN: 0-9677271-9-5. 
DVD: ISBN 0-9688271-8-7.

Grade 8 Up - This tutorial is a self-directed series of instruction and
exercises covering grammar at the intermediate level. It begins with a basic grammar review and introduction to inflection and classification, followed by 30 detailed lessons on the inflection of nouns, verbs, and pronouns, each approximately five minutes in length. Retired English teacher Marie Rackham offers a relaxed, go-at-your-own-pace approach, emphasizing repetition and practice. Pleasant classical piano music plays in the background at the beginning and end of each lesson. Rackham's beautiful waterfront home in British Columbia provides the backdrop for the program, and sample sentences are created as the camera follows her doing
simple housekeeping activities such as cooking, stacking wood, bed-making, and sorting goodwill items. "All my knives need sharpening," she says, as the words appear graphically on the screen. Rackham changes her vocal tone for emphasis as the possessive plural noun, "knives," is underlined on screen. Her "cozy" approach is accessible and encouraging as she finishes each lesson with, "Now do the exercises!" in the accompanying workbook. Reproducible exercises, review sheets, three unit tests, a final, and answer keys are included in the workbook. The program would be appropriate for self-directed learners, including ELA, ESL, and homeschooled students.

Reviewer: Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY.