Shurley English is a grammar and composition curriculum for grades K-8. It uses catchy jingles and a questioning method to help students understand grammar concepts better.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests.
What is shurley English?
Shurley English is a grammar and composition program created by Brenda Shurley in 1971 and published in 1989. She noticed her eighth-graders struggled with basic grammar, so she developed a fun way to teach it. The curriculum is for grades K-8 and focuses on grammar and writing, not phonics, reading, spelling, or literature.
The teaching method
Shurley English uses a hands-on approach called 'see it, hear it, say it, do it.' First, students memorize catchy jingles that explain parts of speech, like 'A noun names a person, place, or thing.' Then they learn the Question and Answer Flow. This method helps them analyze sentences by asking questions about each word, which they can visualize with sentence diagramming.
Five core sentence patterns
Students learn five key sentence patterns that cover all English structures. Pattern 1 is Subject Noun + Verb (like 'The dog barks'). Pattern 2 adds a Direct Object ('The dog chases the cat'). Pattern 3 includes an Indirect Object ('The girl gave her friend a gift'). Pattern 4 uses a Linking Verb + Predicate Noun ('The dog is a collie'). Pattern 5 uses a Linking Verb + Predicate Adjective ('The soup tastes delicious'). Knowing these helps students analyze any sentence they see.
Strengths and limitations
Shurley English is great for building strong grammar skills through its fun, multi-sensory approach. The jingles make it easy to remember, and the scripted lessons help parents who aren't grammar experts. However, writing lessons aren't as strong, so many families use additional writing programs. It needs a lot of parent involvement and isn’t meant for independent study. Plus, it doesn’t cover phonics, reading, spelling, or literature, so you’ll need other resources for those.
The bottom line
Shurley English does what it promises: it helps kids master grammar through memorization and practice. The jingles and Q&A Flow really help with retention. If you’re okay with a hands-on teaching style and ready to use other programs for a full language arts education, Shurley English gives a solid grammar foundation that students can carry into adulthood.
