Welcome to Wordsmiths! Home of Jensen's Grammar

 MIXED TITLES & GENERAL COMMENTS 

We have used so many of your materials and found them to be very helpful in giving our children a good understanding of the English language.  We used Format Writing last year and saw incredible progress in our son's composition and organizational skills.  I appreciated the checklist to use in assessing the writing; a task that I have found very difficult in the past.  We are currently using the vocabulary series with two children and are seeing wonderful results.  I also enjoy your book, English Fun Stuff.  I especially like giving the kids a proverb to decipher.  Thank you for providing so many useful and enjoyable materials!  I might add that I enjoy your web site almost as much as your fine school materials.  I have mentioned it to many of my homeschooling friends as a great resource, especially for the subject of language and writing.  I appreciate your commitment to using your gifts to serve the Lord and others.

Lisa Jennings – home educator

If you would like an endorsement from Whitefield College for your web site, let me know.  I would be glad to provide one as my students thrive on your material, and the improvement in their writing is noticeable.

Dr. Quentin Johnston, Academic Dean, Whitefield College

I have been using some of your products for many years now: Latin Vocabulary I & II, Greek Vocabulary, Major Punctuation, and Format Writing.  First, I just want you to know that I think these are some of the finest materials available to home schooling moms -- especially for the price!!  I just can't recommend them enough to anyone who approaches me and asks me for advice on "grammar curriculum."  Yours is always the first line of products I tell them about.  Thanks for creating such helpful and simple material!!

Becky Kodrin - home educator

Our program uses your grammar, punctuation and format writing programs for high school.  Wonderful work!  Our families-parents and students-are very enthusiastic about allllll of your materials.  The materials are challenging, easy to teach and accomplish, can be adapted to any subject and any time frame, are concisely written-I could go on and on. Thank you so much for your work!

Mrs. Deborah L. Yonan, Director, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy

Our personal experience with your materials has been very positive, and we look forward to offering them to more of our customers.  Thank you very much!

Ann Morris - Light of Faith Resources

(The following is a bit lengthy and quite laudatory; I told her I really didn't deserve all this credit. Mrs. Nobbs mentions phone support; she only called two or three times, and that was before email. ed.)

I don't know if you would remember me, but you and your books were invaluable in the homeschooling of our daughter. I am writing to update you on my daughter's progress. Sierra worked her way through all your books, took the college placement exam and scored 99 in writing (which we were told is the highest you can get) and went on to college online classes (at age 14 l/2). She took Writing 115, got an "easy" A; she then proceeded to Writing 121 (essay writing) where she again received an A (2nd highest in the class). Next, to challenge herself, she took WR 241 and advanced level WR 241, which is creative fiction writing. Again, A's in both classes. Her instructors were all highly complementary of her work and during the last week of the WR 241 class, she let the instructor and another student know how old she was! He was absolutely flabbergasted!! They could not believe a "child" her age could have produced such quality work. The instructor had been using her work as examples to the other students. Professor Hale has since kept in touch with her, wanting her to publish a series of short stories she wrote for the class. She is now l6 years old and attending college full time on a full 2 year scholarship. For all of this we have you to thank!! I wanted you to know that without your books and phone support I am sure Sierra would have never achieved the high level of scholastics she is now enjoying. You supplied Sierra with the solid base that is necessary to succeed, and we want others to know!

Lynn Nobbs - home educator

I have been using your materials for many years now with my kids and have the highest of praises for them. My college kids were prepared well by using the grammar and writing materials, and the younger ones really benefit from the vocabulary (Latin and Greek) builders.

Candy Kanuchok - home educator

I am homeschooling a ninth grader, and we have been going through your punctuation books and Format Writing this year.  I've even learned some things I didn't know myself.  My husband teaches business courses at a college, and he said that our son's essays are better written than those he receives from his college students.  Our son's science tutor was impressed with his research paper.  I made him apply what he had learned in Format Writing to that paper.

Kay Rinck - home educator

I love your books!  They make the job of homeschooling our two teenagers to competent levels of performance almost painless - for them and me!  People keep asking me how my children understand punctuation so well, and I have another opportunity to share your products.

Paula Wilcox - home educator

Yesterday we got my oldest son's scores on his final college entrance test, the TASP which is required by Texas.  Greg had told us that he knew he failed the writing because he did not write as many words as required.  He said he covered the subject (lowering the minimum wage) and didn't have anything more to say.  However, he passed the writing section with a score of 6 out a possible 8.  The same thing was true on the GED, which the local college required that he take.  He again wrote fewer words than required (about half), but passed with room to spare.  It was very encouraging for him.  How much shall we attribute it to excellent grammar, vocabulary, and writing textbooks?  In my opinion the textbook is just about everything.

Becky Seevers - home educator

We have used all your curriculum from Journey Through Grammar Land up through Jensen's Punctuation.  We have been very pleased with your material.  Last year our 13-year old son, Matthew, made 29 on the English portion of the ACT.  We can't help but believe a big part of his success was due to your curriculum. Thank you and God bless!  (I wrote back and asked for some explanation. The following came in. ed.)  Matthew's English score of 29 put him at the 94th percentile of all college-bound students who took the A.C.T.  Keep in mind that this compared him with all college-bound students, not with other 8th graders who took the test.  Most of his competition here came from high school juniors and seniors.  So, for a 13-year-old to do that well compared with all students taking the test.?  We feel that your curriculum had much to do with his success.

Bill and Cathy Clanahan – home educating parents

My 8th & 9th grade daughters have just begun using your Jensen's Grammar and love it. My 9th grader is also using your Format Writing and has finally come out of her shell about writing. I laughed when I read your comments about talking being easier than writing. The 9th grader is quite a talker--hasn't stopped since she was 9 months old! To get her to put her thoughts to paper has been a struggle for the 9 years we've been homeschooling. Your materials have been like a breath of fresh air after being stuck in a musty cellar!

Patt Courtemanche - home educator

Thank you so much.  We have enjoyed all your books in the past and found them most helpful.  In fact, when our son went off to college after having studied with Jensen's Grammar, he became the unofficial dorm instructor to all students struggling with freshman English.

Joy Mielke - home educator

We started using the Jensen's Grammar book last year with my 8th and 10th grade boys and think they are wonderful.  For the first time my 8th grader is actually understanding what he is doing!  I also bought the Format Writing book and started that with my 10th grader last year and noticed that his writing style has improved tremendously.

Kathy Cunningham - home educator

Thought you might like to know; I've used, Grammar Land, books 1-4, Jensen's Grammar, books 1-3, and Latin I.  I have been very pleased with the teaching in all these books.  I have used them to home school 5 children; the 5th child is only on book 3 of Grammar Land now, so he still has a ways to go.  Some of my children have thought they were too hard, but I have appreciated the amount that each one has had to stretch himself to accomplish the work.  You have truly blessed our homeschooling efforts.

Bonnie Simmering - home educating mom

First of all, thank you for writing such a great series!  We worked through the grammar book last year and will be working through the punctuation book this year.  We are also going to start work on Format Writing.  My son will be starting his sophomore year (high school) in the fall, and he has been much happier working with your material than anything else we've used for grammar and punctuation types of courses.

Sharon Hanson - home educating mom

I am very interested to see the results of using your methods of teaching grammar and vocabulary.  I have already taught grammar and vocabulary through High School graduation to my eldest son using a different method.  Your method is intriguing.  I believe your curriculum has a potential efficiency and efficacy that may far surpass what I have seen used in homeschooling curriculum so far.  I also believe it may better fit our lifestyle and my daughter's learning style to use your methodology.  The prospect is exciting as an educator and Mother.  Thanks for your efforts in raising the bar for instruction in this vital area of communication.

Suzanne Nolin - home educator

We have used your Jensen's Grammar all year and have found it excellent.  My two high school kids can label about any word in a sentence and tell its function AND can punctuate correctly.  Thanks for providing such a great text.  We've also enjoyed Format Writing, and are going to do it all over again for Senior Composition using our history studies as the essay topics this time around.

Beth Husman - home educator

I enjoy reading your Smithy Notes; I always learn something.  I enjoy your insights, interesting trivia, word games, and book reviews.  I have been home schooling my 6 kids since 1990 (two are in university now), and am finding myself increasingly asked to share my experience with new homeschoolers.  As I share home schooling insights, your products are on my "highly recommended" list.  I am a missionary in Africa, with Wycliffe Bible Translators.  Thanks.

Colleen Walters - home educator  (ed. As a translator, she knows about languages & grammar.)

Thank you for such great materials!  When I first used the Jensen's Grammar for high schoolers, I must admit I was overwhelmed.  But now, having done that particular book ...well, I am on the 6th child now.  I love it, and that is why I am preparing the seventh student for that level using the Journey Through Grammar Land series.  What a help! Thank you again and have a great day!

Misty Glines - home educator

I have always greatly enjoyed and appreciated your novel approach to the grammar as well as the ease of using the Format Writing course. Thank you again for all your wonderful resources.

Jennifer McIntyre - home educator

Thank you- love the insert of humor in your "Just For Fun" section.  I am an early primary teacher home with the flu....what a lovely little burst of encouragement in opening your email!  I am also glad to see your "Smithy notes" appearing on my computer again!  I was wondering if you would still be circulating your tidbits of wisdom and repose with the busyness of your DVD work.  I had first subscribed to your notes when I was homeschooling my two children (and taking my Master's degree), and so appreciated the bits and pieces that added to your materials.  We have also enjoyed your pithy humor over the years along with your succinct keys to language refinement!  Thank you too for the Biblical foundation that embraces your work.  Cheers from British Columbia, Canada! God continue to bless your endeavors!

Shelley Sharkey - teacher

My next door neighbor is a retired, third generation English teacher.  She is very impressed with your books, which has given our home school some credibility.  Thanks.

Judy Dueitt - home educator

We've used Grammar Land and Jensen's Grammar and loved them!  You have a wonderful gift!  Thank you for serving us. In Him,

Fran Bird - home educator

At age 14 my son did your Grammar and Punctuation books and the Format Writing.  He then took our community college's placement test and tested well into their college level Eng/composition class.  He has now completed that with an "A".  Thank you for the great preparation.  He says your books taught him everything he needed. : )

Janice Turner - home educator

I am Joy Frost and am teaching an English class using your vocabulary book.  I would greatly appreciate having tests for them.  We are a small group of home schoolers who have formed a co-op.  I am finding this book to be an excellent text for my students.  We are also using the punctuation book and will be starting the format writing book soon.  I am a stay-at-home mom and having tests already prepared would be a great help.  Thank you so much for your time.  And thank you too for such fantastic resources!

Joy Frost – co-op teacher

My daughters and I have successfully completed Vocabulary: Latin I and most of the punctuation workbook over the last six months, and I have been very happy with the results.  Both my girls are currently in public school, and I was using your materials to supplement.  I just want to say a big thank you for all your dedication to writing these books with the purpose in mind of helping others.  We have benefited greatly.  I have seen my 10th grader pull up her English grade from a "D" in the beginning of the year to almost an "A" at the end.  Her teacher has recommended her for AP English next year, and we are very pleased.

Julie Brown – part-time home educator

Toni Ferrara – home educator

I am a fifteen-year old homeschooler who really likes and enjoys your workbooks.  Before Jensen's Grammar I could not distinguish a verb from a noun or an adjective.  Now I can confidently take apart a sentence and make it say what I want. I am also enjoying Format Writing.  Its systematic approach makes writing less scary and helps my mom, grade my work. Thanks for these simple guides to English.

Miss Janiece T. - homeschooled student

We have talked on the phone before, but it was many years ago now.  My children are now entering high school, and I have found nothing to compare with your grammar, punctuation, and format writing series.  We look forward to incorporating the vocabulary and spelling books into our already crowded curriculum.

I also wanted to relay a little story to you.  A friend of mine was looking for an excellent grammar book that she could use and asked if I knew of any.  Of course I directed her to your grammar book, which she liked and immediately used.  Well, her son hated that grammar book.  He complained, dragged his feet doing the lessons, and essentially begged his mother to find something else; he had been in a Christian high school but had been asked to leave for disciplinary reasons.  My friend persisted, and her son did finish all of the exercises.  He was welcomed back in to the public school forum for his senior year (home schooled for two years).  When he saw how well he understood the grammar/punctuation necessary to produce well-written papers, he changed his mind about your book.  In fact, his teachers were amazed at how much he had learned; he went back to the same school.  He graduated last year, and I had the opportunity to finally meet him.  He thanked me for suggesting the book, as hard as it was, and is thankful for his mother's perseverance.  I told him he should also thank the Lord for you and your wonderful grammar book.  He is now a fine upstanding young Christian who can write!  Indeed may the Lord continue to bless you, Mr. Jensen!  We, too, are thankful that the Lord led us to you and your outstanding curriculum.

Polly Knowland - teacher

I have been using Jensen's Grammar for quite a few years now. I love it, and I see how well my children write and communicate because of this program.

Trina Schueler – home educator

I have Jensen's Grammar Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3 - Copyright 1992.  This is a WONDERFUL Grammar series.  I would like to use this again with 3 more children and 2 adults.  However, I have not been able to find all three parts.  Is this series still available?  Or maybe the combined is all three parts?  (Yes, it is now called  Jensen’s Grammar. ed.)  Thanks for such an incredibly clear, concise, and complete grammar series.  I love it, and I earnestly hope it is still available.

Karen L. Taylor – home educator

I don't want any of the kids leaving home without having Jensen's Grammar under their belt.  It has served us well.

Joan Mahan - home educator

We have used Jensen's Grammar and feel it is an excellent addition to our homeschool curriculum.  Thank you very much.

Sue Spencer - home educator

I have found your curriculum to be extremely helpful to our homeschooling.  I appreciate the structured, no nonsense approach.  One of my children is deaf, which makes grammar and writing a challenge.  I have found that your method of formula writing really helps her to write understandable, complete sentences.  Thanks again for the great teaching tools.

Kelly Holderby - home educator

My daughter has said that your English course has helped her understand grammar more than anything we have done. I've also noticed her sentences are improving by using the formulas you provide at the end of each lesson.

Debbie Kimball - home educator

I purchased your vocabulary book a few years ago, and we loved it.  My son later took the SAT after using all of your books (except the punctuation book) and he scored very high (1360), and he received enough scholarships to almost completely pay for college.  That is a tough thing to do because homeschoolers do not have a class rank and are not even considered for many scholarships.  I am grateful for your help.

K. Kampfe - home educator

I am writing you to personally thank you for writing Jensen's Grammar.  I often refer to this as being the most influential study throughout my college preparatory education.  Never had I seen grammar so mathematically structured.  Sentences were broken down into independent clauses with simple rules like "I;I." "I,cc I."  To this day, I still recall them: "independent clause, semicolon, independent clause" and "independent clause, comma, coordinating conjunction, independent clause."  I've not had problems structuring sentences since.  Punctuation became a strong point for me as I could revert to what I viewed as mathematical equations.  My mind works in precise, structured, step-by-step, processes.  You broke down the English language into an organized, intuitive set of rules, which were easy to remember and apply.  Today, I continue to benefit from your literature.  Recently, I've purchased a copy of Jensen's Grammar to brush up on the basics, and in doing so, read through some of the articles on your website.  I particularly liked the section titled "Grammar and Thought" in which you briefly discussed the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis.  I loved one of your concluding statements - so much, in fact, that I wrote it down in my book of quotes.  You said, "With greater understanding comes greater facility."  Amen, friend.  I have a desire to know - a desire to understand.  Often I'll discuss this idea with my friends, and I typically conclude that "Hey, I just have a desire to know and a desire to do."  You phrased this so much better.  I mean, that's it, Mr. Jensen; that's the application.  Again, thank you for the time and effort you've invested in these works.  In my opinion, they are all one needs in order to develop the necessary skills involved with written communication.  God bless you and your ministry.

Preston Adams - Product Engineer

I am 16 years old and am home schooled.  I am currently going through Jensen's Grammar and while checking my answers for Exercise 24, I noticed that some of the answers for two of the problems didn't match the problems.  In problems 24 and 25, I was supposed to divide the two sentences into subject and predicate and find the prepositional phrases.  In problem 24, the answer for the subject/predicate part was "he//had", when the word "had" wasn't even in the problem.  For problem 25, the answer was "he//thought", neither of which are in the problem.  (Those problems have since been fixed. ed)  Otherwise, your book has been very good and has helped me immensely with my grammar and I'm not even halfway through it.  Things are a lot clearer now, whereas they used to be dreadfully fuzzy or nonexistent.  Thank you very much.

Kayley Baxter - home schooled student

My 14 year old had previously worked through your Jensen's Grammar book.  She has spent this year at public school.  We attended her prize-giving ceremony today where she received the top academic award for her year, along with the award for English.  We both feel that Jensen's Grammar contributed to her success.

Jacqui Strom - home educator in New Zealand

Hi, I have a Jensen's Grammar book that I am using with the last of my three kids.  This is the best grammar resource ever.

Joy Toll - home educator

I can't wait to do grammar this year.  I have ten 11-year-old boys in class.  We're going to do this thing!  Thanks for your hard work in developing this program.  So many people tell me I should try this or that program, but I know that I already have the best.  It is hard, but done correctly the results are phenomenal!  My daughter is in college right now. She doesn't think she is a particularly good writer with anything to say, but she usually gets an "A" anyway because she has such good form.  She comes home and thanks me for teaching her how to write, so I pass the thanks on to you. You're changing lives.  Thank you.

Kathy Cluff - teacher - Heber J. Grant Academy

I highly recommend this book, (Jensen's Format Writing ed.), to prepare a student for college essay writing, typically the required WR 121 class.  IMHO, it is the best on the market to clearly, efficiently, and concisely teach a student the process of expository writing, which is the backbone of college papers.  This is a "must do" book for our children.  My oldest, who graduated from homeschool last year, said Format Writing helped her immensely as she aced her required writing course in college. I quibble a little with some of the example that Jensen gives, but remember he is not trying to give great writing examples but simplistic representations to show the child the writing process, which he does superbly.

Tammy A - home educator

I promote this book (Format Writing, ed.) to every mom who says she has trouble teaching writing skills.  I am convinced it is the most practical approach available today.  Every student who has taken my class based on your book has improved!  Reluctant writers relax, and confident writers become better focused.  Congratulations on a job well done!

Jo Anne Bennett - educational consultant

We have been happily using your Format Writing course for two years, and it has tremendously helped our son, Judson, develop his writing skills.  He has always been a reluctant writer and I, the mother and teacher, have always been looking for ways to motivate him to write.  I have found that he needs a reason to write.  With your material, I was able to allow him to write about subjects he was interested in.  Some of his essay topics this year have included Motorcycle Engine or Snowmobile Engine (comparison), Building a Fighting Robot (process), Salvation (analogy), Music (definition), Rifles (classification), GoCarts (example).  His first major paper was "The History of the Volkswagen Beetle," and the topic I assigned for the latest essay was Fuel Cells, which he refined to "Fuel Cells in the Automotive Industry."

Sharon Malone - home educator

I have been using Format Writing for a few years as I tutor high school English composition for home schoolers.  I really like it, and am looking forward to seeing your new edition.

Hazel Morrow - tutor

I'm a homeschooling mom who's now using Format Writing with my second high school student.  The first one is now doing college English and getting A's on her papers, so Format Writing works!

Laurie Sansom - home educator

The Format Writing workbook that we used last year was absolutely wonderful!!!!  We were able to complete it in the one year, (only 4 major papers, but that was enough.)  What a great improvement in my student's writing!!! Thank you. Kathy Cluff - teacher - Heber J. Grant Academy

I was extremely pleased with your Format Writing, which I used with my two high school daughters.  They both won essay contests in our homeschool district using your "format."

Vicki Garrett - home educator

Some feedback on your Format Writing book.  We used it last home school year and thoroughly enjoyed each section. My daughter just finished English 101 in college and received the only 'A' grade in the class.  She said that no book has been so helpful as the Format Writing.  So, we thank the Lord for your talent and its use for His glory.

Sally Beardsley - home educator

My daughter and I discovered Format Writing the last two years of her high school career.  She worked through it from cover to cover, and I am more than pleased with the end result.

Peggy Blanchard - home educator

Just wanted to mention that I have used your previous edition of Format Writing with my older son, and we really appreciated it.  He has used it to refer back to now in school.  When he entered last year, he was the only one in the class who knew how to write a 5 paragraph essay.

Liz Poland - home educator

I teach classes to home educated students, grades 7 through 12.  Your book, Format Writing, has been a tremendous help to my students and their parents.

Carol Bond – home school tutor

Mr. Jensen:

It has been almost four years since I used your Format Writing book in high school, and I decided a "thank you" is long overdue.  My mother began home-educating me when I was in eighth grade.  She had her work cut out for her.  I had horrible writing habits.

Then she discovered your books through a homeschool curriculum catalog.  I rebelled against having style taught to me; after all, wasn't that something that just magically occurred?  To have style taught was to kill individual voice, at least to my mind at the time.  So my poor mom and I struggled back and forth, until finally I "gave in" and learned to structure my writing.  I still hated it, though.

And then I went to college.  In my Writing 101 class, one of the first things the professor commented on was how well-organized and thought out my writings were.  He encouraged me to look into my school's professional writing program.  I was amazed.  The skills that I had learned in high school were coming in handy in college.

Fast forward three years.  I'm now completing my junior year of college as a music major and professional writing minor.  Every professor I've ever had in any field has complimented my style, organization, conciseness, and proof-reading.  I've gotten A's and B+'s in all of my writing classes.  Students come to me for help rather than going to the college's Learning Resource Center.  Earlier this week, I presented a paper in an upper level history course (Medieval Civilization), and my professor was so impressed that he recommended that I take senior seminar for history majors so I could continue my work.

I'm even considering studying professional writing in graduate school.  My professors are confident that I would have no trouble getting into whatever writing program I wanted to.  In high school, if anyone had suggested that I would want to be a writer, I would have told them they were insane.

Your Format Writing reshaped my writing worldview.  There really aren't words to express how thankful I am for this.

Sincerely,

Anna Luther - student

We discovered your first edition of Format Writing, and both my children used it through their homeschooling high school years.  In fact, my daughter is now a teacher back east, and when she looked you up online to order her own copy of Format Writing - for use in tutoring high school/college age students - she was pleased to see a quote from our family on your website.  I thought you would find it interesting, as well as rewarding, that a second generation is now using your materials.  Thank you for your help through the years.

Peggy Blanchard - former home educating mom

I am a 20 year old student in my 3rd year of school at Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, Florida.  I am studying to be a high school English and history teacher.  I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and attended a small Christian school.  My last year of high school, I was introduced to your writing book, Format Writing.  That book has been an incredible help to me.  I had always dreaded writing and honestly, was terrified by the thought of a writing assignment.  After a year in your Format Writing book, my entire view of writing has changed.  I now love to write, and I am now confident in my writing ability.  I have used papers in college that I wrote in high school, and I have gotten some gratifying comments about how well organized and well expressed my papers are.  By the way, these comments have come from professors with three and four degrees.  I use your method now every time I write a paper, and I continue to get comments on how well I write and organize my thoughts.  All that to say that your book has been very helpful to me, and that when I graduate next year and begin teaching, I will most definitely use it in my classroom.

Anna Adams - student

Just a note to let you know that Format Writing has been a good fit for us.  My ninth-grade daughter, a reluctant writer, seems to be responding very well to the structure of FW.  It has made her happier with her Dad, and he with her!

Steve Baltz - home educating dad

By the way, your Format Writing book has been a HUGE blessing!!  I had writing tutors for my older children but didn't need one with my 9th grader last year since we found your book.  She continues to work in it this year.

Carla Erb - home educator

Just a really quick note to tell you how much your Format Writing book has done for me.  I really enjoyed using it as a home-schooled high school student and learned a lot.  Now I'm a freshman at Gordon College.  For the first paper I had to write here at college, I did not follow your format and was disappointed with my grade of a B.  For my second paper in the same class, I did use your format and was pleasantly surprised with an A+!  It really should not have surprised me that my first A+ paper would come that way though; your teaching is great!  Thanks a lot for all you do!

Diana Rhys - college student

Hello!  I wish to thank you with all my heart for writing Format Writing.  My 12 yr old son has been a reluctant writer for years, but has been thoroughly receptive to this instruction.

Brenda Lambert – home educator

We have completed the whole punctuation book, whereas three years ago we only completed the major punctuation.  There is a difficult learning curve especially with the general punctuation, but my students and I have learned S0000 much!  I use your name all the time in class.  I say, "Let Frode teach you."  I find that the students can accomplish much more at home by themselves rather than having me go over each sentence in class.  I tell them to look at the sentence, punctuate it and find the rules as best they can, then go to the back of the book and "let Frode teach them."  They can learn from their mistakes immediately.  Then go to the next sentence and apply what they have learned.  I ask them to circle the questions that they still don't understand so that we can talk about them the next day in class.  We are taking the California Achievement test right now.  They have all commented about how much easier the Language Mechanics section is.  What you have given us is invaluable!!  Thank you!

Kathy Cluff- teacher - Heber J. Grant Academy

I really like your punctuation book.  My husband and I are publishing a book my sister wrote.  I helped her edit it.  To make a long story short and hopefully grammatically correct, we found ourselves consulting grammar books and relearning what we thought we knew.  After the fact I looked at Jensen's Punctuation and saw the clearly written explanations for rules that we spent too much time trying to figure out.

Harriet Yoder - Lamp Post Publishing, Inc.

I believe you are the finest in your field.  Our home school has really appreciated your material.  My personal favorite item has been learning myself where a comma really goes.  I was raised on the "listen for a pause theory," and it just doesn't work.

Patra Hepworth – home educator

Last year, your grammar program was presented to us as one that could improve grammar skills.  It certainly did. I just wanted to drop you a note of thanks.  My son has increased 7 grade levels in one year on his Stanford tests.  I know that this was only because of your General and Major Punctuation books.  (I wrote this lady back, and she added the following. ed.)  My son is currently in the 8th grade, and I was a little afraid it was almost too late to really get the basics in, but he did it.  You can also add that first couple of weeks it was really terrible.  We fought like cats and dogs over doing this work.  By the time we finished the text, he was breezing through without a single complaint.  He was the one anxious to get his SAT scores back because he wanted to see his results.  In the 7th grade he scored a 5th grade level, and I had tried several curriculums to get him up to speed.  When I heard about yours, I thought it couldn't hurt to give it a try; the proof would be in the pudding.  After his 8th grade test, he scored a 12th grade level.  Since my 8th grader was using this, I thought my 12th grader could use the course as well; after her college ACT, she thanked me for the work.  She said it was wonderful knowing where the punctuation should go.  Thanks again for your program; it is a keeper for us.  I still have 2 more to go.

Kelley Goodman - home educator

My two daughters & I are working our way through Major Punctuation and are learning so much.  As my husband says, we are learning more from this little book than he or I learned in 12+ years of government education.  Thank you for making this resource available.

Ann Morris - home educator

I want to say that this has been a wonderful course on punctuation, and I have learned a lot.

Delynne Hahn - home educator

I'm a homeschooling mother who recently started using Jensen's Punctuation with my son.  We've had tremendous success so far completing the five exercises for the I, c/c I rule.  I appreciate your book very much and am re-learning rules that had become a bit hazy over time.  Thank you for the clear, interesting way that you've presented the material. Linda Denney - home educator

As I mentioned when I wrote to you earlier, my twin sons are doing Jensen's Punctuation.  We all think it is wonderful :)

Karen Pendergraft - home educator

We have an eleven-year old son and a fifteen-year old son both working their way through your punctuation book.  They have greatly increased in their knowledge in this area.  However, what we are most enthusiastic about is their desire to read practically all the works that you utilized.  My fifteen year old is a reluctant reader, or should I say was.  Because of the exciting excerpts you provided, he and his brother have read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, King Solomon's Mines, and parts of Foxes' Book of Martyrs.  They started Moby Dick but have since put that on hold.  Two more books are on their wish list.  Plus they both joined a youth book club that meets twice a month to talk about each other's favorite book.  Our oldest son chose King's Solomon's Mines, and our second son chose Beyond the Gloesmur, which we bought on recommendation from the first newsletter we received from you.  We had not thought of trying the classics anytime soon, but, thanks to you, that time has arrived.  Our oldest son probably would not have even considered joining a book club, let alone choosing to read and share a book of such high caliber.  Anyway, we are most pleased with our first Jensen's language arts book.  We won't take so long with our next two sons!

Todd and Janet Zimmer - home educator in Africa

My two children (7th & 8th grade) have been using the vocabulary book.  They have enjoyed the format and have been challenged by the activities.  Many times they work as a team to help each other out.  They even said it has improved their chances of winning at Scrabble!  We all enjoyed your newsletter very much...especially the quotes.  Thank you again for the tools to make our home school successful.

D. Hedlund - home educator

My daughter, at age 15, got a 99% on the college entrance exam for writing and reading.  I attribute much of this to your vocabulary.  Thanks again.

Angela Armstrong – home educator

Having taken Latin in high school and college, and with a life-long interest in languages and the etymology of words, my husband and I have valued passing this on to our homeschooled children.  I am always on the lookout for great helps in this area, so my recent discovery of Jensen's Vocabulary was just the thing I wanted.  It's well laid out, easy to do in one week, provides numerous avenues for learning; e.g., spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure, etc., and is stretching my children in that it is difficult.  I like all that!  Thanks, again, for a well-designed, thought-provoking workbook.

Linda Balaban - home educator

We are half way through the first book in the Grammar Land series.  It is such a refreshing change from typical grammar books.  My son is enjoying the story format.  We look forward to working our way through the whole Jensen's Grammar series of books.

Cathy Clanahan - home educator

We have used your Grammar Land series of books, and they were wonderful.  My son went from failing English in a private school to liking and understanding English in home school.  It helped him regain his self esteem back. *** I can't say enough about them. *** Thank you for having a great product.

Jeanell Fogleman - home educator

Grammar Land has made it possible for my son to understand grammar.  We have enjoyed using it.

Barbara Fackler - home educator

I so appreciate what you have done with A Journey Through Grammar Land!  My daughter, Jamie, who has been having trouble applying what she had learned, is so excited about it!  She handed me her completed work with a smile and said, "Finally, someone who understands how I think!"  Jamie is 14, severely dyslexic and was greatly struggling with every grammar program we had tried.  She is excited about running through the Grammar Land series, being caught up and then jumping in where she should be.  What a blessing! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Gina Otto – home educator

It is always nice to get feedback when we have helped or ministered to others.  I am using your grammar book this year with Hannah and Elliott.  (This is about Writing to Change the World. ed.)  Hannah published her first essay.  We just found out this morning she won a $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble.  Ethan won the VFW contest this year again.  From a conversation I had with the Post where he entered, I know he won at Post level; it sounded like he won regional, and they were VERY hopeful he would do well at state.  We have not heard back concerning Philip's essay, which was entered at a different VFW Post.  Last year the Commander called me and shared with me he cried when he read Philip's essay.  (Ethan and Philip are her older sons who also went through the book and have become prolific writers who love to enter contests. ed.)

Michelle Hendricks - home educator