Tuesday, February 11, 2014

10 Tips for Teaching Grammar

  from Lauren Davis                                                             www.eyeoneducation.com

1.  Teach grammar in the context of writing.
Grammar shouldn't be taught in a separate isolated incident.  Think of a way to incorporate grammar mini-lessons into your writing lessons.
2. Teach grammar in the context of reading.
Use mentor texts. Show students how fiction and nonfiction writers uses grammar to communicate clearly and create their own style.
3. Help students figure out the grammar rule, not memorize it.
If you’re teaching concise language, give students a few wordy sentences and ask them to remove the weeds.  Have them come up with the rules for eliminating wordiness.
4. Teach students real-world grammar and not just textbook grammar.
In the real world, grammar rules can change over time and can be subjective or contested.
5. Don’t teach students grammar; teach them how to learn grammar.
Students need to know how to be independent learners who can figure things out on their own by consulting resources.
6. Show students how grammar can affect our impressions of one another.
Have a discussion with students about grammar in the real world.  If a fancy store has a mistake on its sign, does that affect your impression?  Why?  Why not?
7. Avoid negative modeling when possible.
Be careful not to spend too much time on the wrong way to wrote something.
8. Teach students the rules – and when to break them.
As Churchill famously said, “There is some nonsense up with which I will not put!”
9. Teach students the importance of audience and purpose.
Students should consider audience and purpose when deciding to use formal or informal grammar.
 10. Show students how grammar helps us communicate more clearly.
Give students examples of how incorrect grammar can lead to miscommunication. 



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