Big Idea: Support for grammar instruction using hands-on learning and fun examples
Class Context: 6-12
Have you used this tool in class?: No
Procedural Steps:
While attending the VATE conference this past fall, I participated in a very interesting workshop during which a practicing teacher in Virginia used poetry to help teach grammar. The lesson was very engaging, and there were no worksheets or drills involved. We instead composed a poem — a creative writing exercise — to learn about the participial phrase. See the attached pdf to learn more.
The other resource I’d like to share is Grammar Girl. If you haven’t seen her website or heard her grammar podcast, then you’re in for a treat! She really knows how to break down complex grammar rules into easy-to-understand bits. She also uses some pretty neat examples in her books, including quotes from Professor Dumbledore and Third Rock from the Sun. Whether you use her resources for you or your students, you’re sure to find something that works in your classroom.
Materials Needed:
-Parsing out the Participial Phrase with Poetry (VATE Grammar Session Notes with Horst)
-Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips website
-Grammar Girl’s Ultimate Writing Guide for Students
