Grammar

Using Grammar in Context

I teach grammar by connecting it to the stories and texts my students are already reading. For example, while reading Esperanza Rising, we analyze sentence structures, parts of speech in context, or punctuation choices in the text. I might select a few sentences for to identify the subject and verb or discuss the structure in our guided reading notes. This way, students connect grammar to their actual experiences, making it more meaningful. (Smoot, 2001).

 

(see example below of a question extracted from a guided reading set from chapter one of Esperanza Rising.)

Word Walls

As mentioned in the vocabulary section, students previously worked together to sort our word wall words by parts of speech. This is now an ongoing grammar activity each time we add a new word. Students have also enjoyed "building" silly sentences and exploring sentence structure using the words on our word wall.

Grammar in Writing

The day after we discuss a grammar concept, I might incorporate the same concept into our warm-up journal activity. For example, prior to beginning a class animal research project, I asked students to write a short paragraph about their favorite animal and encouraged them to use at least one compound sentence. After a quick turn and talk, students volunteered to share their sentences and we went over comma placement together. Integrating grammar into authentic writing tasks like this aligns with the idea that students learn grammar best when it is embedded in meaningful writing experiences (Edmondson, 1999). After going over grammar in student writing, students kicked off their research by finding five fun facts about their chosen animal.