GRAMMAR & THE WORKSHOP MODEL

Teaching Grammar in Context September 29, 2014

A. Redmond

ON GRAMMAR INSTRUCTION

Students appeared to have been conditioned to think of grammar as a skill disconnected

from their writing process - and from literature…. [But], grammar is a normal,

everyday part of what… students do.$

- from Grammar intertwined though out the writing process: An “inch wide and a mile deep” by C. Weaver and J. Bush

THE INFLUENCE OF CONTEXT

Teaching Without Context (e.g. DOLs)

Think of grammar as a skill$

Disconnected from writing process$

Lack of wider application

Teaching With Context (e.g. Workshop)

Aware of purpose$

Aware of audience$

Aware of possibilities$

RELEVANT

OUR GUIDE…

Common Core State Standards: Language Conventions

2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of

standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of

standard English grammar and usage when writing or

speaking.

WHERE CAN THIS FIT?

Mini-Lessons$

Mid-Workshop Teach$

Conferences or Strategy Group$

Integrate With Reading$

• Sentence Hunter$

• Sentence Spotlight$

Word Study

WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?

My teenage cousin Anika said, “I have news for you — if it’s not romantic it’s a loser.”$

From: The Best Story by Eileen Spinelli

WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?

In September 1915, when I was just nine, I set out on the first great adventure of my life — boarding-school.$

From: Boy by Roald Dahl (pg 75)

RESOURCES

Starting Point: Common Core State Standards$

Professional Development Books$

Mentor Books $

Your team!

–Jeff Anderson, 2006

I want my students to learn the story of grammar’s power to communicate meaning and

beauty. I want to highlight effective writing, studying mentor text and vivid student work,

telling a story that revolves around making meaning in real writing and books.

WORK TIMELook at your next writing unit(s)$

Decide which grammar/convention focus you will highlight based on CCSS and student needs.$

Design a mini-lesson that will teach this standard based concept to your students$

• Can you connect this to any other units?$

• What mentors will you use?

SOURCES

“Zooming in and Zooming Out: Putting Gammer in Context into Context” by Jeff Anderson$

“Image Grammar: Painting Images with Grammatical Structures” by Harry Noden$

“Grammar Intertwined Throughout the Writing Process: An ‘Inch Wide and A Mile deep’” by Contance Weaver and Jonathan Bush