Grammar

Why Study Grammar?

Grammar is a description of the way our language works.  Grammar is useful because it enables us to make statements about how to use our language.  We usually call these statements rules.

John Warriner, author of Warriner’s Handbook of English 

Our students need to utilize grammar rules in order to embellish and strengthen their writing, in order to pass the SATP, and in order to increase their score on the college-entrance ACT.

4 key principles to keep in mind as you are planning for and executing grammar lessons:

1. Grammar rules and imitating grammar of great authors should happen in small bites.
   • Target only ONE SINGLE grammar rule each lesson.
   • Limit the time of grammar lessons.  Plan for a single lesson to last no longer than 15 minutes.   See an example mini-grammar lesson plan here.
2. Students need lots of practice questions and time to talk over questions in partners (or time to read their imitations of great author’s grammar in partners).  This helps them mess up and learn from their mistakes.
3. Students learn from rapid feedback.  How can you make sure that students are getting feedback within the lesson or within a day of the grammar lesson?

• The above principles are evident in THIS SAMPLE LESSON PLAN.  Consider modifying this structure for your own future grammar plan.

Sample Grammar Techniques and Practice Sets <to help students emulate the grammar-of-the-greats in their own writing>:

• Opening Adjective Technique:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Delayed Adjective Technique:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Opening Adverb Technique:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Delayed Adverb Technique:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Absolute Phrase:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Appositive Phrase:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Prepositional Phrase: 9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Participial Phrase:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Gerund Phrase: 9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Infinitive Phrase:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Independent & Dependent Clauses:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Dependent Clause– Adjective Clauses:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Dependent Clause– Adverb Clauses:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Dependent Clause– Noun Clauses:  9-12 practice/ 5-8 practice*
• Review Practice Sets:
  • Jurassic Park Review of opening adjective, delayed adjective, opening adverb, delayed adverb
  • Lord of the Rings Review of Phrases
  • The Chronicles of Narnia Review of Clauses
• Teacher’s Guides:
  • Elementary School
  • Middle School
  • High School

*Practice sets pulled from Grammar for Middle School & Grammar for High School: A Sentence Composing Approach by Don & Jenny Killgallon. If you like this sort of grammar-as-writing-booster practice, ask your school to buy this book!

Sample Grammar Key Points and Practice Sets <to help students identify grammar rules>:

• Subject-Verb Agreement Practice Sets^
• Pronoun-Antecedent Practice Sets^

^Practice sets pulled from Warriner’s Handbook, a classic grammar textbook. If you would like more practice sets, ask your school to buy an updated grammar textbook for your students.

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