2019-2020 Graduate Catalog

EDUA 5466 Guide to Teaching Grammar

WRITING WELL OR GOOD WRITING? AN EDUCATOR’S GUIDE TO TEACHING GRAMMAR
Over the years, grammar instruction has changed significantly. Some teachers question it, and some parents and administrators think it’s an outdated practice. Some schools have even decreased, or even eliminated, grammar instruction in their classrooms all together! It has even been referred to by Grammar Alive as the “skunk at the garden party.”

The good news is that teaching grammar can be a fun and engaging concept that will improve students’ writing conventions. We know that isolating students with boring worksheets and tedious activities is an ineffective way to lay a solid foundation and common understanding of a grammatical concept.

In this course, you’ll discover unique strategies for improving students’ writing through hands-on grammar instruction. You will learn about the most common grammatical errors students make, why they make them, and ways to fix them. Establishing the mindset that grammar is relevant to our daily lives will help students build confidence in their writing and internalize the content. By combining mini lessons with scaffolded practice activities that meet the needs of all learners, you will be able to engage all students in your class and lay a solid foundation to help prepare students for the future. You will also be able to give effective feedback to help them move forward in their learning.

When grammar is taught using best practices and creative angles, it can open many doors for students when it comes to the English language. By using the best practices from this course, you will be able to create a valuable learning experience for your students and will help them become better writers and communicators in your class and beyond.

Credits

3