English Grammar Lessons

Teaching a process-based writing approach has many advantages, but one clear disadvantage is that teachers find it difficult to incorporate English grammar lessons into the units of study. Indeed, the workshop model is not designed for the type of lessons we traditionally think of when talking about grammar instruction workboks, worksheets, repetitive exercises, sentence diagramming, and all those classic English grammar lessons we were subjected to ourselves as children.

It is entirely possible to teach grammar within the context of the workshop model, without disrupting the writing process. English grammar lessons can be incorporated into a balanced literacy approach, without any loss of effectiveness. In fact, when approached organically, grammar lessons can be fun and engaging for students.

The important thing to remember about teaching English grammar is to keep everything contextualized. The easiest way to accomplish this is to use students reading text or writing samples as a starting point. English grammar lessons should begin with an examination of the given text, so that students will see the grammar principle within its context as part of written expression, rather than as a disconnected, abstract set of rules.

It is also important to allow students to continue using the student-centered, inquiry-based approach which should guide all your lesson planning. English grammar lessons do not need to involve direct instruction and repetitive, dull exercises. Rather, allow the students to uncover grammatical principles for themselves. You may be surprised to find out how much they already know, and how quickly they absorb a concept when they discover it for themselves.

For example, you might begin a lesson on English grammar by having the class all read the same student writing sample. Ask the students to find any grammar mistakes they can in the writing sample. This is a very open-ended instruction, and so may lead to any number of specific English grammar lessons. If you wish to direct the lesson toward one particular concept or rule, then choose the writing sample carefully.

Alternatively, you might provide your class with more specific, less open-ended instructions. For example, if teaching a lesson on using the past tense, have students browse through their independent reading books for five minutes. Instruct them to write down five or ten past tense verbs they find (make sure they know not to read the actual text, but to just scan it for verbs). Then begin your whole-class English grammar lesson by soliciting examples of past tense verbs, and writing a list on the board. When the list is complete, have students provide the infinitive (or to form) of each verb. Then allow the class to discuss, in small groups, what rules they notice. When do we add ed to make a verb past tense? When do we make other changes?

If students discover the rules of grammar on their own, and in context, they will more fully understand grammar, how it operates, and how it helps them express their thoughts more clearly to a reader. Indeed, English grammar lessons can be highly effective without being boring or repetitive.