Transforming Grammar Instruction: Strategies for Effective Application in Writing

I have some vivid memories of grammar instruction my sixth grade year. I remember a massive grammar textbook that barely fit on my desk. 

I remember tiny the text and complicated grammar activities.
I remember daily grammar lessons as we worked through that giant book that year.

As an upper elementary teacher, you may resonate with vivid memories of a massive grammar textbook from your own school days. The thick, narrow book filled with small print didn’t quite fit into your desk, and while you excelled at identifying grammar rules on worksheets and tests, your actual writing struggled to reflect that knowledge. 

Now, as a teacher, you find yourself facing similar challenges in imparting grammar skills to your students. In this blog post, we’ll explore three common pitfalls in grammar instruction and offer alternative strategies to foster a more effective and meaningful learning experience.

Avoid Grammar Instruction in Isolation

Teaching grammar in isolation, as a separate entity from writing, has been a traditional approach. However, research suggests that this method doesn’t necessarily improve students’ writing skills. The key is to integrate grammar seamlessly into writing instruction, making it a natural and essential part of the literacy block.

Instead, consider making every part of your literacy block a “grammar time.” When students are engaged in any writing activity, seize the opportunity to teach and discuss grammar rules relevant to their current writing task. This way, students don’t perceive grammar as a confined subject but as an integral aspect of their overall language development.

Examples:

• Before a writing assignment, remind students of specific grammar rules they should apply, such as starting sentences with a capital letter and ending with correct punctuation.
• During writing sessions, prompt students to identify and underline noun phrases, circle adjectives, or expand simple sentences into compound or complex sentences.
• Avoid Explicitly Teaching Every Grammar Skill in a Formal Whole-Group Lesson

Whole Group Instruction for Every Grammar Skill is Unnecessary

While explicit teaching of grammar skills is crucial, not every skill requires a formal whole-group lesson. Recognize that many grammar skills build on each other over the years, and students develop an awareness of these rules gradually. Rather than dedicating extensive time to each skill, focus on essential skills and provide consistent reminders and opportunities for application.

Instead of exhaustive lessons, integrate grammar skills into your existing routines. Leverage moments during reading and writing instruction to reinforce specific skills, emphasizing real-world applications.

Examples:

• For capitalization rules, provide students with a reference sheet and incorporate reminders during reading aloud or small group activities.
• Practice comma usage by integrating it into a weekly sentence writing routine, allowing students to apply the skill in context.
• Don’t Expect Grammar Worksheets to Lead to Mastery

Don’t Expect Grammar Worksheets to Lead to Mastery

While grammar worksheets are convenient, they often fall short in facilitating the transfer of knowledge to actual writing. Instead of relying solely on worksheets, seek authentic opportunities for explicit grammar instruction and practice within the context of students’ writing.

Encourage students to apply grammar skills actively by prompting them to notice and highlight specific elements in their own writing. This not only reinforces learning but also fosters a deeper understanding of how grammar functions in real-world writing.

Examples:

• Set clear expectations for writing tasks, reminding students of specific grammar rules applicable to the assignment.
• Incorporate weekly sentence writing routines that target specific grammar skills, providing ongoing and meaningful practice.

Grammar instruction is undoubtedly challenging, but by avoiding these common pitfalls and adopting alternative strategies, you can enhance the effectiveness of your instruction. Remember, the ultimate goal is for students to apply grammar rules seamlessly in their writing and speaking, not just on tests or worksheets. By integrating grammar into writing instruction, selectively emphasizing essential skills, and providing authentic opportunities for practice, you can create a more engaging and impactful learning experience for your upper elementary students.

Think about your next steps…

1. If you feel inspired by this post, check out our blog series on sentence-level writing! Start with the first: Sentence Level Writing: Why Upper Elementary Teachers Needs to Prioritize This Skills and work your way through the series to gain more insight on improving your students sentence structure knowledge.
2. Don’t forget to grab your freebie! This Sentence Writing Routine Sample is a great way to introduce grammar concepts to your students while giving them extra writing support to help them become more confidence writers.
3. Check out Episode #159 of the The Stellar Teacher Podcast for more on transforming your grammar instruction!
4. Join us inside The Stellar Literacy Collective, where you will get access to a resource library filled with reading and writing resources that will help support you and your students get the most out of your literacy block.

Happy Teaching!