As a writer and English teacher, I want my writing to be perfect. Many of our students want the same thing. We all want what we see or hear in our heads to be exactly what we put onto paper, and this is doubly true for the writing we put online for the entire world to […]
Teaching Appositive Phrases With Newspapers
The English Department head at my school, Debbie Self, tells her students that they must add FAT to their essays. She’s not talking about feeding them loads of carbs. Instead, she is referring to three elements of compositions that will add interest and flow to student writing: Figurative Language Appositive Phrases Transition Words Last week, I […]
Students Teach Grammar In Awesome “All About That Bass — Sentence Parody” Video
I love this “All About That Bass — Sentence Parody” video — and I’m sharing it with my students as soon as I return to school! Michelle WatersI am a secondary English Language Arts teacher, a University of Oklahoma graduate student, and a NBPTS candidate. I am constantly seeking ways to amplify my students’ voices […]
How To Embed Grammar Instruction Into The Writing Process
Student understanding of grammar is atrocious. As a teacher, you know what I’m talking about. You cringe at every misspelled word, every comma splice, every uncapitalized “I,” and every dangling modifier. So how can we help students internalize the grammar instruction we provide? First, we need to start the year off right. I like […]
Teaching Grammar Without Resorting To Worksheets
Grammar is probably one of the most-hated elements of the English language – for both teachers and students. Fortunately, fellow Oklahoma teacher Amber Combellick created (and shared!) a grammar guide that will be invaluable to us as we enter this new school year. Her guide includes written instructions, presentations, and pirate grammar activities. You’ve gotta […]