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English Grammar Instruction That Works!
Build strong grammar skills to help students become better readers, writers, and communicators!
This practical guide offers a fun and engaging approach for teaching English grammar fundamentals and building a solid foundation for academic achievement and lifelong communications skills. Written by nationally known experts in student writing and academic performance, this K–12 resource offers:
- Clear explanations of grammatical terms
- Easy-to-implement classroom activities
- Appropriate techniques for all students, with specific suggestions for English language learners
- A teaching approach that supports the National Council of Teachers of English standards for English language arts
- Grade Level: 1-12
- ISBN: 9781412959490
- Published By: Corwin
- Year: 2008
- Page Count: 240
- Publication date: November 11, 2008
Price: $42.95
For Instructors
When you select 'request review copy', you will be redirected to Sage Publishing (our parent site) to process your request.
Description
"Andrew and Evelyn Rothstein have given teachers a model for teaching the structure of our language with fun and interesting strategies that can be used at all grade levels. They show teachers how to take grammar instruction from a stand-alone subject to an integral part of a complete literacy program."
—Kim Whitling, Fifth-Grade Inclusion Teacher
Franklinville Central School, NY
Build strong grammar skills to help students become better readers, writers, and communicators!
With today's diverse and standards-driven classroom environment, teachers are eager for a new approach to grammar instruction—one that builds understanding of the structure and nuances of English. This practical guide points the way to fun, engaging, and effective grammar teaching for Grades K–12.
Designed for classroom teachers, this resource covers grammar fundamentals that support vocabulary and writing skills. Readers will discover teaching strategies that encourage creativity and critical thought, based on a realistic approach to children's language development. This guide provides:
- Clear explanations of grammatical terms as a refresher for teachers
- Easy-to-implement classroom activities, including examples and word play from children's literature
- Appropriate techniques for a broad audience of students, with specific suggestions for English language learners
- Background on the development of English as a global language, promoting students' respect for diverse cultures
- A teaching approach that supports the National Council of Teachers of English standards for English language arts
Help your students develop a deep understanding of English grammar and build a solid foundation for academic achievement and lifelong communications skills.
Author(s)
Evelyn Rothstein
Andrew Rothstein
Table of Contents
Preface
Our Point of View
Objectives and Key Points
Publisher's Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. Introduction
The Premise of This Book
What Do We Mean by Grammar?
The History of Teaching Grammar in the United States of America
Current Standards Related to Teaching Grammar
2. Language and Metalanguage
Overview of the Terms Language and Metalanguage
A Brief History of the English Language
Internet Sites
3. Builders of Linguistic Intelligence
Phonology
Morphology
Syntax
Semantics
Etymology
Internet Sites
4. Parts of Speech and the English Language
Teaching English Through the Structure of the English Language
Morphological and Non-Morphological Words
Expanding Definitions of Parts of Speech
Organizing and Naming the Verb Conjugation Forms
Verbs by Categories
The Adjective in the English Language
The Adverb in the English Language
Internet Sites
5. Syntax and Semantics
Getting Meaning
Sentences and Semantics
Internet Sites
6. The Polyglot of English
The Latin "DNA"
Terms for Understanding the Structures of Words and Parts of Words
Getting Meaning by Sorting and Clarifying
Internet Sites
7. The Polyglot: Beyond Latin and Greek
Ich Spreche Deutsch - The Germanic Connection
The French Connection - The Year 1066
Hablo Espanol - I Speak Spanish
Yiddish or Yinglish
Worlwide Contributions- African Americans, American Indians, East Indians
Contributions From China and Japan
Internet Sites
8. Return to Parts of Speech
The Small Words
Internet Sites
9. Sentences, Paragraphs, and Other Structures of the Written Language
Converting Spoken Sentences to Written Sentences
Working With Sentence Units
Finding Sentence Boundaries in Written Sentences
"Deconstructing" Sentences to Find Their Deep Structure Meaning
Subjects and Predicates
Tenses and Agreement
Verb Agreement
The Paragraph
The Grammatical Voice
Internet Sites
10. Grammar for Word Play
Making Grammar Really Fun
Internet Sites
11. Reading, Writing, and Grammar
Combining Reading With Grammar
ABC Books for Building Language and Grammar Literacy
Internet Sites
12. Punctuation, Spelling, Text Messaging, and Other Consequences of Grammar
Learning About Punctuation
Spelling and Grammar
Internet Sites
13. Additional Learning Activities
Building Sentence Power
Paragraphs and Transitions
Having Fun With Grammar and Words
References
Index
Reviews
"This is a totally new approach to teaching the dry topic of grammar. The author uses history, multiple content areas, and real-world viewpoints to involve students and give them every opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the topic."Linda Irvin, Fourth-Grade Teacher
Sunflower Elementary School, Paola, KS
"This book provides teachers with the how-to for applying the theories we find tacitly agreeable but may not know how to implement in the classroom. Without an over-reliance on case studies or anecdotes, the strategies provided are adaptable to multiple levels of grammar instruction."Tabia Lee, English and Social Studies Teacher
Belvedere Middle School, Los Angeles, CA
"This book is very interesting, important, and engaging. It is user friendly and introduces teachers at all levels (secondary English specialists as well as elementary generalists) to linguistic principles that should inform our teaching of both grammar and vocabulary."Amy Benjamin, Educational Consultant
"Andrew and Evelyn Rothstein have given teachers a model for teaching the structure of our language with fun and interesting strategies that can be used at all grade levels. They show teachers how to take grammar instruction from a stand-alone subject to an integral part of a complete literacy program."Kim Whitling, Fifth-Grade Inclusion Teacher
Franklinville Central School, NY
"The authors provide research-based strategies and support to move grammar instruction from diagramming sentences to constructing sentences, from rote memorization to student involvement, and from dull and boring to exciting and engaging. This text shows teachers the way English grammar instruction can really be!"Natalie R. Scavone, New Visions Teacher
Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, NY
"This book not only provides the how and why of grammar, it offers wonderful strategies that will motivate and encourage our school population to become truly successful in understanding and using language. With its numerous and engaging activities, this book will build student competence and confidence and raise the standards of literacy."Diana Mann, Educational Consultant
National Urban Alliance
"A practical, delightful, creative, brilliant, and deep guide to English grammar instruction. Their love and extensive knowledge of the English language is evident on every page. They provide all the ingredients for teachers and students to experience expanded learning opportunities in all disciplines."Marilyn Zaretsky, Director
National Urban Alliance for Effective Education
"This book is a breath of fresh air for the old, musty methods of teaching grammar. It helps students and teachers realize the practical reasons for learning grammar while understanding the history of language."Maryanne N. Maisano, Visiting Assistant Professor
Western Carolina University
"Provides a fresh approach that offers sound pedagogy and speaks to the challenges that teachers meet in today’s classrooms. Its engaging activities will enrich students’ language abilities with systematic instruction that spans all content areas.”Elizabeth Benefield, Principal
Resurrection Catholic School, Pascagoula, MS
"Informative, practical, and fun. The conversations around helping students build a Latin vocabulary places the reader within the context of how doing so increases reading comprehension, higher levels of writing, and a greater knowledge of the relationship between words and grammar."Ahmes Askia, Director of Professional Development
National Urban Alliance
"This is a totally refreshing approach to the dreaded topic of grammar. The Rothstein's common-sense writing coupled with strategies that are extremely doable in a classroom make the topic of grammar not only exciting but understandable as well."Stewart Lyons, Professor
Mercy College, Adelphi University, and Touro College
"Filled with entertaining ideas and the invitation for thoughtful classroomm possibilities, this text helps readers reconceptualize their innate language and enjoy new levels of English understanding. This book is a must for every English teacher and is a joy to read!"Kay A. Smith, Assistant Professor of English and Literature
Utah Valley University
For Instructors
When you select 'request review copy', you will be redirected to Sage Publishing (our parent site) to process your request.