The Right Way and the Right Time to Teach Grammar
Grammar - the backbone of language, the foundation upon which our words and sentences stand. It is the compass that guides us in navigating the vast ocean of communication. Yet, the debate over how and when to teach grammar has raged on for years. Is there a right way and right time to teach grammar? Let's delve into this topic and explore the nuances of grammar instruction.
The Right Way - Identity vs. Do
Traditional grammar instruction often focuses on identifying parts of speech, memorizing rules, and correcting errors. While this approach can provide a basic understanding of grammar, it may not foster a deeper understanding of how grammar works in context. A more effective approach is to teach grammar in the context of writing and communication, rather than as isolated rules to memorize.
One effective approach is the "Do" method, which emphasizes teaching grammar through the lens of ownership. For example, instead of teaching "This is a verb," teachers can encourage students to "Do" verbs by actively engaging in activities that involve using verbs in writing and speaking. This approach empowers students to take ownership of their language and understand how grammar serves as a tool for effective communication.
The Right Time - Roughly 3rd - 4th Grade
When it comes to the right time to teach grammar, research suggests that around 3rd or 4th grade is an ideal time. By this age, students have developed a solid foundation in reading and writing and are ready to delve deeper into the mechanics of language. However, it's important to note that the right time may vary depending on individual students' readiness and developmental levels.
How Long - As Long as You Want
There is no fixed timeline for teaching grammar. Some educators argue that grammar instruction should be integrated into writing instruction throughout a student's academic journey, while others believe that a focused period of grammar instruction followed by ongoing practice is more effective. The key is to strike a balance that meets the needs of individual students and aligns with instructional goals.
The Grammar Debate
The debate over grammar instruction has been ongoing for decades. The so-called "war on grammar" arose from the belief that teaching grammar does not necessarily improve students' writing skills. As a result, some schools and educators minimized or even eliminated grammar instruction from their curricula. However, this approach has sparked controversy, with proponents of grammar instruction arguing that it is essential for effective communication.
Absolutely Right Changes
Language is ever-evolving, and what may be considered "absolutely right" in grammar today may not be the case in the future. Grammar rules change over time, and language is a living entity that reflects the society and culture in which it exists. As such, it's crucial to recognize that grammar is not set in stone, but rather a fluid and dynamic aspect of language that evolves with time.
Correct vs. Wrong
The notion of "correct" versus "wrong" grammar can be subjective and context-dependent. While grammar rules provide a framework for effective communication, there are often variations and exceptions based on dialect, region, and even personal style. It's important to teach students that while there are standard rules of grammar, language is flexible and can adapt to different contexts and audiences.
Prescriptive vs. Descriptive
Traditional grammar instruction has often taken a prescriptive approach, dictating rules that students must follow. However, a more effective approach is to adopt a descriptive approach that focuses on how language is used in real-world contexts. This allows students to understand how grammar functions in different contexts and empowers them to make informed language choices based on their communication goals.
The Goal of Teaching Grammar
The ultimate goal of grammar is to write with clarity, ensuring that our communication is accurate and understandable. Just as dressing well can create a positive perception, using grammar correctly enhances our writing and how others perceive us as writers. Grammar is not just about adhering to rules, but it is also an art and an abstract form of language arts. It requires understanding when to use certain grammatical rules and how they can be applied effectively to convey meaning. Like any other skill, grammar improves with practice. By consistently applying grammar rules and practicing writing, we can become better writers and communicate more effectively. With a clear understanding of grammar, we can convey our thoughts and ideas accurately, create a positive impression as writers, and enhance our overall communication skills. Grammar is not just a set of rules, but it is also an art that requires practice and mastery to excel in the world of writing. So, let's strive to use grammar effectively to write with clarity, professionalism, and precision.
Setting Our Children on a Path to Success
As homeschool parents, we all want to ensure that our children are prepared for college and their future careers. However, it's important to remember that college and job employers value character just as much, if not more, than content knowledge. The problem is that it is much easier to teach a person new information than it is to teach them character.
Character is formed at a young age, and the home is often where this formation takes place. According to DeMill, teaching is more about the teacher than the student. As homeschool parents, we must be aware of how we react to our children and how we create systems to deal with them.
One way to ensure that our children are well-rounded and have strong character is to strive for ideals in our homeschooling. The concept of "The Idea of a School" by John Dewey highlights the importance of having ideals to strive for, even if they may not be fully attainable. A good school, according to Dewey, is a "faculty of friends that attracts learners."
But how do we create attraction for learning in our homeschool? One way is to be intellectually excited about the subjects we are teaching. Our enthusiasm can be contagious and can spark curiosity in our children. Additionally, we should also focus on physical and mental readiness for learning. Preparation alone is not enough; we must also create a culture of care, love and provide a rich curriculum.
It's important to remember that love is a vital component of any education. As homeschool parents, we believe that we love our children, but sometimes that love may not be active. Active love means showing it through our actions, words, and intangibles. It's also important to be aware of what is happening invisibly in the classroom. The sense that a student is believed in can make a huge impact on their development.
In conclusion, as homeschool parents, it is important to remember that character formation is just as important as content knowledge in preparing our children for college and their future careers. By striving for ideals, being excited about learning, fostering a culture of care and love, and being aware of the invisible dynamics in the classroom, we can set our children on the path to success.
Why You Should Tutor Foundations
I am outgoing. I like talking. I don’t mind being in front of a group. All these things made me a natural fit to be a Classical Conversations FOUNDATIONS Tutor. If you have been asked to tutor and the answer is an immediate, YES, then good for you! However, for most tutors, it is not that easy. I wanted to share with you some of the Affirmatives and Negatives (you will understand when you get to Challenge) of tutoring.
Affirmatives -
1. You will receive training - Classical Conversations will train you in a 3 day summer practicum. After 20 years Classical Conversations has packaged up the best of the best, hashed out the bumps and created a streamlined way to equip you. A veteran tutor will take you through the material and answer all your questions. You will get to spend 3 days collaborating with other tutors about fun creative ideas.
2. You will understand the why behind the what. - When you dive into tutoring you will gain a greater understanding why Classical Conversations works the way it does. I remember my first year, when I wasn't a tutor, I thought my kids tutor was mean. She did not allow them to tell their long drawn out story about visiting Mt. Rainer when she was introducing it in Geography. Only after receiving training as a Foundations tutor did I understand all that has to happen in such a short time.
3. They will pay you - You won’t exactly be bringing home the bacon but yes Foundations tutors do get paid. For many this helps offset the cost of tuition or buying books. Classical Conversations understands that many families are single income household. Tutoring is meant to be a blessing. You will put in some extra effort and a bit of energy on your community day.
4. Watching gets boring - My 7th year in Classical Conversations due to some life events I ended up not tutoring at all. At the beginning of the year I would plant myself in the back of my oldest kids class (the tutor didn’t need much help) sip my coffee, check my email (which you are not suppose to do) and enjoy a few quiet productive moments. When the opportunity to tutor came up at the semester, I jumped to do it. You are already committed to be in class on campus for the day so why not contribute and meet a need. I must acknowledge that helpful, quality, non-tutor parents are necessary in the classrooms and we tutors love them.
5. You do not have to be a gifted speaker or presenter - One of the key skills practiced in FOUNDATIONS is how to do a presentation. If you are nervous about talking in front of a group this is your opportunity to be a Lead Learner. If you have a shy child, who dislikes Presentation time, your example with encourage them. No one is asking for perfection, your audience is at max 8 kids under 12 years old. Parents watching can step up and tutor if they think they can do a better job. As Christians we always need to be prepared to share the Gospel. You will only grow in your ability to share Jesus with others.
6. You do not have to be extremely creative. - Classical Conversations philosophy is simplicity, also known as “the stick in the sand” method.” Get your class moving, shaking, chanting, singing, signing, picture drawing or whatever suit your style. There are an amazing amount of resources available to aid you if needed. CC Connected, Pinterest, Youtube and the list goes one. Beware of the time vortex that can suck you in. Keep your planning simple, guard your time, and don’t compare yourself with other tutors.
7. You get to know the kids and families in your class/community better - This is one of the greatest rewards. The purpose of Classical Conversations is community. Kids I tutored 5 years ago are some of my kids best friends. I know the kids and their parents better because we spent 24 weeks together. I know which kids are sassy and wild and which ones are sweet and well behaved. I know the hearts of the moms and how they parent and handle situations. Which as my kids become teenagers makes it so much easier to let me kids go hang out with friends.
8. Kids Teach You a Thing or Two - My daughters tutor for her 5th and 6th grade year would take notes during the kids presentation. At the end of the year she shared how much she had learned from the kids. Countries they had research, books they had read, She felt like it kept her current with bands, movies, TV shows, APPs and lingo of the younger generation. Her testimony was that being their tutor was an enriching experience for her.
Negatives-
1. Tutoring does require energy on your community day - You have to be awake and ready to lead a small band of excited students. But hey you are there anyway!
2. You have to attend a quarterly tutoring meeting with your fellow tutors and director. Usually, tutor meetings include fun discussions with like-minded tutors, chocolate, and a few hours away from your kids. So if that is not your thing you should strongly consider not tutoring.
3. You do have to prepare - My first year I spent about 3 hours preparing for each Foundations Community Day. It now takes me about 30 min. It's just a few minutes to preview what I am introducing and rounding up anything I want to bring to class. There are so many blogs and website to help with planning. Some tutor plan 6 weeks at a time, others a semester at a time. You can do what works for you. I promise it is very doable.