5 Ways to Get in Grammar

Math, reading, writing, phonics, skills groups, enrichment, social studies, science…it seems impossible to fit it all in. Grammar seems to be one of those subjects that just gets pushed to the side and often forgotten. Yet, it still deserves a place in your students’ day in some way.  Here are some ideas for getting it in!

 

#1: Grammar Notebooks

Do you use interactive notebooks in your classroom? In the past, I have used mine mostly for math.  However, this year we used it for everything including grammar.

Now they do take a bit of time to set up and get used to.  But if you are already using for another subject, once students are familiar with how interactive notebooks work, they are great independent activities to review previously taught skills.  Sometimes we get started as a whole group and they finish on their own (usually during our guided reading block when they aren’t at “teacher time”).  This gives me the chance to see if they are picking up on what I taught and can cut down on time spent on a whole group grammar lesson.

Still on the fence? Try it out! Check out this freebie by Education to the Core.
Interactive Grammar Notebook FREEBIE for types of sentences! Interactive notebooks are a great way to implement grammar and language arts standards for primary students!



#2: Grammar Centers

I try to teach 1-2 grammar lessons per week depending on the difficulty of the skill and my students’ readiness. I keep these lessons super short like 5-15 minutes at the most! One way I cut down on time is by using a book we have already read as a mentor text.  We revisit that familiar text and find whatever it is we are looking for (nouns, adjectives, contractions ect.) Then we might make an anchor chart together like the one below for nouns.
You can find all the pieces for this anchor chart in my store here: Noun Anchor Chart
I love that this chart can be created together, reinforcing the concept and also referenced in the future. Students are more likely to reference something they have had a part in making!
After we have had a mini-lesson, students will continue to practice during centers.
Here’s a few examples as to what that looks like:

Each of my centers requires some kind of sorting or matching. There is also a recording sheet but I have to be honest, depending on the center, I don’t always require the recording sheet.

In this Roll-A-Contraction center, students roll a dice and read the word above the number they rolled. Then they must find the two words that make up the contraction and record it. Anything using a dice is all sorts of popular in my classroom!

If you’d like to check out these centers, you can find them individually here or the bundle here (over 20 centers!)


#3: Morning Work

A lot of teachers are moving to more hands-on AM activities. However, morning work WORKS for me and my students so I am sticking to it.  #ifitain’tbroke I like the routine it creates.  It provides a great review of skills.   By the end of the year, my students become so independent, they take turns leading going over the answers and it is just one of the many areas in which I see so much growth!
Smiling and Shining in Second Grade: Daily Practice for Second Grade
I just love love love all morning work by Shelly Sitz at Smiling and Shining in Second Grade. She has math morning work, grammar and a combo of both. You can try some of her morning work pages for free here. The constant spiral of grammar skills is crucial for mastery!

 

#4: Grammar Games

In addition to lack of time, sometimes grammar gets pushed to the side because it’s just not all that exciting.  Good news! You can make review for ANY grammar skill into a game.   One of my favorites is this digital version of Connect 4.  

Project the Connect 4 document onto your whiteboard or SmartBoard. Split your class in two teams. Have a student from one team answer a grammar question.  If they get it right, they make a move for their team.  If they get it wrong, the other team has a chance to answer. First team to get 4 in a row, wins!  This will turn any “boring” grammar skill into fun–I promise!

Don’t want to come up with the questions?
Simply pair it with a copy of grammar task or scoot cards like these:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Noun-Scoots-Bundle-1876891?aref=fvbzqvm7


Read more about my ideas for engaging with games here.

#5 Grammar Apps

I have to be honest.  Apps are not my strong suit.  I promised myself last year I would sit down with all my iPads and update them with the most fun, exciting apps.  That didn’t happen.  #nextyeargoal  Luckily, others are experts and have compiled a great list of grammar apps!

eLearning Industry shares 11 apps for teaching grammar.  The best part? They are all FREE!

I love this one called Grammar Fun that allows students (or you) to specify example which skills students are working on.

I hope you gained at least one new idea for getting grammar into your day. What other ways do you teach grammar? I’d love to hear about them!

Happy teaching!



 

 

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