The Power of Grammar: Unconventional Approaches to the Conventions of Language

by Victoria Vinton, Mary Ehrenworth, Vicki Vinton

Grammar is the gatekeeper to a culture of power, yet it is also the power behind the startling beauty and robustness of the English language. In The Power of Grammar, Mary Ehrenworth and Vicki Vinton show you how these two notions of power can help your grammar instruction address the practical and aesthetic needs of your student writers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0325006881
• ISBN13: 9780325006888
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.6" x 9.2"
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

A Writer's Approach to Grammar

Excluding the tiny cohort of grammar sticklers, most of us find the subject drab, obtuse, and mind-numbing. As a freelance writer, journalist, and teacher, I particularly find the traditional study of grammar to be hardly worth the effort (and test scores would indicate the approach is ineffective for the large majority of students.) Writers do not worry whether they're using a comparative or superlative adjective when they write. They write to convey meaning and emotion. In short, we need a teaching method for grammar that focuses more on applicability than classification. This book provides just that. It contains wonderful sample lessons, a clear instructional calendar, and tips on how to teach grammar quickly and in meaningful ways. In short: use the writer's workshop method (also called conferencing) to teach grammar. Teachers hook their students by sharing compelling, risky personal narratives from their own lives. Teachers intentionally write these narratives down in grammatically incorrect ways. They then guide their students through correcting the mistakes and improving the writing until it pops off the page. Why this approach? The authors finds sharing stories hooks the students. They also discovers students feel less pressure when they practice on their teacher's faulty writing first. It shows that even seasoned writers don't expect perfection from the first draft. My only complaint is the book is not very user friendly. You have to read it cover to cover with a high level of engagement to extract all its meaning and well-honed advice.