Grammar Rules (And So Does Spelling)
Jessica Goff, Curriculum Connections -- School Library Journal, 8/4/2009
If your students’ first writing assignments of the school year show signs of the summer slide, take a look at this list of recent publications addressing grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary. In addition to inspiration, these indispensible books offer theory, lesson plans, text suggestions, grade-level guidelines, case studies, and examples of students’ work.
Angelillo, Janet. Grammar Study: Helping Students Get What Grammar Is and How It Works.128p. (Theory and Practice Series). index. Scholastic. 2008. pap. $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-00521-0. LC number unavailable.
Integrating a love of language and grammar throughout, this rich volume urges elementary teachers to do the same in their classrooms. The author includes mini-lesson suggestions, examples of units of study, text suggestions, classroom examples, and a chapter on teacher grammar study.
Feigelson, Dan. Practical Punctuation: Lessons on Rule Making and Rule Breaking in Elementary Writing. 224p. bibliog. CIP. Heinemann. 2008. pap. $24. ISBN 978-0-325-00906-3. LC 2008031487.
An excellent study of teaching in context, this book is designed to help teachers guide writers as they discover how punctuation and meaning are related and how to understand, use, and manipulate punctuation to work for them. The book includes many specific lessons, examples of student work, tips for conferring during independent writing time, as well as grade-level punctuation guidelines.
Ganske, Kathy. Mindful of Words: Spelling and Vocabulary Explorations, 4-8. 338p. (Solving Problems in the Teaching of Literacy Series.). bibliog. index. CIP. Guildford. 2008. pap. $32. ISBN 978-1-59385-822-3. LC 2008002966.
Brimming with specific lessons and numerous (120-plus) reproducibles, this book provides plentiful instructional support and inspiration for upper-elementary and middle-school teachers. Ganske begins by exploring research about word study, then quickly moves into classroom ideas and examples. She includes case studies as well as lists of content-area vocabulary.
Rasinski, Timothy, et al. Greek and Latin Roots: Keys to Building Vocabulary. 208p. (Professional Development Series). Shell Education. 2008. pap. $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4258-0472-5. LC number unavailable.
Along with information about word construction, this book offers practice activities and ideas for incorporating vocabulary study into grades one through eight classroom lessons. The authors also explore the history of the English language and recommend related, useful resources.
Weaver, Constance. Grammar to Enrich and Enhance Writing. 299p. index. Heinemann. 2008. pap. $27.50. ISBN 978-0-325-00758-8. LC 2007030659.
This expansion of Weaver’s well-regarded Teaching Grammar in Context (Boynton/Cook, 1996) covers the latest research on the topic, connects theory to practice, and presents advise from experts on various topics (errors, code-switching, and ELL students). An extremely thorough reference, of particular use to middle and high school teachers.
