Grammar Alive: A Guide for Teachers [Paperback]

Brock Haussamen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0814118720 | ISBN-13: 978-0814118726 | Publication Date: October 1, 2003

Grammar has been characterized as "the skunk at the garden party of the language arts." Should teachers ignore it and hope it disappears? Cautiously engage with it? In this informal and inviting book, Brock Haussamen and other members of NCTE’s Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar offer a much-needed resource for the myriad K–12 teachers who wonder what to do about grammar—how to teach it, how to apply it, how to learn what they themselves were never taught. Anticipating the pressures of standardized and high-stakes testing that threaten to revive older, ineffective methods of teaching grammar, the authors of _Grammar Alive!_ offer teachers ways to negotiate the often conflicting goals of testing, confident writing, the culturally inclusive classroom, and the teaching of Standard English while also honoring other varieties of English. Novice and veteran teachers alike will appreciate the hands-on approach to grammar in the classroom that includes numerous examples and practical vignettes describing real teachers’ real classroom experiences with specific grammar lessons—including ESL issues—as well as the chapters that review grammar basics, from how to diagram a sentence to the elements of linguistic grammar. A grammar glossary and annotated list of sources for further reading round out the book. _Grammar Alive!_ is ideal for teachers who believe that grammar could play an important and enjoyable role in the language arts if only they knew better ways to teach it.

Product Details

• Paperback: 121 pages
• Publisher: National Council of Teachers of English (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814118720
• ISBN-13: 978-0814118726
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Grammar made accessible, July 15, 2005

By 

Beth A. Thompson (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Grammar Alive: A Guide for Teachers (Paperback)

While this book will not solve the problems of those seeking absolute expertise regarding the intricacies of grammar, it does offer valuable insights on teaching this difficult subject. Many lessons build on common sense knowledge that all teachers(and students)already possess. Myths about time-honored grammar rules are illuminated and de-bunked and there are excellent references for further reading. As a teacher of English, I am always looking for ways to de-mystify grammar, both for my students and for myself, and this book is a good reference towards that goal.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for grammar geeks!, March 6, 2008

By 

Sylviastel - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Grammar Alive: A Guide for Teachers (Paperback)

This book came highly recommended by her majesty, the Queen of Grammar, Constance Weaver. I purchased it and found some of it useful in my research regarding grammar instruction. Still, I think it's worth the read for language arts arts teachers. It's an easy read and was produced by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) to help demystify the grammar stigma in the language arts classrooms.