Learning Grammar Through Writing

Rating:
Summary: Help Students Learn Grammar Through Their Own Writing
Review: I am a very experienced educator, who has worked in the field over 30 years. For the last 20 years my passion has been educating bright-gifted students with Language Learning Impairments (LLI) also called dyslexia.

My original motivation was my own son many years ago. I found regular AND Special Education teachers' skills to work with LLI students abysmal. In 2003 98% still are. Teacher training is a disaster. Education will not improve until teacher training improves. I would be happy to share what I think needs to be done.

I am in private practice as an educational consultant. I am also a certified Fast ForWord (FF) provider. ...I have worked with hundreds of kids, teens and even adults who struggle with reading and all language skills.

Learning Grammar Through Writing is a terrific resource. It is simply and clearly written for even elementary age students. It not only provides definitions but excellent examples. The book is organized into chapters by speech category and other relavant issues to writing. Each point in each chapter is given a letter. When conferencing with a student on a piece of writing (usually at the revision stage), instead of explicity telling a student what is wrong with their writing, you use a number-letter code at the point of error. Then the student goes back to their seat and looks up the codes to find out what grammatical rules have been violated and how to fix them.

According to research,the more involved a student is in their own learning, the better and easier he/she can learn. This resource enables the student to be an ACTIVE participant in their own learning!

The book can also be used by the student when they realize they are unclear about some point of grammar. The book is so well organized it is usually easy for the student to look up the information during the rough draft writing stage.

I have always felt that it is very demoralizing for a student to receive their written work back all covered with red correction marks. (I have never used red for paper correction in my life!)Educators must keep learning a positive, esteem-building experience.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent tool for children who are ready to write.
Review: LGTW is an excellent tool for children who write; especially those who are self-motivated and write creatively for pleasure. The instructor tags an error with a code. The student easily finds the code, reads the rule, and corrects the error, whether grammar useage or punctuation, thereby encouraging reinforcement of proper grammar.