I really appreciate the conversations about grammar that our texts create. It is helpful to read Noden's ideas and theories about teaching grammar, and then to read how Anderson implements some of them in his classroom; it makes the inevitability of teaching grammar more concrete and less intimidating.
Anderson consistently teaches grammar visually. For example, he uses the Sentence Smack Down and Visual Scaffolding Charts to help his students understand the concepts. These activities keep the students "doing" grammar; they are actively involved with grammar! I love his advocacy for wallpapering the walls with posters. First, this constructively hides the dull cinderblocks. But it also surrounds the students with grammar. Students can't escape grammar!
Again: a representation of Anderson's philosophy of a rich and living learning environment.
I also find that Anderson's lessons embody Weaver's view of grammar as a box of tools (versus a list of rules). ***See the "Write a Sentence" discussion on page 65 of Anderson's text*** As students untangle the rules of grammar, they assume control over grammar and, thus, their writing. This is not to say that students are able to use certain standards of grammar and discard others but that students are empowered to use grammar to enhance their writing instead of having adding grammar that limits their writing.
Noden's detailed lesson models further illustrate this idea. Students are taught what a prepositional phrase is, for example, not so they can know what it is but so they can use.
I like to think of it as students getting their hands dirty with grammar.
No comments:
Post a Comment