You can teach grammar in isolation. There I said it. I put it out into the world, and I’m pretty sure they say once it is typed out, you can’t take it back. At least, that’s what I think they say. Now that I spilled the beans on how I feel about teaching grammar in isolation, let me explain.
Do I love mentor sentences, absolutely? Do I love incorporating grammar into my writing, absolutely? There is a time and a place for integrating grammar into every part of your day! But can we PLEASE also say that there is a time and place to teach grammar in isolation?
Grammar In Isolation Isn’t Bad
I’m not sure where along the road teaching grammar in isolation got its bad wrap. I’m going to blame diagraming sentences. But that is a whole different post for a different day. All of a sudden, it seems like it became a negative thing to teach grammar in isolation. But why?
Students will test over the language and grammar standards in isolation? I’m 98 % sure my students are.
Grammar in Isolation Serves A Purpose
Grammar is hard.
Students deserve a safe place where grammar is given attention. Grammar deserves to be presented to students in an engaging way. It’s fair to say that students will not create nonrestrictive elements in their writing if they have never been introduced to them. Students need to be introduced to the different pieces of grammar, and it is okay to do that in isolation!
I teach grammar in isolation daily. I introduce a topic, we play games, do a daily language review. You can read all about how I fit grammar into my day here.
This doesn’t mean I spend hours (or even half hours) a day drilling grammar facts cause that’s a thing, right? But I know my students will be tested over grammar in isolation. As a result, if I don’t expose students to the types of questions they will be asked; they would not be equipped. Just saying that they will see it in their reading or writing is not enough.
Don’t Be Me
In my first year teaching, I didn’t cover a single language standard. Well, maybe two or three. I didn’t know I needed to. My belief was that the students would get exposed to grammar through reading or writing. I now know that students need that separate time to play around and be introduced to grammar.
Finally, when I did finally get around to my second year of teaching I noticed there were so many grammar standards and I had no idea how I was going to fit it all in. I created a 6th-grade grammar bundle to solve that problem. It contains lessons, activities, daily language review, and quizzes.
It helps me incorporate language standards into my day, and yes, it’s in isolation. But on most days I’m only spending mere minutes a day. Now, I know that my students are seeing the skills they need to help them be strong writers. Don’t be like first-year me; get grammar in your day. Incorporate it in isolation, standing on your head; it doesn’t matter. Find what works for you, for your students, and your vibe. And remember, it’s okay if you teach it in isolation.
As always, I’m rooting for you friend.
-Alisha Riley-Mrs. A. Riley
P.S. If you are a sixth-grade teacher feeling overwhelmed with all of the grammar standards. I’ve created a 6th-grade grammar cheat sheet, click here to download it now. I created it with students in mind, but it will help you too.
