1 Fanatically Grammatically Correct: Discovering the Uses of Punctuation Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 8–12 Professional Commentary: In this lesson, students reflect on how punctuation shapes meaning, and then work collaboratively to research guidelines for correct usage. Through a series of brief writing assignments, they explore how creative writers employ punctuation as an essential tool in their craft.... 2 Every Punctuation Mark Matters: A Mini-Lesson on Semicolons Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 9–10 Professional Commentary: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" demonstrates that even the smallest punctuation mark signals a stylistic decision, distinguishing one writer from another and enabling an author to connect with an audience. In this mini-lesson, students first explore Dr.... 3 Knowing Write from Wrong: Exploring Common Writing Errors in the Electronic Communications Age Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 9–10 Professional Commentary: In this lesson, students explore how the informality of electronic correspondence has affected communications in the workplace. After responding to a prompt written for two different audiences, students work collaboratively to a writing guide that contains rules and examples to help correct common informal English writing errors.... 4 Showing Good Taste: Writing Thoughtful Restaurant Reviews in the Language Arts Classroom Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 8–12 Professional Commentary: In this lesson students distinguish the important elements of well-written restaurant reviews by analyzing and evaluating reviews from The New York Times and by writing their own reviews of favorite dining locations. Students are encouraged to evaluate critical and persuasive texts as well as writing their own.... 5 Once Upon a Time: Writing Stories about Reading Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 10–12 Professional Commentary: This resource uses a feature article from the New York Times to stimulate a discussion about one's life as a reader. This lesson encourages students to take an inventory of their own histories as readers.... Resource Type: Content Supports Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 10–Postsecondary Professional Commentary: This PowerPoint presentation introduces students to the rules of comma usage, including placement in compound sentences, after introductory elements, with dependent phrases and clauses, around non-essential elements, in a series, and with adjectives. This presentation also covers methods for avoiding the comma splice.... 7 Adolescent Literacy In Perspective, May/June 2007, Unconventional Conventions: Teaching Grammar and Mechanics Resource Type: Professional Resources Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 6–Postsecondary Professional Commentary: The May/June 2007 issue of AdLIT's In Perspective focuses on teaching grammar and mechanics in unconventional ways. The entire issue can be downloaded, and regular columns include the following: (1) featured article; (2) classroom vignettes; (3) student voices; (4) a look at the Ohio Graduation Test; (5) for your bookshelf; and (6) resources from the... 8 Teaching Grammar Can Be Fun: An Oxymoron? Resource Type: Content Supports Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 7–12 Professional Commentary: Advocating that "learning grammar doesn't have to be a drudgery of filling in tedious worksheets," educator Lisa Patrick shares, in this article, her approach to teaching grammar and mechanics. "Teaching Grammar Can Be Fun: An Oxymoron?" overturns traditional notions that grammar instruction be dull.... Resource Type: Content Supports Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 6–12 Professional Commentary: "Grammar Gimmicks" is an article that's chocked full of great ideas to get students engaged in classroom activities that promote grammar. Cathy Brooks Walker is a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher who knows how difficult it can be to engage young adolescent learners.... 10 Prioritizing Your Concerns for Effective Business Writing: Later Order Concerns: Does Your Document Look Professional? Resource Type: Content Supports Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 10–Postsecondary Professional Commentary: This content resource recommends that during the revision of business and professional documents, it is important to prioritize concerns and thereby determine what to look for and work on. This handout suggests saving the Later Order Concerns, the LOCs, for the last draft, when it is time to look closely at specific points of grammar and... |