Grammar has been characterized as "the skunk at the garden party
of the language arts." Should teachers ignore it and hope ot
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 varietoes 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
gr,lmmM 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 ot.