Tag: teaching
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Do We Really Need to Teach Grammar Terms?
I will be on Jennifer Gonzalez’s Cult of Pedagogy this week to talk about my book Good Grammar, and when we recorded our discussion, Gonzalez asked me an important question that I didn’t have time to answer fully in the moment, so I want to speak to it here: When we teach about grammar and…
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How Expanding the Frame Can Improve Essay (and Most) Instruction
I was glad that so many liked my last post about one way I’m striving to say the quieter parts out loud when it comes to essays, so I thought I would share another lesson from that unit this week. Also, on that note, I want to share that I’m finally doing something that people…
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A Springtime Lesson to Awake Dormant Essay Writing
Happy Spring, wonderful readers! In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston says that “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” I’ve found this to be very true, although there are also occasionally years like the one I’ve had that offer little time for pondering either questions or answers. This is…
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My Favorite End of the Year Writing Assignment
The end of the school year is not only on the horizon, it—like a sunset in full glory—has become the horizon. And if you are like me, these waning days where all eyes fix upon the horizon can be a challenge. Suddenly, issues with work completion and engagement sprout where there were no issues before;…
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Where My Grammar and Language Lessons Begin: Tools for Emphasis
In my last post I discussed the first of five lessons I’m sharing this spring from my new book Good Grammar: Joyful and Affirming Language Lessons That Work for More Students (due out this summer). The concept I shared, while simple, has been powerful in my classes: I’ve found students learn language lessons (encompassing grammar,…
Matthew M. Johnson 