Scott,
You've just indicated one of the biggest problems language arts teachers
face--at least I did when I taught junior high. I had five classes
of 30 students for 45 minutes five days a week. During that time,
I was supposed to teach:
-
Reading
-
Spelling
-
Vocabulary
-
Literature (poems, short stories, novels)
-
Writing (compositions, book reports)
-
Grammar
-
Speech (if I had time for that)
I understand that some schools have started allowing two periods of language
arts per day, but even then squeezing in all of those subjects can be overwhelming.
Is it any wonder teachers may not emphasize grammar--especially if they
may lack the tools to build well in that area anyway?
Linda Comerford
Comerford Consulting