Your last sentence was profound, well-stated, and true, Geoff! Linda Comerford -----Original Message----- From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Geoffrey Layton Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 10:51 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Grammar and writing in elementary school The problem with grammar instruction is that historically it has not been seen as a tool for rhetorical invention. Whether the grade level is elementary or college, the focus of most writing instruction is on just that - invention, creativity, and personal expression. Hence the popularity of such devices as "free-writing" and graphical organizers. So grammar, then, is usually left to the end of the writing process for editing and correction. However, it is possible to teach grammar and invention together. By giving students the most basic kernels of a sentence - "the boy walked" - "the girl ran" - "the baby cried" - (or having them create their own), you can use grammatical constructions - adverbs, prepositional phrases, dependent clauses, infinitive phrases, etc. - to create meaning from the kernel. For example, using adverbs to create when and where meaning, the following is a possible invention: "Last night, the boy walked home." Now, prepositional phrases can be added: "Last night after the game, the boy walked home through a bad neighborhood." And finally, the dependent clauses: "Last night after the game when the rest of the team went out to McDonald's, the the boy walked home through a bad neighborhood where a gang tried to beat him up." The best part about this exercise is that students learn how grammar not only CAN be used to create meaning - you can't create meaning without grammar! Geoff Layton _________________________________________________________________ Get live scores and news about your team: Add the Live.com Football Page www.live.com/?addtemplate=football&icid=T001MSN30A0701 To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/