Bravo!

Our high school is planning a required grammar class for all ninth graders,
if our board will approve the idea.  We strongly feel that this is
something our students need as a basis for good writing.   Without the
foundation, a house is very likely to collapse.  Even football players
practice individual skills before playing the game.

B. Kees, High School English Teacher
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-----Original Message-----
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Sent:   Thursday, January 06, 2000 5:56 AM
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Subject:

I'm a high school English teacher in a school where grammar is taught
sporadically and ineffectively because the prevailing orthodoxy holds that
grammar is antithetical to "the writing process." I realize that this is a
pervasive problem nationwide, but I have a big powwow with my colleagues in
a
few days and I'm asking for help. What is a good nutshell reply to the
"rolled eyes" response that English teachers give us when we advocate
teaching about the language? What do I say when I hear this: But the state
exam doesn't count much for grammar. It isn't on the rubric.

Your help would be much appreciated, and may help me to win some converts.
Thanks.
Amy