Just don't go into the powwow making claims about how grammar helps in
teaching writing. Any knowledgable colleague will have you for lunch. All,
or nearly all, of the evidence says that there is no connection between
teaching grammar and teaching writing. Some members of ATEG may dispute
this, but their position is hard to maintain--even if it eventually turns
out to be true or partially true.

Better to advocate teaching grammar as a liberal art. Like any liberal art,
it has uses in understanding issues and subjects throughout the culture.
You can take in some of the language columns from the New York Times or
other publications to show that anyone who really wants to understand those
columns needs a foundation in grammar.

Also, be sure to distinguish between definitions of grammar. Grammar can be
defined as a description of the language system, the rules of correctness,
or the rules of the dominant culture. Clarify this for your colleagues and
then let them know which one you have in mind.

Bill

>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


William J. McCleary
3247 Bronson Hill Road
Livonia, NY 14487
716-346-6859