Reading into the Grammar
I really loved today's articles for discussions on engaging students in reading the classics with a focus on understanding the grammar. I now wonder if that is why I didn't like classic literature in high school, I didn't understand it. I have always loved reading - still do! But, my enjoyment of classics didn't come until college. Perhaps if a teacher had approached classics from a grammar standpoint, I would have been engaged in learning the classics we studied. As I work on ideas to engage my future students in the learning, I am excited to be able to connect grammar to what we are reading and how it affects the reader...which directly translates into writing - student writing. While these articles didn't mention having students write to practice any grammar they were discussing, it seems that this would be part of the logical process. Just like we have discussed in class: using good models before having the students eventually practice on their own. Thus, this way of teaching grammar as a part of reading seems to flow naturally into continuing the process into writing with the grammar just learned!