Grammar is an essential skill that students must learn, but figuring out how to fit grammar into your ELA block can be a challenge.
There are many parts of a good ELAR curriculum that must be accomplished during reading and language arts block: reading lessons, small groups handwriting, and writing. This makes it hard to fit in grammar lessons.
However, by incorporating interactive and creative activities, you can inspire your students to become grammar experts in no time.
Let’s explore some effective teaching strategies and exciting ideas to make grammar lessons enjoyable for your students:
Start with the Grammar Basics
To begin, teach grammar rules in grammar mini-lessons.
These short 10-15 minute lessons, should be easy to fit in your ELA block.
For instance, present a slideshow over the grammar rule as students follow along with their guided notes. After practicing in small groups and finding the grammar rule in text, students will complete an independent practice over the grammar rule.
The results from the assessment help you identify who needs a reteach lesson.
If you are wondering what order grammar skills should be taught, check out my FREE GRAMMAR PACING guide for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.
Grammar in Real Life
While reading aloud to students, point out specific grammar rules that the author uses in their writing.
Also, students can work together in groups to look for specific grammar rules in books they are familiar with.
Additionally, teachers can use the best sentence they find as a mentor sentence. Then students can create their own sentences using the grammar rule found in the sentence.
Grammar Notebook
A writing notebook is a great way to keep the grammar rules organized.
It is easiest to have premade pages rather than having students write all the information they need in their notebooks.
As a grammar rule is introduced, students glue or write the rule in their notebook. They can reference their notebooks throughout the year.
Learn more about using Writing Notebooks in my blog post: The Pros of Using a Writing Interactive Notebook.
Grammar Wall of Fame
Celebrate your students who use correct grammar in their writing.
Create a display in your classroom and hang up the writing of students who use grammar correctly.
Other students can read their friends’ writing and write a positive comment on a sticky note their classmates praising their grammar.
Grammar Games
Who doesn’t love a game?
Grammar games can be put into literacy stations. Then students can practice grammar rules with other students.
This an easy and effective way to fit grammar into your ELA block.
Grammar Show and Tell
Show and tell is so much fun for students, so here’s a way to add a twist of grammar.
Students find correct grammar in books that they are reading independently. Then they will write the sentence they have found on a Post-It note. They can put the notes in one location, so other students can see what they found.
As you can see, fitting grammar into your ELA block can be easy!
All these small grammar-based activities will add up to your students being grammar experts.
Find all of these grammar resources in one spot: GRAMMAR MEGA BUNDLE
Remember, teaching grammar doesn’t have to be tedious. With a little creativity and enthusiasm, you can help your fourth-grade students become grammar superstars!
Looking to learn more about fitting grammar into your ELA block? Check out my blog post: Top Questions Answered: Teaching Grammar in 4th Grade.
