The Power of Grammar
A Phenomenological Approach
Quick Look
- Written by an experienced Waldorf language arts teacher
- Examples drawn from real-life classroom experience
- Offers many creative approaches to grammar teaching
Draws on teachers' classroom experience to present creative approaches to teaching grammar.
Description
Grammar is the basic structure of our language and is difficult to teach creatively in any language -- especially English. And yet beautiful, artistic work requires structure and grammar is essential for powerful, clear writing.
Anne Greer, an experienced language arts teacher, here offers a wonderful survey of English-language grammar teaching, drawn from a colloquium of Waldorf language arts teachers. Her lively interchanges with the teachers, sharing their experiences in their classrooms, demonstrate ways to make any language truly living.
Teachers and parents will appreciate the numerous examples, depth of investigation and creative approaches this book presents.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Background Research Chapters:
The Current Situation in NA W Schools
The Current Situations in NA Public Schools
What Does Rudolf Steiner Say About Teaching Grammar?
What's Wrong with What We're Already Doing?
The Linguisitic Revolution and the Teaching of Grammar
Mythrules
"Correcting" Student Errors
What's Useful in the New Approach to Grammar?
What is Standard English?
What Might Work in a WHS
Part 2: Additional Contributions:
Meg Gorman: Bringing Traditional Grammar to Life
Wendy Bruneau: Using Image Grammar in the Classroom
Jason Gross: Seeing Grammar
Jason Gross: Serious Fun with Commas
Patrice Pinette: Grammar and Poetry
Jane Wulsin: "Study of Man"
Author
Anne Greer taught Language Arts and English at the Toronto Waldorf School in Ontario for many years. She writes fluently about the artistic use of grammar as a supporting tool (rather than an oppressive deterrent!) in creative writing. She now lives in New Brunswick, Canada, and mentors a young Waldorf school there.