How to teach grammar

1. Use authentic examples from authentic texts

1.1. Teaching children to write effectively, we must ‘hold their writer’s hand’; expose them to high-quality texts with rich language, grammatical rules and sentence structures in order for them to apply these independently in different contexts. We need to plan in rich reading experiences linked to specific language goals.

2. Encourage high-quality discussion about language and effects

2.1. We must explain that each choice made about language or punctuation should be considered carefully to contribute to meaning. Making considered choices ensures that our writing reflects our intentions. This can only be done properly if we fully understand the purpose of the structures and concepts. Understanding grammar is more than learning the names of certain punctuation, sentence structures or word classes by rote.

3. Support children to design their writing by making deliberate language choices

3.1. Once children have some experience in exploring texts similar to what they are creating, discussed language and authorial choices, it is important that we use these techniques and features within our modelled writing, showing children how to apply such techniques to their own writing. Then support them to plan and prepare the grammar and language they will use. When making deliberate choices within language, children need the chance to explore their options, collect words, order them and scale them.

4. Progression in grammar

4.1. So how does your school ensure progression across year groups in the teaching and learning of grammar? Ofsted’s latest framework (2019) suggests that ‘progress means knowing and remembering more.’ We must ensure that learning is progressive and that there are chances for children to repeat and remember learning. It suggests that knowledge is generative (or ‘sticky’) meaning the more you know, the more easily you can learn.

5. Use grammatical terms but explain them through examples

5.1. It is true that children must be able to identify grammatical features such as ‘nouns’, ‘verbs’ and ‘simple sentences’, however, functional grammar goes further than just looking at a word within a sentence. They must also understand why, where and in what order these are used to be able to apply them within their own oracy and writing.

6. Encourage language play, experimentation and risk taking

6.1. For children to have the confidence to ‘play’ with language, they must be exposed to a wide bank of vocabulary to choose from. We need to build up their knowledge of vocabulary and develop a ‘word consciousness’ where they are excited and curious about language.

7. Use model patterns for children to imitate

7.1. When introducing a new grammatical term or feature, having a structure to the lesson will support the children’s understanding and ability to then apply this in their own writing. As we show in our P.I.C.C approach (free webinar - watch it here), teaching children specific grammatical features is vital to achieve effective writing.