All Discussions Tagged 'tense' - Classroom 2.02024-03-28T14:01:46Zhttps://www.classroom20.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=tense&feed=yes&xn_auth=noESL teaching: simple past tensetag:www.classroom20.com,2013-04-16:649749:Topic:9264542013-04-16T14:51:50.665Zlaurie rallshttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/laurieralls
<p>Are there any ESL teachers out there? I am pondering how to teach simple past tense to elementary school children (3rd-5th graders). We will be using regular verbs (those to which "-ed" is added to create the past tense). How much should I teach the "ed" rule, and how much should I simply give examples and have the children try it out and use transcribed conversations to pick it up? Are there any skits, songs, TPR activities, or other techniques you would recommend? Many thanks!</p>
<p>Are there any ESL teachers out there? I am pondering how to teach simple past tense to elementary school children (3rd-5th graders). We will be using regular verbs (those to which "-ed" is added to create the past tense). How much should I teach the "ed" rule, and how much should I simply give examples and have the children try it out and use transcribed conversations to pick it up? Are there any skits, songs, TPR activities, or other techniques you would recommend? Many thanks!</p> The Great Grammar Debatetag:www.classroom20.com,2009-10-26:649749:Topic:3969842009-10-26T16:02:15.057ZMark Penningtonhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/MarkPennington
It seems to me that the key lines of division within grammar instruction (meaning syntax, word choice, usage, punctuation, and even spelling—a catch-all term that most English language-arts teachers use to describe the “stuff” that we “have to , but don’t want to” teach) have been drawn between those who favor <b>part to whole</b> and <b>whole to part</b> instruction. As a brief aside… isn’t this much akin to the graphophonic (phonics-based) and whole language reading debate? Anyway, here is my…
It seems to me that the key lines of division within grammar instruction (meaning syntax, word choice, usage, punctuation, and even spelling—a catch-all term that most English language-arts teachers use to describe the “stuff” that we “have to , but don’t want to” teach) have been drawn between those who favor <b>part to whole</b> and <b>whole to part</b> instruction. As a brief aside… isn’t this much akin to the graphophonic (phonics-based) and whole language reading debate? Anyway, here is my take on the assumptions of both positions:<br />
<br />
Advocates of part to whole instruction believe that front-loading instruction in the discrete parts of language will best enable students to apply these parts to the whole process of writing. Following are the key components of this inductive approach.<br />
<br />
1. <b>Memorization</b> of the key terminology and definitions of grammar to provide a common language of instruction.<br />
2. <b>Identification</b> of grammatical constructions leads to application.<br />
3. Familiarity with the <b>rules of grammar</b> leads to correct application.<br />
4. Teaching the <b>components of sentence construction</b> leads to application.<br />
5. <b>Distrust of one’s own oral language</b> as a grammatical filter .<br />
<br />
Advocates of whole to part instruction believe that back-loading instruction in the discrete parts of language, as is determined by needs of the writing task, will best enable students to write fluently and meaningfully. Following are the key components of this deductive approach.<br />
<br />
1. <b>Minimal memorization</b> of the key terminology and definitions of grammar and minimal practice in identification of grammatical constructions.<br />
2. <b>Connection to one’s oral language is essential</b> to inform fluent and effective writing.<br />
3. Reading and listening to exemplary literature and poetry provides the <b>models</b> that students need to mimic and revise as they develop their own writing style.<br />
4. <b>Minimal error analysis</b>.<br />
5. Teaching <b>writing as a process</b> with a focus on coherence will best enable students to apply the discreet parts such as subjects, predicates, parts of speech, phrases, clauses, sentences, and transitions to say something meaningful.<br />
<br />
Of course, how teachers align themselves within the <b><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/grammar_mechanics/the-great-grammar-debate/" target="_blank">Great Grammar Debate</a></b>is not necessarily an "either-or" decision. Most teachers apply bits and pieces of each approach to teaching grammar. I take a stab on how to integrate the inductive and deductive approaches in <b><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/grammar_mechanics/how-to-integrate-grammar-and-writing-instruction/" target="_blank">How to Integrate Grammar and Writing Instruction</a></b>.