Invitational Grammar In a Nutshell

What does the Research Say? Writing Next found that traditional grammar instruction was not effective and can even have a negative impact on student writing

What grammar Strategies will have a positive impact on student writing? Big Idea #1: Teach Grammar in Context Big Idea #2: Use Mentor texts Big idea #3: Teach Function over description

Invitational Grammar Invitation to Notice Invitation to collect Invitation to Imitate Invitation to edit Invitation to celebrate

Lesson Format Day 2 Day 1 Invitation to notice: More mentor sentences are presented perhaps including another layer or function of grammar being studied. Invitation to Imitate: Students are asked to imitate the grammar structure within their own writing. Student share examples with writing partners Workshop: Conference with students as needed Invitation to notice: Mentor sentences are collected from shared reading, teacher or student writing. Students are asked to notice how the grammar choices have an effect on the reader. Invitation to Imitate: Students are asked imitate the grammar structure. Students share sentences with classmates.

What do you notice? He’d never seen a lotus blossom or an emperor on a golden dragon. He’d never seen a lotus blossom. He had also never seen an emperor on a golden dragon.

Joining Ideas

Your turn! Make at least one sentence using a conjunction to join ideas Finished? Try out another conjunction!

Day 2 Invitation to Notice: Use one or two student sentences as Mentors Invitation to imitate: Find a place in your writing when you have used a conjunction or add a new sentence using a conjunction. Write it on a Post-it Note. OR: invitation to collect: Students look through their own writing and/or silent reading books for more examples. Workshop: Look at exit tickets, group and conference