The reading summary is done by: Allison Trutter (ENGL300-1) and Karina Enriquez (ENGL300-2)
Due by class time on: Wed., March 9th, 2011
The responses by the whole class are due by class time on: Friday, March 11th, 2011
The text you need to read is here.
By: Karina Enriquez
In the article, Grammar Instruction: What Teachers Say by Brenda Arnett Petruzzella, the author explains the differences between what prospective teachers are learning versus what practicing teachers are actually doing. Practicing teachers believe grammar should be implemented in students' classes. On the other hand, while Petruzzella was still in college, it was considered a "waste of time."
While she was in college, she encountered many instances when she peer edited another students work and did not know "how to" explain to them what mistakes she found because the students were illiterate to grammar. Now, the question is, should grammar be taught in the classroom? Why, yes of course! In the article, the author mentions how students felt about grammar. They were frustrated because all along grammar was not enforced by their teachers and by the time college came around, grammar was something knew they had to become familiar with. Teaching grammar instruction in the classroom is a necessity because it enhances a students work and mind.
Nowadays, grammar is being taught in some form that students are able to grasp the main idea of each grammar point. One teacher uses a different way of implementing grammar into an English course by holding one-on-one conferences with the student to better explain what problems he or she is struggling with. Another teacher also uses the same concept by discussing a students paper and pinpointing the mistakes instead of writing the comments on the paper because she thinks it won't be as effective and most students do not pay attention to the comments teachers leave. Another teacher thinks the whole concept of teaching grammar in the classroom is plain silly. She does agree that grammar should be somewhat implemented in students studies but the question is how much grammar should be taught and how to teach it. As a result, all three teachers used the concept of holding individual conferences to discuss what the student is having difficulty grasping grammatical errors.
In conclusion, teachers think it is vital to teach grammar in English courses. They want to find different ways to implement such instruction so that the class is interested in learning more rather than boring them. One concept that is still working these days is holding individual conferences to help the student grasp certain grammar concepts so that they don't make the same mistake again. This way has shown to be effective and more understanding for students than by teaching a grammar lesson as a whole.
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In her article, "Grammar Instruction: What Teachers Say," Petruzzella talks about teachers' attitudes towards teaching grammar. First, Petruzzella notes that as time has gone on, grammar instruction has been labeled as something to abandoned. She claims that when she was in school she learned grammar instruction, and in college her teacher's did not encourage her to teach grammar to students. In the future, this made it hard for her as a teacher to talk to students about their writing, because she could not use grammatical terminology that her students did not recognize. Furthermore, when Petruzella was a student teacher supervisor she found that many of the student teachers did not receive much grammar instruction, and then were required to teach it.
Additionally, Petruzella comes to find that despite research and the discouragement from college classes, many classroom teachers still teach some form of grammar. After talking to many teachers, Petruzella found out that researchers and classroom teachers have different meanings for "grammar" or "grammar instruction." Research/studies use grammar instruction to, "refer to isolated memorization of rules and terminology and pages of skill and drill practice." However, Petruzella said that classroom teachers, "tend to use the term grammar for what might be more properly labeled as mechanics- usage skills such as subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and even spelling- which obviously do affect the readability of writing."
Petruzella interviewed 25 teachers about their opinions of the previously stated topic. She shows six teachers' opinions, but concludes all of them, "believe that grammar skills are best taught in the context of the students' own writing, though drills or worksheets may be used to reinforce specific concepts." Also, Petruzella found that the teachers teach more grammar to higher-level students than lower-level ones, because "college-bound students needs it more, and the lower-level students are more resistant to learning it."
In conclusion, Petruzella says she wants to finally end the grammar debate, and for professionals to all agree that grammar drills are only needed for "accuracy in usage" that is wanted, and for writing. Also, the author says that many teachers believe they should focus on more important issues, "like how to get composition classes down to reasonable sizes where individual conferencing is practicable, how to get word processors in the hands of all of our students, and how to get our students to read more."
By: Alli Trutter
I agree with Petruzella on the fact that grammar drills should be used for "accuracy in usage" and writing. I think students are more susceptible to forgetting skills when they are taught them in bulk and at one time. School systems sometime fail in constant use of the skills. Once we learn grammar skills in middle school it's almost like we never have to re-visit these skills. Teachers don't usually focus to much on proper comma placement, or dangling modifiers, etc. unless it is an English teacher especially in college. So I think that to better help students learn the skills they are suppose to know teachers should, re-visit certain grammar lessons when students are in high school, as well as go through grammar that students will need for writing papers when in college.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a debate about whether or not grammar should be taught to students in college. I have just always thought of grammar as a valued subject and just assumed that everyone else did, as well. I've noticed while peer reviewing papers in this class, especially, that as a whole, many college students could definitely use more practice with grammar, including myself. I think grammar is a subject that should be so repetitively taught that by the time you reach college it just comes natural to you.
ReplyDeleteI think that grammar is essential and should be taught early on. A lot of things that my peers and I have learned in class is the first time I have actually been "taught" this material. Teachers may slightly cover grammar but they fail to go in depth. I wish that grammar was reinforced early on so my writing would be fine tuned at this point. I do think however, that younger students may not be prepared to learn a large amount of grammar at one time. Now that I am in college, I see that teachers fail to highlight or focus on grammar, more so just the content of your writing. I've never had anyone correct my writing for dangling modifiers until this year but either way I'm glad I can improve my standard of writing.
ReplyDeleteKarina Enriquez and Ali Trutter did such a fab job summarizing "Grammar Instruction: What Teachers Say" by Brenda Arnett. From my standpoint, I truly concur with Petruzzella in which grammar is a waste of time to learn. The two groups that are be evaluated are prospective teachers, in whichh they are being seeked on how they teach and how well their students are being taught versus what practicing teachers are doing in which they believe that grammar should be implemented to students in every class. When it comes to grammar I truly believe the example of having one on one meetings with students is a great idea to discuss what the issues/ problems they have with grammar. This is a method that teachers can do to actually level how well she should teach grammar to her students individually. Another example I can totally concur in, is what Petruzalla believes about grammar. Grammar drills are only needed for accuracy in usage and the important issues. I believe that this article was great to read because I can relate myself to the problems I faced with grammar at a younger age in which some teachers did a terrible job teaching the fundamentals of grammar. When I came to this university writing papers was something done on a daily basis, so I felt that my grammar skills were at its lowest due to my past education in which teachers poorly taught this important subject.
ReplyDeleteThe article “Grammar instruction: What teachers say” by Brenda Arnett Petruzzella is a good essay to describe how English teachers think about teaching grammar. Most of them also want to make their lessons easy and creative for their students. Some of those teachers would think that learning grammar instruction was waste of time. But it is necessary to have good grammar if students want to write a perfect essay. No matter how great ideas or points student have, they also need to have proper grammar skills to deal with their essays. This is one of the steps to attract people to see their articles. Therefore, I think grammar is really an important skills for everyone, especially for English teachers.
ReplyDeleteSince the first few weeks of class, my frustration with the level and accuracy of grammar that is being taught to American students has continued to grow. I feel deprived of a strong and consistent grammatical background. Until this class I hadn't experienced many tips or drills for remembering the rules of grammar. I think it is very important to any professional that one is able to utilize proper written and spoken English. I thought this article was good. I like the idea of teachers spending one on one time with a student and pointing out their weaknesses, instead of writing a note on the essay. Understanding your weakness is half the battle. Once you're aware of your faults it becomes easier to correct them. A lot of my professors do not correct all of the grammatical mistakes in my essays and papers. They usually check for content and punctuation. However, I know I have used pronoun-antecedent disagreements and split infinitives. I think the reason my professors didn't correct the problem was because they might make the same mistake! Proving the point that a lot of people have a very laid back attitude when it comes to linguistics. Grammar should be taught repetitively to K-12. Also, require multiple courses for all majors at a college level.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the article. If students were taught these skills in drill we would work harder to remember these skills. Speaking from personal experience, when ever I am being taught a task, I normally forget it later on down the line. reason being I do not feel as though they are revelant. The older I get the more teacher focus more so on citing sources correctly as opposed to correctly knowing where to place a comma in a sentence, or being able to identify dangling modifiers in a given sentence. If they were drilled in me, it would be a task I would never forget as opposed to me learning it for that specific week just to ace a quiz or do well on homework. Grammar is something that we use in our everyday life so the least we could do is learn to properly us it.
ReplyDeleteIt is always easier to learn something when one is younger opposed to being older. For example many students in different countries learn multiple languages by the time students are in eight grade. While here foreign language ( in most public schools) is not offered until high school or upper level Jr.High. If learning ( in general) is easier when one is younger then being taught grammar earlier ( earlier than college at least) would be more beneficial for students. Also by teaching grammar to students when they are younger, makes it much easier for students to remember particular rules when they are reviewed later in their educational carriers.
ReplyDeleteIt is very much easier to learn things when you are younger. I also agree with the methods here, the way the teacher meets one on one with the students. That would really help people learn grammar. As opposed to just speaking at the students, which they or may not be able to understand the concept of grammar lesson the teacher is teaching. Each student may have their own problems understanding what the teacher said about the subject in a lecture. But if the students met the teacher she could adress the problems that the student is a having. One on one meetings are definitley the better approach.
ReplyDeleteBoth summaries were wriiten very good and it is very informative. I had no idea that there were an actual debate on whether or not grammar should be taught in college. Honestly, I always assumed grammar will always be a part of English so why not teach it. I agree with the method of teachers meeting one on one with their students especially ones who are having a more difficult time get through what is being taught. This is article and summaries are very useful and will be kept ion mind. Good job to both students.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Grammar should be taught to students early on! I feel like throughout my elementary, junior high, and high school experience Grammar was not focused on enough. I can remember briefly covering the basics, but not an actual class that focused on Grammar. I feel like I am learing so much new information in this class. This frustrates me because I think I should have been taught this before college!
ReplyDeleteThis was a very timely article because it deals with a very specific element of my research paper. My survey quiz results showed that students had very poor grammar skills despite a high percentage of them indicating that they got A's or B's in their high school and college English courses. I think the problem with grammar instruction is that it sometimes becomes too much about learning specific rules. Students learn these rules in much the same way they learn facts in history class, which causes them to later be forgotten. My conclusion was that instruction should find a way to integrate grammar into composition so that students learn skills instead of rules.
ReplyDeleteI thought this article was pretty interesting, and I think the students did a fine job of summarizing. I feel grammar is not emphasized enough in our schools. Grammar is a subject that is touch on (at least in my schooling) in grade school. All throughout high school I had a maximum of one month of grammar instruction. Grammar needs to be a priority for high school teachers. The next level is college, and grammar skills are essential to survive.
ReplyDeleteSince I began taking my grammar course at Southern Illinois University, I have been amazed by how much I don't understand. It has made me angry to know that somewhere along the line one of my teachers forgot to teach me the use of certain grammar techniques I did not know. It is upsetting that out system is broken in a way that majority of American students are illiterate to grammar. I do agree that most of out grammar understanding comes from speech, but learning the rest is up to education system. I am amazed that some teachers refused to teach grammar because they believe it is unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteThis article talks about how grammar is not being taught to students anymore. I think that it is very important to be taught grammar because without it students end up being uneducated and make mistakes while trying to write a paper. I have noticed that I have not been taught grammar since probably middle school. When I began taking this class, I had to try and remember the things I was taught years ago. I feel if I had been taught grammar throughout my high school and beginning years of college I would have had a better transition into this course.
ReplyDeleteGrammar skills, in my eyes, are very important. There are many different things that grammar skills provide to any culture in the sense of: ideas, thought, comments, and bonding with someone else. Grammar is something that sounds always be present in a learning environment in order to pass knowledge on faster. Not having grammar courses in college is something that will only harm the students present there.
ReplyDeleteReading this article was very enjoyable because it gave students a chance to finding out what teachers thought about teaching grammar. The author tries to give readers a different out look on how they view their instructors. It kind of takes you to a whole new world. She also stressed the importance of grammar and how it helps advance your knowledge. The summaries were awesome as well. They were very detailed. Great Job.
ReplyDeleteThis article summary was very well written. The article itself was interesting and thoughtful. I know when I was in high school I had one class dedicated to grammar out of the four years I was there. This is first time that I am hearing about most of these grammar topics. I think it is very important for grammar to be taught early on as well as in high school. I know I would have improved on my writing immensely had I known more about grammar. I also think it’s a good idea on the teacher’s part to hold conferences with students after they write their papers. I agree that a lot of them don’t look at half of the comments that the teachers leave on their rough drafts, and by meeting with them one on one, will help them to better understand where they went wrong and what exactly they need to fix in order to improve their writing skills.
ReplyDeleteI have always been a fan of things like individual conferencing for papers or specific grammatical issues. However, I do think that sometimes grammar drills can be necessary, especially in the cases of their/they're/there; you're/your; its/it's type issues, and the waste/waist; affect/effect; accept/except issues. I run into these all the time when I am reading amateur fiction or other students' papers. Generally, I do agree with the article that most grammar (sentence structure etc.) can be taught better in the course of a writing class.
ReplyDeleteIf teachers are saying that they were not properly taught grammar then how do they expect to teach someone else something they have not learned? That does not make sense. I mean I guess they could try a collaborate effect but I do not see good results coming from this. Is it not the teacher’s job to teach student things they do not have a grasp on?
ReplyDeleteThis article was very interesting to read. It was good to get a teacher’s opinion on teaching grammar and the different points of view. What I liked was how the author stressed the importance of grammar. I think grammar is something everyone should know about, but all throughout high school I never took one class dedicated to grammar. Therefore a lot of the topics covered in this were new to me. That is what made reading this article so interesting. Some teachers know how importance of grammar, but if that is really true it should be incorporated into high school education.
ReplyDeleteThe article “To Grammar or Not to Grammar: That Is Not the Question!” by Constance Weaver, Carol McNally and Sharon Moerman, portrays the issue of why grammar should be taught. The idea of how grammar helps to generate content and vise versa is a common reoccurrence throughout the whole article. Also in the article is a constant theme of how grammar helps generate content and then how content helps to generate correct grammar. Nowadays, grammar is being taught in some form that students are able to grasp the main idea of each grammar point even though a lot of my professors do not correct all of the grammatical mistakes in my essays and papers.
ReplyDelete