Publisher's Synopsis
Part of a 6-book photocopiable series to teach basic grammatical and punctuation concepts in a fun and memorable way, which will challenge and stimulate the whole class. Pupils are motivated to think logically about the activities and to share their knowledge and understanding with their peers through working individually, in pairs, groups or, sometimes, in whole class contexts.The sheets for this series are all written to add to the children's understanding of these fairly abstract ideas. They aim to improve children's ability to use English effectively and accurately in their own writing and speaking.The sheets contain oral as well as written contexts because grammar and punctuation are not just about writing. Sometimes the way children have learned to speak is not always grammatically correct but it is the way of speaking that they own. We always have to be aware of instances of regional or familial language and make the point that what we are teaching is what is known universally as 'correct' speech without deprecating the children's own patterns of speech.The children should always be encouraged to discuss what it is they are learning, to ask questions and to make observations. All of this discussion will help them to understand how the English language works. The sheets are designed to be structured, but flexible so that they can be used to introduce a concept, as stand-alones or as follow-ons. The activities on the sheets can be used as templates to create lots more for practice and reinforcement purposes. Each book aims to offer: groundwork for the introduction of new conceptsa range of relevant activities ideas for continuation opportunity for reinforcementsimple and clear definition of concepts and termsopportunities for assessing learningclear information to teachersThe sheets are designed for the practice, reinforcement and consolidation of grammar and punctuation skills and they address the requirements laid out in the Programmes of Study in the National Curriculum. The books provide teachers with the tools they need to teach grammar effectively and will complement other language and literacy schemes of work. The activities teach the technical terms pupils need in order to be able to discuss language and promote the necessity of making the children's learning functional. When pupils properly understand the effects that grammar and punctuation have on text, they can transfer that knowledge to their own writing and thus develop their skills. The books all include an assessment checklist and answers. Grammar and punctuation can sometimes be a hard grind, but nothing feels so good to a teacher as a pupil, eyes shining, saying, 'Oh, I get that now!'.
