The Secret to Teaching Grammar (Without the Stress!)

Does the word grammar send a shiver through your classroom? 

If your students groan the moment you mention verbs, clauses, or subject-verb agreement, you’re not alone. Many teachers—whether they’re new to the classroom or seasoned educators—have faced the same challenge: how do you make grammar understandable, approachable, and maybe even enjoyable?

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be hard.

Why Grammar Feels So Complicated

Traditional English textbooks can be overwhelming. Endless lists of rules, confusing terminology, and too few practical applications often leave both teachers and students frustrated.

• ESL students may see grammar as a complete mystery.
• Special needs learners often need clearer, more concrete methods of instruction.
• Even strong students can get lost in the rules and exceptions.

If you’ve ever felt like your textbook simply wasn’t enough to help your students “get it,” you’re not alone—and there’s a simpler way.

Follow my simple steps plan and watch your students thrive.

Begin with a review of the parts of speech, but do not dwell on it. The important thing for students to learn is how a preposition, noun, or verb, etc. functions in a sentence. 

My method of teaching grammar focuses on how a word, phrase, or clause functions in a sentence. Then, I teach each sentence element in a specific sequence and concentrate on repetition and practice. Learning grammar becomes easy and enjoyable. 

I am going to share the sequence with you, so you can start making teaching grammar less stressful.

The sequence is as follows:

1. Find the prepositional phrases.

2. Find the verb and decide if it is action or linking.

3. Find the subject.

4. Find the complements. (Direct Object, Indirect Object, Objective Complement, Predicate Nominative, Predicate Adjective)

5. Find the modifiers. (Adjective and Adverb)

6. Find the phrases and identify them. (Participial, Gerund, Infinitive, Appositive)

7. Find the clauses and identify them by type. (Independent, Adjective, Adverb, Noun)

8.  Classify the sentences as simple, compound, complex, or compound/complex.

If you follow the eight steps in the sequence I listed, your students will be successful

Of course, you can do this on your own and prepare the lessons and the practice exercises and tests, or you can let me help you. I wrote my own grammar program when I started teaching, and I used it for my entire teaching career. Since then, thousands of other teachers have used it too.

Try the Simple Steps to Sentence Sense Step-by-Step Approach That Works.

The Simple Steps to Sentence Sense grammar workbooks were designed to take the stress out of teaching grammar—for teachers and students alike. You don’t need an advanced degree in linguistics, or even prior grammar-teaching experience, to use it successfully. Everything is laid out for you. A High School, Middle School, and Elementary Edition are available in my TPT store and on Amazon.com.

What makes this program different? It’s built around the Sentence Analysis Map (S.A.M.), a unique tool that helps students break down sentences into manageable steps. With just eight simple steps, students learn to identify subjects, verbs, and everything else that makes a sentence work.

Even better, every step connects directly to writing. The workbook includes Writing Connection Pages, so students can immediately apply what they’ve learned in their own sentences and essays. This isn’t just grammar for grammar’s sake—it’s grammar that improves writing skills.

What’s Inside the Workbook?

When you open the workbook, you’ll find everything you need to run stress-free lessons:

• Sentence Analysis Map (S.A.M.)
• Teacher notes and lessons
• Projection masters for class instruction
• Group and individual practice exercises
• Writing connection pages
• Tests and quizzes
• All the answers included

Why Teachers Love It

Here’s what other teachers have shared:

      ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This resource has been a huge help for me and my students! The formulaic approach to tackling English grammar has increased learner confidence for all of my students. Thank you!”

       ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Wonderful product. My students were actually excited about doing grammar.”

    Imagine hearing that about grammar lessons in your classroom!

If You Would like to try a free lesson, click here.

Thanks for reading. I hope your new school year is your best one yet!
Charlene 

Below are some interesting blog posts your can read from The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you are interested in becoming a member to promote your teaching materials click here.

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Struggling with Teaching Sentence Structure? Help is Here.

Are your students finding it difficult to analyze English sentences? Whether they're just beginning to learn the language or studying a foreign language that requires a solid grasp of English grammar, understanding sentence structure is essential.

That’s where I come in.

With over 30 years of classroom experience and a lifelong passion for grammar, I’ve created a straightforward, engaging way to master the art of sentence construction. In my Simple Steps to Sentence Sense video series, I walk learners through eight clear, manageable steps to understanding sentence structure. 

Each video is paired with a practice exercise and an answer key, making it easy to learn and review at your own pace.

These videos are short and easy to understand. You can use them with students who enroll late in the year, with students who need tutoring, or you can play each video for your class, sit back, and let me explain each of the eight steps as an introduction to the actual unit from the Simple Steps to Sentence Sense eBooks and resources.

• How to Use SAM (Sentence Analysis Map)
• Step 1 - Prepositional Phrases
• Step 2 - The Verb
• Step 3 - the Subject
• Step 4A - Action Verb Complements
• Step 4L - Linking Verb Complements
• Step 5 - Adjectives and Adverbs
• Step 6 - Finding Phrases (verbals, and appositives)
• Step 7 - Finding Clauses (adjective, adverb, and noun)

This program is perfect for students, children, or grandchildren who need a little extra support—and confidence—in writing and grammar.

If you're looking for a practical, proven way to strengthen sentence skills, this just might be the gentle push they need to succeed.

These videos complement all of my grammar eBooks and resources. You can find all the Simple Steps to Sentence Sense resources here.

The first video in the series is free. If you want to check it out, click here.

You always save 20% when purchasing a bundle. Click here to make the purchase that will save you hours of time.

Thanks for reading. I hope your new school year is your best one yet!

Charlene 

Here are some interesting blog posts from The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you are interested in becoming a member to promote your teaching materials click here.

Reflecting on the School Year As a Writer and Reader

Reflecting on Incidents and Feelings

When students are in school, it’s hard to believe that they won’t remember everything about their lives when they are older. The truth is they will forget many interesting things. The human brain is wired to forget unused or ineffective brain connections to make room for new memories.

Help your students get into the habit of writing a letter to themselves at the end of each year to summarize the significant incidents and feelings they would like to remember later. They can go back and read it in the future. I promise you it will be a worthwhile experience for them and for you.

“Writing a Letter to Myself” is a FREE activity for the end of a calendar year or the school year. You can get your FREE resource here.

Reflecting on Literature Read During the Year

The analysis of literature is a higher-order thinking skill that all students will be called upon to master from middle school through college in language arts classes. After reading a short story, novel, poem, or play, students will benefit from learning how to write about what they liked or disliked about the literary piece, discuss its literary elements, and decide what makes it unique. 

Students can reflect on the literature they most enjoyed or disliked and explain their reasons. Assignments such as these will help the teacher when planning future assignments.

I have a bundle of writing about literature resources in your store. Each resource is available individually, but you will save 20% if you buy the bundle. All of the resources have been assigned to my own students. I never put a resource in the store that my students disliked.

You will find the bundle here:

This time-saving bundle includes:

• Analyzing a Fictional Character Writing Activity
• Archetypes in Literature Critical Essay Writing
• Character Analysis Writing Exercise with Rubric
• Comparing and Contrasting Two Short Stories
• Guide to Understanding Any Novel
• Pretty Darn Fast Poetry Analysis Technique
• Reading Reaction Journal Writing Activity
• Short Story Analysis with Study Questions
• Short Story with Comprehension Questions
• Tips to Write a Timed Critical Essay
• Three Ways Authors Reveal Characters
• Understanding the Meaning of Metaphors

I hope this gives you some ideas for helping your students reflect on their growth as writers and readers. Visit my store for more helpful resources.

Thanks for reading,

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National Poetry Month: A Celebration of Words

April showers bring May flowers, and in the literary world, April brings poetry. Since 1996, the Academy of American Poets has dedicated this month to celebrating the power and beauty of poetry. It's a time to recognize the profound impact that verse has on our lives, our cultures, and our understanding of the world.

Poetry is more than just rhythm and rhyme; it's a language of the soul. It captures the essence of human experience, from the mundane to the extraordinary. Whether it's a love sonnet, a haunting ballad, or a free-verse exploration of identity, poetry has the unique ability to connect with us on a deep and personal level.

Why Does Poetry Matter?

• It fosters empathy: By exploring diverse perspectives and emotions, poetry helps us understand and connect with others on a human level.
• It sparks creativity: Poetry encourages us to think critically, use language creatively, and see the world in new ways.
• It preserves culture: Through the ages, poetry has documented history, shared traditions, and preserved cultural heritage.
• It brings joy: A well-crafted poem can bring laughter, tears, or simply a moment of peace and reflection.

How to Celebrate National Poetry Month

• Read poetry: Discover new poets, revisit old favorites, or share poems with friends and family.
• Listen to song lyrics: Lyrics are powerful poems combined with vocal performances. 
• Write poetry: Unleash your inner poet and experiment with different forms and styles.
• Attend in-person poetry readings and events. You can also find them online. Search online for "poetry readings."
• Share poetry on social media: Use hashtags like #NationalPoetryMonth to spread the love of poetry.

National Poetry Month is a wonderful opportunity to rediscover the magic of words. Whether you're a seasoned poet or simply a curious reader, there's something special about exploring the world through poetry. Let's come together to celebrate the power of language and the enduring spirit of the written word.

Teachers can help students learn to write and analyze poetry, which will help them better appreciate its rhythm, rhyme, and figurative language.

You will find several resources in my store to help your students appreciate and analyze poetry.

Thanks for reading. Check out the Linky Party below to find blog posts from my teacher friends at The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you would like to join this group, click here.

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