Blog #2

I would say that Christensen and Chapter 1 & 2 from Grammar Alive definitely does challenge my idea of how to teach grammar. The reason being is because in my classes where I was taught it was primarily get a worksheet and practice the grammar over and over until you can do it without error. The only problem with that is that it is easy to get the grammar rule down when you are practicing it, but not actually using it in real life. This is why I think the article for Christensen was very interesting. Particularly because she focuses on how teachers should not focus on correcting students necessarily, but rather focus on giving students this idea that their writing is good because it is their voice and we should just work on polishing it up instead of creating something new (Christensen 57). This is why Christensen connects with Goal C of grammar teaching. With goal c, it focuses on this idea of students and how they should use grammar and this notion of language not just for standard English, but for language one uses around their house and among friends. This becomes important because most people do not use standard English/grammar. Instead, they use different vernacular that fits their social situation
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Goal A of Grammar Alive is something I believe all grammar classes strive for- learning standard English [ I used a dash to emphasize an important goal that grammar classes have] (Haussamen, Benjamin, Kolln, and Wheeler 4) I believe that goal A is the foundation of what grammar teaches. The reason is because by being able to give students the basic foundation of what standard English is than it makes implementing goal b and c much easier. I think what’s most important is that in Grammar Alive that it makes this clear distinction that standard English isn’t always a set rule it is instead something that is fluid. Because of that, it allows people to interpret their definition of what standard English means to them and their family.

The next goal one wanted to learn was goal b which consisted of actually using grammar rules. This one is more of a terminology and structured goal ((Haussamen, Benjamin, Kolln, and Wheeler 4). Because of that, it is something that I am used to. The reason is because I am used to a more structured and focused teaching of grammar. Though this necessarily is not the most exciting goal since it is more structured based it is one I think that most will be familiar with. Though, what should be stressed during this goal is that still the grammar teachers are taking into consideration the social situation of each of these students so that they can incorporate how one talks outside of a school setting.

Finally, the next topic to talk about is chapter 2 in Grammar Alive which discusses this idea of language variety and having students understand that not all language you use has to be the same across the board ((Haussamen, Benjamin, Kolln, and Wheeler 10). This I feel is one of the most unique because most grammar classes do not teacher or care about you understanding when to use different language variety. Instead, it is about just trying to use and understand standard English that most will understand.

One can see that there is similarity between all of these reading because they both emphasize the idea of not just taking basic standard English, but being able to revamp it into something that students can use in their everyday life.  

Nonetheless, the reason I decided to use a dash is because I feel like I am more familiar with that. The reason is because I personally enjoy emphasizing the sentence I am making. Though I do want to get out of my comfort zone and try something new.