How Rude! Teaching Grammar in Writing

My students love to write about their friends.  What five year old doesn't!  But, we have a little problem. Problem? Yes, problem.

Here's what our worked may have looked like.

Did you notice?  My students lacked manners in their writing. They talk about themselves first and then, mention their friend.

So, this week, we worked on changing our bad habits.  To begin, we read Manners at School. I wanted them to understand, the word, manners.  Then, I quickly created this anchor chart to help explain what to do instead.

Friends First Anchor Chart

I talked about how I liked my friend a lot and to show that I did, I would write her name first.  Here was the biggie. I also told them that it was bad manners to use the word me.  After much thought, the kids decided that I could use the word I.   

Since I have many English Language Learners, we practiced orally using the phrase ______ and I.  I had different kids come up and we just practiced the vocabulary.  Then, I sent them off to write. I watched and reminded them Friends First.  Almost all of them could do it. 

Here is what their worked may have looked like afterwards. 


There is still work to do but we are moving in the right direction.  Teaching grammar to young writers is important.  To help me, I love using this resource.  
Happy Teaching and Learning!

29 comments

  1. What a good idea! I'll have to do this sometime soon!

    Tales of An Elementary Teacher

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  2. I am pinning this for TBA! You are the best!

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  3. Me and my class love this idea! Oops! I mean, my class and I love this idea! LOL!

    Lori
    Teaching With Love and Laughter

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  4. Love it! I think my class would really understand the concept if I put it this way! Especially great for ELL kiddos and those kiddos that don't hear proper grammar at home!

    Jennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten

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  5. Thanks for the tips! I will have to check out that book!

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  6. Cute anchor chart! Thanks for the resource book tip! I need to add it to my wish list on Amazon!

    Andrea
    Cheers To School

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  7. I love your approach. Mastering the Mechanics looks like a good resource. Thanks for passing this on!

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  8. This is totally AWESOME! Me and my other Teachers wish we had this anchor chart in our class when we were teaching (heee...hee) Seriously, I had 4th and 5th graders that could have used this!

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  9. This is brilliant! I'm your newest follower.

    Kimberley
    First in Maine

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  10. Yes!!!! I love this! I am going to work this in today!

    Mrs. Wills Kindergarten

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  11. I'm going to have to check that book out. My district has no writing curriculum. Yep - that's right. It's a really struggle to keep guiding young writer's in the right direction without any guidance. Thanks for sharing!
    Kimberly
    Funky First Grade Fun

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  12. Great Idea, I love it.
    My second graders still needs this:)

    Corinna
    Surfin' Through Second

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  13. Great Idea! Thanks for sharing! I enjoy your posts! They give ideas and motivation to continue to give my best!

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  14. I just found your blog! It's so colorful and welcoming. Come over and check my blog out- I'm a newbie! http://teachinglearningloving.blogspot.com/
    Becky

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  15. Thank you for sharing. Love the idea of friends first.
    BJ

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  16. Thanks for all the great ideas. I'm a new follower and wish I had more hours in the day to look thru all the great sites like yours. bjudge2001@yahoo.com

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  17. Thanks for sharing your great ideas.

    shelly.condon4@gmail.com

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  18. What a good suggestion to help them correct grammar. Of course, it's not just our ELL learners that use this incorrectly in spoken language, it's all of our little ones.

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  19. I'm coming to you from Can Do Kinders. Thanks for the ideas.
    Megan
    mhorman@north-cedar.k12.ia.us

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  20. im defntely checking out that book- looks lke a great resource

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  21. Oh I love it!! Your anchor chart and your way of getting your kiddies to remember proper grammar while writing is fantastic!! Thanks so much for sharing:) I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
    Tina
    Good Morning Mrs Rubie

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  22. A fun way we practice this is by singing (for example), "Kathy and I, Kathy and I, That's how we say it, Kathy and I"... to the tune of "Farmer in the Dell". You'd be surprised how quickly the class will start singing to remind their friends!!
    Karen :o)
    Mrs. Stamp's Kindergarten

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