Let’s talk grammar for a minute.
One of my favorite grammar posters is this one:
Grammar is a thorn in my side. There’s so many darn rules! How can anyone possibly keep them all straight? My favorite high school english teacher, Ms. Matheson, would hate to see this post. ‘Cuz then I’d have to admit that I zoned out whenever she started teaching grammar (and that I just started an incomplete sentence with the word ‘cuz).
In elementary school, I took one of my first stories to my fourth grade teacher, Ms. Jensen (mostly to show off, if I’m being honest. I thought it was hot stuff). She smiled, tucked the paper in her take home folder and said she’d read it that night. The next day she handed the story back, covered in red ink; some were compliments, but lots were grammar fixes. I hid the story in my desk so no one could see.
I’ve gotten better at accepting criticism, but I still second guess my grammar. Every. Darn. Time. Semi-colons, dashes, commas before quotations… it all makes my head swim. If you can relate, read on. If you are a grammar genius (it’s okay to admit you are) then share some of that wealth below in the comments! How did you learn? Did you sleep with Elements of Style under your pillow each night? Do tell.
For the rest of us, green squiggly lines in Word and internet searches are magical things. Since Word’s grammar tool isn’t always the most accurate fix, here are some of my favorite grammar sites that help keep me on track. Most of the time.
1. Grammar Girl: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl
Lots of great podcasts on all things grammar.
2. The Purdue OWL: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/5/
It’s like going back to school, only I pay attention now. Lots of worksheets. Lots of answers.
3. Grammar Gorillas: http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/
Okay, yes, this is a kid website. But come on, what’s more fun than playing a game to practice something boring like grammar?
4. Puncuation Paintball: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/braingames/iknowthat/Paintball/Medium.cfm
Another kid website – but another fun one 🙂
Any other great grammar sites out there I should check out? Let me know!
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Jenner Porter 
I LOVE Grammar Girl! She’s my go-to resource on punctuation these days since she writes about the topic of grammar without being dry!
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Totally agree! She’s grammar gold.
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I feel a little sad that you, in fourth grade, “thought it was hot stuff” and your teacher washed away some of that enthusiasm for writing and storytelling with her heavy grammar edits. Yes, I think grammar is important – but so are ideas, conviction, plots, characters, perspective, and sheer desire! I bet you are good at focusing on the “whole” writing effort of your students, having had this experience. Thanks for sharing!
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Luckily I’m stubborn and she didn’t dampen my spirits too long. But yes, it does make me think about my approach more when it’s my turn to offer a critique.
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I have this up on my board, and it really does help my kids…sometimes. Thanks for all those wonderful grammar links, too!
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Haha 🙂 You’re welcome!
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I always thought I had a good handle on grammar, but things have changed over the years. What I learned (way back then), is not always true today. Guess I’ll have to check out these grammar links to bone up.
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And don’t forget about the games 😉 Okay, so they’re probably way beneath your level but are still an excellent way to feel like a grammar rock star!
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[…] “Yay!”). Let’s be honest, having your word processor make you look like a grammar idiot has got to be much less embarrassing than the live human being writer’s of yesteryear had […]
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