I-Search for integrated grammar instruction

I chose to research teaching grammar in the context of writing. In the past year or so, I have become increasingly convinced that grammar should not be taught from a textbook as a supplement to the literature or writing curriculum of a classroom. In the same way, writing should not just be a means to express ideas about literature. In order to teach “Communication Arts” effectively, all areas of expression should be integrated. Students need to learn grammar skills in order for their writing to be effective. Instead of having class units about grammar, shouldn’t we integrate grammar lessons into the revision process? Ideally, students would immediately see the pertinence of their new skills and be able to apply them to their own writing. Also, starting lessons after you have seen the errors in students’ writings equips you with specific problems to address.

I imagine there is a large controversy on the best way to teach grammar in high school. Some teachers I talk to like the classical grammar instruction, with worksheets on identifying clauses and diagramming sentences. They think this is the only way to give students the solid foundation in writing skills they will need in order to develop more advanced skills, such as voice and style. Some want to eliminate grammar instruction altogether, saying it imposes upon students arbitrary standards that were made to be broken. Most of my teachers in high school tried a mix of both, but usually abandoned formal instruction halfway through the first semester because they were required to teach Hamlet and they hadn't gotten to it yet. In my research I hope to find practical ways to apply grammar instruction to student writing in the form of mini-lessons or revision workshops.