The building blocks of any language, grammar rules can be complex and tricky to understand. The books below help learners as they develop and refine their understanding and usage of grammar. With grammar often used sporadically or left out entirely on many forms of social media, these books provide a useful reference tool and guide for learners of all ages.
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Visual Guide to Grammar and Punctuation
by DK
Review: Wonderfully accessible, this colourful DK guide is an inviting introduction to grammar. Clear explanations and bold visuals highlight essential grammar and punctuation topics. Divided into three main sections focussing on parts of speech, sentences, phrases and clauses and punctuation, children can easily follow the clear explanations given. The inclusion of common grammar and punctuation mistakes at the end of the book is a helpful addition. This is perfect for younger learners to dip into as they become more aware of how language is constructed.
Suggested Reading Age: 5 – 8 years. In my opinion, this is better suited to the older end of this age bracket.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: Personal Guide: Students create a personalized grammar guide using images that appeal to them to illustrate different grammar points. They could act out grammar-related scenarios and include photos of this in their guide.
Usborne Lift-the-Flap Grammar & Punctuation
by Lara Bryan (author), Shaw Nielsen (illustrator)
Review: This enticing Usborne book invites children in, making learning about grammar fun and enjoyable. Containing over 125 flaps, vibrant illustrations and interactive elements such as mini-quizzes, this is an enjoyable read. Aspects of grammar such as clauses and conjunctions, adverbs and determiners and nouns and pronouns are included. Simple explanations, accompanied by clear examples, make grammar rules easy to understand. An appealing introduction to grammar.
Suggested Reading Age: 9 – 12. In my opinion, this book would be more appropriate for younger students. The inclusion of comparative and superlative adjectives and verb tenses, do provide a basic introduction for older readers to build on. Overall, however, I would place 9-year-old students at the upper end of appeal for this book.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Lift-the-Flap Literature Fun: Students make a lift-the-flap poster. Ask them to record examples from books they are reading to illustrate the grammar points included. They could either use a wide range of books or focus on one book or book series in particular.
Grammar Tales Box Set
by Scholastic
Review: First published in 2004, this collection of books is a little on the older side. They have stood the test of time, however, and are a light, fun introduction to grammar. Packed full of examples, there are plenty of opportunities for students to practise different rules as they read along. Written in short story format, students will enjoy spotting mistakes along with Francine Fribble, Proofreading Policewoman and will learn all about verbs when the Verb Fairy comes to the rescue in A Verb for Herb. Complete with a teaching guide, this box set is a great addition to any language classroom or for practising concepts introduced in class.
Suggested Reading Age: 8 years upwards. In my opinion, I feel that these would appeal most to students from Grades 2/3 to Grade 5. They would also be a great resource for students learning English as an additional language.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Let’s Improvise: Students act out the stories inserting examples of their own to demonstrate the grammar point in question. Alternatively, they could create their own funny stories based on the focus topic.
Dreyer’s English
by Benjamin Dreyer
Review: A great adaptation of the original Dreyer’s English, this edition is perfect for young writers who are serious about their craft and for those who want to improve the correctness of their writing. Written in a friendly manner and packed full of tips and useful examples, the book is a treasure trove of information. The author frequently addresses the reality of language usage. Having explained how a rule should be used, he then shows how published writers break this rule to suit their purpose. This book would make a great addition to any language classroom.
Suggested Reading Age: 10 – 15 years. In my opinion, this is more accessible for students from about 12 to 13 years of age, throughout secondary school and beyond.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Rule Breakers or Just Plain Wrong: Ask students to actively look for examples of misuse of grammar or punctuation in written works. Discuss whether they believe this is justified to suit an author’s purpose/whether it was an intentional choice on their part or whether it is purely a lack of grammatical knowledge/a misuse of grammar. If students believe it is intentional, ask them to explain what it brings to the text as opposed to following the standard grammar rule.
Grammar Girl Presents The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students
by Mignon Forgarty
Review: Mignon Fogarty’s writing guide takes the mystery out of grammar and writing. Written in a highly accessible style, this book presents rules in a clear manner. Definitions are easy to understand and charts and tables help to present information clearly. “Quick and Dirty Tips” give advice as to how students can remember some of the terms used and rules in question. The text is broken up with inlaid boxes containing interesting tidbits or facts; pop quizzes allow readers to check their growing understanding along the way.
Suggested Reading Age: 12 – 18 years. I feel that this would appeal more to the mid to top end of this age bracket.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Check it out (for older students): It is worth taking a look at Mignon Fogarty’s website which is full of interesting grammar posts. Additionally, her award-winning podcasts (she won Best Education Podcast in 2016 & 2017) make for a great listen and are an enjoyable way to pick up some grammar tidbits. You can access these podcasts via her website or listen to them on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Stitcher.
Happy Reading!
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