Grammar Day Presentation: Grammar, Not Just Fun and Games

Introduction

• Thank you for joining the Grammar Day celebration.
• Title of the presentation: "Grammar, Not Just Fun and Games"
• Focus: Engaging students in grammar instruction through games.
• Agenda:
  • Overview of the title's meanings.
  • Effectiveness of games in grammar instruction.
  • Examples of engaging grammar activities.
  • Q&A session.

Meaning of the Title

• "Grammar, not just fun": Highlights that grammar can be seen as tedious by students.
• "Grammar, more than just fun and games": Emphasizes the importance of grammar beyond entertainment.

Are Games Effective for Grammar Instruction?

• Importance of evaluating the effectiveness of teaching methods.
• Questions to consider:
  • Why teach grammar this way?
  • Was the lesson effective?
• Benefits of games in grammar instruction:
  • Encourages engagement and contextual practice.
  • Fosters healthy competition in a supportive environment.
  • Games should be meaningful and focused on structure.

Examples of Engaging Grammar Games

1. Kahoot

   • Popular tool for interactive quizzes.
   • Research (Wang & Tahir, 2020):
     • Positive impact on learning performance.
     • Improved classroom dynamics and student attitudes.
     • Can lower anxiety through gamification.
   • Grammar and Beyond offers pre-developed Kahoot materials.

2. Tense Competition

   • Focus on past tense verbs (regular and irregular).
   • Engage students through a team activity.
   • Create a cohesive text by filling gaps in a reading.
   • Use a projectable format for visibility and engagement.

3. Investigators Inside the Classroom

   • Students correct sentences on the board based on common errors.
   • Builds writing and speaking skills.
   • Encourages peer discussion about corrections.
   • Keeps a journal for reference on common errors.

4. Right Around the Room

   • A collaborative story-building activity.
   • Dictate a story starter; students write and pass papers to continue the narrative.
   • Promotes both reading and writing under pressure.
   • Results in a collective text for editing and revision.
   • Adaptable for different class sizes and levels.
   • Excellent for practicing editing skills and addressing common errors.

Conclusion

• Grammar is more than just fun; it's crucial for effective communication.
• Encourages the use of engaging activities to teach grammar effectively.
• Presentation encouraged adapting and implementing new grammar games in classrooms.
• Open floor for questions and discussion.

Additional Resources

• Links to suggested books and materials for further reading.