10 Dos and Don’ts of Planning Primary Grammar Lessons

  1. Do ensure your objectives are focused on the learning, supported by purposeful activities.
  2. Do keep a bibliography of useful reference books about grammar to help your subject knowledge and actively use these to inform your planning.
  3. Do remain flexible in your approach to teaching grammar as there will always be unforeseen questions that you may need to explore.
  4. Do relate your teaching to the interests of your class as this will ensure teaching is set within a meaningful context.
  5. Do plan in key questions that will address the learning so that pupils will leave the lesson having moved on in their learning.
  6. Do include provision for your gifted and talented pupils and those with SEN/D or EAL
  7. Don’t spend time scripting your lesson; allow room for flexibility.
  8. Don’t forget to include opportunities for speaking and listening so that pupils are able to discuss their ideas and offer their views and opinions.
  9. Don’t ignore misconceptions.  Take the time to explore these within your lesson so that all pupils understand the grammatical concepts introduced.
  10. Don’t shy away from using the correct terminology in your plans.  Developing a metalanguage will ensure there is a shared language and enable you to talk confidently with the children about grammatical structures.
  11. Don’t forget to include assessment for learning opportunities to assess pupils’ prior knowledge and use these to inform future planning.