Description
Functional Grammar for Teachers is a practical online professional learning designed to make quality grammar instruction achievable and enjoyable. This package is a recording of a live two-part workshop series delivered via Zoom in March 2026.
In this recording, you will build your knowledge about language and explore strategies to teach writing authentically in the primary classroom. Functional grammar is used to explain the language system, with a focus on how it can support students’ understanding of authentic texts at the levels of the whole text, sentence, clause, and phrase. This package is an excellent refresher for grammar enthusiasts and a great place to start for those new to functional grammar. The content is practical and aligned with the Australian Curriculum Version 9 for Foundation to Year 6.
This package includes recordings of the following workshop sessions:
Text Types and Genres Reimagined
In this session, participants are introduced to the basics of text structure—genre. A functional grammar approach to contextualising grammar teaching in the primary years is explored. Key components of register, including what makes a clause, are unpacked, along with practical classroom applications.
Teaching Sentences and Clauses
This session focuses on the core of functional grammar: the clause. It explores different process types, sentence structures and noun groups. Practical strategies are shared to support students’ understanding of clauses and improve their writing.
Developing Descriptive Writing
This session explores two functional grammar structures that strengthen descriptive writing. It examines how noun groups add detail and support critical thinking and creativity. The concept of theme and rheme is also introduced as a resource for building cohesion in writing. Student work samples are analysed to support classroom application.
Discovering Multimodal Texts
This session builds foundational knowledge of multimodal texts. It explores how students make meaning through images, sound, colour and movement. Practical strategies for teaching and analysing multimodal texts are shared, with examples for classroom use.
Additional details:
- This package includes recordings of two live Zoom workshops.
- Participants receive access to all session recordings.
- Resources and handouts are provided to support implementation.
- The workshops align with the following AITSL Standards: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 6.1, 6.2, 7.4.
What participants said about the live workshops:
“I found it inspiring and I can see myself becoming more engaged in the study of grammar.” – Debra
“The resources were helpful and not overwhelming—just right.” – Naomi
“Thoroughly enjoyed it all.” – Hedy
“Very engaging with hands-on opportunities to practice skills.” – Kate
