I don’t keep my love of the Swedish theme park, IKEA, a secret. I love milling through fake rooms, imagining how my big family could fit into small spaces. I love a Swedish meatball and that Dime cake as much as (or even more) than the next person. I know that many do not likeContinue reading “What’s the point of form if it doesn’t function?”
Tag Archives: grammar
Do I have to know the answer?
When I started my final teaching prac, in my last year of Uni, I asked the Principal what his pet hate was. I was keen to make a good impression and finish the prac with a good reference before I graduated. I expected the principal to reply with something like; “late teachers” or “chewing gum”.Continue reading “Do I have to know the answer?”
How slow can you go?
I’m one of those people who loves rollercoasters. The rollercoaster that started it all for me was Space Mountain at Tokyo Disney Land. I was 22, it was a stinking hot day and my then-boyfriend (who is now my husband) said “This one seems like it won’t be too big, it’s inside a building”. AnyoneContinue reading “How slow can you go?”
But seriously, what is Happening?
I once heard two people discussing how to eat a mango. One person was revealing with some enthusiasm to the other that they had just figured it out. “Just cut the cheeks off,” they exclaimed, “and then cut into them horizontally and vertically, Then pop the squares out!” I could tell by the way thatContinue reading “But seriously, what is Happening?”
It’s how you begin that matters
It is the beginning of a new beginning. My New Years Eve decorations still hang above my head. The burnt remains of sparklers lie outside on the porch. The champagne bottle sits empty in the bin. It is somewhat significant that I write this post at the beginning of a new year. Beginnings are soContinue reading “It’s how you begin that matters”
Do you want some context with that?
“Chicken.” “What?” “Chicken” This was the discussion that my husband and I had tonight. My husband is sitting on the sofa watching TV and I am in the next room working on my laptop. Sufficed to say I have little, to no idea what he is talking about. Had he drifted off to sleep andContinue reading “Do you want some context with that?”
Are verbs just doing words?
If I had a dollar for every time I heard verbs being described as doing words… You get the idea. The traditional grammar language of verbs that classifies words is very restrictive. This has lead to many educators (and I will raise my hand as guilty) describe verbs in an overly simplistic way. So, isContinue reading “Are verbs just doing words?”
Where to now? Functional grammar in the classroom.
I struggled at writing “correctly” in school. I loved writing, but I struggled with the editorial skills of punctuation, paragraphing and spelling. I remember writing a speech one day (Yep, you better believe it, I was in the debating team! First speaker rocks!), and I recall the freedom that came from writing a text thatContinue reading “Where to now? Functional grammar in the classroom.”
What is happening? Looking at clauses.
From the way my mother can edit writing and compose texts, you would never be able to guess that English isn’t her first language. She only heard English when she stepped into school as a 7-year-old. She didn’t receive specialist English lessons or tuition, instead, she had to struggle through not understanding a single wordContinue reading “What is happening? Looking at clauses.”
Is Grammar Outdated?
Do you ever find yourself up late wondering if grammar is outdated? No, OK maybe it is just me. Here is the first in what will be some more late night ramblings of a grammar nerd.