How to Teach Grammar to 3rd Graders

Teaching grammar to 3rd graders can be a little bit stressful, but also so much fun. The stress comes from learning how to teach grammar to 3rd graders in a way that fits into an already busy schedule. 

How to Teach Grammar to 3rd Graders: Three Easy Tips

I am going to share three tips today that will change the way you teach grammar! They will make it easier, more engaging, and less stressful! 

Focus on 10-15 Minutes a Day

Don’t stress about fitting an entire grammar section into your daily routine. Just add 10 minutes a day. That is it. You can teach grammar and students can master the skills while only adding on a short amount of time to your daily schedule. So, look at your schedule and see where you could squeeze in 10 minutes. 

Keep the Same Flow Across Units

Every week, go with the same flow. This makes teaching grammar to third graders so easy. All you need to do is plug in the new content. Here is how it looks for me.

Mondays: Quick introduction to the new standard and concept. This typically includes an anchor chart and explicit instruction

Tuesdays & Wednesdays: Students practicing! You can do this through digital practice (Below are slide decks for every standard) or you can do worksheet practice, etc.

Thursdays: Grammar in writing! Do a writing prompt where the students must focus on the skill you have been working on!

Fridays: Play a game to review and then assess (this day might take a little longer).

You could make your flow look many different ways, but having a flow or a weekly plan makes planning so easy and quick!

Make it Fun and Engaging 

Grammar can tend to be a blah subject for planning and teaching. But, if you focus on how to teach grammar to third graders in a FUN way, it will change! Add games each week to practice the skill, instead of doing worksheet practice allow them to do something digital, and create prompts and practice activities that relate to the things that students enjoy talking about.

Want to see what a week of grammar looks like practically? Sign up here to receive a free week to teach punctuation!