Gove and Grammar

It is difficult to say whether Michael Gove, our education minister, has been the cause of the recent resurgence of interest in grammar, or is simply part of a current trend.  Lately, we have seen the publication of Gwynne's Grammar, For Who the Bell Tolls by David Marsh and Harry Ritchie's English for the Natives.

My own series of four books for children of junior school age and their teachers (for many of them in their thirties were never taught garmmar at school) will also be available in a few weeks time.

Unfortunately, Gove's push to get 'back to basics' comes with all sorts of other hazards: the main and perennial issue of emphasising a form of education that can be examined, while discarding the unmeasurable. Concentrating on the measurable will, unfortunately, lead to immeasurable damage to a whole bunch of children.  This is why I've designed the layout of my books in such a way that creativity can sit comfortably alongside the learning of grammar.  It's my belief that the two are bound together.  Artists are hampered if they can't draw.  Skateboarders can't do fancy tricks if they can't stay on the skateboard.  Surfers should learn to swim.  It's the same with grammar and creativity.  It's useful to know the rules, even if you decide deliberately to break them when you're writing that best-seller.

The Delights of the Grammar Monster

I regularly enjoy the traps - some of them unavoidable - left sitting around by the grammar monster.  And, even though I refer to the rules of English as a 'monster', I mean it in a kindly way.  The traps, themselves, are usually camouflaged very meagrely.  Nonetheless, journalists, mailshot designers and shopkeepers frequently fall head-first into them.  My current favourite is the tag-line on the clothes shop sign near where I live.  It reads: Gently used ladies' clothes.  You have to ask yourself who or what has been gently used - the clothes or the ladies?

There are a number of these in the forthcoming teachers' books:

Children make delicious snacks.
My dog smells a lot better than me.
It was at the cricket match that I saw her duck.
If you think that any of our waiters are rude or unhelpful, you ought to see the manager.

I do love collecting these; so if you'd like to leave some, please do.  Thanks.

New Grammar Books for Schools

Four new grammar and creative writing books, full of photocopiable worksheets, will soon be available for teachers of children from 7 - 11 years old.  They will be published by LCP from whom advanced publicity, pre-orders - orders@lcp.co.uk - and discounts can be arranged.  Take a look at their web pages - www. lcp.co uk.  The final proof-reading procedures are almost finished.  I'm very excited about the approach of publication date, as well being delighted with the support and enthusiasm of the publishers throughout.  Jess, my contact there, has been great.

Each of the books is full of my black-and-white illustrations, some of which you can see here.  There will be an accompanying CD, full of coloured illustrations, for use on interactive whiteboards.

This is a completely new blog, but in the future, return regularly to find grammatical tips, howlers and, if you feel inclined, make your own contributions.