Fundamentals of Grammar & Conventions Making Positive Impacts on Nature Hill Intermediate Students

The correct use of capitalization is an integral part of grammar instruction and students at Nature Hill Intermediate are using a new, supplemental program called Fundamentals of Grammar and Conventions, to improve their use of capitalization.  “As much as we love technology, our students are texting and using messaging and unfortunately, that technology reinforces some bad habits,” said Nature Hill Intermediate 6^th grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher, Melissa Krahn.  “The lack of capitalization for the letter I, or using the letter “u” instead of “you,” are just a few examples,” she added.

To help students improve their grammar skills, Nature Hill teachers have spent this school year introducing Fundamental of Grammar and Conventions.  “One of the things we have found as English Language Arts professionals is that we have a wonderful curriculum we love.  However, we have not had quite the systematic teaching of grammar in that curriculum…and that showed in our student’s application and writing skills,” said Krahn.  Fundamentals of Grammar provides that systematic approach to complement the existing language arts curriculum and the program spans Kindergarten through 8^th grade, so students will receive consistent reinforcement of these skills as they move through the grades.

At the Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meeting on May 15, teachers and students from Nature Hill shared some of the tools they’re using to connect their grammar work to other classroom lessons.  One of the capitalization tools is called, “Capitalize with M.I.N.T.S.,” a mnemonic that helps students remember the five times they should use capitalization – months, the letter I, names, titles, and at the start of sentences.

Nature Hill Intermediate 5^th grade teacher, Amy Jappinen, recently used the “M.I.N.T.S.” tool to connect a grammar lesson to the Revolutionary War research papers her students were writing.  After their papers were complete, students used the tool to examine their work and identify each place one of the “M.I.N.T.S.” rules was used. 

“Grammar instruction is so important because it will not go away as you get older.  It will only be used in more difficult writing,” said Nature Hill 8^th grader, Gabby Schreiber.  “Learning many aspects of grammar in elementary and middle school has helped me with all kinds of assignments and writing,” she added.

“Our goal at Nature Hill is continued growth, and we’re looking forward to focusing on what students need for continued progress next year,” said Nature Hill Associate Principal Ali Hedrick.

Nature Hill 7^th grade ELA teacher, Sarah Coenen added, “We’re learning that the implementation of a new curriculum is a process.  Growth isn’t going to happen overnight, the key to success is the consistent exposure to grammar, year after year.”

Nature Hill Intermediate School teachers and students presented The Fundamentals of Grammar and Conventions, to the OASD School Board at their Tuesday, May 15, 2018 meeting.

Back, left to right:  Nature Hill 7^th Grade ELA Teacher, Sarah Coenen, Nature Hill Associate Principal, Ali Hedrick, 6^th Grade ELA Teacher, Melissa Krahn, Nature Hill Principal, Chuck Olson

Middle, left to right: Nature Hill Literacy Coach, Rachel Quill

Front, left to right: Nature Hill 8^th Grade Students, Gabby Schreiber, Anna Baucom, and Taylor Hedrick