Table Of ContentThe Early Elementary
Grammar Toolkit
Teaching grammar can be overwhelming and is often an overlooked part of effective
instruction, especially for young learners. The Early Elementary Grammar Toolkit to the
rescue! This comprehensive guide makes grammar instruction in the K–2 classroom
fun and meaningful.
You will learn how to:
◆ Teach grammar in a practical and applicable way by presenting each grammar
rule as a useful writing tool for students.
◆ Use mentor texts—excerpts from great literature—to help students
understand grammar in action.
◆ Promote metacognition along the way so that students become responsible
for their own learning.
◆ Implement innovative instructional strategies and tools aligned with national
and state standards.
Throughout the book, you’ll find step-by-step recommendations for teaching
grammatical concepts to young learners, including the use of punctuation,
capitalization, parts of speech, and more. With standards-based resources and
activities for grades K–2, the book includes tips addressing teaching for each of
these grades, classroom snapshots that show you the tools in action, flowcharts,
infographics, and specific instructional recommendations to engage students.
Sean Ruday is an associate professor of English education at Longwood University
and a former classroom teacher. He frequently writes and presents on innovative
ways to improve students’ literacy learning. You can follow him on Twitter
at @SeanRuday and visit his website at www.seanruday.weebly.com.
Kasey Haddock is a kindergarten teacher in Virginia. She has a true passion for
shaping and molding the minds of future generations and laying the early foundations
of students’ education. You can follow her on Twitter at @haddock_kasey.
Other Eye On Education Books
Available from Routledge
(www.routledge.com/eyeoneducation)
The Middle School Grammar Toolkit, Second Edition
Using Mentor Texts to Teach Standards-Based Language and
Grammar in Grades 6–8
Sean Ruday
Remote Teaching and Learning in the Elementary ELA Classroom
Instructional Strategies and Best Practices
Sean Ruday and Taylor M. Jacobson
Remote Teaching and Learning in the Middle and High ELA Classroom
Instructional Strategies and Best Practices
Sean Ruday and Jennifer Cassidy
Inquiry-Based Literature Instruction in the 6–12 Classroom:
A Hands-on Guide for Deeper Learning
Sean Ruday and Katie Caprino
The Multimedia Writing Toolkit
Helping Students Incorporate Graphics and Videos for
Authentic Purposes, Grades 3–8
Sean Ruday
The Informational Writing Toolkit
Using Mentor Texts in Grades 3–5
Sean Ruday
The Narrative Writing Toolkit
Using Mentor Texts in Grades 3–8
Sean Ruday
The First-Year English Teacher’s Guidebook
Strategies for Success
Sean Ruday
Culturally Relevant Teaching in the English Language Arts Classroom
Sean Ruday
Using Mentor Texts to Teach 6 + 1 Writing Traits
Mini Lessons for K-8 Teachers
Beverly A. DeVries
Vocabulary Strategies that Work, Second Edition
Do This—Not That!
Lori Wilfong
The Early Elementary
Grammar Toolkit
Using Mentor Texts to Teach
Grammar and Writing in Grades K-2
Sean Ruday and Kasey Haddock
Cover image: © Getty Images
First published 2023
by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
and by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Taylor & Francis
The right of Sean Ruday and Kasey Haddock to be identified as authors of this
work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent
to infringe.
ISBN: 978-1-032-29818-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-28517-7 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-30220-9 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003302209
Typeset in Palatino
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
Access the Support Material: www.routledge.com/9781032285177
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is
to give it away.”—William Shakespeare
This book is in memory of my sweet Momma, Tammy Bray Haddock.
She found her gift of caring and advocating for others and spent
40 years of her life dedicated to her nursing career. Much of who
I am and what I have learned in life resembles her service to others.
I am blessed to share that same passion and lead a life of purpose
through my teaching career.
~ Kasey Haddock
Contents
Meet the Authors viii
Acknowledgments ix
Support Material x
Introduction: Using Mentor Texts to Unlock the Tools of
Grammar and Writing With Young Learners 1
1 Building Blocks: The Importance of Nouns to Effective Writing 9
2 Getting Active: The Impact of Verbs 21
3 Completing the Journey: Understanding and Constructing
Complete Sentences 35
4 Finish Lines: How Writers Use End Punctuation 47
5 A Big Strategy: The Power of Capitalization 61
6 Question Time: Why and How Do Writers Use Question Words? 75
7 Time to Connect: Using Conjunctions to Create Effective Writing 92
8 More Than One: How Writers Indicate Plurals 104
9 Tools for Clear Communication: The Importance of Commas 120
10 We Are Writers: How and Why Writers Use Pronouns 137
11 Assessing, Learning, and Growing: Assessing Students’ Knowledge 150
Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Tips for Classroom Practice 155
References 161
Appendix A: Annotated Bibliography 164
Appendix B: Reproducible Charts and Forms You Can Use
in Your Classroom 176
Meet the Authors
Sean Ruday is Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of English Edu-
cation at Longwood University and a former classroom teacher. He began
his teaching career at a public school in Brooklyn, New York, and has taught
English and language arts at public and private schools in New York, Mas-
sachusetts, and Virginia. Sean frequently writes and presents on innovative
ways to improve students’ literacy learning. You can follow Sean on Twitter
at @SeanRuday and visit his website at www.seanruday.weebly.com.
Kasey Haddock is a graduate of Longwood University. She grew up in Vir-
ginia Beach, where she currently teaches kindergarten. Kasey has a true pas-
sion for shaping and molding the minds of future generations and laying
the early foundations of students’ education. She has a love for children’s
literature and believes in the power of reading aloud and the importance of
exposing children to books at an early age. You can follow Kasey on Twitter
at @haddock_kasey.
Acknowledgments
Sean’s Acknowledgments
I want to thank everyone at Routledge Eye on Education—especially amaz-
ing editor Karen Adler—for the insight, guidance, and support.
I would like to thank my parents, Bob and Joyce Ruday. I am grateful for
their encouragement in all aspects of my life.
Finally, I want to thank my wife, Clare Ruday. I can’t imagine my life
without the happiness she brings to it.
Kasey’s Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I want to thank my former professor, Dr. Ruday. Thank
you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to collaborate with
you on this project.
I would like to thank my parents, Leland and Tammy Haddock. I am
grateful for such strong role models who shaped me into the person I am
today. I would not be where I am without your love and support.
I would like to thank my second grade teacher, Jeri Blythe, who inspired
me to be a teacher. I grew up wanting to graduate from Longwood University
and become a teacher. I am truly living my dream!
Finally, I want to thank all of my former and future students, for when
you learn, I learn. Your curiosity, excitement, and love for learning continue
to keep my passion alive.
