K-12

The easiest way to improve an essay is by using quotes. Quotes will add depth, nuance and authority to your paper; they will nearly guarantee that readers will trust your voice and ideas. But be...

Writing teachers frequently tell their students that a passage is “not parallel.” This means that similar ideas are expressed in different ways. This lack or parallel structure is awkward and...

A comma splice is a common error in English sentences. This means that two subject and verb combinations are connected only by a comma. While this method of sentence combining is correct in some...

Many students and learners of English have trouble with sentence fragments. Fragments are fine in spoken English, but writing teachers usually do not allow them in compositions. There are several...

Number sentences are equations or equalities written with numbers and mathematical symbols. Pattern blocks are shapes that elementary school children use to build patterns, learn problem solving,...

You and I... Me and you... She and I... Me and her... How do we know when to use "I", or when to use "me"? Here's the trick. It's easy, and almost impossible to forget.

An interactive whiteboard is a presentation resource useful to a variety of entities from pre-school classrooms to professional boardrooms. This device allows you to project his computer desktop...

To you, it may be common sense when to use these, but to some it may be more difficult. It is a common mistake, and if you don’t be careful you can fall into the trap of using the wrong “their”.

Many English teachers want their students to find the object in a sentence. This is also called the direct object or the object of the verb. Not all English sentences have objects, but many do. ...

The best free help with writing an essay is to follow a few simple guidelines: Introduce the topic; provide a straightforward thesis; elaborate on the thesis in the body of the paper, or tell it...

Believe it or not, the most important part of writing an essay takes place before you write the first word. Most essays assigned in elementary school are expository essays. That means that you...

This is how to write a good paper that you will surely get an "A" on. THese steps should help anyone that is in 8th grade or higher.

Many analytical left-brained people often ask me how to be a better technical writer, not realizing that writing is as systematic as math is. It's just harder to explain. But some very...

This is called a Helping Hand Paragraph because you use your hand kinesthetically to show your child, or your students, how to write. Students then use their hand to remember how to write a...

Being able to write a topic sentence that properly conveys the main idea of your paragraph is an essential skill as a writer. In order for your topic sentence to be as effective as possible there...

English has one of the most complex grammatical structures of any language in the world. Even most native English speakers can sometimes make grammatical mistakes when writing or speaking....

A 750-word essay is between two and three double-spaced typed pages. This is enough to make strong points and provide illustrative examples, but not enough to delve too deeply into most topics....

Both native and non-native writers of English have trouble using They're, Their, and There because the pronunciation is identical in each case. But if you learn what each one means, it will be...

Students are often assigned books to read and report on that they find inaccessible. Either they aren’t interested in the main character, or the story doesn’t seem interesting, but often they...

Play fun games using English principles to teach lessons with repetitious practice. Children like to play games, and most prefer to win. Competition encourages students to absorb knowledge quickly...

Nothing can be more confusing to a third-grader than figuring out the difference between a subject and a predicate. One substitute teacher said she writes the definition of each on the board,...

The study of English grammar is essential to good writing and speaking well. Our system of grammar is complex, though, and to understand it thoroughly and use it properly takes a lifetime of...

Essay writing is a vital skill for people of all ages. To convey information clearly, concisely and meaningfully through written prose is not only helpful as a practical ability for seeking and...

Second grade students are usually working to make letters that can be recognized when they begin a school year. Give the kids plenty of writing tasks that teach grammar, usage and basic...

Students have difficulty grasping the concept of pronouns. I've used this exercise as an introduction to pronouns. Students like it because it's interactive and they can move around and have...

Language arts is one of the most important skills to master, regardless of occupation. Clearly articulating and conveying questions or ideas is paramount to successfully functioning in almost any...

Writing is a necessity in our society. However, according to Andrea A. Lunsford of Stanford University, most writers make similar mistakes. Luckily, you do not need a degree in English to amend...

Students learn in school how to solve math problems and dissect complex sentence structures, but learning how to function in society cannot always be taught from a book or memorized. These types...

Once a first grader learns this sentence, they keep it for a life time. It is a sentence to help them form a correct sentence on a 1st grade level.

When approaching a paper it may seem like a daunting task but follow these easy steps and you'll be done in no time.

Computers can help but will never take the place of a good mental knowledge of basic English grammar rules. The main ones to remember deal with subject-verb agreement; the use of who, whom,...

Many people who want to learn English grammar online have trouble using THEY'RE and THERE and THEIR. This article will focus on THEY'RE and make sure you can use it right.

In today's world of text messages and electronic-speak, proper punctuation has almost disappeared into the ether. However, proper punctuation is essential for any serious literary work (with some...

Effective communication is an integral social skill. Children can effectively learn this skill through playing with children their own age in a series of organized activities. Games that encourage...

This basic essay format is suitable for young writers beginning at the late second grade level. This essay may be expanded for more complex essays written by more experienced writers. The topic,...

When writing an essay, there are five main parts to include. While this guide is meant for a short, five-paragraph essay, the theories of the paragraph structure and content can be expanded on to...

When writing a paper, you must adequately prepare, research, write and edit. Prepare by understanding any requirements and choosing an appropriate topic. An easy way to mess up a paper is by...

Watching our young children learn can be priceless, and there are activities that we can do outside of their daily school studies to help them excel. There are always teaching moments in everyday...

Few assignments will have your child put procrastination into high gear like an English assignment. What makes it even harder is that even though parents certainly know how to write a good...

The English language is commonly referred to as one of the hardest spoken languages to learn. Often, the complicated syntax rules can be to blame. Syntax is a part of sentence construction that...

In an essay, your introduction will "introduce" the reader to your topic. If you jump headfirst into the points you plan to make, your essay will not flow properly and it will appear...

Pocket charts prove to be a versatile educational tool in a first-grade classroom. These simple charts adapt to accommodate a variety of educational activities for the students. Children and...

Learn the secret to the most confusing punctuation mark, the semi-colon, from an actual college writing teacher, once and for all. This is the first and most straightforward advice on the topic.

If your child is a second or third grader, chances are good they'll be learning their multiplication facts this year! I've taught this skill many years--and here's my standby for teaching the 2's....

Having the ability to change verbs into nouns is a great way to expand your lexicon and increase your ability to articulate your thoughts. The change can be tricky at times because you have to...

Lilian Katz, director of the University of Illinois' ERIC Clearinghouse on Education, supports national efforts to insure that all schools meet the needs of every child's development with...

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are very important for helping students new to the U.S. learn the language. In part, it will help them communicate throughout their life in an...

Third grade students are beginning to read to learn and to write more fluently, and are focusing on skills such as memorizing math facts and elementary math concepts. Learning centers help...

A solid outline is the cornerstone for any essay. You can, of course, write an essay without an outline. However, that essay will not only take longer to write but will be less organized than one...

Punctuation is the way that you break up your writing into sentences and fragments. You can use punctuation to emphasize a point, to separate ideas or to finish your statements. Proper punctuation...