05. Grammar Teaching Strategies That Actually Work in Upper Elementary - Mini Challenge

Grammar Teaching Strategies That Actually Work in Upper Elementary

Episode Summary

Teacher friend, we made it! 🎉 Welcome to Day 5 of the Grammar Confidence Kickstart Challenge. You’ve put in the work, carved out time, and committed to building something better for your grammar block—and that’s huge.

In this episode, I’m pulling everything together with grammar teaching strategies you can use to plan your first four to five weeks of instruction. If your pacing guide is vague (or missing completely 🙃), don’t panic. I’ll walk you through a grade-by-grade roadmap, plus practical tips for planning grammar lessons that flow and weekly structures that keep you sane.

By the end, you’ll have a clear plan for upper elementary grammar instruction that feels doable, consistent, and fun.

What You’ll Learn

Inside this episode, we’ll cover:

• Step-by-step grammar teaching strategies for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade
• How to approach planning grammar lessons when your pacing guide is vague
• Why starting with parts of speech lays the foundation for long-term success
• A grade-by-grade 5-week roadmap for introducing or reviewing key grammar skills
• How to create rhythm with simple weekly grammar ideas that save time and stress
• Tools and routines (warm-ups, fix-it sentences, color coding) that make grammar stick
• How to build in buffer time so your grammar block survives fire drills and field trips

Teacher Takeaways

Here’s how you can put today’s strategies into action:

1. Start with the basics. Build your first weeks around nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, and adverbs. This gives students the language they need for everything else.
2. Use a weekly rhythm. Try a 5-day structure: introduce → practice → apply → review → quick assessment. Repeat with each new skill.
3. Choose a few go-to tools. Warm-ups, task cards, and spiral reviews are low-prep and high-impact. You don’t need 47 new activities.
4. Plan for interruptions. Leave space for reteaching or review. Remember, a grammar block is not a checklist—it’s a spiral staircase.
5. Keep it consistent, not perfect. Students thrive on predictability, and you’ll feel more confident when your routine is steady.

Resources Mentioned:

• Download the Free Grammar Confidence Kickstart Workbook to follow along with today's episode and learn how to sequence grammar for your classroom.

Related Episodes & Blog Posts:

• Episode 1: Why Grammar Matters
• Episode 2: How to Sequence Grammar in Upper Elementary
• Episode 3: Building Grammar Routines
• Episode 4: How to Teach Grammar in Fun Ways

Connect with Rachel:

• Instagram: @uniquelyupper
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.uniquelyupper.com
• TeachersPayTeachers Store

More About Commas in the Chaos

Commas in the Chaos is the podcast for upper elementary teachers who are juggling lesson plans, classroom chaos, and trying to remember what a preposition is — all before lunch. Whether grammar feels like your jam or your nemesis, this show is here to help you make it a little easier, a little clearer, and a lot more doable.

Hosted by Rachel, a former upper elementary teacher turned curriculum creator, each week brings short, actionable episodes filled with ideas that actually work—from quick grammar routines and sentence strategies to mindset shifts and snack drawer survival tips. It’s all served with just enough sarcasm to get you through the week.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to Commas in the Chaos wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode!