Emily Rossi

Through literature, we help them discover new perspectives, cultivate their own, and navigate the complexities of real-world situations. In writing, we begin the year by exploring the history of writing—from pictographs to ancient civilizations and up to the present day—to foster an appreciation for the many people who shaped written communication. Using this historical foundation, we then study Latin and Greek affixes, which contextualizes English and reveals its deep historical roots.

One of my favorite challenges is to make grammar more inviting, and, dare I say, fun. We use the Montessori symbols for each part of speech in our grammar lessons. Drawing and coloring these symbols strengthens memory and comprehension, embodying Maria Montessori's principle that "the mind remembers what the hand does." Currently, we're focusing on the noun family and verbs, along with the specific questions that help us identify them correctly. From here, we will immediately transition to sentence analysis where students take on the task of identifying subjects, predicates, and direct objects.

Understanding the importance of asking the right questions empowers students to answer these questions themselves. An important component of these activities is talking it out with peers. Listening to students get excited and even disagree about what part of speech a particular word is is what truly invites an authentic learning experience in the classroom.

By approaching grammar like a mathematical equation, we demystify the process and help students understand the structure and patterns of language. A culminating project I particularly enjoy is when students deconstruct a poem's grammatical framework and subsequently apply that same structure to compose an original piece. This exercise demonstrates that an explicit understanding of grammar is foundational to eloquent and effective writing.