Is grammar a subject you struggle to fit in? In an already over-scheduled day, squeezing in daily grammar practice can seem impossible. In this post I’ll share 2nd grade grammar activities and a quick daily routine so you can teach, practice, or assess your students in 15 minutes or less each day.
Create a Grammar Routine
Routines save time
Using the same weekly routine saves time. Students know what to expect and how to do each day’s activity. As a result, students can get to work right away and you’re not spending valuable time explaining different directions each day.
By the end of each week, students will be able to identify the target skill and effectively use it in their own writing. They’ll be able to generate examples, and nonexamples, of the target skill, and they’ll be able to read the target skill in context.
My Weekly 2nd Grade Grammar Routine
Here are the components of my weekly 2nd grade grammar routine. Remember, you only need 15 minutes each day to squeeze these grammar activities in!
Day 1: Introduce the Grammar Skill
First, students are introduced to the skill with a short, targeted minilesson. I’ve created engaging and fun PowerPoint lessons with interactive practice slides, moveable parts, and partner activities that students can even do again independently.
These 2nd grade grammar activities are simple and straightforward. They’re designed to quickly and effectively develop a grammar routine in 15 minutes a day.
Through the short, targeted minilessons included in my grammar units, you’ll be able to quickly and effectively introduce students to the target grammar skill each week. The teaching PowerPoints for each grammar skill also include whole group practice slides with moveable parts to help students better grasp the skill.
Day 2: Partner & Independent Practice Using No-Prep 2nd Grade Grammar Activities
The second day of each week students use the partner practice slides to verbally review and practice with a classmate. Partners spend less than 5 minutes reviewing the target skill verbally, then use the remaining 10 minutes to work independently and complete a quick worksheet.
Day 3: Grammar Center Task Cards
Next, students continue to practice the target grammar skill with simple, straightforward task cards on day 3. There are 16 cards included with each unit. You can have students work in partners or groups to complete the task cards at a grammar center, or you can have students “Roam the Room” by placing the task cards around your classroom.
I use a timer displayed in the front of my classroom when students work on their task cards. They love competing against the timer to make sure they get their task cards completed in time!
Day 4: Identify & Apply Skill In Writing
On day 4, students identify or apply the skill using a fun, grammar-based newspaper story. These 2nd grade grammar activities help students quickly demonstrate their knowledge using a short reading passage.
Multiple versions of this activity are included to allow for easy differentiation.
- One option is to have students read a pre-written news story and identify the grammar skill throughout.
- Another option allows students to write a news story completely on their own.
- Students who need more guidance write a news story using the provided word bank.
Day 5: Weekly Assessment
At the end of the week, students are assessed with a short test to determine if they can identify the target skill, generate examples, and apply the skill in their own writing.
Each of these 2nd grade grammar activities is easy to implement even if you’re short on time. They include easy to understand activities for students, and easy to grade papers for the teacher.
The best part about these units is that they require no prep. Just make copies and cut 6 straight lines for the task cards. That’s it!
As a result of developing this routine, grammar doesn’t have to take a lot of time. And it will soon be something your students look forward to!
Each of these grammar units are available for purchase separately. Or you could buy them in money-saving bundles! Click here to see all of the 2nd grade grammar units.
Be sure to pin this post for later!
Check out this post for more tips for teaching grammar:
How to Teach Second Grade Grammar Lessons in 15 Minutes a Day
Leave a Comment