E137: Grammar Without the Groans (and a Bit of Fun) – w/ Patty McGee

E137: Grammar Without the Groans (and a Bit of Fun) – w/ Patty McGee

From Amidon Planet by Joel Amidon

February 12, 2026 · 1h 1m

About this episode

In this episode, Joel Amidon discusses innovative approaches to grammar instruction with Patty McGee, emphasizing empowerment and practical strategies for teachers.

Learning to teach better means rethinking some of the practices we’ve inherited - including grammar instruction. For many of us, grammar carries a reputation for red ink, rigid rules, and student shutdown. But what if grammar could actually strengthen voice and clarity instead of suppressing it? In this conversation, I talk with Patty McGee about her book, Not Your Granny’s Grammar : An Innovative Approach to Meaningful Grammar Instruction , and how teachers can reimagine grammar instruction as something empowering, practical, and connected to authentic writing. We explore how grammar fits into writing instruction, how feedback can build confidence rather than compliance, and what it looks like to treat grammar as a tool for meaning-making. If you’re trying to balance rigor with encouragement—and want students to see grammar as something that serves their ideas—this conversation offers both clarity and concrete strategies. Plus, the Physical Media of the Episode, the book, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. Show notes can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode137

People in this episode

Guest: Patty McGee

Topics covered

  • grammar instruction
  • writing
  • education
  • teacher strategies
  • student engagement

Keywords

  • Not Your Granny’s Grammar
  • meaningful grammar instruction
  • feedback
  • confidence
  • rigor and encouragement

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Jurassic Park

Books & works: the Physical Media of the Episode, Jurassic Park

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