In learning about grammar, children develop an understanding of how language works and they are subsequently able to use language more effectively" (Fellowes, 2007, p. 1). Grammar is "the language that makes it possible for us to talk about language" (Haussamen, n.d. p. 1). Kratzke (2003) maintains that teaching the eight parts of speech in isolation will not improve writing skills, but understanding grammar will give students more choices in
their writing. He insists, first of all, that grammar must be functional if it is to give choices to students. Learning how sentences are put together is essential to writing, and this may mean learning the parts of speech within that context. He also encourages learning about phrases and clauses. "When students thus consider phrases (and even
clauses) in the same way they do single words, they have taken a major step toward mastering grammar" (Kratzke, 2003, p. 2).