Bill Foreman, CCCTE representative to the NCTE in Orlando, Florida, had these comments about the convention.

The NCTE¹s held its 100th annual convention in November 2010 at Walt Disney World.  With hundreds of poster sessions, presentations, panels, and ceremonies running throughout the convention¹s four days, it was hard to choose how to spend my time wisely.  I learned a lot from sessions on the use of Internet 2.0 in the classroom, studies of in-school literacy with English language learners, and the use of key cultural concepts in teaching YA Chicano/a fiction. Perhaps the most interesting session centered on the use of grammar study to improve critical thinking skills.  One presenter discussed Œgrammar rants,¹ those brief and sometimes inaccurate corrections we read and hear attacking the usage errors of authors and public figures. Reading these blog posts, letters to the editor, and other complaints can focus students¹ attention on how we use words in various contexts and how we value language.  Since grammar rants can be harsh and even self-righteous, they spark controversy and can help foster interesting discussions of language in classrooms. Next year, the convention moves to Chicago; hope to see you there.

Bill Foreman

William J. Foreman, Ph. D.
Associate Professor of English
Coordinator, Single Subject Matter Program (English Education)