In thinking about the look and sound of grammar in classrooms, the key word is meaning. For some, grammar can be viewed as threatening and onerous, even boring, but it can just as easily be a wonderful tool to support conversations about how we can decide to make meaning in various modes. It is the talk about language, that can be engaging and empowering for both teachers and students (Myhill, 2021 and Rossbridge & Rushton, 2015).  In working with time poor teachers, I often think about where to start with professional learning about grammar. The first place to start is with context and how the context and purpose impacts upon language features selected by a speaker, writer, designer, artist etc.

By exploring real-world examples like recipes, stories, advertisements, or social media posts, students can see how grammar functions differently depending on the situation. Take a recipe, for instance. The way ingredients and instructions are structured reflects not only the...