Why Teach in Many Different Ways? An Answer from Avvaiyar
Donya asks, “Why is it important to teach in many different ways?” Here’s an answer from Thomas, drawing on the wisdom found in a poem by the Tamil woman, poet, and saint, Avvaiyar.
Tag: Poetry
What is the History of Punctuation?
Sometimes knowing a little history can go a long way in helping us understand a subject. Exploring the story of where punctuation comes from is not only interesting but can also help us learn to use the dots, lines, and squiggles of punctuation easily, freely, and joyfully.
The Dots, Lines, and Squiggles of Punctuation
Punctuation can often seem intimidating. Everywhere we look, there appear to be different and contradictory rules about how we’re supposed to use all these dots, lines, and squiggles in our writing. But as Marie explains, punctuation is simply a tool to clarify meaning and prevent misunderstanding.
How Transitive Verbs are like Transit Systems
This month we wanted to take another look at the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs. Marie gives us a special memory trick that no one else that I know of has used. We also have an exciting announcement about some new features and an upcoming release. Take a peek at this month’s free videos!
The Gift of the Present Tense
This month we wanted to talk about the hidden gift of the present tense and make a special announcement about our new PDF workbooks. Take a peek at her lesson on the present tense, then I’ll explain what I mean by the hidden gift of the present tense.
Grammar and Beauty
Just as it may seem strange at first to talk about grammar and gratitude, it may also seem strange to talk about grammar and beauty. But as Marie and Thomas explain in Lesson 14 of The Basic Cozy Grammar Course, beauty and grammar go together.
Gratitude and Grammar
What could be more surprising and helpful than talking about grammar and gratitude? We tend to think of grammar as dry and even lifeless, but properly taught, grammar can be an extraordinary and powerful tool for increasing awareness, unleashing creativity, and fostering true success. Take a peek at this month’s free videos to learn more!
Grammar, Love, and Colloquial Language
As we embrace the new year, we wanted to share a helpful rule from Marie about colloquial language and good grammar. Although it makes a simple and easy-to-follow point, her rule also speaks to the love that lies behind all of Marie’s courses. We’d like to share it with you.
A Secret About Adjectives
As the year draws to a close, we wanted to offer two video excerpts on adjectives. How to describe the delights of the season vividly and memorably? That’s what both of our videos address. We also have a creative writing exercise and a holiday gift to share. Read on to learn more!
What Are Adverbs?
This month we wanted to offer two video excerpts on adverbs and a writing activity. The topic of adverbs can sometimes seem confusing, but as Marie points out, adverbs are simply words that describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. And of these uses, the most important by far is describing verbs. You can see it in the word itself: ad-VERB!
Subjects, Predicates & Spooky Tales
As the leaves start to turn our thoughts often turn to the coziness of a fire and the warmth of our homes. It’s a great time for getting back to basics. This month we wanted to share how getting back to grammatical basics and understanding main subjects and main predicates can help us in our storytelling.
What Are Conjunctions?
This month we wanted to share a video excerpt from Marie about conjunctions, as well as a companion video from Thomas about clauses. Both videos are set on Marie’s favorite Eagle Rock and give a sense for how the sea and the natural world around Marie’s Cozy Beach Cottage form an important part of Marie’s lessons.
What are the Three Degrees of Comparison?
This month we wanted to share two video excerpts from The Basic Cozy Grammar Course on the three degrees of comparison and make two special announcements about several new features that make Cozy Grammar easier to use, even more interactive, and even more affordable. Read on to learn more!
Verbs of Action and a Writing Activity
This month we wanted to share two video excerpts about verbs from Lesson 7 of The Basic Cozy Grammar Course. In this first video excerpt, Marie introduces three things that verbs express—action, possession, and existence—and gives us four examples of verbs of action.
What Makes Writing Interesting
One of the reasons Marie wanted to make The Basic Cozy Grammar Course was to show how grammar—the technique of speaking and writing—can enhance creativity. We wanted to start the New Year by sharing an excerpt from The Basic Cozy Grammar Course in which Marie shows how knowledge of grammar can help make our sentences more interesting.