Shurley English Blog
  • Home
  • Shurley English Blog
Shurley English Blog
  • Home/
  • Shurley English Blog/
BlogCoverPhoto.jpg
Shurley English Blog

Shurley English Blog

 

 

Shurley English Blog
  • Home/
  • Shurley English Blog/

Welcome to the Shurley English Blog! For the past thirty-five years, our mission at Shurley Instructional Materials has been simple. We do all we can to help teachers and students experience grammar and writing success. With that goal in mind, we wanted to create a space where our team of educators could share tips, tricks, and techniques to ignite learning. It’s all about educators helping educators on the Shurley English Blog. We invite you to join the conversation!


November 11, 2020

Correct Word Usage: ALLOT vs A LOT vs ALOT

November 11, 2020/ Shurley English
Correct Word Usage: ALLOT vs A LOT vs ALOT

Do you know the difference between the words ALLOT and A LOT? (Have you seen ALOT written as a word?) Don’t let this topic confuse you! Let us show you how to use these words correctly in this Two-Minute Tip:

Read More
November 11, 2020/ Shurley English/ Comment /Source
Writing, Grammar, TipOfTheDay, word usage, 2MinTip
  • Home/
  • Shurley English Blog/

Shurley English Blog

Shurley English is the best English Language Arts curriculum available to public schools, private schools, and home educators.Shurley English is a rigorous curriculum that brings back student-teacher interaction, promotes higher-order thinking skills, and provides students with a successful base from which they can achieve mastery, retention, and enthusiasm for English.

Our mission is to inspire and empower ALL students to become competent, confident communicators by providing superior educational solutions and innovative teacher training tools. This will enable all students to positively impact their school, community, and future work environments.

Shurley English Blog RSS
Grammar-and-writing-success-SSM-v2.jpg

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Shurley English Blog
Lost Without a GPS: My Road Trip into Writing Instruction
Lost Without a GPS: My Road Trip into Writing Instruction
The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks
The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
 Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
 Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks
The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks
Language Arts Success: Top 10 List, 2024 Edition
Language Arts Success: Top 10 List, 2024 Edition
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
 Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
 Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks
The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks
Language Arts Success: Top 10 List, 2023 Edition
Language Arts Success: Top 10 List, 2023 Edition
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
 Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
 Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks
The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks
Language Arts Success: Top 10 List, 2022 Edition
Language Arts Success: Top 10 List, 2022 Edition
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
 Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
FREE Language Arts Tools from Shurley English
FREE Language Arts Tools from Shurley English
Language Arts Success: Top 10 List, 2021 Edition
Language Arts Success: Top 10 List, 2021 Edition
FREE Language Arts Tools from Shurley English
FREE Language Arts Tools from Shurley English
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
 Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
FREE Language Arts Professional Development
FREE Language Arts Professional Development
Writing Toolbox: Let's get organized with Writing Maps!
Writing Toolbox: Let's get organized with Writing Maps!
Story Time: Making Read Alouds a Worthwhile Process
Story Time: Making Read Alouds a Worthwhile Process
The Prerequisite for Teaching Silent Final E
The Prerequisite for Teaching Silent Final E
How to help your students develop "voice" in their writing.
How to help your students develop "voice" in their writing.
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle

TWO-MINUTE TIPS:

Shurley English Blog
When should I use a semicolon?
When should I use a semicolon?
What are coordinate conjunctions?
What are coordinate conjunctions?
What is an analogy?
What is an analogy?
What are interjections?
What are interjections?
Word Usage: Capital vs Capitol
Word Usage: Capital vs Capitol
What is a helping verb?
What is a helping verb?
What is a linking verb?
What is a linking verb?
What is an action verb?
What is an action verb?
Prepositions have POWER
Prepositions have POWER
How to use a Semicolon
How to use a Semicolon
When to Write Numbers as Words
When to Write Numbers as Words
Don't capitalize these words...
Don't capitalize these words...
Rev Up Your Writing With Power Words
Rev Up Your Writing With Power Words
How to Compose a Quatrain
How to Compose a Quatrain
How do I use the ellipsis?
How do I use the ellipsis?
Poetry: What is a couplet?
Poetry: What is a couplet?
Use To vs Used To: Which verb phrase is correct?
Use To vs Used To: Which verb phrase is correct?
How to Analyze and Solve Analogies
How to Analyze and Solve Analogies
Three Ways to Ditch Double Negatives
Three Ways to Ditch Double Negatives
What are homonyms?
What are homonyms?
When to use Who or Whom
When to use Who or Whom
Do I use YOUR or YOU'RE?
Do I use YOUR or YOU'RE?
What is the most commonly used word in the English language?
What is the most commonly used word in the English language?
Colons: How to use them when you write
Colons: How to use them when you write
What is the proper order of adjectives?
What is the proper order of adjectives?
When should I use a semicolon?
When should I use a semicolon?
What is the Oxford Comma?
What is the Oxford Comma?
NEW ELA Tool: The Two-Minute Tip of the Day
NEW ELA Tool: The Two-Minute Tip of the Day

LATEST POSTS:

Shurley English Blog
Writing Extension: A Thanksgiving Keepsake
Nov 1, 2025
Writing Extension: A Thanksgiving Keepsake
Nov 1, 2025
Nov 1, 2025
Boost Your Mood With Gratitude
Oct 28, 2025
Boost Your Mood With Gratitude
Oct 28, 2025
Oct 28, 2025
Writing Extension: Veterans Day Comparison-Contrast Essay
Oct 26, 2025
Writing Extension: Veterans Day Comparison-Contrast Essay
Oct 26, 2025
Oct 26, 2025
The Right Tools for Writing Success
Oct 21, 2025
The Right Tools for Writing Success
Oct 21, 2025
Oct 21, 2025
The Importance of Practice
Oct 14, 2025
The Importance of Practice
Oct 14, 2025
Oct 14, 2025
Teacher Talk: Grammar Matters--LIVE Q&A Session
Oct 7, 2025
Teacher Talk: Grammar Matters--LIVE Q&A Session
Oct 7, 2025
Oct 7, 2025
360˚ Thinking: A Halloween Lesson
Oct 6, 2025
360˚ Thinking: A Halloween Lesson
Oct 6, 2025
Oct 6, 2025
Lost Without a GPS: My Road Trip into Writing Instruction
Oct 5, 2025
Lost Without a GPS: My Road Trip into Writing Instruction
Oct 5, 2025
Oct 5, 2025
Creating a Writing Inspiration Station
Oct 4, 2025
Creating a Writing Inspiration Station
Oct 4, 2025
Oct 4, 2025
The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks
Oct 2, 2025
The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks
Oct 2, 2025
Oct 2, 2025
A Guide to Verb Tenses
Sep 30, 2025
A Guide to Verb Tenses
Sep 30, 2025
Sep 30, 2025
Vocabulary Enrichment: Strategies to improve and increase your students' vocabulary
Sep 23, 2025
Vocabulary Enrichment: Strategies to improve and increase your students' vocabulary
Sep 23, 2025
Sep 23, 2025
How to Teach Subject-Verb Agreement
Sep 16, 2025
How to Teach Subject-Verb Agreement
Sep 16, 2025
Sep 16, 2025
Teacher Check-In: A season to pause, reflect, and grow.
Sep 9, 2025
Teacher Check-In: A season to pause, reflect, and grow.
Sep 9, 2025
Sep 9, 2025
Teacher Talk: LIVE Q&A Session
Sep 2, 2025
Teacher Talk: LIVE Q&A Session
Sep 2, 2025
Sep 2, 2025
Authentic Assessments: How Shurley English integrates real assessments
Aug 26, 2025
Authentic Assessments: How Shurley English integrates real assessments
Aug 26, 2025
Aug 26, 2025
Let’s get “Ziggy" with language arts definitions!
Aug 25, 2025
Let’s get “Ziggy" with language arts definitions!
Aug 25, 2025
Aug 25, 2025
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
Aug 19, 2025
Authentic Assessments: Breaking the Paper Test Cycle
Aug 19, 2025
Aug 19, 2025
Tips for Helping Parents with Shurley English
Aug 12, 2025
Tips for Helping Parents with Shurley English
Aug 12, 2025
Aug 12, 2025
An Open Letter to Teachers: Taking off with Shurley English
Aug 5, 2025
An Open Letter to Teachers: Taking off with Shurley English
Aug 5, 2025
Aug 5, 2025
Write It Out: The Power of Journal Writing and How to Get Started
Jul 31, 2025
Write It Out: The Power of Journal Writing and How to Get Started
Jul 31, 2025
Jul 31, 2025
The Value of a Pretest
Jul 31, 2025
The Value of a Pretest
Jul 31, 2025
Jul 31, 2025
How do I teach Shurley English in a multi-grade classroom?
Jul 29, 2025
How do I teach Shurley English in a multi-grade classroom?
Jul 29, 2025
Jul 29, 2025
The Four “VITAL -V’s” of a Veteran Shurley English Teacher
Jul 22, 2025
The Four “VITAL -V’s” of a Veteran Shurley English Teacher
Jul 22, 2025
Jul 22, 2025
 Shurley English 101: Teaching with Confidence
Jul 15, 2025
Shurley English 101: Teaching with Confidence
Jul 15, 2025
Jul 15, 2025
 Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
Jul 8, 2025
Shurley English Centers for Your ELA Classroom
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
How to Implement Successful Language Arts Centers
Jul 1, 2025
How to Implement Successful Language Arts Centers
Jul 1, 2025
Jul 1, 2025
Summer Story Time: How to develop early reading skills at home
Jun 24, 2025
Summer Story Time: How to develop early reading skills at home
Jun 24, 2025
Jun 24, 2025
Summer Learning: How to create a family storybook
Jun 17, 2025
Summer Learning: How to create a family storybook
Jun 17, 2025
Jun 17, 2025
Summer Learning: How to develop your child's communication skills
Jun 10, 2025
Summer Learning: How to develop your child's communication skills
Jun 10, 2025
Jun 10, 2025
Shurley-Jingles-Social-Media-girl-thumbs-up-computer-YT.jpg
📓 Poetry Fun: When was the last time you wrote a free verse poem? We challenge you to try this free verse poem made from the parts of speech.
📣 Shurley English is here to support your language arts learning goals! Did you know that you can access our language arts jingles for FREE? Just hop over to YouTube and start learning today!

https://www.youtube.com/shurleyenglish
#ELAsuccess #gram
🚨 Dangling Modifiers: Do you know what they are and how to fix them? Take a look at this quick lesson to learn more.

#ELAsuccess #homeschool #k12education #languagearts
🍎Change can be hard, but the rewards are worth it! We are here to help. ➡️ www.shurley.com
🎉 Today is the day! Don't forget to register for this FREE event.
✅ Mini Training Series Part 3: WRITING
⏰ 05/18/23 @ 12:00 p.m. CDT
🎟 https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2284332594630520670
✅ Today, let's learn all about the correlative conjunction!

#languagearts #homeschool #k12education #ELAsuccess
📣 Today is the day! Don't forget to register for this FREE event.
✅ Mini Training Series Part 2: SKILLS
⏰ 05/17/23 @ 12:00 p.m. CDT
🎟️ https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8479828828985510230
✅ Today is the perfect day to review the rules for effective discussion!

#languagearts #homeschool #k12education #ELAsuccess
🎉 Today is the day! Don't forget to register for this FREE event.
✅ Mini Training Series Part 1: GRAMMAR
⏰ 05/16/23 @ 12:00 p.m. CDT
🎟️ https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1691126280236045143
Are you up for a challenge? Let's write compound sentences! Use this handy graphic for a quick review. 🙌

#languagearts #k12education #ELAsuccess #homeschool
✅ Keep it simple! Here are three rules to follow for making nouns possessive:

#ELAsuccess #homeschool #k12education #languagearts
📝Shake up your sentence composition by adding an appositive phrase!

#homeschool #languagearts #k12education
📝Shake up your sentence composition by adding an appositive phrase!

#homeschool #languagearts #k12education
📢 Shurley English Webinar Alert
✅ Mini Training Series Part 3: WRITING
⏰ 05/18/23 @ 12:00 p.m. CDT
🎟 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2284332594630520670

As we near the end of the school year, opportunities for professional development ar
As #TeacherAppreciationWeek comes to a close, we want to recognize your favorite teacher! Tell us about the educator that made a lasting impact on your life. Let's fill the internet with love and appreciation for our teachers! ❤️

#languagearts #home
📢 Shurley English Webinar Alert
✅ Mini Training Series Part 2: SKILLS
⏰ 05/17/23 @ 12:00 p.m. CDT
🎟 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8479828828985510230

As we near the end of the school year, opportunities for professional development are
As #TeacherAppreciationWeek continues, we wish to recognize educator and author Brenda Shurley! Her mission is simple. She does all she can to help teachers and students experience language arts success. Thank you, Ms. Shurley!

🍎 www.shurley.com
📢 Shurley English Webinar Alert
✅ Mini Training Series Part 1: GRAMMAR
⏰ 05/16/23 @ 12:00 p.m. CDT
🎟 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1691126280236045143

As we near the end of the school year, opportunities for professional development ar
We ❤️ #TeacherAppreciationWeek!  Teachers, we wish to thank you for the love, inspiration, and joy that you provide to your students each day. 

#homeschool #ELAsuccess #k12education
📌 Do you know the proper order of adjectives? Here's a quick review.

#ELAsuccess #homeschool #k12education #languagearts

ARCHIVES:

  • November 2025
  • October 2025
  • September 2025
  • August 2025
  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017

BLOG CONTRIBUTORS:

Shurley English Blog
Brenda Shurley
Brenda Shurley
Ruth Wetsell
Ruth Wetsell
Jamie Geneva
Jamie Geneva
Kimberly Crady
Kimberly Crady
David Lutz
David Lutz
Cindy Goeden
Cindy Goeden
Kim Shurley
Kim Shurley

Shurley Instructional Materials, Inc.

www.shurley.com      800-566-2966

Shurley English Blog RSS

Copyright © 2017-2021 Shurley Instructional Materials, Inc.

All photos/images contained on this site are copyright protected by Shurley Instructional Materials, Inc. or Getty Images.