Reddit reviews Mechanically Inclined: Building Grammar, Usage, and Style into Writer's Workshop

Mechaniclly inclined by Jeff Anderson.

Changed the way I read.

http://www.amazon.com/Mechanically-Inclined-Building-Grammar-Workshop/dp/1571104127

I think you're looking for something like this. It is a collection of practical classroom-ready strategies for teaching high school (or middle school, really) english lit.

Here is a similar book that focuses more on grammar.

I've found them to be very useful. Hope this helps :)

Odd that your department chair couldn't give you any specific examples. Perhaps once you find some you think are useful, you could share them with her as well :)