English 9--11/7/2018 & 11/8/2018

Jump Off
--Please come up front and drop the grammar hammer: Mikhail B., Emma P., and Angela T.
--Take a look at the definition of "verb" and the related examples (from "The Best Nest" ;0 ) written on the whiteboard underneath the clock as a quick reminder.  Then, take a look at the two sample sentences written on the lefthand side of the whiteboard.  What is the verb in each sentence?  Write both verbs on your tile using your Expo marker.  (Feel free to look at both #13 and #14 on your quiz that I am returning!)
*DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME, I WILL RETURN YOUR "THE GRAMMAR HAMMER--PARTS OF SPEECH POST-ASSESSMENT" SO THAT WE CAN ENGAGE IN SELF-REFLECTION.

S. the C.
--go over a few of the more challenging assessment items (#18-20)

• Would you like to go over any others before returning your assessment?

--highlight parts of speech still requiring mastery on your parts of speech chart before returning assessment by placing it in the black basket on the front table

--FYI: As part of today's class, we will work on demonstrating command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing.  THIS STANDARD WILL BE SELF-ASSESSED AND INFORMALLY ASSESSED IN CLASS TODAY AS PART OF THE GRAMMAR HAMMER MINI-LESSONS AND OFFICIALLY ASSESSED BOTH NEXT CLASS VIA THE QUIZ AND WITHIN YOUR SUMMARY.

--FYI: If time allows us to do so, we will continue with our summary mini-lesson as per the established objectives.
--agenda/HW

Grammar Hammer Mini-Lesson #1 -- Identifying Subjects and Verbs
--Comprehension Check #1: 

• Reveal verbs for sample sentences via tiles
• How did we do?

--take a look at the definition of "subject" written on the lefthand whiteboard--finding subjects MODELED via example sentences from "The Best Nest"

--Comprehension Check #2:

• Take a look at the two sample sentences written on the lefthand side of the whiteboard again.  What is the simple subject in each sentence?  Write both subjects on your tile using your Expo marker.
• Reveal verbs for sample sentences via tiles
• How did we do?

--Transition

• Pick up a copy of the "Identifying Subjects and Verbs AND Using Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)" sheet from the front table.  After reading the information at the top of the page, complete the front quietly and independently.  Good luck!

--Comprehension Check #3:

• Write and reveal subject/verb combos as directed via tile
• How are you, personally, doing? 

--For HW, prepare for the quiz based on the grammar work we just completed, which will take place at the beginning of next class block.  As part of the quiz, you will be presented with sample sentences and instructed to find and label subjects and verbs.

Brain Break -- The Shoe Game

Transition

--All three of the "sentences" written on the greenboard (created by Caleb Martin a few years back!) are punctuated incorrectly.  Please identify and fix the issues present in each "sentence".  (You can do this in your head or in writing in your notebook.)

• I had two carrots my mom gave me twenty more.
• I had basketball, I had baseball on the same day.
• Six raccoons sat in the woods, two foxes came along.

Grammar Hammer Mini-Lesson #2 -- Common Error: Missing Comma in a Compound Sentence (before a FANBOYS)/Unnecessary Comma with a Coordinating Conjunction (FANBOYS)

--view 0:00-1:12 and 3:32-End of the following video from TEDEd: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/comma-story-terisa-folaron
--essential questions for going over today's grammar work with the comma:

• If compound sentences are formed by combining two complete sentences, what constitutes a complete sentence again?
• When do writers need a comma before a FANBOYS word?
• When do writers not need a comma before a FANBOYS word?

--answer essential questions/work with sample sentences on the greenboard
--purposefully read the instructions on the back of the sheet handed out earlier and carefully complete the task at hand quietly and independently

• AS YOU WORK, I WILL BE AROUND TO CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING ON THE TASK AT HAND AND ASK A FEW OF YOU TO WRITE YOUR SENTENCES UP ON THE SMARTBOARD.

--Closure

• contextualize today's grammar work with the comma:
• A comma rule that should be mastered at this point is the following: Comma splices are bad! A comma alone is not strong enough to combine two complete sentences!
• Run-ons, too, are bad since no punctuation at all is weaker still than a comma! 
• Five useful methods exist for fixing comma splices/run-ons. Using all of these sentence combining methods within your writing creates sentence variety (which improves the "Style [Language Use]" aspect of your writing!).
• One such method of combining sentences is adding a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS word) after the comma in order to create a compound sentence.
• Two common errors exist when it comes to using FANBOYS words. Avoid making these errors by learning the rules (which improves the "Control of Conventions" aspect of your writing!)!
• answer the following essential question/work with the paragraph projected up on the front board: How can I RE-READ and edit/revise for FANBOYS errors?
• What questions do you still have?  I want to make sure that you are set up for success! :)

--For HW, prepare for the quiz based on our grammar work we just completed, which will take place at the beginning of next class block.  As part of the quiz, you will be presented with a paragraph that contains both of the common errors pertaining to FANBOYS words and asked to find and fix the errors.

HW (Practice/Take-Home Assessment/Class Preparation)
--Complete 45 minutes of Membean training in three different days before 11:59 PM on Thursday, 11/8 (see the "English Department Membean Routine" sheet).

HW (Class Preparation)
--Prepare for a grammar hammer assessment about both identifying subjects and verbs and commas with FANBOYS words, which will take place at the beginning of class NEXT TIME (Friday, 11/9 [ACE]/Tuesday, 11/13 [BDF]).  Also, with each new Grammar Hammer assessment administered, I reserve the right to "check on" your understanding of anything grammar-related that we have already worked on this school year.  Please keep this in mind when preparing! :)

HW (Class Preparation)
--Read at least 10 pages of your free reading book between now and next class.  You have up until early December to finish your book.  ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!