Jump Off
--Emma H.: Please ceremonially drop the grammar hammer.
--Please pick up each of the following from the front table:
--Emma H.: Please ceremonially drop the grammar hammer.
--Please pick up each of the following from the front table:
- a highlighter
- the "Parts of Speech Pre-assessment"
After carefully reading the directions, complete the pre-assessment quietly and independently. Good luck!
--When you finish, place your pre-assessment facedown on the floor underneath your desk. Then, return your highlighter and pick up a tile, an Expo marker, and a scrap of paper towel from the front table.
S. the C.
--agenda/rationale/HW
--Return your tile and Expo marker.
--Please pick up the "Common Error: Missing comma in a complex sentence/unnecessary comma before a subordinating conjunction" sheet from the front table. Read the front of the sheet quietly, independently, and purposefully, and then complete the back of the sheet as directed. Good luck!
--I will be around to check for understanding on the task at hand and to ask a few of you to write your sentences up on the front board.
Mini-Lesson -- GRAMMAR HAMMER: Missing Comma in a Complex Sentence (before an Independent Clause)/Unnecessary Comma before a Subordinating Conjunction (WUBAIS)
S. the C.
--agenda/rationale/HW
- During today's class block, we will work on...
- demonstrating command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing. THIS STANDARD WILL BE SELF-ASSESSED IN CLASS TODAY AS PART OF THE GRAMMAR HAMMER MINI-LESSON AND CLOSURE AND OFFICIALLY ASSESSED NEXT CLASS VIA A QUIZ.
- During today's class block, we will continue working on...
- developing and strengthening writing as needed by drafting, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience
- writing routinely over extended time frames, including time for reflection and revision.
- For HW, prepare for a post-assessment, which will occur next class block. Feel free to pick up a copy of the "The Eight Parts of Speech" document located in the "Grammar Hammer Extras" area of the classroom and/or visit the link included below for review purposes.
--Return your tile and Expo marker.
--Please pick up the "Common Error: Missing comma in a complex sentence/unnecessary comma before a subordinating conjunction" sheet from the front table. Read the front of the sheet quietly, independently, and purposefully, and then complete the back of the sheet as directed. Good luck!
--I will be around to check for understanding on the task at hand and to ask a few of you to write your sentences up on the front board.
Mini-Lesson -- GRAMMAR HAMMER: Missing Comma in a Complex Sentence (before an Independent Clause)/Unnecessary Comma before a Subordinating Conjunction (WUBAIS)
--view 0:00-0:43 and 1:11-3:31 of the following video from TEDEd:
--essential questions for going over today's grammar work with the comma:
- How does the WUBAIS acronym work?
- If complex sentences are formed by combining two "could-be" sentences, what constitutes a "could-be" sentence?
- What is a dependent clause, and how does a dependent clause differ from an independent clause (a "could-be" sentence)?
- When do writers need a comma when using a WUBAIS word or WUBAIS words to combine two "could-be" sentences?
- When do writers not need a comma when using a WUBAIS word or WUBAIS words to combine two "could-be" sentences?
--answer essential questions/work with sample sentences written up on the front board
--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 "could-be" sentences!
- Five useful methods exist for fixing comma splices. Using all of these sentence combining methods within your writing creates sentence variety (which improves the "Style" aspect of your writing!).
- One method of combining "could-be" sentences to fix a comma splice is adding a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS word) after the comma in order to create a compound sentence. The comma rules pertaining to coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS words) should also be mastered at this point.
- Another method of combining "could-be" sentences is adding a subordinating conjunction (WUBAIS word) before one of the two independent clauses ("could-be" sentences). Depending on where the subordinating conjunction is added, a comma either is or is not needed.
- Two common errors exist when it comes to using WUBAIS 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 about basketball projected up on the SMART Board: How can I RE-READ and edit/revise for WUBAIS errors?
Transition
--Please pick up a copy of the "Complex Sentences/Subordinating Conjunctions Comprehension Check and RE-READING Practice" slip from the front table.
Application Activity #1 -- Complex Sentences/Subordinating Conjunctions Comprehension Check and RE-READING Practice
--Please pick up a copy of the "Complex Sentences/Subordinating Conjunctions Comprehension Check and RE-READING Practice" slip from the front table.
Application Activity #1 -- Complex Sentences/Subordinating Conjunctions Comprehension Check and RE-READING Practice
--RE-READ the content on the slip and edit/revise for WUBAIS errors. Be prepared to share your edits with your classmates!
--edits shared on the SMART Board
--edits shared on the SMART Board
--For HW, prepare for the quiz based on today's grammar work about WUBAIS words, which will take place at the beginning of next class. You will be presented with sentences that are either incorrect or correct as written, and in instances where sentences are written incorrectly, you will need to find and fix the errors. You will also be asked to create a few of your own complex sentences. Additionally, I will check your level of understanding of should-be-mastered grammar concepts from the past. Please make sure, then, that you…
- can identify subjects and verbs
- know what constitutes a “could-be” sentence (independent clause)
- know and can apply the comma rules pertaining to coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS words).
Transition
--Please take out the following:
--Please take out the following:
- your notebook in which you jotted down notes last class block ("More Notes for Writing a Literary Analysis")
- your copies of the following:
- the "The Alchemist Novella Unit--End-of-Novella-Unit Literary Analysis Written Response" sheet
- the "The Alchemist Novella Unit--End-of-Novella-Unit Literary Analysis Written Response Exemplar" document
- your current draft of the assignment upon which we are working
Writing Workshop (cont.)/Application Activity #2 -- End-of-Novella-Unit Literary Analysis Written Response
--a second "gist" reading of paragraph #2 (symbolism conveying theme)
--a second "gist" reading of paragraph #2 (symbolism conveying theme)
--finish copying down the second paragraph of the exemplary written response
--move forward on the writing assignment quietly and independently
--move forward on the writing assignment quietly and independently
- aim to finish outlining/writing both paragraphs (if not already completed)
- RE-READ for comma error(s) as per today's grammar hammer work, fixing any errors that you find
*DURING THIS TIME, I WILL CONTINUE MEETING WITH STUDENTS ONE-ON-ONE.*
HW (Practice/Take-Home Assessment)
--WE ARE TAKING A BREAK FROM MEMBEAN 3/15-3/21; HOWEVER, YOU CAN STILL TRAIN THESE NEXT 7 DAYS (AND ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO DO SO IF YOU HAVE FALLEN BEHIND). In fact, an excellence score/comment will be awarded to anyone who "takes care of business" early with regard to the upcoming Membean assignment by meeting the training goal before the end of the day this Thursday!
--Complete another 45 minutes of Membean training in three different days before 11:59 PM on Thursday, 3/28 (see the "English Department Membean Routine" sheet).
HW (Class Preparation)
HW (Practice/Take-Home Assessment)
--WE ARE TAKING A BREAK FROM MEMBEAN 3/15-3/21; HOWEVER, YOU CAN STILL TRAIN THESE NEXT 7 DAYS (AND ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO DO SO IF YOU HAVE FALLEN BEHIND). In fact, an excellence score/comment will be awarded to anyone who "takes care of business" early with regard to the upcoming Membean assignment by meeting the training goal before the end of the day this Thursday!
--Complete another 45 minutes of Membean training in three different days before 11:59 PM on Thursday, 3/28 (see the "English Department Membean Routine" sheet).
HW (Class Preparation)
--Prepare for the grammar hammer quiz at the beginning of class NEXT TIME (Friday, 3/22), which will be about...
Consider visiting the following links while preparing:- the eight parts of speech, mirroring today's pre-assessment
- WUBAIS words.
- You will be presented with sentences that are either incorrect or correct as written, and in instances where sentences are written incorrectly, you will need to find and fix the errors. You will also be asked to create a few of your own complex sentences.
- your level of understanding of should-be-mastered grammar concepts from the past. Please make sure, then, that you…
- can identify subjects and verb
- know what constitutes a “could-be” sentence (independent clause)
- know and can apply the comma rules pertaining to coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS words).
- https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/parts-of-speech.htm (take the follow-up quiz as well)
- https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-exercise-parts-of-speech.php (consider clicking on the link for the parts of speech lesson and engaging in it first)
Writing
--Continue moving forward on your "End-of-Novella-Unit Literary Analysis Written Response" by completing the entire writing piece by the beginning of class on Tuesday, 3/26. We will work in class again for a little bit NEXT TIME (Friday, 3/22).
--Continue thinking about the following questions:
HW (Class Preparation)
--If you have not yet selected your final free reading book of the school year, consider doing so ASAP (with the knowledge, though, that you must read a memoir, and we will head to the library soon)--ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!
--Continue thinking about the following questions:
- Research Unit: What might you argue with regard to your research topic?
- At this point, you should have at least two proper sources printed out and actively/purposefully read. Continuing to read in this manner should help you zero in on your argument!
- End-of-Course Assignment: What is your "why?"?
--If you have not yet selected your final free reading book of the school year, consider doing so ASAP (with the knowledge, though, that you must read a memoir, and we will head to the library soon)--ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!
