"Language Arts Skills" is a weekly activity that students do that gives them an opportunity to practice the basic skills of proper writing structure; from identifying sentence types, to being able to differentiate homophones. There's so much that goes on in the classroom on a daily and weekly basis that this gives students a little added practice in the foundations of writing.
Helpful tips: Remember to begin each sentence with a capital. End each sentence with the appropriate punctuation. Ensure that you've written proper sentences, this means that it is a complete thought. Make sure to double-check your work before clicking submit.
LESSON FOUR
PARAGRAPHING
REVIEW: What is a Paragraph?
Now that we know ALL about sentences; what makes a sentence, how to write a sentence, what the different types of sentences are, and so much more! It is time to take those sentences and put them together in a special way!
So if we know that a group of LETTERS put together in the right way can form a WORD... and we know that a group of WORDS put together in the right way can form a SENTENCE... what do you think you call a group of SENTENCES put together in the write order... (*hint* it should be pretty obvious...)
The logical question to ask next is: "Well what KIND of sentences do we need to put together?"
A PARAGRAPH is made up of a TOPIC sentence, SUPPORTING sentences (often around 3), and a CONCLUDING sentence. The TOPIC sentence is where we identify what we are going to be talking, along with an opinion or a "stance" about that topic.
Our SUPPORTING sentences are complete sentences that help prove or support the opinion or "stance" that we said in our first sentence.
The CONCLUDING sentence is the final sentence that wraps up and re-states our opinion about the topic, often in a creative way.
Think of a PARAGRAPH like a delicious hamburger:
CLASS EXAMPLE, FOR DISCUSSION:
There is no cooler breed of dog than a Siberian Husky. For starters, even though they can get really big they actually do not eat very much. Secondly, Siberian Huskies are beautiful dogs! The final reason Siberian Huskies are so great is because they are incredibly loyal, making them a great member of the family. To conclude, Siberian Huskies are arguably one of the best breeds of dogs you can have.
YOUR TASK:
Write a single paragraph about the best treat or dessert to eat. Make sure to use complete and proper sentences (this means punctuation, capitals, subject, predicate). Be sure to include:
1. an indent to show that you are beginning a new paragraph. 2. a TOPIC sentence that clearly states the hobby and how you feel about it. 3. at least TWO SUPPORTING sentences. 4. a CONCLUDING sentence that wraps up and re-states your opinion about the TOPIC (in a different way).
LESSON THREE
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Recognizing Sentences
Now that we have developed our understanding that a sentence must contain both a subject and a predicate.
We have also learned that a sentence may contain more than one subject, or more than one predicate, or more than one of each. We even learned that we can sometimes combine two sentences with different subjects and predicates.
We have even learned how to identify both a completesubject/predicate, and a simplesubject/predicate.
While we may still be developing this understanding; we know one thing for certain:
* A sentence is NOT a sentence if it is missing one of these things! *
A sentence can be defined as: A group of words that expresses a complete thought. Combined with our understanding of subject and predicate: Can you recognize the difference between a complete sentence and an incomplete sentence?
Similar to last week, we need to remember that along with a capital and appropriate punctuation, every complete sentence must contain both a subject and a predicate. Last week however, we simply split each sentence in two, including descriptive and conjoining words in our subject and predicate.
This week we are going to focus on identifying the individual word that represents the subject, and the individual word that represents the predicate; otherwise known as the simple subject, and the simple predicate.
The young boy chased after the bouncy ball.
Above is last week's class example; the simple subject and the simple predicate within this sentence looks like:
The young boy chased after the bouncy ball.
What do you notice about the Subject? What do you notice about the Predicate?
Remember, the subject can be defined as WHAT we are talking about in the sentence, and the predicate can be defined as DESCRIBING the subject or explaining what the subject is DOING.
CLASS EXAMPLES, FOR DISCUSSION:
1. After a long day, Dom relaxed on the couch.
2. Avery did a backflip on her dirtbike, this weekend.
3. Cole is so excited to go snowboarding, this winter!
4. The other day, Jonah worked so hard on his assignment.
5. Look at all of those wonderful children trying their very best.
YOUR TASK:
A) Identify both the simplesubject and the simplepredicate in the sentences below.
1. Tanner is learning about EV cars, in Inquiry. 2. Jayden completed all of her homework on time! 3. On Sunday, Mr. Bonneteau updated the class website. 4. This week's episode of the Hank Grenda Report was amazing to watch. 5. I wonder how many wonderful Grenda students still play FortNite?
B)Complete the worksheet provided, independently and hand in.
ASSIGNMENT DUE: NO DUE DATE
LESSON ONE
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Subject and Predicate.
Every complete sentence contains two parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject is what (or whom) the sentence is about. While the predicate tells something about the subject, such as what it is doing. For example,
The young boy chased after the bouncy ball.
In this sentence, the subject is the young boy. The predicate (the thing the subject is doing) is chasing after the bouncy ball.
CLASS EXAMPLES, FOR DISCUSSION:
1. The soft snow covered the fields and roads.
2. We drove very slowly over the narrow bridge.
3. Mr. Bonneteau brought these cookies, today.
4. The two students worked on the video for an hour.
5. The child spoke politely.
6. Every ambitious person is working hard.
YOUR TASK:
A) Identify both the subject and the predicate in the sentences below.
1. The students are making an aquarium. 2. Our class read about the founder of Hart House. 3. The girls were talking by the playground. 4. This album has many pop songs. 5. Many Canadians are working in foreign countries.
B)Complete the worksheet provided, independently and hand in.