Improving Grammar Skills in the Classroom
Getting Grammatical
The Classroom
Grade Level: 8
Gender: Boys (45%) & Girls (55%)
SES:
Eligible for Free Lunch: 9%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch: 3%
Location: Madrona School Edmonds, WA
Races:
American Indian: 1%, Asian: 10%, Hispanic: 9%, Black: 2%, White: 66%, Two or
more races: 12%
Academics: 74% of students are proficient in reading and/or math
Grammar Issues
Students are not attempting to use colons in their
writing.
Students are not giving specific enough answers on
their close reading worksheets.
Example:
Q:
7. How important is Joby to the army? In what ways
does the drummer boy control the mood of the
troops?
Student Answer: Joby is the heart of the army.
Specific Answer: Joby is the heart of the army: his
steady drumming gives the men strength and courage.
Today’s Standard
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of
standard English grammar and usage when writing
or speaking.
Learning Target
I can, by the end of the period, accurately write an
original compound sentence with an explanatory
statement (clauses separated by a colon) by
analyzing examples of this type of explanatory
compound sentence.
Refresher: Independent Clauses
It contains a
SUBJECT
and a
VERB
, expresses a
complete thought and can stand on its own.
Example of an Independent Clause:
Monica
will be going
to Nicaragua over
Christmas break.
Refresher: Compound
Sentences
A compound sentence consists of two independent
clauses connected by a comma and a coordinating
conjuction (ex: for, and, not, but, or, yet
or
so), a
semicolon or
a colon
.
Ex:
Joe
waited
for the train
,
but
the
train
was
late.
Compound Sentence with an Explanatory
Statement
(clauses separated with a colon)
General Statement (idea)
:
specific statement (example)
(independent clause)
(independent clause)
A compound sentence with clauses separated by a colon
*
Colons are a sign to the reader that something important/explanatory is
coming up
-The colon signals that the second clause will further explain
the first
clause.
The first clause gives a general statement or idea
The second clause gives specific information that helps explain the
first clause.
Ex: The upper school
schedule
will
change
next year
:
periods
will be
longer than they are this year.
The first clause informs the reader of a
general
schedule
change.
The second clause gives a
specific example
of a change.
The two clauses are separated by a colon.
The colon
signals that more explanation and/or something
important will follow.
Example
A
lizard
never worries
about losing its tail
:
it
can
always
grow another.
Two independent clauses (both have subject and
verb)
The two clauses are separated by a colon.
-The first clause is a
general
statement about why a
lizard never worries about losing its tail. The second
clause gives a
specific
reason why a lizard never
worries.
Example
Superman has extraordinary powers
:
He flies like a bird
and has X-ray vision.
1. UNDERLINE the subject and the verb
2. CIRCLE the independent clauses
3. PUT A BOX around the colon.
*If students missed something, go over the steps as a
class.
*Discuss as a class what is happening in the first clause
and what is happening in the second clause.
Pick a Sentence
Pick a sentence on the sheet.
Underline the subject and verb
Circle the independent clause
Put a box around the colon
Write an analysis of the first clause. What is the
general statement?
Write an analysis of the second clause. How does
the
specific statement
in the second clause help
explain the first clause?
Share with a Peer!
Who would like to share with
the class?
Write your Own Compound Sentence
with an Explanatory Statement
(clauses separated by a colon)
Use the examples on your sheet as a guide!
Example:
You should always follow this
rule: research your topic thoroughly.
My version: You should always follow this rule: treat
your body like a temple.
Or write an original sentence!
Share with a
Peer/ The Class
Explore techniques for addressing common grammar issues among students, such as the use of colons in writing and providing specific answers in reading assignments. Discover learning targets focusing on compound sentences and independent clauses, supported by refresher reminders. Enhance proficiency in writing by understanding the nuances of compound sentences with explanatory statements. Engage students with practical examples and activities to demonstrate command of standard English conventions.
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Presentation Transcript
The Classroom Grade Level: 8 Gender: Boys (45%) & Girls (55%) SES: Eligible for Free Lunch: 9% Eligible for Reduced Lunch: 3% Location: Madrona School Edmonds, WA Races: American Indian: 1%, Asian: 10%, Hispanic: 9%, Black: 2%, White: 66%, Two or more races: 12% Academics: 74% of students are proficient in reading and/or math
Grammar Issues Students are not attempting to use colons in their writing. Students are not giving specific enough answers on their close reading worksheets. Example: Q: 7. How important is Joby to the army? In what ways does the drummer boy control the mood of the troops? Student Answer: Joby is the heart of the army. Specific Answer: Joby is the heart of the army: his steady drumming gives the men strength and courage.
Todays Standard CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
Learning Target I can, by the end of the period, accurately write an original compound sentence with an explanatory statement (clauses separated by a colon) by analyzing examples of this type of explanatory compound sentence.
Refresher: Independent Clauses It contains a SUBJECT and a VERB, expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own. Example of an Independent Clause: Monica will be going to Nicaragua over Christmas break.
Refresher: Compound Sentences A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses connected by a comma and a coordinating conjuction (ex: for, and, not, but, or, yet or so), a semicolon or a colon. Ex: Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.
Compound Sentence with an Explanatory Statement (clauses separated with a colon) General Statement (idea) : specific statement (example) (independent clause) (independent clause) A compound sentence with clauses separated by a colon *Colons are a sign to the reader that something important/explanatory is coming up -The colon signals that the second clause will further explain the first clause. The first clause gives a general statement or idea The second clause gives specific information that helps explain the first clause.
Ex: The upper school schedule will change next year: periods will be longer than they are this year. The first clause informs the reader of a general schedule change. The second clause gives a specific example of a change. The two clauses are separated by a colon. The colon signals that more explanation and/or something important will follow.
Example A lizard never worries about losing its tail: it can always grow another. Two independent clauses (both have subject and verb) The two clauses are separated by a colon. -The first clause is a general statement about why a lizard never worries about losing its tail. The second clause gives a specific reason why a lizard never worries.
Example Superman has extraordinary powers: He flies like a bird and has X-ray vision. 1. UNDERLINE the subject and the verb 2. CIRCLE the independent clauses 3. PUT A BOX around the colon. *If students missed something, go over the steps as a class. *Discuss as a class what is happening in the first clause and what is happening in the second clause.
Pick a Sentence Pick a sentence on the sheet. Underline the subject and verb Circle the independent clause Put a box around the colon Write an analysis of the first clause. What is the general statement? Write an analysis of the second clause. How does the specific statement in the second clause help explain the first clause?
Who would like to share with the class?
Write your Own Compound Sentence with an Explanatory Statement (clauses separated by a colon) Use the examples on your sheet as a guide! Example: You should always follow this rule: research your topic thoroughly. My version: You should always follow this rule: treat your body like a temple. Or write an original sentence!
Share with a Peer/ The Class
