Monday, April 4, 2011

Parts of Speech

For each part of speech, write a sentence that includes an example of the part of speech. Indicate the example by surrounding it with asteriks (*).

Example:

Noun - My *cat* is very fluffy.

1. Noun
2. Adjective
3. Verb
4. Adverb
5. Preposition
6. Pronoun
7. Conjunction
8. Interjection or Article

Monday, March 28, 2011

Putting It All Together Part 6

1. Write a compound sentence.
2. Write a sentence with a compound predicate.
3. Write a sentence with a compound subject.
4. Write a sentence that demonstrates that you know how to punctuate a short text (short story, poem, song title).
5. Write a sentence with an prepositional phrase.
6. Write a sentence with a relative clause.
7. Write a sentence with a dependent clause.
8. Write a sentence that correctly uses a common homonym.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Putting It All Together Part 5

1. a. According to School Library Journal, Naomi Shihab Nye’s book Never in a Hurry: Essays on People and Places is “an excellent addition to any library.”

b. According to School Library Journal, Naomi Shihab Nye’s book Never in a Hurry: Essays on People and Places is “a excellent addition to any library".

c. According to School Library Journal Naomi Shihab Nye book Never in a Hurry: Essays on People and Places are “an excellent addition to any library.”

d. According to School Library Journal, Naomi Shihab Nyes book Never in a Hurry: Essays on People and Places is “an excellent addition to any library.”


2. a. The essay's are autobiographical they’re reflections on people and places she’s experienced in her life.

b. The essays are autobiographicle, their reflections on people and places she’s experienced in her life.

c. The essays are autobiographical; they’re reflections on people and places she’s experienced in her life.

d. The essays' are autobiographical; there reflections on people and places she’s experienced in her life.


3. a. Nye is an palestinian american; her father lived in jerusalem when he was young; her grandmother lives in the west bank.

b. Nye is a Palestinian American; her father lived in Jerusalem when he was young; her grandmother lives in the West Bank.

c. Nye is a Palestinian American her father lived in Jerusalem when he was young her grandmother lives in the West Bank.

d. Nye be a Palestinian American, her father lived in Jerusalem when he was young her grandmother lives in the West Bank.


4. a. My newspaper does'nt run Dave Barrys column, but I wish they did because I think he’s hysterically funny.

b. My newspaper doesn’t run Dave Barry’s column but I wish it did because I think he’s hysterical funny.

c. My newspaper doesn’t run Dave Barry’s column, but I wish it did because I think he’s hysterically funny.

d. My newspaper doesn’t run Dave Barry’s column, I wish it did because I think hes' hystericaly funny.


5. a. For example, one column about using a computer seems to be about my dad; he doesn’t have any clue about how they work.

b. For example, 1 column about using a computer seems to be about my dad; he doesn’t have any clue about how they work.

c. For example one column about using a computer seems to be about my dad he doesn’t have any clue about how they work.

d. For example, one column about using a computer seems to had be about my dad, he doesnt have any clue about how they work.


6. a. The Hunger Games is a novel that features a female protagonist, but it appeals equally to boys and girls.

b. The Hunger Games is a novel that features a female protagonist, but it appeals equally to boys and girls.

c. The Hunger Games is an novel that feature a female protagonist, but it appeals equally to boys and girls.

d. The Hunger Games is a novel that features a female protagonist but it appeals equaly to boys and girls.


7. a. "American Idol" "Dancing With the Stars" and "The Sing Off" is all reality shows that have people competing to show off their talents.

b. "American Idol," "Dancing With the Stars" and "The Sing Off," are all reality shows that have people competing to show off there talents.

c. "American Idol," "Dancing With the Stars" and "The Sing Off" are all reality shows that have people competing to show off they're talents.

d. "American Idol," "Dancing With the Stars" and "The Sing Off" are all reality shows that have people competing to show off their talents.


8. a. Do you think students, would support, having only healthy snacks in the cafeteria!

b. Do you think students would support having only healthy snacks in the cafeteria.

c. Do you think students would support having only healthy snacks in the cafeteria?

d. Do you think students would support, having only healthy snacks in the cafeteria?

Monday, March 14, 2011

Putting It All Together Part 4

Select the answer choice with correct grammar and punctuation.

1. a. Did you know that American poet Maya Angelou teached dance at The Rome opera house in Italy and The Habima theatre in Israel. She had also acted on broadway, and in hollywood films.

b. Did you know that American poet Maya Angelou taught dance at The Rome Opera House in Italy, and The Habima Theatre in Israel? She has also acted on Broadway and in Hollywood Films.

c. Did you know that American poet Maya Angelou taught dance at The Rome Opera House in Italy and The Habima Theatre in Israel? She has also acted on Broadway and in Hollywood films.

d. Did you know that American poet, Maya Angelou, taught dance at The Rome Opera House in Italy and The Habima Theatre in Israel? She has also acted on Broadway and in Hollywood films?


2. a. Recently she appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show, to promote her cookbook. Every recipe in Hallelujah! The Welcome Table was a story from her life.

b. Recently, she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote her Cookbook. Every recipe in Hallelujah! The Welcome Table have a story from her life.

c. Recently, she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote her cookbook every recipe in Hallelujah! The Welcome Table has a story from her life.

d. Recently, she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote her cookbook. Every recipe in Hallelujah! The Welcome Table has a story from her life.


3. a. Among the American poet’s of stature since Walt Whitman. Robert Frost is the most universal in his appeal.

b. Among the American poets of stature since Walt Whitman, Robert Frost is the most universal in his appeal.

c. Among the American poets of stature, since Walt Whitman Robert Frost is the most universal in his appeal.

d. Among the american poets of stature since Walt Whitman, Robert Frost is the most universal in his Appeal.


4. a. Frost was one of two valedictorians of Lawrence High School (New Hampshire) in 1892; the other was Elinor White, whom he married three years later.

b. Frost was one of 2 valedictorians of Lawrence high school New Hampshire in 1892, the other was Einor White, who he married 3 years later.

c. Frost was one have two valedictorians of Lawrence High School (New Hampshire) in 1892 the other was Elinor White, whom he married three years later.

d. Frost was one of two valedictorians of Lawrence High School New Hampshire in 1892; the other was Elinor White, whom he married three year later.


5. a. Thomas Campion is considered an English Renaissance poet. There are other English poets from the Renaissance, including John Milton, Edmund Spenser, and William Shakespeare himself.

b. Thomas Campion is considered an english Renaissance poet. There are other English poets from the Renaissance, including John Milton Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare, himself.

c. Thomas Campion is considered a English Renaissance poet. There is other English poets from the Renaissance, including John Milton, Edmund Spenser, and William Shakespeare himself.

d. Thomas Campion is consider a English renaissance poet. Their are other English poet from the renaissance. Including John Milton Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare hisself.


6. a. The renaissance means “rebirth”, and the term refer to a period in europe between the fourteen and seventeen centurys when people become more better educated

b. The Renaissance means rebirth and the term refers to a period in Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries when people became better educated.

c. The Renaissance means “rebirth,” and the term refers to a period in Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries when people became better educated.

d. The Renaissance means “rebirth” and the term refers to a period in europe, between the 14th and 17th, centuries when people became better educated.


7. a. Starr by Angela Johnson is a short story. Your likely to find that readding a short story is alot like readding a novel.

b. “Starr,” by Angela Johnson, is a short story. You’re likely to find that reading a short story is a lot like reading a novel.

c. “Starr,” by Angela Johnson is a short story. Ur likely to find that reading a short story is a lot like reading a novel.

d. Starr, by Angela Johnson, is a Short Story. Youre likely to find that reading a Short Story is a lot like reading a novel.


8. a. "Starr" was published in Johnsons book Gone from Home, which is a collection of short stories. Johnson won the Coretta Scott King award in 1949 for her novel called Toning the Sweep.

b. “Starr” was published in Johnson’s book Gone from Home which is a collection of short storys. Johnson won the Coretta Scott King Award in 1994 for her novel called Toning the Sweep.

c. Starr was published in Johnson’s book Gone from Home, which is a collection of short stories, Johnson won the Coretta Scott King Award in 1994 for her novel called, Toning the Sweep.

d. “Starr” was published in Johnson’s book Gone from Home, which is a collection of short stories. Johnson won the Coretta Scott King Award in 1994 for her novel called Toning the Sweep.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Putting it All Together Part 3

Directions: For each of the following problems, select the sentence with correct grammar and punctuation.

1. a. Edgar Allen Poe was born in 1809 in Boston Massachusetts the son of traveling actors.

b. Edgar Allen Poe was born in 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of traveling actors.

c. edgar Allen Poe was born in 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of traveling actors.

d. Edgar Allen Poe was born in 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts the son of traveling actors.


2. a. His father abandoned the family shortly after his birth and his mother died when he was 2.

b. His father abandons the family shortly after his birth and his mother died when he was two.

c. His father abandoned the family short after his birth and his mother died when he was two.

d. His father abandoned the family shortly after his birth, and his mother died when he was two.


3. a. He wrote poetry and short fiction, and in 1833 he won a 50 dollar prize for “Ms. Found in a Bottle.”

b. He wrote poetry and short fiction, and in 1833 he won a $50 prize for "Ms. Found in a Bottle."

c. He wrote poetry and short fiction, and in 1833 he won a $50 prize for “ms. found in a bottle.”

d. He wrote poetry and short fiction and in 1833 he won a 50 prize for “Ms. Found in a Bottle.”


4. a. Walt Whitman is considered widely one of America’s best and influentialest poets.

b. Walt Whitman is considered widely one of America’s best and most influential poets.

c. Walt Whitman is considered widely one of Americas' best and most influential poets.

d. Walt Whitman is considered widely one of Americas best and most influential poets.


5. a. Whitman’s political views reflected 19th-century liberalism. On free trade, he said, “The spirit of the tariff is malevolent. It flies in the face of all American ideals. It helps a few men to get rich; it helps the great mass of poor men to get poorer.”

b. Whitman’s political views reflected 19th-century liberalism. On free trade, he said The spirit of the tariff is malevolent. It flies in the face of all American ideals. It helps a few men to get rich; it helps the great mass of poor men to get poorer.

c. Whitman’s political views reflected 19th-century liberalism. On free trade, he said “The spirit of the tariff is malevolent. It flies in the face of all American ideals. It helps a few men to get rich it helps the great mass of poor men to get poorer.”

d. Whitmans political views reflected 19th-century liberalism. On free trade, he said, “The spirit of the tariff is malevolent. It flies in the face of all American ideals'. It helps a few men to get rich; it helps the great mass of poor men to get poorer.”


6. a. Born in Joplin Missouri in 1902, Langston Hughes was raised in Kansas, Illinois, and Ohio.

b. Born in Joplin, Missouri in 1902, Langston Hughes was raised in Kansas Illinois and Ohio.

c. Born in Joplin, Missouri in 1902, Langston Hughes was raised in Kansas, Illinois, and Ohio.

d. Born in Joplin Missouri in 1902, Langston Hughes was raised in Kansas, Illinois, and Ohio.


7. a. He attended columbia university before embarking as sailor on a freighter, making stops in the Canary Islands, the Azores, and West Africa.

b. He attended Columbia University before embarking as sailor on a freighter, making stops in the Canary Islands, the Azores, and West africa.

c. He attended Columbia University before embarking as sailor on a freighter making stops in the Canary Islands the Azores and West Africa.

d. He attended Columbia University before embarking as sailor on a freighter, making stops in the Canary Islands, the Azores, and West Africa.


8. a. Hughes early accomplishments marked only the beginning of his career in which he published dozens of books: poetry, drama, essays, children’s stories, screenplays, anthologies, and an autobiography entitled I Wonder as I Wander.

b. Hughes’ early accomplishments marked only the beginning of his career, in which he published dozens of books: poetry, drama, essays, children’s stories, screenplays, anthologies, and an autobiography entitled I Wonder as I Wander.

c. Hughe's early accomplishments marked only the beginning of his career, in which he published dozens of books: poetry, drama, essays, childrens' stories, screenplays, anthologies, and an autobiography entitled I Wonder as I Wander.

d. Hughes’ early accomplishments marked only the beging of his career, in which he published dozen of books: poetry, drama, essays, children’s stories, screenplays, anthologies, and an autobiography entitled I Wonder as I Wander.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Putting It All Together Part 2

1. Select the sentence with correct grammar and punctuation.

a. The Outsiders, a book by S.E. Hinton, has maintained its popularity for decades.
b. "Mother to Son", a poem by Langston Hughes, highlights the importance of not giving up.
c. Jerry Spinelli is the author of Stargirl, Crash, and the Library card.
d. They're love for literature is inspiring.

2. Which of these is a complete sentence?

a. Above the cupboard.
b. Because it always happens.
c. I want to go there.
d. No one ever.

3. Choose the word or phrase that best completes this sentence:

In the sunshine, the wings of a butterfly ________ like jewels.

a. glow
b. glows
c. is glowing
d. has glowed

4. Which sentence best combines these two sentences?

The train sped through the tunnel.
The train sped across the bridge.

a. The train that sped through the tunnel sped across the bridge.
b. The train sped through the tunnel and it sped across the bridge.
c. The train sped through the tunnel and across the bridge.
d. The train sped through and across the tunnel and the bridge.

5. Which sentence has a dependent clause?

a. I want to go the mall, but I do not want to go grocery shopping.
b. I hit the baseball very well.
c. The girl, because she is so kind, shared her candy.
d. Ferris, my dog, is extremely playful.

6. Which of the following is an example of a correct compound sentence?

a. When you ride your bike, do you wear a helmet?
b. July is my favorite month, but I also like October.
c. Peter, Rachel and Mark bought a gift together.
d. I like these jeans, I don't like that shirt.

7. Select the sentence with the correct grammar and punctuation.

a. Lady Gaga's song Born this Way is popular.
b. "Firework" by Katy Perry is on the radio too often.
c. "Never Say Never" is a song by Justin bieber.
d. Bruno Mars has a few great songs, including "just the way you are."

8. Which sentence correctly shows a compound predicate?

a. I love bananas and apples.
b. Mary and Susie are going to the store.
c. Don't catch the baseball.
d. I closed and locked the door.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Prepositional Phrases, Take 3

Okay, we still haven't reached the level of understanding about prepositional phrases that I'd like. So I've decided to present it in a different way: as multiple choice.

For each problem, you have to identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement. All sentences will have a prepositional phrase separating the subject and the verb.

Since there are right and wrong answers this week, I won't publish your responses each day; rather, I will publish a list of the students whose work was submitted in the previous day.

1. Identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement.
a. Everybody from the schools likes pizza.
b. Everybody from the school like pizza.

2. Identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement.
a. None of us was surprised.
b. None of us were surprised.

3. Identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement.
a. One of my sister's friends are a DJ.
b. One of my sister's friends is a DJ.

4. Identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement.
a. This box of ornaments belong in the attic.
b. This box of ornaments belongs in the attic.

5. Identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement.
a. One of the books are missing.
b. One of the books is missing.

6. Identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement.
a. The CDs on the shelf are dusty.
b. The CDs on the shelf is dusty.

7. Identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement.
a. The bag of groceries need to be unpacked.
b. The bag of groceries needs to be unpacked.

8. Identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement.
a. Many of us want to try hard.
b. Many of us wants to try hard.

Putting it all together

This week, I'm giving you multiple choice work. Each "problem" will have three incorrect sentences and one correct sentence. You have to identify the correct sentence.

Since there are right and wrong answers this week, I won't publish your responses each day; rather, I will publish a list of the students whose work was submitted in the previous day.

1. Identify the sentence that has correct punctuation and grammar.
a. Because I got him tickets Richie went to see "Despicable Me" and he enjoyed it very much.
b. Because I got him tickets, Richie went to see "Despicable Me," and he enjoyed it very much.
c. Because I got him tickets, Richie went to see Despicable Me, and he enjoyed it very much.
d. Because I got him tickets Richie went to see "Despicable Me," and he enjoyed it very much.

2. Identify the sentence that has correct punctuation and grammar.
a. He kicked the ball barely 20 yards.
b. He barely kicked the ball 20 yards.
c. He kicked barely the ball 20 yards.
d. Barely he kicked the ball 20 yards.

3. Identify the sentence that has correct punctuation and grammar.
a. "Want to go to the mall with me" she asked.
b. "Want to go to the mall with me she asked?"
c. "Want to go to the mall with me?" she asked.
d. "Want to go to the mall with me," she asked.

4. Identify the sentence that has correct punctuation and grammar.
a. Our band wants to get experience playing in public as a result, we're willing to play almost anywhere.
b. Our band wants to get experience playing in public; as a result, were willing to play almost anywhere.
c. Our band wants to get experience playing; in public as a result, we're willing to play almost anywhere.
d. Our band wants to get experience playing in public; as a result, we're willing to play almost anywhere.

5. Identify the sentence that has correct punctuation and grammar.
a. Because Im in seventh grade, Riverhead middle school is my school.
b. Because I'm in seventh grade Riverhead Middle school is my school.
c. Because I'm in seventh grade, Riverhead Middle School is my school.
d. Because I'm in seventh grade Riverhead Middle School is my school.

6. Identify the sentence that has correct punctuation and grammar.
a. Where were you the other day.
b. Where we're you the other day?
c. Were we're you the other day.
d. Where were you the other day?

7. Identify the sentence that has correct punctuation and grammar.
a. "I really cant wait for vacation," he remarked.
b. I really can't wait for vacation" he remarked.
c. "I really can't wait for vacation" he remarked.
d. "I really can't wait for vacation," he remarked.

8. Identify the sentence that has correct punctuation and grammar.
a. John Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath" begins in the dust bowl of Oklahoma.
b. Her poem, titled "Autumn Leaves," won first prize in the poetry contest.
c. These "today's Life" magazines are full of valuable articles for teenagers.
d. The Open Boat, a short story by Stephen crane, is based on the author's experiences.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Prepositional Phrases, Take 2

Okay, we're going to work with prepositional phrases again this week, as the majority of you did not demonstrate an ability to master the concept.

Most of you got the idea of the subject-verb agreement, which means that your verb tense depends on what the subject of the sentence is. BUT, that's not all of what the assignment asked you to do.

What I want you to get from this is that when we write, we sometimes stick prepositional phrases between the subject and the verb of the sentence. When this happens, it's very easy to have the wrong verb tense because we match the verb to the last word of the prepositional phrase, not the subject of the sentence. Take a look at this:

The birds on the tree branch sings all morning long.

The subject is the birds, so the verb should be sing, as in "The birds sing..." But it's easy to make the mistake of matching the verb to the last word in the prepositional phrase (in this case it's branch) because the words are right next to each other.

Corrected, this sentence should read:

The birds on the tree branch sing all morning long.

Also, please make sure that phrase that separates your subject and verb is a prepositional phrase. To make sure, you'll want the phrase to begin with a preposition:

about
above
across
after
against
along
among
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
beyond
but
by
despite
down
during
except
for
from
in
inside
into
like
near
of
off
on
onto
out
outside
over
past
since
through
throughout
till
to
toward
under
underneath
until
up
upon
with
within
without

Your assignment: You will create six sets of sentences. Each set will feature a sentence with a prepositional phrase and a mismatched subject-verb, along with a sentence with a prepositoinal phrase and a proper subject-verb agreement.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Prepositional Phrases

Prepositions are words that show how a something exists in relation to the rest of the sentence - usually when or where.

Some examples of common prepositions are:

about
above
across
after
against
along
among
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
beyond
but
by
despite
down
during
except
for
from
in
inside
into
like
near
of
off
on
onto
out
outside
over
past
since
through
throughout
till
to
toward
under
underneath
until
up
upon
with
within
without

A prepositional phrase is the preposition and the rest of the description. In the following examples, the prepositional phrase is in bold.

The books on the table are missing pages.

In this example, the prepositional phrase separates the subject of the sentence (the books) and the predicate of the sentence (are). This is why it's important to be aware of prepositional phrases: When they separate the subject and the verb, it's easy to accidentally conjugate the verb based on the last word of the prepositional phrase, as opposed to conjugating the verb based on the subject, which is correct. For example, in this sentence, the verb is conjugated incorrectly:

The beings from outer space was green.

If you remove the prepositional phrase, you'll see that the simple subject-verb-object sentence for this example is: The beings were green. Therefore, when inserting the prepositional phrase, we still need to make sure that the verb conjugation matches the subject, not the last word of the prepositional phrase (in this case, space). So, the correct version of this example is:

The beings from outer space were green.

Your assignment: Create six pairs of sentences with prepositional phrases separating the subject and the verb. The first sentence in each pair will show the incorrect verb conjugation, and the second sentence in each pair will show the correct conjugation.

Examples of the sentence pairs:

Incorrect: The students of Riverhead Middle School is funny.
Correct: The students of Riverhead Middle School are funny.

Incorrect: The house with four windows look pretty.
Correct: The house with four windows looks pretty.

Incorrect: Literature regarding teenagers tend to be about individuality issues.
Correct: Literature regarding teenagers tends to be about individuality issues.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Compound Predicates

Predicate is the fancy word for the verb or the action of a sentence. For example:

Mary walked through the park.

The predicate in this sentence is walked.

Sometimes, a sentence has two verbs, so this is a sentence with a compound predicate. For example:

Mary walked then ran through the park.

In this example, walked and ran are the predicates.

Your assignment: Create six pairs of sentences with single predicates, then combime those sentences to create a sentence with a compound predicate. Each of your responses should look like this:

SP: Jane thinks about animals.
SP: Jane writes about animals.
CP: Jane thinks and writes about animals.

SP: Billy throws well.
SP: Billy catches well.
CP: Billy throws and catches well.

SP: Rachel swept the floor.
SP: Rachel mopped the floor.
CP: Rachel swept and mopped the floor.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Compound Subjects

The subject of a sentence is who or what the sentence is about, or who or what is doing the action.

For example: Mary went to the store.

In this sentence, Mary is the subject.

Some sentences have more than one subject, and these are called compound subjects.

For example: Mary and Louise went to the store.

In this sentence, the compound subject is Mary and Louise.

Your assignment: You are to create six pairs of sentences. Each pair will have a sentence with a single subject and a sentence with a compound subject.

For example:

SS: Math is my favorite subject.
CS: Math and science are my favorite subjects.

SS: Nemo belongs in the ocean.
CS: Nemo and his dad belong in the ocean.

SS: I went to the beach.
CS: Tracy and I went to the beach.