May 15, 2008
a publication of You-Can-Teach-Writing.com
Vol. 1 No. 1, May 15, 2008
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In This Issue:
** My Grandmother Went to Europe and Landed in Grammar
** The Best Thing in the Ditch — NOT!
** Engage in Obfuscation to Empower Adolescents’ Adult Aspirations
** A Note from Linda
My grandmother went to Europe and landed in grammar
The memory game “My Grandmother Went to Europe” can be adapted to provide oral drill in grammar for students who lack an ear for standard English.In the traditional game, the first person says “my grandmother went to Europe and in her trunk she took . . .” The first player names some object.
The second player repeats the sentence adding a second object. Play continues with each player repeating the list of objects and adding one until a player makes a memory error.
Here are three ways adapt the game for grammar practice:
1) Have students go through the singular and plural pronoun forms, adding objects to the trunk and changing the verbs to fit the pronoun. The game would run like this:
First player: "I went to Europe and in my trunk I took ___."
Second player: "You went to Europe and in your trunk you took ___ and ___."
Third player: "He (or she) went to Europe and in his trunk he took ___ , ___, and ___."
You may want to list the singular and plural pronoun forms on the board to help students get started.
2) Use a different verb tense instead using the past tense. Student will need to use the same tense in both clauses of the sentence.
For example, "My grandmother will go to Europe and in her trunk she will take..."
3) Use a different verb in the opener (such as fly, swim, drive, ride, hike, or cycle) in combination with idea 1 or 2 to give students practice in using irregular verb forms.
The best thing in the ditch — NOT!
Unless you teach ditch digging, do not give empty writing prompts like “the best thing in the ditch.” Empty prompt are a waste of time.Instead, focus on major terms, concepts, and skills students must learn. Such authentic writing prompts do double duty. They give students a reason to write, and reinforce their learning in other curriculum areas. If you homeschool, you can give writing prompts on any course your student is studying.
Be sure to have some prompts on “English class” topics like grammar and language. Students think anything that doesn’t warrant a writing prompt isn’t worth learning; we cannot have that, can we?
Engage in obfuscation to empower adolescents’ adult aspirations
Translation: Use big words to hide “kid stuff.” Classroom management is easier if teens get the respect they crave. So, for example, "establish classroom protocol" instead of having rules.Teens think rules are for kids. Most teens won’t know what protocol is, but it sounds lots more grownup than following rules.
A note from Linda
Are you a visual learner? Several newly posted pages contain diagrams. See, for example, a diagram of essay structure.
I would love to hear from you. Please use the form on the web site for your initial message. After I know you are you and not some dreadful spammer, I will "white list" you so we can exchange e-mails without going through the site.
The next issue of Writing Points comes out June 15, no providence preventing.
Until then, happy teaching!
Linda