Cause and Effect:
Effect: The students were forced to work at home during this time.
Cause: 


True or False:
1. A hyperbole is a deliberate exaggeration.                                                                 True          False
2. A simile is a comparison that does not use "like" or "as."                                         True          False
3. When the opposite of what you expect happens, this is ironic.                               True          False
4. Articles are "a," "an," and "it."                                                                                     True          False
5. The bee buzzed around; "buzzed" is an example of onomatopoeia.                        True          False
​6. In the sentence above (#5), "bee" is the subject.                                                      True          False
7. When you ask a question without expecting an answer,
    this is known as a rhetorical question.                                                                             True          False
8. An independent clause can also be a sentence.                                                        True          False
9. A dependent clause can stand alone.                                                                        True          False
10. A verb can be an action word or it can indicate "being."                                        True          False

Find the Simple Subject:
In the following sentences, please find the simple subject. The simple subject is just the subject itself, without any modifiers. 
Example: John, who worked at the gas station on the corner, had lived in Somerville for all of his life.
Subject: John
Note: The subject performs the action in the sentence.

1. The store, which had belonged to the Nelson family for ten years, was a customer favorite.
2. There were ten children at the town playground.
3. Neil, without the help of his team, won the game.
4. Phantom Gourmet is a TV show that spotlights the best restaurants in the area.
5. Some of the cafes I have visited have appeared on this show.
6. Tom, the student who had read the most books, won the prize.
7. The award in the Best Movie category will be presented at the end of the evening.
8. During this pandemic, people need to remember to follow Governor Baker's rules.
9. I could not believe how delicious the meal was!
10. Have you ever eaten breakfast foods for supper?
11. Stay safe in everything you do!

Editing:
There are ten mistakes in this paragraph; can you find them all?

      It has been a long time since resterants have been open for busyness, Julie missed seeing her friends each weekend and talking about the problems in their lifes. It would be nice just to sit down at the somerville cafes and enjoy a nice meal without worrying about this pandemic. She wandered when this would happen. according to governor baker. it could still take some time for massachusetts to be safe.

Literary Devices:
Today's term is the word synecdoche (pronounced si NECK duh kee). Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part of something represents the whole.

An example could be: Boston won the World Series.
In this instance, Boston is used as a synecdoche. Instead of saying the "Boston Red Sox won," we use part of the team name, Boston, instead.

Another example could be: Lily's dad bought her a new set of wheels that summer.
In this case, wheels, which are part of a car, represent the whole car that Lily's dad purchased for her.

​Parallel Sentence Structure:
Writing effectively requires the use of consistent verb tenses and correct word placement. This helps your work become clear, concise, and meaningful.

For example: Good writers proofread, edit, and revise.
Notice that the action verbs listed in bold print are all in the same present tense.

Another example: Tom tossed the ball and ran around the field.
In this case, the action verbs are both in the past tense.

Another example: All students worked carefully and effectively.
Notice in this sentence that both words in bold print are adverbs of moderation.

Directions:
Please rewrite the sentences below, which are written incorrectly, to maintain parallel sentence structure.

Example:
Incorrect:  Jim's sister was smart and she worked creatively.
Correct: Jim's sister was smart and creative.
Notice that the words in bold print are both adjectives in the correct example!

Your Turn:
1. Cindy loved to run and drawing.
Corrected Sentence:

2. Sally worked hard and was doing her best.
Corrected Sentence:

3. He was kind and a wonderful man.
Corrected Sentence:

4. Lisa loved boating and she knit blankets.
Corrected Sentence:

5. Sylvia was a good educator and presents new lessons daily.
Corrected Sentence:

Writing Prompt:
Directions: Use the opening sentences I have listed below to continue your story. Remember to keep verb tense, point of view, and tone of voice the same. 

     Jane ran out the back door, leaving a full cup of coffee on the kitchen table. Her sister Sandy, who was staying with her for the summer, jumped up in alarm at Jane's sudden exit. Where could Jane be going at 6:30 in the morning?

     Then Sandy saw the letter on the counter.
     
Continue your story! When you have finished, give it an appropriate title, as well. Have fun!


Remember to write your answers in the "Comments" section below. Do not forget to list your name!! Have fun, and I look forward to checking your work!



​

Hi Everyone!
​
I hope you are all doing well as we head into the summer months. In this section, you will find the Blackboard Skills we copy and discuss at the beginning of every in-person class. This website will be no different:) I suggest you keep a notebook and copy items down for future reference. You can also post answers by clicking and typing directly under the "Comments" section on each lesson's page! In this way, I can check this website and correct your answers, if you would like.

I realize that classes have just ended for the 2019-2020 school year, but this does not mean that learning has! I encourage you to keep working on the skills that will help you in all your goals! Assignments will also be added to our Newsela, Scholastic, and Grammarbook classroom sites, but information for sites we use will be listed on the Resources page on this website. You will be able to access anything you need to view directly from this site. This will keep all our activities in one spot, our new, one-stop classroom, BacktotheBlackboard.com !

Enjoy!
​

Idiom of the Day:
She tried hard to make ends meet during the pandemic and was successful because of her persistence!

Question and Answer:
Answer: It is the literary term that describes when a writer gives human qualities to inanimate objects in order to add interest and reader connection to a text.
Question: ??? 
[Remember to form a question that fits with the answer provided. Be sure that whatever you decide upon is phrased correctly. You can say both your question and the answer out loud to check to see how it sounds and whether it makes sense!]

Grammar Skills:
Today's work centers around the usage of you're and your. Many people confuse the two, but they mean totally different things! Be sure that when you use you're, you know you are actually using the contraction for the words you are. When you use your, please understand that this is a possessive pronoun that is used as an adjective.

Examples of each are:

I hope you're enjoying this new website.
[You can substitute you are for you're, which helps us know this is the correct choice.
The sentence could read: I hope you are enjoying this new website.]

Is this your new car?
[The word your now refers to ownership, as in the fact that the car might belong to you.]

Try the following exercises to see how you do! Remember always to list your name and answers on the "Comments: section below!

1. (You're, Your) not going to believe what happened!
2. (You're, Your) one of the hardest workers I have ever known!
3. Is this (you're, your) first time taking this test?
4. How are (you're, your) friends doing during this unsettling situation?
5. What is (you're, your) favorite in-home activity right now?
6. This is (you're, your) first exercise on the Back to the Blackboard site!
7. "(You're, Your) kidding me!" John said when told the price of the new car.
8. "(You're, Your) car is worth the money," the dealer told him patiently.
9. (You're, Your) moms and grandmothers were honored yesterday.
10. Do you know (you're, your) work is a reflection of you?