Here we go! This page is usually dedicated to learning new skills as well as reviewing (and reviewing and reviewing!) everything we have learned. But this week (and next week), we will be busy finding out exactly where we are in our academic areas. The information I gather from your work will help as I plan future lessons in each of our subjects of Reading, Writing, Science, and Social Studies. I will, however, continue with the outline of skills I usually have on this page so that new students can see what we cover in class. Have fun!
Please Note: There will be no grading just yet--only observations from me! So don't worry about making mistakes! It's actually important that you do! Part One Idioms An idiom is a saying that is not to be taken literally. This means that the words that are used have hidden meaning, and it is our job to find out what that meaning is! They can be especially tricky if English is not your first language, so we will be going over at least one every day in class! Today's Idiom: It is wonderful to meet all of you today, and it's important for you to know that we are all in the same boat as we reach for our goals and fulfill our dreams. Directions: The idiom is shown in bold (dark) print in the sentence above. What do you think it means? Look for context clues within the sentence that may help you understand this idiom. Write your thoughts about it in the space below. Part Two Literary Terms Literary terms (also known as literary devices) are words that are used to describe specific ways of thinking about literature and the words that are used to paint pictures in our minds. Understanding their meaning will help us comprehend a story, a poem, or even a movie much more effectively! Today's Literary Term: Personification Personification occurs when a writer gives an inanimate object (one that does not move--is not alive) a human quality. Look at the example below. Can you select a verb (action word) that the object in the sentence would not truly be able to do because only a person has the ability to do it? The sun smiled down upon Denise as she walked along the beach. Take a moment to write down your answers in the space below. What object in this sentence is doing something only a person could do? What exactly is this object supposedly doing? What does it mean in this particular sentence? Part Three The Inverted Question and Answer Something this is inverted is in a different or even the opposite order than it is typically found in. In this section, I will provide you with an answer, and you give me a question that could go with that answer. Below is an example of what I mean. Answer: There are thirty of them. Possible Question (that you would give me): How many days are in the month of September? Do you see how the answer would work with the question given? There are many possible questions students could give. I will provide a few more, using the same answer above. Answer: There are thirty of them. Possible Question: How many cars are in the parking lot this morning? Possible Question: How many flowers do you have in your garden? Possible Question: How many members of your family are at your party? Possible Question: How many pieces of clothing are in your washing machine right now? (Haha!) Do you see that there are so many possible questions that could go with the answer I gave you? Now it's your turn. Try to provide a question for the following answer. After you write your question down, be sure to read it to yourself or to someone near you to be sure it works with the answer! Have fun! If you can come up with more than one question, feel free to write them all down! Answer: It's so much fun! Your Question: Part Four Greek and Latin Roots Roots (unlike the root word) are parts of words, such as a prefix (that goes before the word) or a suffix (which goes at the end of a word) that can often help us understand the meaning of a word when context clues are not available to us. Note: Context clues are parts of a sentence that provide meaning for us so that we do not have to know every word in the dictionary! For example, look at the following sentence: The tree swallows are often bluish green in color and sometimes build their nests within the trunk of a tree. If we do not know what a tree swallow is, the context clues in the sentence can help us figure out what this animal may be. What is your guess and why? Now what if a sentence does not contain any clues that will help you figure out a word? Well another way we can try to decipher word meaning is by knowing a lot of Greek and Latin roots (and even French roots, as well). Let's look at today's root of the day: Greek Root: biblio Meaning: books, of books English word: bibliography (which is a list of all the titles, authors and publishing dates of books and resources we use when we research a subject) French word: bibliotheque (which means library!) Special note: The word bible comes from the Latin word for book! Question: Have you ever created a bibliography before? If not, why do you think it is important to create a list of resources you have used to write a research paper? Write your thoughts below after speaking with someone near you! Part Five Grammar Challenge Verbs Grammar is the name given to the mechanics of writing. It helps us understand why a sentence is created a certain way as well as the function of each word. It is important to study grammar so that we know the proper way to use words (even the order of words we use!) and to ultimately write more effectively! We are beginning today with the study of verbs because it is the only word that can be used alone . . . and still be a complete sentence! Verbs can be action words, such as go, run, jump, laugh, and more. Verbs can be verbs of being, which do not show action but instead tell something IS something else. Verbs of Being: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, have, has, had, do, does, did, shall, should, will, would, can, could, may, might, must Verbs can also help each other out! These verbs are called helping verbs or auxiliary verbs. Often, the verbs of being in the list above can work with action verbs (or any type of verb, for that matter) to help us understand when an action took place, for instance. I have been waiting for hours for the train to arrive. Can you pick out the verbs of being in the sentence above? You can look back at the list above that! Can you also pick out the main verb, which in this case is an action verb? Directions: Try the following exercises. Simply circle the verbs in each sentence. We will discuss as a class which ones are verbs of being, action verbs, or auxiliary verbs! The number in parentheses following the sentences tells how many verbs are in each one. 1. Most students arrived at school on time. (1) 2.He has walked for an hour every day this month. (2) 3. Jill runs three times a week. (1) 4. This school is a great place to learn. (1) 5. The puppy was so cute! (1) 6. My friend visited all afternoon. (1) 7. Where are you going? (2) (Hint: You may want to turn this sentence around into a statement to find the verbs more easily!) 8. Wait! (1) 9. Tomas has been studying for hours now! (3) 10. You look like your sister! (1) Your Turn: Directions: Create three sentences of your own! You will then switch your paper with another student, and find the verbs on each other's papers! We will check everything as a class when we are all finished! Good Luck! Part Six Writing Since writing is an important part of our classes, we will be devoting a chunk of time each day to practicing this skill. Sometimes there will be work assigned for a later date, and a syllabus will be provided to do so. But for these opening weeks, we will be trying out a variety of writing styles so that we know which areas may need more attention. I will collect much of what you write for the next few classes, but do not worry! Just try your best, and the rest will follow! Today's assignment: Here is the beginning of a story, which I usually have students copy onto a clean sheet of paper. But today you won't need to do this and can write directly on this page (or on the back of it), You will continue the story in any way you please, BUT you need to write for at least fifteen minutes! I don't want you to stop until I give a warning that time is almost up. Have fun, and enjoy the process!! Writing Exercise: Fiction Santiago was nervous about his first interview at a new company. He had a great resume, which showed all the skills he already had; he had even listed some specific classes he had taken that related to the position he wanted. But when he approached the building, he noticed something very unusual.
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