May 16, 2025 Skills

Learning about the mechanics of writing helps us make more effective choices when editing our own work. Grammar is a way of naming the job of each word in a sentence, while editing is a way of checking to be sure that job is being done! Today's skills work begins with some grammar activities I think you will enjoy!

Let's look at Subject and Verb Agreement, for instance.

Example: A bouquet of beautiful roses (was handed, were handed) to the skater after she finished her routine.

Questions to ask: Who or what is doing the action in this sentence?
Things to be careful of: Don't confuse a prepositional phrase with the subject. Prepositions are positional words that provide greater detail to other parts of speech (but cannot create a complete thought by itself, except of course, in poetry!).

The subject in the above example is bouquet (which is that beautiful bundle of flowers you often see bridesmaids carry in a wedding). The prepositional phrase is of beautiful roses, which is a nice detail to know, but it is not the part of this sentence that works with the verb. The entire verb in the sentence would be was handed, because it must correspond with the subject bouquet,as in "The bouquet was handed to the skater . . ."

Directions: Please select the correct verb/verb phrase in the sentences below. Be sure you are matching the main noun and not part of a prepositional phrase (or clause) when you make your decisions! Enjoy!

1. The man who ordered twelve pizzas, (was, were) a teacher at a nearby school.
2. The dictionaries on one student's desk (was, were) ready to be passed out to everyone.
3. At the bottom of the box, Shelley and her friends (finds, found) a pleasant surprise!
4. Each row of seats (is, are) designed effectively so that there is more room in the classroom.
5. A jar of jelly beans (was, were) on each table as a fun and edible decoration.

Part Two
Adverbs of Moderation
Directions: Adverbs are parts of speech that modify or describe the verb in the sentence. Adverbs of moderation tell how someone or something is performing an action. Please find these adverbs in each sentence below and either circle them or write them in the space that follows.

Example: She spoke quietly at the concert because people were trying to listen to the music.
Quietly is the adverb of moderation because it tells how she spoke.

1. The small child skipped happily as she walked around the Square One Mall. 

2. Our postman drives slowly up and down the street as he delivers mail. 

3. At the graduation, students walked up proudly to receive their diplomas.
 
4. When you tie your shoes correctly, you can often take away the risk of an ankle injury. 

5. It is important to study your class notes periodically so that you will remember what you learned that day.

Your Turn to Create: Please write three sentences that include an adverb of moderation (the -ly adverbs that make up almost 75% of all adverb types). Write each sentence after each number listed below.

1.

2.

3.

Next, turn to the person closest to you and share the sentences you wrote. Ask that person to name the adverb of moderation in your sentence. Did they do it correctly? Be ready to share one or more of your answers with the whole class right after! 

Bonus: Name the adverb of moderation in the paragraph above!

Part Three
Quick Write
Directions: Let's take a moment in between our grammar work to think about a quotation, and to write what it means to you. You can use this paper, or you can copy the quotation into your notebooks exactly as it is written (with quotation marks and all!).

Note: When using a quotation, it is important to copy every word exactly as the writer created it (or as the speaker stated it)! If you decide to skip some words because the quotation is very long or you are only concentrating on a particular idea, you can use an ellipsis (three dots) to leave out words you wish to leave out. This tells the reader that there are other words, which are part of the quotation, that are not shown in the words you copied. 

Example of a quotation with an ellipsis used: ". . . you can dream . . . you can do it."
The original quotation is: "If you can dream it, you can do it."
Notice that I put an ellipsis (three dots) wherever a word was left out. 

We will speak more about the ellipsis in future lessons! I bet you will be noticing the ellipsis in lots of reading materials now that you know what it is!

Here is the quotation for you to write about today. What does it mean to you? How can you connect these words to your own life? 

"I've failed over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed."
~Michael Jordan

Part Four
Idiom of the Day:
Bite off more than you can chew

Sentence Example: Steve was working both the morning and evening shifts at the department store; in fact, he barely had time to sleep. It was becoming obvious to Steve that he had bitten off more than he could chew.

Questions to Answer: Is this a positive or negative idiom? Explain your answer. Why? What is happening in Steve's life? What does he now realize after working so hard?

Remember: If this idiom were literal, it would mean that Steve had actually taken a bite of something (perhaps his sandwich at lunchtime), and he bit off more than what he could easily eat. How would that make him feel? How can we apply this knowledge to the figurative meaning, which is the hidden meaning that we have to figure out?

Write Your Thoughts Here:

Now think of a time when you or someone you know bit off more than you (or they) could chew. Describe it in the space below, using the idiom within your sentences. Be ready to share with a partner!

Your Example:

Part Five
Creative Writing
Story Starters

Direction: Please continue the story I have started, while maintaining the same verb tenses and point of view. You can, however, make anything happen that you want--the story will then become your own! Have fun!

Story: Stella enjoyed her job at the restaurant. She loved interacting with customers as their waitress, and she appreciated the generous tips she often received. One day, however, when she walked over to a table, she was shocked to see who was seated in front of her!