Today you will read models of writing closely in order to 1) notice how phrases, clauses and single words work together to make sentences; 2) identify parts of speech by seeing how different kinds of words work together; and 3) write your own sentences about a person that A) show how a person is by using words of action, and B) vary in length and structure.
Phrase-any group of words arranged to express meaning
She assigned stories for us to read and discuss; not tales of heroes, like the Greek myths I knew, but stories of underdogs—poor people, even immigrants, who seemed ordinary until a crisis drove them to do something extraordinary.
Clause- an arrangement of words that contains a subject and a predicate but that does not necessarily express a complete thought
until a crisis drove them to do something extraordinary
Sentence-a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and that will stand on its own as an expression of a complete thought.
She assigned stories for us to read and discuss.
Subject-the word or group of words that a sentence is about or that carries out the action in a sentence; the subject of a sentence is either a noun or a pronoun
Predicate-the part of a sentence that expresses the action carried out by the subject or that tells about the subject
“I found a man not resentful or cynical, but a person who radiated love and warmth. This was amazing! Seeing Madiba like this strengthened my belief in standing up for what is right. His personal characteristics became relevant to the goals and aspirations of fighting the tough opponents.”
Muhammad Ali
fighting for something greater
I witnessed a woman not angry or upset, but someone who commanded control and respect. This was impressive! Seeing my sister like this restored my faith in standing firmly on principle. Her actions were an inspiration in my struggles to lead young people in the most difficult fight of their lives—the fight against themselves.
She assigned stories for us to read and discuss; not tales of heroes, like the Greek myths I knew, but stories of underdogs—poor people, even immigrants, who seemed ordinary until a crisis drove them to do something extraordinary.
He made up games for us to play and have fun with; not easy word searches like the ones teachers give students as busywork, but games that were challenging and difficult—interactive games that pitted one side of the room against the other and were relevant to what we were studying and that made us use the concepts and skills we would later be tested on.
Nicholas Gage
The Teacher Who Changed My Life
X [verb: past tense] [noun] [something about me or us to do with the noun]; not[noun like first noun] of[different noun that first nouns are about or related to], like [an example], but
[repeat first noun] of [different noun that first nouns are about or related to, but somehow better or preferred]— [an explanation through examples of this preferred noun that better relates to the writer than the first example].
Language objectives:
- Recognize word functions
- Write sentences that show action
- Put together sentences of different lengths and structures (ways they’re put together)
The Eight Parts of Speech
NOUN
VERB
PRONOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
PREPOSITION
CONJUNCTION
INTERJECTION