Objective:
(C) given the history of limericks, and the guidelines of how to compose them,
(A) the ENG300 students
(B) will get together in groups of 2-3 and compose a limerick on their own and post it on this blog,
(D) having used the correct rhyme pattern (AABBA) and rhythm.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Haiku and Grammar
Haiku reflects human nature and is supposed to be an intuitive experience. A persons feelings should be directly connected to the haiku.
The phrase structure is the most important in haiku grammar.
Most people think that the universal structure of a haiku is the 5-7-5 form. It's grounded on the prosodic grammatical nature of Japanese language. It's a Pythagorian misconception that the numerology is real.
The form of the haiku depends on the nature of the phrase construction of the language in which the haiku is written.
The haiku structure is geared towards expressing feelings and not to explain logical concepts.
Beacause the seasons in Japan are different from the western seasons, the feelings expressed about them are going to be different than if someone who lived in the west had written them.
A sentence has a propositional structure and by breaking that structure down in haiku, the poem becomes even more abstract and intellectual, which is not what a haiku should be.
There are three modes of being, Firstness, Secondness, and Thirdness. Firstness is the quality of feeling or suchness. It's a positive qualitative possibility. Secondness is the being of actual fact; like what's happening then and there. Thirdness is the being of law that will govern facts in the future.
Did you read anything in the article that you didn't know about haiku's before? Did reading this article make you want to try writing a haiku?
P.S. Here's a "grammar haiku"!
The phrase structure is the most important in haiku grammar.
Most people think that the universal structure of a haiku is the 5-7-5 form. It's grounded on the prosodic grammatical nature of Japanese language. It's a Pythagorian misconception that the numerology is real.
The form of the haiku depends on the nature of the phrase construction of the language in which the haiku is written.
The haiku structure is geared towards expressing feelings and not to explain logical concepts.
Beacause the seasons in Japan are different from the western seasons, the feelings expressed about them are going to be different than if someone who lived in the west had written them.
A sentence has a propositional structure and by breaking that structure down in haiku, the poem becomes even more abstract and intellectual, which is not what a haiku should be.
There are three modes of being, Firstness, Secondness, and Thirdness. Firstness is the quality of feeling or suchness. It's a positive qualitative possibility. Secondness is the being of actual fact; like what's happening then and there. Thirdness is the being of law that will govern facts in the future.
Did you read anything in the article that you didn't know about haiku's before? Did reading this article make you want to try writing a haiku?
P.S. Here's a "grammar haiku"!
In-Class Activity on Apr. 24th: Tom Swifties
Using Adverbs Abundantly -- "Tom Swifties"
After today's Readability Presentation and after taking the last survey of our class (about Alzheimer's & Grammar), we are going to work on our last grammar topic of the semester: the overuse of adverbs!!!!
First task (everyone on his/her own):
Go to the following website and learn what "Tom Swifties" are.
Task 2:
Get together in groups of 3-4. Go to the following webpage. Your group's task is to create a 5-item test for another group that this group has to solve. Get the emails of the other group's members, and email them your quiz. The group that solves most of the 5 items it gets from another group wins!! You need to retype the Tom Swifties that you find on the webpage, but you leave out the last word, i.e., the pun, for the group to fill in the blank. Don't invent them yourself yet!!!
Examples:
1. How do you start a model-T Ford without a battery?" asked Tom _____________ .
(answer: CRANKILY)
2. "I have to wear this cast for another six weeks," said Tom _________________ .
(answer: DISJOINTEDLY)
3. "I'm shocked," said Tom _____________________ .
(answer: ELECTRICALLY)
You should select sentences that people are able to guess when they think hard.
EMAIL me your 5-item quiz (with solutions). Only one per group, please! Indicate your group members names in this email (because you'll all get participation points for the quiz).
Task 3:
Now, invent 1-3 Tom Swifties on your own!!! Publish them as a comment to this blog. If you work in groups, indicate all your names on your blog entry. If you can't finish in class, do it as homework for Monday, Apr. 27th.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Another planned languge: Klingon
Due Date: Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
______________________________________________
Please post your comments about the Klingon language (another "planned language," next to Esperanto....) on this blog!
Prompt was on Livetext. Here's the reading again.
______________________________________________
Please post your comments about the Klingon language (another "planned language," next to Esperanto....) on this blog!
Prompt was on Livetext. Here's the reading again.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Good/Better/Best
Hello 6th graders! Today's mini lesson will be over comparative and superlative adjectives.Examples: good/better/best and bad/worse/worst.
Engage- The class will be engaged while we watch a school house rock video over comparative and superlative adjectives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obQzaU5FN7Y&feature=related
Explore- The students will explore what they have learned during the mini lesson in a game created using comparative and superlative adjectives.
Expand- The class will be given a hand out with the adjective usage rules and we will look at examples together.
Explain- I will explain the difference between comparative and superlative adjectives.
Evaluate- The class will be split up into 3 groups for the game. This evaluation is different because there will not be a quiz. If they can answer the game questions right then I will know they learned what they needed to. The group with the most points will win candy.
E-search- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHad_GVnpgQ click on this link and watch this video for homework. Make sure you have a piece of paper and a pencil ready. Follow the directions in the video by comparing the objects using comaparative and superlative adjectives.Due date is the next class period.
Engage- The class will be engaged while we watch a school house rock video over comparative and superlative adjectives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obQzaU5FN7Y&feature=related
Explore- The students will explore what they have learned during the mini lesson in a game created using comparative and superlative adjectives.
Expand- The class will be given a hand out with the adjective usage rules and we will look at examples together.
Explain- I will explain the difference between comparative and superlative adjectives.
Evaluate- The class will be split up into 3 groups for the game. This evaluation is different because there will not be a quiz. If they can answer the game questions right then I will know they learned what they needed to. The group with the most points will win candy.
E-search- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHad_GVnpgQ click on this link and watch this video for homework. Make sure you have a piece of paper and a pencil ready. Follow the directions in the video by comparing the objects using comaparative and superlative adjectives.Due date is the next class period.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Links to our WebQuests
1. Shaya Barnett: 1920's Slang
2. Courtney Shelby: Drug Slang
3. Dana Stute: 1920's Slang
4. Danielle McCarty: 1920's Slang
5. Jordan Glodich: Prison Slang
6. Ashley McGillis: Prison Slang
7. Chris Lacy: Baseball Slang
8. Sam Jolly: 1960's Slang
9. Angela Wille: Prison Slang
10. Stephanie Schofield: 1960's Slang
11. Eric Yearian: Basketball Slang
12. Laura Melfi: 1960's Slang
13. Heather Schultz: 1920's Slang
14. Logan Malloy: Basketball Lingo
15. Michara Canty: 1920's Slang
16. Liza Tressler: 1960's Slang
17. Rosalind Whitley: The Language of Fashion
18. Lila Adkins: Prison Slang
19. Stefani Pittman: Prison Slang
2. Courtney Shelby: Drug Slang
3. Dana Stute: 1920's Slang
4. Danielle McCarty: 1920's Slang
5. Jordan Glodich: Prison Slang
6. Ashley McGillis: Prison Slang
7. Chris Lacy: Baseball Slang
8. Sam Jolly: 1960's Slang
9. Angela Wille: Prison Slang
10. Stephanie Schofield: 1960's Slang
11. Eric Yearian: Basketball Slang
12. Laura Melfi: 1960's Slang
13. Heather Schultz: 1920's Slang
14. Logan Malloy: Basketball Lingo
15. Michara Canty: 1920's Slang
16. Liza Tressler: 1960's Slang
17. Rosalind Whitley: The Language of Fashion
18. Lila Adkins: Prison Slang
19. Stefani Pittman: Prison Slang
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Mini Lesson: That vs. Which
This lesson is for 10th grade students.
Engage: The students will be engaged in this lesson by viewing a short video featuring Jane Straus discussing some rules of THAT vs. WHICH.
Video 2
Explore: Students will explore the usage of that and which and their relationship to restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses.
Explain: I will explain to the class the correct way of attacking THAT and WHICH.
Explore: Students will explore the usage of that and which and their relationship to restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses.
Explain: I will explain to the class the correct way of attacking THAT and WHICH.
Expand: Along with the grammar guidelines, sentences of examples will be used to help understanding.
Evaluate: The class will finish the lesson with a quiz in order to evaluate their comprehension.
E-Search: Students will be asked to write six sentences for homework; three using the correct form of that and three using which.
Mini Lesson on The Apostrophe
Engage: The students will be engaged by viewing a video about the use of the apostrophe.
Explore: The students will explore the correct and incorrect ways to use an apostrophe.
Explain: I will explain to the students that oftent times, people missuse the apostrophe. I will also explain ways to remember the correct uses, and also how to proofread for apostrophes.
Expand: After the rules of the apostrophe are examined, specific examples of correct and incorrect uses will be given.
Evaluate: Once the students have learned the rules, they will take an online quiz about the use of the apostrophe. We will do this activity as a class.
E-Search: For homework, the students will be expected to go back to the online quiz, and take Level C. They will print out their results and bring them to class the next day.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Mini Lesson: Semi-Colons & Colons
Mini Lesson is for 11th grade students.Engage: The students will be engaged in this lesson by viewing an introductory video on the topic at hand.
Video
Explore: We will explore the many different uses and rules for incorporating these two punctuation marks into sentences.
Explain: I will explain to the class the correct/incorrect ways of using semi-colons and colons through examples.
Expand: In addition to the rules, specific examples pertaining to the rules will be given in order to enhance comprehension.
Evaluate: Once informed, the class will take a quiz covering the basic rules and functions of the colon and semi-colon. We will do this activity as a class.
E-Search: After the quiz, students will be asked to complete homework, covering the rules of semi-colons and colons.
Mini Lesson: Tenses
This lesson is for 6th grade students.
Engage- I will ask students how many tenses they know. Then students will watch a short video on tenses to get their attention. Students will be introduced to the basic meaning behind each tense (past, present, and future).
Explore- We will explore the different rules of each tense, and when each tense should be applied.
Explain- I will explain each of the twelve tenses. The uses and forms of of each tense will be explained to the class through examples on the power point.
Expand- Students will take an online quiz as a class on tenses. This allows for student participation to make sure students understand each tense.
Evaluate- To help students further understand tenses, for homework, they will be asked to write five sentences using five different tenses.
E-search- For homework, students must also go online and research one tense. After they have collected as much information as they could, students should create a short story. This story should be eight to ten sentences, and be written in the tense they researched.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Esperanto: The Language You Weren't Supposed to Know Exists
Esperanto: The Language You Weren't Supposed to Know Exists
Esperanto (n) a planned international language which has been taught and learned for over a century, but which has been beat down from schools by the Man.
Esperanto's purpose served to free learning from the inconsistencies of European languages, and subsequently had "language awareness effects, including awareness of linguistic inequality, linguistic structure, and the sociocultural functions of language." Through the results of experiments after WWI, Esperanto is also considered "modern Latin", a language for other languages to build upon that tied it all together. Studies in Manchester, England revealed that not only did learning Esperanto aid the process of learning other languages, learning one year of Esperanto was the equivalent of learning four years of French, and also had a positive, propadeutic effect on their knowledge of English. Similar results were found on a broad range of languages. Granted, there are various limitations that apply to these findings that apply to most scientific studies.
Esperanto is distinguishable from other languages through its small number of rules and morphemes which "allows students to freely employ both convergent and divergent forms of reasoning, and thereby stimulates linguistic confidence and creativity." The language is built to stress multilingual awareness.
It all sounds good, so why didn't/doesnt the language flourish?
Esperanto experiences the same prejudices as AAE and American Sign Language. Teachers also play down suggestions that it might lead students to question existing linguistic hierarchies, but this is exactly what the language is designed to do.
What do you think of Esperanto?
Have you heard of it before?
Should Esperanto be taught in schools?
Does the world, centuries later, still need an international language or has English taken this role, as the article suggests in its conclusion?
It is argued that the fact that Esperanto lacks a culture is a hindrance? Is it?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Mini Lesson: Either/or, Neither/Nor, Not only/But also
Engage: The students will see a glue bottle meant to grasp their attention because it is particularly odd. The glue bottle will be used to introduce the topic as well as provide a glimpse into the purpose of correlative conjunctions.
Explore: Students will be given a short list of the common correlative conjunctions and then asked to recognize them in three quotes.
Explain: I will explain the rules and the function of correlative conjunctions to the class. These rules and functions will be mixed with examples to show the right and wrong way to use correlative conjunctions.
Expand: Students will be asked to construct a sentence as a class using parts of a sentence cut out on construction paper. To expand on the topic some more we will visit an online site to further the students understanding of the use of correlative conjunctions.
(http://esl.lbcc.cc.ca.us/eesllessons/correlative%20conjunctions/corconmc.htm)
Evaluate: The activity online that is used to expand on the subject will give me a glimpse into how well the students understand the topic. To further evaluate their progress they will be asked to construct three sentences using specific instructions for homework.
E-search: The students will be asked to go home and search for information on correlative conjunctions. Using the information they find they should construct a five-question quiz about correlative conjunctions.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Blog Post 20: The Renaissance
Responses are due by Friday, April 3rd.
__________________________________
The Renaissance was the period of time from 1500 to 1650 was the rebirth of culture and scholarship in Europe. During this time period, there was also a great rise of vernacular languages, an expansion on printing, and a universal grammar was developed.
During this time period, many scholars started to look deeper into languages such as, Latin and Greek. With this coming about there was also a study into vernacular languages. A vernacular language is a normal everyday language that is used instead of an educated language. A focus was being put on everyday language and on the classics as well.
The Renaissance also started the advent of printing in Europe. With a rise in literacy and larger demand on education all around the world, a way of getting the text out to the world was needed.
Common grammar was third part introduced in the Renaissance. Developed by Port Royal School, the individuals that developed the rationalist grammar were called the Port-Royal grammarians. Their main goal in writing this common grammar was to write a form of grammar that contained all of the properties of common languages of the time period. This resulted in a common or universal form of grammar being formed. To begin their grammar concept they started analyzing sentences into prepositions. The prepositions were then defined into concepts and judgments, and then into subject and predicates. The universal grammar is broken into words of the first and second kind. The words of the first kind are pronouns, nouns, participles, adverbs, and articles. The words of the second kind are conjunctions, interjections, and verbs.
All in all, the Renaissance brought forth a wealth of knowledge of the vernacular language, printing, a rise in literacy, and a major start in the examination of grammar. The knowledge of language was very limited at this time and therefore made the student of language very basic. There was no real understanding of the relationships between different languages and how they can form from each other.
Did you know anything about vernacular language? Why would the advent of printing be so important to the rate of literacy?
by: Jordan Glodich
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Mini Lesson: Plural vs. Possessive "S" and Abbreviation "S"
A mini-lesson over Plural vs. Possessive "S" and Abbreviation "S."
For sixth-grade students.
Engage: The students will watch a short youtube video over plural nouns to engage the students and help introduce the topic of our the mini lesson, which is Plural vs. Possessive "S" and Abbreviation "S."
Explore: We will explore the different rules that apply to the plural and possessive nouns. We will covers the basic grammar rules that are needed to use the plural, possessive and abbreviation "S" correctly.
Explain: I will explain how to use the grammar rules correctly and give examples to show the student's the correct way to use Plural vs. Possessive "S" and Abbreviation "S."
Expand: We will do two separate quizzes in class related to the mini lesson. Once relates to the plural and possessive "S" and another quiz over Abbreviation "S."
Evaluate: Take the two quizzes during the powerpoint together as a class to test the student's knowledge.
E-Search: The student's will go online and take the following exercise in plural and possessive nouns. This quiz will test them on what they have learned during our mini-lesson.
Link to quiz
For Homework: (The Evaluate and E-Search steps)
For homework the students will complete a quiz over plural and possessive nouns to help them gain further knowledge on the topic.
Link to quiz
For sixth-grade students.
Engage: The students will watch a short youtube video over plural nouns to engage the students and help introduce the topic of our the mini lesson, which is Plural vs. Possessive "S" and Abbreviation "S."
Explore: We will explore the different rules that apply to the plural and possessive nouns. We will covers the basic grammar rules that are needed to use the plural, possessive and abbreviation "S" correctly.
Explain: I will explain how to use the grammar rules correctly and give examples to show the student's the correct way to use Plural vs. Possessive "S" and Abbreviation "S."
Expand: We will do two separate quizzes in class related to the mini lesson. Once relates to the plural and possessive "S" and another quiz over Abbreviation "S."
Evaluate: Take the two quizzes during the powerpoint together as a class to test the student's knowledge.
E-Search: The student's will go online and take the following exercise in plural and possessive nouns. This quiz will test them on what they have learned during our mini-lesson.
Link to quiz
For Homework: (The Evaluate and E-Search steps)
For homework the students will complete a quiz over plural and possessive nouns to help them gain further knowledge on the topic.
Link to quiz
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Mini-Lesson: The dash
The dash mini-lesson. For high school freshman students.
Engage: Ask students how many dashes there are. And introduce the BrainPop movie.
Explore: Before showing the video have students write down a sentence using a dash correctly. As they watch the video ask them to identify whether they used the dash correctly or not and what type of dash they used.
Explain: Show the Brainpop video ( http://www.brainpop.com/english/grammar/hyphensanddashes/ )
Expand: Do the BrainPop quiz in class
Evaluate: Assign students sentences from Cracked.com and cbssports.com (below) for homework and have them identify what type or dash/hyphen is being used and explain why that type is being used.
E-Search: Have students go online and find five sentences using hyphens or dashes and explain why it uses that particular type of dash or hyphen. Same basic assignment as above, only they are required to find their own sentences or create their own.
For Homework: (The Evaluate and E-Search steps) Identify what type of dash or hyphen is being used in each sentence and explain why that type is being used. (Please note: some sentences may contain more than one type, identify each). Also, find 5 sentences of your own and do the same thing.
1.) Fresh off scoring a game-high 21 points -- including a pair of critical three-pointers -- to help the Orange into the Sweet 16 with a 78-67 win against Arizona State, Devendorf smiled and laughed easily.
2.) Dell has found a way to make money off of America’s racism and/or xenophobia because now –for an additional fee– you also have the option of being connected to a customer service technician “right here in America."
3.) Sometimes, this even happens to us real writers - by which I mean myself - and we find ourselves unwittingly crossing territory already covered by the pathetic Plebeians - by which I mean everybody else.
4.) His phone number is 555-555-1362.
5.) I've got basketball practice 3-5 p.m.
Students must then find 5 sentences online and do the same thing as above. Students will have 10 sentences total (the 5 provided and the five they find.)
Engage: Ask students how many dashes there are. And introduce the BrainPop movie.
Explore: Before showing the video have students write down a sentence using a dash correctly. As they watch the video ask them to identify whether they used the dash correctly or not and what type of dash they used.
Explain: Show the Brainpop video ( http://www.brainpop.com/english/grammar/hyphensanddashes/ )
Expand: Do the BrainPop quiz in class
Evaluate: Assign students sentences from Cracked.com and cbssports.com (below) for homework and have them identify what type or dash/hyphen is being used and explain why that type is being used.
E-Search: Have students go online and find five sentences using hyphens or dashes and explain why it uses that particular type of dash or hyphen. Same basic assignment as above, only they are required to find their own sentences or create their own.
For Homework: (The Evaluate and E-Search steps) Identify what type of dash or hyphen is being used in each sentence and explain why that type is being used. (Please note: some sentences may contain more than one type, identify each). Also, find 5 sentences of your own and do the same thing.
1.) Fresh off scoring a game-high 21 points -- including a pair of critical three-pointers -- to help the Orange into the Sweet 16 with a 78-67 win against Arizona State, Devendorf smiled and laughed easily.
2.) Dell has found a way to make money off of America’s racism and/or xenophobia because now –for an additional fee– you also have the option of being connected to a customer service technician “right here in America."
3.) Sometimes, this even happens to us real writers - by which I mean myself - and we find ourselves unwittingly crossing territory already covered by the pathetic Plebeians - by which I mean everybody else.
4.) His phone number is 555-555-1362.
5.) I've got basketball practice 3-5 p.m.
Students must then find 5 sentences online and do the same thing as above. Students will have 10 sentences total (the 5 provided and the five they find.)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Blog Summary 16: What Teachers Say
Since our student dropped the class, here you'll see blog summary 16 done by Diana Howell from the other section. Answers are due this Friday, March 27th, at class time.
__________________________________________ There has been much debate on the teaching of grammar in schools. Long ago it was thought that grammar had no real bearing on ones writing, but now some would disagree with that assumption. In fact, grammar is an important aspect in ones writing. Without the knowledge of basic grammatical concepts like nouns, verbs, pronouns and punctuation, one would not be able to write correctly. Formerly, an interview was done with twenty-five teachers on their thoughts and views of grammar. Each instructor had their own way of teaching grammar; in fact, almost all the instructors that were interviewed agreed on the best way to help an individual understand the concept of grammar.
Writing can be a difficult task if the proper instruction is not taught. Students do not generally learn how to write given only the basic concepts of grammar. However, some students only write what is heard and not what is actually correct. One stated that the students can't go by what sounds right because they have no good role model. Therefore, the teachers must engage the students in their own writings so that they can see what mistakes they are making.
According to some of the instructors that participated in the interview with Brenda Petruzzella, several instructors felt that the most effective way to teach grammar was through individualized learning. They felt that most students would benefit from grammar if they were shown what mistakes they were making. However, in order to learn grammar one must understand the basic forms of writing like nouns, verbs, punctuation, and more. Amoung the many concepts of approaching grammar, many felt that sentence diagramming and sentence combining would benefit their students. The more and more students practice diagramming typical errors in writing, the easier it can be to pick out their own mistakes.
All in all, students must understand basic concepts so that they can apply these rules to their own writings. Students seem to benefit most with constant peer revision. But, peer revision is not always available since the amount of time that is needed with each student will vary. Practice makes perfect and the more one does something, the better he/she will get. So it is understood that grammar is vitally important to students whether they are going to teach English or not. At some point in their education, correct grammar will be needed so why not take the time to teach the mechanics and usages of it?
Writing can be a difficult task if the proper instruction is not taught. Students do not generally learn how to write given only the basic concepts of grammar. However, some students only write what is heard and not what is actually correct. One stated that the students can't go by what sounds right because they have no good role model. Therefore, the teachers must engage the students in their own writings so that they can see what mistakes they are making.
According to some of the instructors that participated in the interview with Brenda Petruzzella, several instructors felt that the most effective way to teach grammar was through individualized learning. They felt that most students would benefit from grammar if they were shown what mistakes they were making. However, in order to learn grammar one must understand the basic forms of writing like nouns, verbs, punctuation, and more. Amoung the many concepts of approaching grammar, many felt that sentence diagramming and sentence combining would benefit their students. The more and more students practice diagramming typical errors in writing, the easier it can be to pick out their own mistakes.
All in all, students must understand basic concepts so that they can apply these rules to their own writings. Students seem to benefit most with constant peer revision. But, peer revision is not always available since the amount of time that is needed with each student will vary. Practice makes perfect and the more one does something, the better he/she will get. So it is understood that grammar is vitally important to students whether they are going to teach English or not. At some point in their education, correct grammar will be needed so why not take the time to teach the mechanics and usages of it?
Grammar Without Grammar: Blog Summary 17
Responses are due on Wednesday, March 25th, at class time
_______________________________________________________________
by Heather Schultz
This article is written by Deborah Dean. When she first started teaching, grammar education was a requirement set by the school district. She tried thinking of fun ways to teach students to identify adjectives and adverbs and to diagram subjects and direct object, objectives specified by the school district. She once spent a week teaching verbals with comic books until a parent complained about her method. When the school eventually dropped the grammar requirements from the curriculum, Deborah was also happy to drop them from her syllabus. She was excited to be able to focus on the student’s writing. However, she quickly realized that her student’s writing needed help, but that they lacked a common vocabulary needed to fix the problems. She tried many different ways to get her students to understand, but none of them seemed to work.
It wasn’t until she came across a book by Edward P.J. Corbett and Robert Connors, Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student, that she found a method that worked. Even this method proved to have a rocky start. She began to teach the students by giving them an example written by George Orwell. Her example was “The gallows stood in a small yard, separate from the main grounds of the prison and overgrown with tall prickly weeds.” She asked the students to list the parts of speech: what she received was a blank stare. No one was able to even name the subject of the sentence. Then she decided to have them forget about the grammar and just focus on the sentence. She wrote a sentence imitation on the board: “The invitation lay open on the table, taunting me with its promise and frightening me with its potential.” From this she explained how the sentence was put together: the first part being an observation and the second with descriptions. She did the same with two more sentences and with each example, more students began to understand. She told them to write two of their own sentences and they quickly went to work. She knew that this was not helping with “real” writing, but she was able to introduce them to a style that they were not familiar with.
From that day, she never brought up parts of a sentence using grammatical terms. She continued her method of writing a sentence on the board and having them write two or three sentences in the same style. Students began to become more comfortable with their sentences and often read them allowed in class. If their sentences were wrong, Deborah would use their sentence as an example and the class would fix it as a group. They not only write sentences, but she required them to find sentences from the stories they were reading in class. Then they were to tell why they liked these sentences and how they stood out to them. After that they see how many single ideas come from that one sentence.
Her example of this is “The alley ended at an empty, padlocked garage.” And here is the list they made:
1. The alley ended.
2. It ended at a garage.
3. The garage was empty.
4. The garage was padlocked.
She would have her students find a sentence and make a list like this. Many students thought of it as a game and wanted to pick a sentence that would generate the longest list. Once they have their lists, they talk about how they came up with the list of their single ideas. They try to put their sentences back together: sometimes it worked, other times it didn’t. That part didn’t matter. What mattered is that her students were learning how to form sentences in a way that was new to them and she did it all without using any grammatical terms.
Her student’s writing improved tremendously throughout the year. She ends her article by saying “They know grammar- they just don’t know that they do.”
Do you think that this is an effective way to teach? Is knowing the correct terminology for writing really that important or is her way of teaching better? Would you have enjoyed learning sentence construction Deborah’s way? Or are you glad that in grade school we all must master what adverbs and direct objects are?
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Slang of Insider Groups: WebQuests
We are going to create a Lesson Plan again; this time focusing on the 6th big E, the E-Search. We will also have a big chunk of Engage and Explore in our Learning Cycle.
________________________________________
Today, we are going to learn a new software tool: WebQuests.
These are meant to be online lesson plans that teachers can use in class, providing their students with links to do research about certain topics. (This is point 6 from our Learning Cycle, the "e-search.") The kids go on a "quest" on www and expand their previous knowledge.
The WebQuests have several different steps the kids have to follow, and they also offer a rubric at the end, so the kids know what they will be graded for. Also, they have a welcome page that explains the topic and what they are going to do.
Our task: WE ARE CREATING A WEBQUEST LESSON PLAN ABOUT THE TOPIC "SLANG."
PROMPT 1:
Read the following 1-page excerpt from the DIARY of a medical intern, written by Perri Klass. In it, she explains how she had to learn a "totally new language" in order to understand the slang of nurses and doctors. It is like a "secret language," so that the patients won't know what is wrong with them when the medical staff talks about them. Beware - some expressions are quite offensive!
PROMPT 2:
Choose a topic from the following list of slang dictionaries (or google your own topic) - it needs to be the special language/dictionary of ONE group of society.
1. soldiers' slang
2. prison slang
3. Cockney Rhyming Slang (London, England)
4. police slang
5. computer slang
6. railroad slang
7. 1920s slang
8. 1960s slang
9. Mountainbike slang
10. Australian slang
11. Death slang
12. Antarcic slang
13. drug slang
or ANY other slang dictionary you want to find on your own!!!
Last semester's students found such interesting slangs as Nadsat (from A Clockwork Orange), skateboarders' slang, etc....
(Attention: AAE is no SLANG! Dialects are no slang, either. Invented languages like Esperanto and Klingon are no forms of slang, either.)
When you have chosen your topic (and your dictionary of a certain slang), you have the FIRST COMPONENT of your WebQuest lesson plan. Here's an overview of all the components you need:
COMPONENTS of WEBQUEST lesson plan:
1. a link to your slang dictionary
2. a welcome page (Intro) that tells the kids (address them; let me know their grade level) what the topic of your lesson is (which group you're talking about)
3. a TASK page that tells the kids what the purpose of your lesson is (why they need to learn about it), and what they will do. This is your "table of content."
4. an assignment page (Process) with e-search assignments (working links!!!) for the kids. Here, you need to tell them how to present their findings (such as, to write down what they researched on a piece of paper, fill in a study guide that you prepare, do a ppt presentation, etc.).
4. a grading rubric
For task 4, the PROCESS, you should have the following components:
3.1 I expect you to define the word SLANG for your students, so they are able to tell the difference between LANGUAGE, SLANG, ACCENT, and DIALECT. If you want, you can define other key terms, such as LINGO or JARGON, too.
You can also make them write down their own definitions, and then let them click on a link to an online dictionary that defines those terms correctly.
3.2 Create a brief text using the slang you're talking about (either, write it yourself, or use the translation engine on your website). Let the kids translate it into Standard Written English without looking at the dictionary for help. Then, give them the solutions in a later section of your webquest, to check their responses.
3.3 Give them the link to your dictionary, and invent their first assignment (e.g., create a 10-item dictionary with words chosen from it on their own, etc.)
3.4 Give them some kind of writing assignment about YOUR insider group's slang that you will grade with your grading rubric (prompt examples: "Write a short story using this slang." or "Write an essay about why it is important to learn a certain slang if one wants to "belong" to a group of insiders." or "Is it better to remain true to one's origins and speak one's own language, or does one have to adapt when joining a different group?" or "Why can the use of metaphors be good/bad sometimes?" or "If you were a patient, would you prefer that the doctors speak clear text with you, or wouldn't you mind them talk in secret language?" or "Is a secret language ment to INCLUDE or EXCLUDE people?" or "Develop your own secret society. Write a short essay about what kind of language you would use." BE CREATIVE!!!)
3.5 Create your Grading Rubric with the online functions that WebQuest offers.
SOFTWARE: modeling how to create WebQuests
Go to the homepage of WebQuest. You need to sign up and register for a "30 day free trial." Then, we'll model together how to create the background template and colors, etc. The online builder is pretty easy and self-explanatory, and will guide you through all steps. Remember to ALWAYS SAVE what you typed before you click on another field; otherwise, you'll lose everything!!! You can also insert pictures (which you should do, depending on the grade level you instruct.) IF you insert pictures, you have to hyperlink them to the page where you got them from; otherwise, it is plagiarism, since most photos on the Internet are copyrighted, and their owners could sue you for using them without permission!!!
TIMELINE for this project:
We will have at least three in-class workshops about our WebQuests, and will do the different components (such as the IL Learning Standards) together in class. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to make up.
If you need to, but cannot work on the computer at home, use our classroom before/after class, during my lunch break (12-1 on M/W/F when it is open), the Faner computer labs, or come to my office hours.
DUE DATE: posted on Lifetext. On that day, We will all put the links to our WebQuests on a blog thread I will create, so that we can view each other's works. Your peers will select three WebQuests of their choice and test-take them, grading them with our WEBQUEST GRADING RUBRIC published on Lifetext.
Here are a few links to sample WebQuests from last semester:
1. Beatnik Slang
2. 1960s Slang
3. Cockney Rhyming Slang
________________________________________
Today, we are going to learn a new software tool: WebQuests.
These are meant to be online lesson plans that teachers can use in class, providing their students with links to do research about certain topics. (This is point 6 from our Learning Cycle, the "e-search.") The kids go on a "quest" on www and expand their previous knowledge.
The WebQuests have several different steps the kids have to follow, and they also offer a rubric at the end, so the kids know what they will be graded for. Also, they have a welcome page that explains the topic and what they are going to do.
Our task: WE ARE CREATING A WEBQUEST LESSON PLAN ABOUT THE TOPIC "SLANG."
PROMPT 1:
Read the following 1-page excerpt from the DIARY of a medical intern, written by Perri Klass. In it, she explains how she had to learn a "totally new language" in order to understand the slang of nurses and doctors. It is like a "secret language," so that the patients won't know what is wrong with them when the medical staff talks about them. Beware - some expressions are quite offensive!
PROMPT 2:
Choose a topic from the following list of slang dictionaries (or google your own topic) - it needs to be the special language/dictionary of ONE group of society.
1. soldiers' slang
2. prison slang
3. Cockney Rhyming Slang (London, England)
4. police slang
5. computer slang
6. railroad slang
7. 1920s slang
8. 1960s slang
9. Mountainbike slang
10. Australian slang
11. Death slang
12. Antarcic slang
13. drug slang
or ANY other slang dictionary you want to find on your own!!!
Last semester's students found such interesting slangs as Nadsat (from A Clockwork Orange), skateboarders' slang, etc....
(Attention: AAE is no SLANG! Dialects are no slang, either. Invented languages like Esperanto and Klingon are no forms of slang, either.)
When you have chosen your topic (and your dictionary of a certain slang), you have the FIRST COMPONENT of your WebQuest lesson plan. Here's an overview of all the components you need:
COMPONENTS of WEBQUEST lesson plan:
1. a link to your slang dictionary
2. a welcome page (Intro) that tells the kids (address them; let me know their grade level) what the topic of your lesson is (which group you're talking about)
3. a TASK page that tells the kids what the purpose of your lesson is (why they need to learn about it), and what they will do. This is your "table of content."
4. an assignment page (Process) with e-search assignments (working links!!!) for the kids. Here, you need to tell them how to present their findings (such as, to write down what they researched on a piece of paper, fill in a study guide that you prepare, do a ppt presentation, etc.).
4. a grading rubric
For task 4, the PROCESS, you should have the following components:
3.1 I expect you to define the word SLANG for your students, so they are able to tell the difference between LANGUAGE, SLANG, ACCENT, and DIALECT. If you want, you can define other key terms, such as LINGO or JARGON, too.
You can also make them write down their own definitions, and then let them click on a link to an online dictionary that defines those terms correctly.
3.2 Create a brief text using the slang you're talking about (either, write it yourself, or use the translation engine on your website). Let the kids translate it into Standard Written English without looking at the dictionary for help. Then, give them the solutions in a later section of your webquest, to check their responses.
3.3 Give them the link to your dictionary, and invent their first assignment (e.g., create a 10-item dictionary with words chosen from it on their own, etc.)
3.4 Give them some kind of writing assignment about YOUR insider group's slang that you will grade with your grading rubric (prompt examples: "Write a short story using this slang." or "Write an essay about why it is important to learn a certain slang if one wants to "belong" to a group of insiders." or "Is it better to remain true to one's origins and speak one's own language, or does one have to adapt when joining a different group?" or "Why can the use of metaphors be good/bad sometimes?" or "If you were a patient, would you prefer that the doctors speak clear text with you, or wouldn't you mind them talk in secret language?" or "Is a secret language ment to INCLUDE or EXCLUDE people?" or "Develop your own secret society. Write a short essay about what kind of language you would use." BE CREATIVE!!!)
3.5 Create your Grading Rubric with the online functions that WebQuest offers.
SOFTWARE: modeling how to create WebQuests
Go to the homepage of WebQuest. You need to sign up and register for a "30 day free trial." Then, we'll model together how to create the background template and colors, etc. The online builder is pretty easy and self-explanatory, and will guide you through all steps. Remember to ALWAYS SAVE what you typed before you click on another field; otherwise, you'll lose everything!!! You can also insert pictures (which you should do, depending on the grade level you instruct.) IF you insert pictures, you have to hyperlink them to the page where you got them from; otherwise, it is plagiarism, since most photos on the Internet are copyrighted, and their owners could sue you for using them without permission!!!
TIMELINE for this project:
We will have at least three in-class workshops about our WebQuests, and will do the different components (such as the IL Learning Standards) together in class. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to make up.
If you need to, but cannot work on the computer at home, use our classroom before/after class, during my lunch break (12-1 on M/W/F when it is open), the Faner computer labs, or come to my office hours.
DUE DATE: posted on Lifetext. On that day, We will all put the links to our WebQuests on a blog thread I will create, so that we can view each other's works. Your peers will select three WebQuests of their choice and test-take them, grading them with our WEBQUEST GRADING RUBRIC published on Lifetext.
Here are a few links to sample WebQuests from last semester:
1. Beatnik Slang
2. 1960s Slang
3. Cockney Rhyming Slang
Friday, March 20, 2009
Dialect Boundaries: Linguistic Perceptions
Responses are due on Friday, March 20th during class time.
Author Erica J. Benson focuses on where differences in dialect and/or language draw boundary lines. A strategy commonly and traditionally used to determine differences in dialect have been based on production data. Within this technique, other significant notions such as attitudes and perceptions towards language variety have been ignored. These significant factors, according to the text, are known as Perceptual dialectology. Perceptual dialectology, also known as folk dialectology, refers to the beliefs that nonlinguists or "the folk" have towards language variation. These factors play a vital role in how or when language barriers change. A comparison between traditional dialectological and sociolinguistic findings concludes that "folk" utilize factors outside linguistic differences when constructing their opinions of dialect and their mental maps. Initially, on the surface, researchers focusing on perceptual studies found that “folk” boundaries of linguistic are sectioned off based on locations within different regions. On the other hand, there are other aspects such as political and civil influences that provoke these boundaries.
This article justifies the differentiation of dialect boundaries and folk perception when referring to Ohio's traditional study. The purpose of this study was to investigate the folk perceptions of boundaries and their relationship to production boundaries. According to the article, researchers found that not only were Ohio a highly diverse area, but it is also a linguistically complex region, where dialect diversity defines characteristics of individuals. In order to confirm Ohio's dialect boundaries, sociolinguists employed methods such as the Linguistic Atlas of the North Central States (LANCS) or the Linguistic Atlas Project (LAP). After applying these materials and conducting a pilot study or survey based on the knowledge of 12 respondents residing on Ohio of four cities, sociolinguistics reviewed the results given by the respondents. Respondents, within the southern region of Ohio, didn't find much differentiation of language throughout the Ohio region. Respondents from the south-east region unified the languages within the area and others outlined areas of certain language diversity. The overall findings of this study showed a mild difference in perception of languages within Ohio. There were people that believed in a strong language variation and others who found no differences at all. In reference to these findings, the article takes note that these results could be driven by personal beliefs of languages and different exposure of different languages to each respondent. The differences among respondents from different areas also derive from their linguistic security and/or insecurity.
The article concludes that traditional dialectology studies have focuses on mapping dialect forms and have been less concerned with the attitudes of speakers. Production studies allow us to see how narrow the geographical distribution of dialect forms is at a single point in time. Perceptual studies can provide a better comprehension of language community’s ad their relationship amongst one another.
Give your thoughts. Do you, as a citizen, find that there is a significant language variation? How would you determine whether or not there was a difference? If you were a respondent of a study similar to Ohio, would you too feel insecure of your language? Do you appreciate language diversity? If so, why?
Author Erica J. Benson focuses on where differences in dialect and/or language draw boundary lines. A strategy commonly and traditionally used to determine differences in dialect have been based on production data. Within this technique, other significant notions such as attitudes and perceptions towards language variety have been ignored. These significant factors, according to the text, are known as Perceptual dialectology. Perceptual dialectology, also known as folk dialectology, refers to the beliefs that nonlinguists or "the folk" have towards language variation. These factors play a vital role in how or when language barriers change. A comparison between traditional dialectological and sociolinguistic findings concludes that "folk" utilize factors outside linguistic differences when constructing their opinions of dialect and their mental maps. Initially, on the surface, researchers focusing on perceptual studies found that “folk” boundaries of linguistic are sectioned off based on locations within different regions. On the other hand, there are other aspects such as political and civil influences that provoke these boundaries.
This article justifies the differentiation of dialect boundaries and folk perception when referring to Ohio's traditional study. The purpose of this study was to investigate the folk perceptions of boundaries and their relationship to production boundaries. According to the article, researchers found that not only were Ohio a highly diverse area, but it is also a linguistically complex region, where dialect diversity defines characteristics of individuals. In order to confirm Ohio's dialect boundaries, sociolinguists employed methods such as the Linguistic Atlas of the North Central States (LANCS) or the Linguistic Atlas Project (LAP). After applying these materials and conducting a pilot study or survey based on the knowledge of 12 respondents residing on Ohio of four cities, sociolinguistics reviewed the results given by the respondents. Respondents, within the southern region of Ohio, didn't find much differentiation of language throughout the Ohio region. Respondents from the south-east region unified the languages within the area and others outlined areas of certain language diversity. The overall findings of this study showed a mild difference in perception of languages within Ohio. There were people that believed in a strong language variation and others who found no differences at all. In reference to these findings, the article takes note that these results could be driven by personal beliefs of languages and different exposure of different languages to each respondent. The differences among respondents from different areas also derive from their linguistic security and/or insecurity.
The article concludes that traditional dialectology studies have focuses on mapping dialect forms and have been less concerned with the attitudes of speakers. Production studies allow us to see how narrow the geographical distribution of dialect forms is at a single point in time. Perceptual studies can provide a better comprehension of language community’s ad their relationship amongst one another.
Give your thoughts. Do you, as a citizen, find that there is a significant language variation? How would you determine whether or not there was a difference? If you were a respondent of a study similar to Ohio, would you too feel insecure of your language? Do you appreciate language diversity? If so, why?
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Mini Lesson: Articles (when to put them, and why)
1. E (Engage): Students will be show a picture of an actual article on PowerPoint. I will explain to them that although this is an article, this not what an article means in grammar. This is how I will introduce the topic.
2. E (Explore): The class will look at sentences that are missing articles and they will be asked to determine what is wrong without knowing the rules about using articles.
3. E (Explain): I will explain what articles are and the importance of using them in sentences. The information obtained for this mini lesson can be found at http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/articlestext.htm and http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/grammar/aanthepicture.html.
4. E (Expand): Working with a neighbor the students will come up with sentences on using the information he or she has learned about articles. Write a sentence using an indefinite article, one using a definite article, and one that does not have any articles.
5. E (Evaluate): Using PowerPoint, the class will do an online quiz together. The quiz can be accesse at http://www.learn4good.com/languages/evrd_grammar/article_ex2.htm.
6. E (E-Search): For homework, the students will search the Internet and find three sentences. One sentence should have an indefinite article, one should have a definite article, and one should not have any articles.
2. E (Explore): The class will look at sentences that are missing articles and they will be asked to determine what is wrong without knowing the rules about using articles.
3. E (Explain): I will explain what articles are and the importance of using them in sentences. The information obtained for this mini lesson can be found at http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/articlestext.htm and http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/grammar/aanthepicture.html.
4. E (Expand): Working with a neighbor the students will come up with sentences on using the information he or she has learned about articles. Write a sentence using an indefinite article, one using a definite article, and one that does not have any articles.
5. E (Evaluate): Using PowerPoint, the class will do an online quiz together. The quiz can be accesse at http://www.learn4good.com/languages/evrd_grammar/article_ex2.htm.
6. E (E-Search): For homework, the students will search the Internet and find three sentences. One sentence should have an indefinite article, one should have a definite article, and one should not have any articles.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Blog Summary 13: Texting Slang
The comments are due by Friday, March 20th, at class time.
___________________TXTNG: the gr8 db8.
Texting has several unique features that attract users of all ages. David Crystal identifies six of these traits in his chapter entitled, "What makes texting so distinctive?" from his book, TXTNG: The Gr8 Db8. These include: pictograms and logograms, initialisms, omitted letters, nonstandard spellings, shortenings, and genuine novelties.
1) Pictograms and logograms are the most noticeable features in texting. Logograms can be used either alone or in combination with other letters and/or words.
Examples of logograms:
b = be
2 = to/two/too
@ = at
b4 = before
2day = today
Examples of logograms:
b = be
2 = to/two/too
@ = at
b4 = before
2day = today
When visual shape is what matters, graphic devices called emoticons are used. These are normally used to represent pictures and faces through texts. If this is the case, they are known as pictograms. Several hundred emoticons exist, however only a select few are used regularly.
Examples: :), :(, :P, ;), etc.
2) Initialisms are often called acronyms, like NATO or BBC. With text messaging, everyday words are shortened for quick communication. Initials are used for single words, compounded words, phrases, and even whole sentences.
Examples for single words: n = no, w = with, y = yes
Examples for compounded words: gf = girlfriend, dl = download
Examples for phrases: np = no problem, ftf = face to face
Examples for whole sentences: cmb = call me back, swdyt = so what do you think
Examples for single words: n = no, w = with, y = yes
Examples for compounded words: gf = girlfriend, dl = download
Examples for phrases: np = no problem, ftf = face to face
Examples for whole sentences: cmb = call me back, swdyt = so what do you think
3) Omitted letters are less noticeable than intialisms, but are far more common. Normally, the letters dropped are vowels. This feature is altered quite often. It changes with every person who texts, and there are sometimes more than one version of a word.
Examples: msg = message, fwd = forward, btwn = between, 2nite, 2nt, tnight = tonight
Examples: msg = message, fwd = forward, btwn = between, 2nite, 2nt, tnight = tonight
4) Nonstandard spellings occur, both intentionally and unknowingly. Regardless of whether or not the person texting knows how to spell correctly, he/she may still spell a word wrong. The reasons for this vary upon the user. Some nonstandard spellings are used so often, they have been given entires in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Examples of nonstandard spellings are easy to spot: cos, cuz = because, luv = love, skool = school, thanx = thanks
5) Shortenings occur when a word is reduced by omitting an important component. This can happen either at the end or the beginning of a word. There have been shortenings recorded in history books dating back to the origin of writing. Many words have become used as everyday terms themselves.
Examples of shortenings: prob = probably, approx = approximately, exam = examination, fridge = refrigerator
6) A genuine novelty is made within texting when language play has improved or increased. All of the six distinct features of texting can be juxtaposed. This allows for a vast array of word and sentence combinations. However, novelties are not used often. It solely depends on the person utilizing texting, and whether or not he/she is conservative or innovative
Example of a novelty: iydkidkwd = if you don't know, I don't know who does
Example of a novelty: iydkidkwd = if you don't know, I don't know who does
Personally, I use texting on a daily basis. However, I only use three of the six traits featured in this chapter (logograms, initialisms, and shortenings).
How often do you text? Do you use any of the six mentioned characteristics of texting? Should there be any additional attributes added to these six?
By Nadia Aldroubi, ENG300-1
By Nadia Aldroubi, ENG300-1
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Mini Lesson: Style
Writing StyleStyle is an intrinsic, yet elusive quality in all writing.The cartoon at the left riffs on the fact that, although many different writing styles exist, and hold value in their own right, each situation calls for a distinct one.
Read this passage from Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five and think about how the author uses style to convey meaning. Remember, style equals more than just the sum of the words and punctuation marks.
“{Billy}....turned on the television. He came slightly unstuck in time, saw the late movie backwards, then forwards again. It was a movie about American bombers in the Second World War and the gallant men who flew them. Seen backwards by Billy, the story went like this:
American planes, full of holes and wounded men and corpses took off backwards from an airfield in England. Over France, a few German fighter planes flew at them backwards, sucked bullets and shell fragments from some of the planes and crewmen. They did the same for wrecked American bombers on the ground, and those planes flew up backwards to join the formation . . .
When the bombers got back to their base, the steel cylinders were taken from the racks and shipped back to the United States of America, where factories were operating night and day, dismantling the cylinders, separating the dangerous contents into minerals. Touchingly, it was mainly women who did this work. The minerals were then shipped to specialists in remote areas. It was their business to put them into the ground, to hide them cleverly, so they would never hurt anybody again.”
Engage: Video clip, select visual media via powerpoint, and verbal prompting used to elicit and maintain engagement
Explore: Personal reading and analysis of a passage from a popular book allows students to explore knowledge and unknowns about style
Explain: A short lecture on types and features of style, along with a description of professional style, gives information to fill in unknowns and emphasize relevancy
Extend: The Paramedic Method is introduced as a procedure for making writing more concise, consistent with the professional style
Evaluate: Students use the Paramedic Method to edit sample sentences in professional style
E-search: Students must visit This website on proofreading and read sections 1-5. They must then analyze their own writing styles by proofreading their recent English papers. As an assignment, they must create a list of errors or conventions used consistently and incorrectly throughout the paper, and, for each item on this list, detail a short strategy they could use to correct the errors. They must also identify several conventions considered "correct" in professional writing, such as specific punctuation patterns, that characterize their personal style. The pages assigned, along with those on Sentence Variety, Punctuation, and Appropriate Language offer explanations of aspects of good professional writing, and offer suggestions for improvement. Students should also apply the Paramedic Method where applicable.
Explore: Personal reading and analysis of a passage from a popular book allows students to explore knowledge and unknowns about style
Explain: A short lecture on types and features of style, along with a description of professional style, gives information to fill in unknowns and emphasize relevancy
Extend: The Paramedic Method is introduced as a procedure for making writing more concise, consistent with the professional style
Evaluate: Students use the Paramedic Method to edit sample sentences in professional style
E-search: Students must visit This website on proofreading and read sections 1-5. They must then analyze their own writing styles by proofreading their recent English papers. As an assignment, they must create a list of errors or conventions used consistently and incorrectly throughout the paper, and, for each item on this list, detail a short strategy they could use to correct the errors. They must also identify several conventions considered "correct" in professional writing, such as specific punctuation patterns, that characterize their personal style. The pages assigned, along with those on Sentence Variety, Punctuation, and Appropriate Language offer explanations of aspects of good professional writing, and offer suggestions for improvement. Students should also apply the Paramedic Method where applicable.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A 1925 Lesson on Slang
Responses are due Friday, March 6th, at class time.
This article is the dialogue from a discussion that took place in a ninth grade composition class. The teacher asked the students what language exists for. One student said, “To make your thoughts clear, and to have thoughts, and to express thoughts.” Based on this answer, the teacher asked the students whether or not slang fits this definition. Slang makes thoughts clear and expresses thoughts to those who understand it meaning. Slang exists to express thought to everyone, depending on who is hearing it and the current language in existence.
One interesting point in this article is the explanation of the origin of slang. According to this article, slang originated in England. In Shakespeare’s time, slang was used by thieves to conceal the meaning of their words from others. Slang existed to express thought, but only to the small group of people that understood its meaning. Slang had two purposes. It was used to conceal and convey meaning, depending on who was listening.
Over time, slang became incorporated into the speech of everyone. Words that were once considered offensive slang are now a part of everyday language. For example, the word “kid” was originally used by thieves. It came from the word “kidnapping”. During this time, the word kid would have been considered offensive slang. Today, it is simply another word for child.
Today, slang is used by different cultures for many different reasons. Most people use in casual settings. It is a way to communicate with those whom we are most familiar with. Some use slang to show that they are very familiar with something. For example, those who use slang when talking about drugs are usually trying to convey that they are familiar with drug use. Others use slang to be part of a group. A high school student who desires to be a part of the “popular” click may use slang to prove that he or she is worthy of entrance into the click. The majority of people in America are more comfortable using slang than using proper English. This means that slang is often used inadvertently in professional and academic settings.
What is your definition of language? Does slang qualify as language? Is there anything inherently offensive about slang? Should it be incorporated into our speech, or should it be left out completely? Are there situations in which slang is appropriate? Are there situations in which slang is not appropriate?
This article is the dialogue from a discussion that took place in a ninth grade composition class. The teacher asked the students what language exists for. One student said, “To make your thoughts clear, and to have thoughts, and to express thoughts.” Based on this answer, the teacher asked the students whether or not slang fits this definition. Slang makes thoughts clear and expresses thoughts to those who understand it meaning. Slang exists to express thought to everyone, depending on who is hearing it and the current language in existence.
One interesting point in this article is the explanation of the origin of slang. According to this article, slang originated in England. In Shakespeare’s time, slang was used by thieves to conceal the meaning of their words from others. Slang existed to express thought, but only to the small group of people that understood its meaning. Slang had two purposes. It was used to conceal and convey meaning, depending on who was listening.
Over time, slang became incorporated into the speech of everyone. Words that were once considered offensive slang are now a part of everyday language. For example, the word “kid” was originally used by thieves. It came from the word “kidnapping”. During this time, the word kid would have been considered offensive slang. Today, it is simply another word for child.
Today, slang is used by different cultures for many different reasons. Most people use in casual settings. It is a way to communicate with those whom we are most familiar with. Some use slang to show that they are very familiar with something. For example, those who use slang when talking about drugs are usually trying to convey that they are familiar with drug use. Others use slang to be part of a group. A high school student who desires to be a part of the “popular” click may use slang to prove that he or she is worthy of entrance into the click. The majority of people in America are more comfortable using slang than using proper English. This means that slang is often used inadvertently in professional and academic settings.
What is your definition of language? Does slang qualify as language? Is there anything inherently offensive about slang? Should it be incorporated into our speech, or should it be left out completely? Are there situations in which slang is appropriate? Are there situations in which slang is not appropriate?
Subject Verb Agreement
Audience: Eleventh Grade
Subjects and verbs must agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. Sometimes, it is easy to determine whether the verb should be singular or plural because only one way sounds right. However, for those who speak English as a second language, it is not so easy. There are several rules which help us understand subject verb agreement. We will be covering these in class.
Engage – Introduction of topic; I will ask students how to determine if the subject and verb agrees. What has been your method in the past?
Explore – Students will be asked to determine which verb is correct in a sample sentence without knowing the rules. They will put their old methods to the test.
Explain – I will explain the rules for subject verb agreement and the exceptions to those rules, according to the Owl at Purdue. (OWL, 2006) We will discuss how this knowledge can enhance our writing.
Expand – Students will be asked to come up with a sentence of their own which exhibits proper subject verb agreement.
Evaluate – I will hand out a quiz. We will do the first three of these in class together. The remaining ten questions will be for homework.
E-Search – In addition to completing the take home quiz, students will be asked to find five sentences on the internet which exhibit proper subject verb agreement for homework. (Warning- There are many sites which are not reviewed by any educational institution. Make sure that you use only trusted academic sites. Do not bring in incorrect sentences!)
Reference List
Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) (Last edited August 20, 2006). Subject Verb Agreement. Retrieved March 2, 2008, from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/599/01/
Subjects and verbs must agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. Sometimes, it is easy to determine whether the verb should be singular or plural because only one way sounds right. However, for those who speak English as a second language, it is not so easy. There are several rules which help us understand subject verb agreement. We will be covering these in class.
Engage – Introduction of topic; I will ask students how to determine if the subject and verb agrees. What has been your method in the past?
Explore – Students will be asked to determine which verb is correct in a sample sentence without knowing the rules. They will put their old methods to the test.
Explain – I will explain the rules for subject verb agreement and the exceptions to those rules, according to the Owl at Purdue. (OWL, 2006) We will discuss how this knowledge can enhance our writing.
Expand – Students will be asked to come up with a sentence of their own which exhibits proper subject verb agreement.
Evaluate – I will hand out a quiz. We will do the first three of these in class together. The remaining ten questions will be for homework.
E-Search – In addition to completing the take home quiz, students will be asked to find five sentences on the internet which exhibit proper subject verb agreement for homework. (Warning- There are many sites which are not reviewed by any educational institution. Make sure that you use only trusted academic sites. Do not bring in incorrect sentences!)
Reference List
Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) (Last edited August 20, 2006). Subject Verb Agreement. Retrieved March 2, 2008, from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/599/01/
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Collaboration is not Collboration is not Collaboration: Writing Center Tutorials vs. Peer Response Groups
responses due in class Wednesday, February 25
This article highlights the differences between, and the value of, both peer response groups and tutoring based in a writing center. Both are examples of collaborative learning, which is "dialogue and negotiation" between a reader and a writer. In both, the author retains control and makes all final decisions regarding his or her work, but uses either review process to strengthen the writing and to get a real sense of having an audience.
A peer response group is a group of students centered around a certain class or teacher and focusing on a particular assignment that all members share. Writers take turns reading their own work and then receive commentary from classmates, either verbally, or through written forms or free-write. This experience is closer to what an author might find in the "real world", in which relatively equal working peers review each others' work in academia, or in the scientific or business spheres. This process benefits students because they get practice looking at writing critically and articulating their thoughts, along with the enrichment they get on the particular assignment. Pitfalls include that students are often not skilled or trained enough to give appropriate, helpful criticism, or they are bound by peer protection to keep silent. Class time devoted to appropriate methods of critique and group citizenship is essential.
The tutoring experience, however, is a highly personal activity in which the tutor, who is a "hybrid" of authoritative, knowledgeable teacher and sympathetic, plain-speaking peer, helps the tutee to focus on the underlying weaknesses in his or her writing, and helps him or her to improve confidently over time. Although a student may often just want help on a particular assignment, the tutor must steer away from telling them what to write or "fix" in a certain paper, intead guiding him or her to self-help and discovery by asking meaningful questions. This interaction is often frustrating for both parties, with the student simply wanting to finish the assignment and receive a good grade, and the tutor wanting to promote long lasting improvement on the part of the writer.
This article does not take a diffinitive stance on the useful-ness of either method. Studies provide conflicting views on their benefits. This author, as a writing center proponent and employee, did suggest that collaboration could be very helpful, provided that peer-responders and tutor are appropriately trained and organized.
I found this article interesting in that it looked into the psychology of the relationship between tutor and tutee. It described the delicate balance one often has to walk: not wanting to DO someone's work for them, while knowing that the student mainly wants the assignment done and sees the tutor as the central source of "answers". This is something I have often encountered when tutoring, not just in English.
What do you think about peer response and tutoring? Have you utilized one of these resources; have you been a tutor or a peer respondent? Do you think these services are valuable and should be promoted on campus? If you were a teacher, how would you integrate them into your classroom?
This article highlights the differences between, and the value of, both peer response groups and tutoring based in a writing center. Both are examples of collaborative learning, which is "dialogue and negotiation" between a reader and a writer. In both, the author retains control and makes all final decisions regarding his or her work, but uses either review process to strengthen the writing and to get a real sense of having an audience.
A peer response group is a group of students centered around a certain class or teacher and focusing on a particular assignment that all members share. Writers take turns reading their own work and then receive commentary from classmates, either verbally, or through written forms or free-write. This experience is closer to what an author might find in the "real world", in which relatively equal working peers review each others' work in academia, or in the scientific or business spheres. This process benefits students because they get practice looking at writing critically and articulating their thoughts, along with the enrichment they get on the particular assignment. Pitfalls include that students are often not skilled or trained enough to give appropriate, helpful criticism, or they are bound by peer protection to keep silent. Class time devoted to appropriate methods of critique and group citizenship is essential.
The tutoring experience, however, is a highly personal activity in which the tutor, who is a "hybrid" of authoritative, knowledgeable teacher and sympathetic, plain-speaking peer, helps the tutee to focus on the underlying weaknesses in his or her writing, and helps him or her to improve confidently over time. Although a student may often just want help on a particular assignment, the tutor must steer away from telling them what to write or "fix" in a certain paper, intead guiding him or her to self-help and discovery by asking meaningful questions. This interaction is often frustrating for both parties, with the student simply wanting to finish the assignment and receive a good grade, and the tutor wanting to promote long lasting improvement on the part of the writer.
This article does not take a diffinitive stance on the useful-ness of either method. Studies provide conflicting views on their benefits. This author, as a writing center proponent and employee, did suggest that collaboration could be very helpful, provided that peer-responders and tutor are appropriately trained and organized.
I found this article interesting in that it looked into the psychology of the relationship between tutor and tutee. It described the delicate balance one often has to walk: not wanting to DO someone's work for them, while knowing that the student mainly wants the assignment done and sees the tutor as the central source of "answers". This is something I have often encountered when tutoring, not just in English.
What do you think about peer response and tutoring? Have you utilized one of these resources; have you been a tutor or a peer respondent? Do you think these services are valuable and should be promoted on campus? If you were a teacher, how would you integrate them into your classroom?
Pronoun -Antecedent Agreement
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreements
Audience: Ninth Grade Students
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreements are similar to subject-verb agreements, but with different rules and/or principles. Pronoun-Antecedent agreements consists of both a pronoun and antecedent agreeing with rules (defined later within context).
Pronoun
A pronoun is a substitute for a noun. It refers to a person, place, thing, or feeling.
Example: The boy hesitantly ran across the street.
Pronoun usage: He hesitantly ran across the street.
Antecedent
An antecedent is the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers to.
Example: Children get nervous when teachers use spiders for experiments.
Antecedent usage: Children get nervous when their teachers use spider for experiements.
The antecedent is the noun before the pronoun. In this case, the noun being children and pronoun their.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement consists of three principles.
- Gender: est. difference between male/female.
- Number: est. difference between singular and plural.
- Person: est. difference between quality of being. (1st, 2nd & 3rd person)
*All principles further explained within today's mini lesson.
- Engage: Students will be engaged by Powerpoint demonstration and visuals of the subject.
- Explore: I will provide students with an introduction for both pronouns and antecedents. Including, their purpose within agreeance.
- Explain: By futhering students comprehension more in-depth, I'll provide the three vital principles for creating pronoun-antecedent agreements. Examples will be available.
- Evaluate: I will evaluate their understanding by going over some in-class examples.
- Expand: I will evalute the students understanding of the topic by an attachment of "Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Quiz" within www.partnerpage.google.grammar300.com
- Esearch: Students will further their knowledge by completing "Big Dog's Grammar Self-Test" on website: http://aliscot.com/bigdog/agrpa_exercise.html
Friday, February 20, 2009
Pronoun Cases
Audience- 8th graders
Types of Pronouns
Personal Pronouns- used as substitutes for proper or common nouns.
Reflexive Pronouns- a personal pronoun compounded with –self to
show the agent's action affects the agent
Examples: I hurt myself.
That man is talking to himself.
They ate all the food themselves.
Reciprocal Pronouns- express mutual action or relationship.
Example: Jane and Helen greeted each other.
Demonstrative Pronouns- identifies and specifies a noun or pronoun.
Examples: This ham is good, but that chicken tastes spoiled.
It was stupid of you to do that.
I wouldn’t recommend those books; these articles contain more
up-to-date information
Indefinite Pronouns- a group of words that generally indicate
quantity or amount
Examples: Each of the members has one vote.
All of the people clapped their hands.
Are all the people happy with their gifts?
3 cases of Pronouns:
Subjective: pronouns used as subject
Objective: Pronouns used as objects of verbs or prepositions
Possessive: Pronouns which express ownership
1) Explore- Introduction of a pronoun and what case means.
2) Explain- I will explain the different types of pronoun cases
and how they are used.
3) Evaluate- We will do some practice sentences together for
practice so I am able to see if they are understanding how to
know which pronouns to use.
4) Expand- We will do an online quiz together in class. Here’s
the link to the quiz: http://itech.pjc.edu/writinglab/case.htm
5) E-search- For homework: Look online and pick out any 10
sentences. Then you must circle the pronouns and tell me which
kind category they fall into.
Audience- 8th graders
Types of Pronouns
Personal Pronouns- used as substitutes for proper or common nouns.
Reflexive Pronouns- a personal pronoun compounded with –self to
show the agent's action affects the agent
Examples: I hurt myself.
That man is talking to himself.
They ate all the food themselves.
Reciprocal Pronouns- express mutual action or relationship.
Example: Jane and Helen greeted each other.
Demonstrative Pronouns- identifies and specifies a noun or pronoun.
Examples: This ham is good, but that chicken tastes spoiled.
It was stupid of you to do that.
I wouldn’t recommend those books; these articles contain more
up-to-date information
Indefinite Pronouns- a group of words that generally indicate
quantity or amount
Examples: Each of the members has one vote.
All of the people clapped their hands.
Are all the people happy with their gifts?
3 cases of Pronouns:
Subjective: pronouns used as subject
Objective: Pronouns used as objects of verbs or prepositions
Possessive: Pronouns which express ownership
1) Explore- Introduction of a pronoun and what case means.
2) Explain- I will explain the different types of pronoun cases
and how they are used.
3) Evaluate- We will do some practice sentences together for
practice so I am able to see if they are understanding how to
know which pronouns to use.
4) Expand- We will do an online quiz together in class. Here’s
the link to the quiz: http://itech.pjc.edu/
5) E-search- For homework: Look online and pick out any 10
sentences. Then you must circle the pronouns and tell me which
kind category they fall into.
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