Great Grammar Online Games

Here's a fun online grammar game to help your child become comfortable with different parts of speech. H/She can start at beginner, and move to advanced.

Enjoy grammar gorillas!

http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/index.html

Here is a great one to review the four types of sentences. (I like all "Quia" games!)

http://www.quia.com/pop/35934.html

8-28 Four Types of Sentences, Q & A Flow

I am going to adjust the syllabus to cover some necessary fundamentals before we move on. Please review the jingles with your child, and references we have covered over the past two weeks. This is an optional supplement, but if your child hasn't studied English grammar, please consider making the investment in the introductory jingle CD.

I have also e-mailed an attachment of additional sentences for them to label. Please have them do this in lieu of the homework I dropped from this week's assignment.

Important things taught in class to review with them this week -

Reference 2 p. 10 - be sure your child is following this Vocabulary Plan
Reference 3 p. 11 - most kids have this one, but you may wish to review
Reference 7 p. 14 - Four types of sentences - be sure they understand
Reference 8 p. 14 - Article Adjectives - need to know a, an, the
Reference 9 p. 14 - Question and Answer Flow - the sentences in the attachment introduce this concept

Jingle 1 p. 2 - Noun Jingle
Jingle 3 p. 2 - Sentence Jingle
Jingle 6 p. 3 - Article Adjective Jingle

PLEASE be sure your child understands (for now) that a VERB is an action word. (Later, we will separate these into action verbs and linking verbs.)
Also, please review ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS. I will introduce these next week, but if your child has never had exposure to them try to give them a brief overview before Thursday. You may refer to the Adverb Jingle #4 on p. 3, and the Adjective Jingle #5 on p. 3.

Your kids are doing great completing their homework! Yeah! Thank you for making sure they get it done. It helps tremendously, and they are anxious to answer and participate when they know the answer. I also enjoyed hearing a few journal entries today! It's exciting to see them enthusiastic about sharing their writing! Keep encouraging them!

NEW HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS WEEK -
All Chapter 2 Vocabulary following the Vocabulary Plan
All Chapter 2 Exercises on p. 66 in Workbook
Label the first set of Chapter 2 Sentences in the Practice Booklet
Three Journal Entries
Complete the attachment of sentences to label
DO NOT HAVE YOUR CHILD TRY TO DO THE TEST THIS WEEK!

I did not have time to cover Reference 5 & 6 today, but plan to do so next week. I will be modifying the homework assignments to a small degree, but will communicate via e-mail and on this blog.

Journal and Grading Questions

How much should my child write in his/her journal?
Journaling - I suggested to the class that 3rd graders write 1-2 paragraphs, 4th graders write 2-3 paragraphs, and 5th and 6th graders write 3-4 paragraphs. If your child writes more than this, that is fine! I'm not concerned with the length, but desiring the kids to be able to communicate effectively with the written word. Remember, journals are NOT graded or corrected. These are to encourage kids to record their thoughts on paper. I would like them to write in their journals at least three times per week.

How will you send grades at the end of the semester?
I will e-mail grades at the end of the semester. The grade I will give you will cover the form of your child's writing, completed homework assignments, and classroom participation. You may then include the scores from the chapter tests to determine the final grade. Please let me know ASAP if you want a grade from me.

8-21 Update

We enjoyed a great first day of class! I enjoyed meeting all of your children and learning a little bit about them with our “ice breaker.” Everyone had to introduce themselves with an adjective that began with the same letter as their first name!

We covered an overview of the semester, class supplies, and quickly moved into the material. I was able to cover the first three references in their workbook! Whew! We are moving fast. I also introduced "narrative" writing which is what they will be doing in their journal.

Homework assignments are on the syllabus, and I went over them in class. If you have misplaced your syllabus, it is listed in a post below and will be available on this site for the semester.

Today all of the children were given a Webster's Dictionary. This would be a great reference for their vocabulary words. Please be sure your child knows how to use a dictionary before allowing them to use a computer dictionary. One child asked if the vocabulary words and definitions could be typed. That is your decision as the parent, but if you allow it I suggest having your child type the definition rather than allowing them to "cut-and-paste" it.

Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns. Finally, please make sure your child completes the homework each week. They will be rewarded for their efforts by me, but, much more than that, they will gain a foundational grasp of the English language.

Web Links for Grammar

Here's a great list of grammar resources on the Internet. Having your child play these games on the computer is a great way to fortify learning.

Grammar

Language Arts

Syllabus

This syllabus only covers the first four weeks of assignments because I will need to assess the "speed" of the class. I am hoping to move at the pace of the book, but I want to be sure all of the children understand the concepts before we move on.

All assignments are due the week after they are assigned. Students will be expected to turn in a typed or neatly handwritten "final draft" copy of all writing assignments. (This does not apply to Journal entries.)

8/21 Semester Overview, Goals for the Year, Vocabulary Plan, "A and An" Usage, Journal Writing, [References 1-4 (p.10-11)]
Workbook Assignment: All vocabulary for Ch. 1 (Group 1 & 2) p.8, Ch. 1 Practice p. 66, Ch. 1 Test p. 98 (optional!)
Writing Assignment: Write at least three entries in your Journal.

8/28 Revising and Editing, Rough Drafts and Final Paragraphs, four Kinds of Sentences, Article Adjective Information, Q & A Flow, Three Jingles, [References 5-9 (p. 12-14)]
NEW HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS WEEK (updated 8-28)
All Chapter 2 Vocabulary following the Vocabulary Plan
All Chapter 2 Exercises on p. 66 in Workbook
Label the first set of Chapter 2 Sentences in the Practice Booklet
Three Journal Entries
Complete the e-mailed attachment of sentences to label
DO NOT HAVE YOUR CHILD TRY TO DO THE TEST THIS WEEK!


9/4 Skill Builder Check, Noun Job Chart, Q & A Flow for Classifying, Three More Jingles, [References 10-11 (p. 15)]
Workbook Assignment: All vocabulary for Ch. 3 (Group 1 & 2) p.8, Ch. 3 Practice Sets p. 66 and the first one on p. 67 – do NOT do the "Practice Writing Page" (Ch. 3 Lesson 5), Ch. 3 Sentences Labeled in Practice Booklet p. 2, Ch. 3 Test p. 99 (optional!)
Writing Assignment: Write at least three entries in your Journal.

9/11 Expository Writing and Writing Definitions
[References 12-13 (p. 16-17)]
Workbook Assignment: All vocabulary for Ch. 4 (Group 1 & 2) p.8
Writing Assignment: Ch. 3 "Practice Writing Page" (Ch. 3 Lesson 5) p.67, Revise and Edit this paragraph, Type or neatly hand-write a "final draft" of your paragraph to turn in during the next class. Write at least three entries in your Journal.

9/18 Predicate Words Located in the Complete Subject, Writing Improved Sentences, Different Parts of Speech [References 14-16 (p.17)]
Workbook Assignment: Ch. 4 Practice p. 68, Ch. 4 Sentences Labeled in Practice Booklet p. 3, Ch. 4 Test p. 100, (optional!)
Writing Assignment: Write a three-point expository paragraph on one of the following topics. Be sure you revise and edit it before turning in a "final draft" copy to me next week.
*Why I Like to Camp
*My Favorite Adults
*My Favorite Movies / Games
Also, write at least three entries in your Journal.

The assignments from week 9/18 are indicative of what you can expect during the semester if we move at this pace. I will assess the needs of the class and adjust accordingly.

Class Text and Supply List

Required Text: Shurley English Level 4 Student Workbook and Shurely English Level 4 Practice Booklet

Class Supplies needed each week: one spiral notebook to be used for three purposes: vocabulary words, class notes and writing assignment "rough drafts," one spiral notebook or composition book for journaling, one folder, sharpened pencils, required workbooks (listed above) and a "willing to learn" attitude!

Parental Keys for Success

Parents,

I am excited about our upcoming year at TC. We will have a fun, but academically intensive class this year in Shurley Grammar. The class will move at a fast pace to cover the material, but I think you will be AMAZED by what your child will know by the end of the year. If you would like to see what we will cover, please look at this Scope and Sequence for Level 4. It's rather impressive!

However, I must have your help to have a successful year.

Here are some suggestions to help your child succeed. If these things are not accomplished at home, it will be difficult for your child to learn the material. Everything taught in class will need to be fortified at home.

For many of you, this is your plan for English for the year. Therefore, it is imperative that it become part of your daily routine at home. Please think of me as a teaching partner with you. As a parent, you will need to help your child at home to be sure the work is accomplished.

Here are suggestions for an enjoyable and successful year.

1.) Incorporate the class assignments into your DAILY home school schedule. All assignments are given for the week, so you may break them down into "doable" daily segments. Accomplishing a small bit each day will be much better for your child than trying to "cram it in" at the last minute. The assignments will take about 20 minutes (+/-) each day. Here is a suggestion for modifying** at home:
Monday - Vocabulary Group 1, Practice Sentences, Exercises, Writing Assignment Rough Draft
Tuesday - Vocabulary Group 2, Practice Sentences, Journaling, Edit Writing Assignment
Wednesday - Finish Practice Sentences and Exercises, Neatly Write or Type Final Draft of Writing Assignment, Be sure you have all assignments completed
Thursday - Come prepared to Co-Op with completed assignments and class supplies
Friday - Chapter Test (optional), Journal Entry
**Assignments will vary each week. Some weeks will not have a writing assignment.

2.) Order the audio CD with the jingles and review it several times a week. This CD is optional, but I highly recommend purchasing it and using it at home until your child knows the songs by memory. (Our family listens to them in the car!) We will review the jingles weekly in class, but it will be difficult for your child to remember all of them if they only hear them once per week. If you would like additional reinforcement of the Question and Answer Flow to classify the sentences along with the jingles, then I would suggest ordering the Practice CD Set.

3.) Go over your child's writing assignments with him/her. Help them find spelling, capitalization, and grammatical errors before they are turned in. Your child will be expected to turn in a "final draft" to me. We will discuss editing and proofreading in class, but until these skills are strengthened, I suggest spending time with your child to boost their confidence. When I grade these papers, I will be primarily looking at their writing "form and structure."
I prefer these final draft papers to be typed. Hand-written copies are fine, but please have your child use their neatest handwriting. I would like to post some of the writing on our class blog (without names) to encourage the students.

4.) Remember that "Journaling" is not a graded writing assignment. The purpose of journaling is to help your child develop the habit of developing his/her thoughts with the written word. Please do not criticize, correct, or change their journal entries. If you read these entries, always try to provide encouragement and praise for your child's efforts. You will see a vast improvement in content over the course of the year. However, always remember that the purpose of your child's journaling is very different than their writing assignments.

5.) Tests are located in the back of your student's workbook. I am not planning to administer these in class because I am going to need to use all of our class time to teach the concepts. If you desire your child to take the tests, I will be happy to provide the Test Key so you may grade it at home. I am hoping to have my weekly class assistant help grade the practice exercises and sentences each week.

Finally, I am available to help you. Please let me know how I can help you. I am happy to do so. Together, we are going to have a wonderful year!