Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Whose versus Who's
There's a big difference in the use of "Whose" vs. "Who's." Take a look at the sentences below.
Who's = Who is:
Who's waiting for a ride? = Who is waiting for a ride?
Who's going to the game? = Who is going to the game?
Who's using my pencil? = Who is using my pencil?
Whose = Shows possesssion:
Whose books are these?
Whose ride is that?
That's an idea whose time has come.
The Big Hint
If you can replace the word with who is or who has, then use who's. If not, then use whose.
Who's = Who is:
Who's waiting for a ride? = Who is waiting for a ride?
Who's going to the game? = Who is going to the game?
Who's using my pencil? = Who is using my pencil?
Whose = Shows possesssion:
Whose books are these?
Whose ride is that?
That's an idea whose time has come.
The Big Hint
If you can replace the word with who is or who has, then use who's. If not, then use whose.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Writing is messy!
I love crafts. I love looking for new ideas to make things. I've made stockings, scarves, paper containers, cards, bookmarks, ornaments, signs, posters, collages, etc...
Recently I discovered coffee filter flowers. One look at them and I knew I had to learn how.
What I thought would take an hour or two, ended up taking all afternoon. I may not be the most talented person in the world, but I am stubborn. So, if I see something I think I can create, I won't stop until I'm done.
Remember how we took play dough and created pencil holders? I asked you to smash your first couple of creations down and you protested with lots of whining. But after you practiced, you created some pretty cool pencil holders. I have the pictures to prove it.
Your attempts to create pencil holders, my attempts to create the perfect coffee filter flowers, are all processes. Writing is a process too. It takes time, practice, and a dose of stubbornness. You can't just quit when it gets hard.
And it always gets hard at one point or another.
So my dear 7th grade writers, as we plow through revision, editing and publishing, I want to encourage you to hang in there. Even when it gets hard. And it will. But if you work through the hard parts, I am sure you will be pleased that you did. Wait until you see your writing after you've gone through all the hard stuff. It will be powerful.
This week we'll be finishing up our personal narratives and trying also to complete our Where I'm From poems.
I am eager to read your personal narratives because they will tell me more about you. However, I may be even more eager to read your poems. I've read a few already and I can't believe how wonderful they are. But then I can, because you as writers are wonderful.
We've got this week and two more days until Thanksgiving. I'm very grateful to be your teacher.
Recently I discovered coffee filter flowers. One look at them and I knew I had to learn how.
What I thought would take an hour or two, ended up taking all afternoon. I may not be the most talented person in the world, but I am stubborn. So, if I see something I think I can create, I won't stop until I'm done.
Remember how we took play dough and created pencil holders? I asked you to smash your first couple of creations down and you protested with lots of whining. But after you practiced, you created some pretty cool pencil holders. I have the pictures to prove it.
Your attempts to create pencil holders, my attempts to create the perfect coffee filter flowers, are all processes. Writing is a process too. It takes time, practice, and a dose of stubbornness. You can't just quit when it gets hard.
And it always gets hard at one point or another.
So my dear 7th grade writers, as we plow through revision, editing and publishing, I want to encourage you to hang in there. Even when it gets hard. And it will. But if you work through the hard parts, I am sure you will be pleased that you did. Wait until you see your writing after you've gone through all the hard stuff. It will be powerful.
This week we'll be finishing up our personal narratives and trying also to complete our Where I'm From poems.
I am eager to read your personal narratives because they will tell me more about you. However, I may be even more eager to read your poems. I've read a few already and I can't believe how wonderful they are. But then I can, because you as writers are wonderful.
We've got this week and two more days until Thanksgiving. I'm very grateful to be your teacher.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Student Computers
We now have two nearly new student computers in the classroom. They are connected to the internet. I hope you take advantage of them to explore the web for any English related information you might need! Happy Monday!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Simple Sentences...with an implied subject...
Go fish.
Drink up.
Get dressed.
Stand up.
Be still.
All these sentences have a verb, but where is the subject? The subject in these simple sentences is implied. The subject is "You."
Who should go fish? You.
Who should drink up? You.
Who should get dressed? You.
Who should stand up? You.
Who should be still? You.
To imply something is to suggest or hint that something or someone exists without actually seeing that something or someone.
Happy Monday!
Drink up.
Get dressed.
Stand up.
Be still.
All these sentences have a verb, but where is the subject? The subject in these simple sentences is implied. The subject is "You."
Who should go fish? You.
Who should drink up? You.
Who should get dressed? You.
Who should stand up? You.
Who should be still? You.
To imply something is to suggest or hint that something or someone exists without actually seeing that something or someone.
Happy Monday!
Friday, October 14, 2011
This is the blog I want you to read on a daily basis!
Dear Students,
Improve your understanding of grammar and sentence structure by reading this blog on a daily basis. On the upper right side of the blog, you will find some "pages." The first one I want you to read is to your right and it's called "What's a sentence?" These pages are important to read. They include important information on grammar.
By Tuesday morning at 8 AM, please turn in five two-word sentences. Remember that a sentence has to have a subject and a verb and it must have a complete thought.
EX: He threw.
She looked.
Put your name, class color and date on the paper and turn it in to the On Time basket. For extra credit turn in 10 two-word sentences.
Thanks for looking!
Improve your understanding of grammar and sentence structure by reading this blog on a daily basis. On the upper right side of the blog, you will find some "pages." The first one I want you to read is to your right and it's called "What's a sentence?" These pages are important to read. They include important information on grammar.
By Tuesday morning at 8 AM, please turn in five two-word sentences. Remember that a sentence has to have a subject and a verb and it must have a complete thought.
EX: He threw.
She looked.
Put your name, class color and date on the paper and turn it in to the On Time basket. For extra credit turn in 10 two-word sentences.
Thanks for looking!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Same as yesterday
Okay guys and gals,
On Thursday, please tell me that you saw this post and that you read the last post about what is due on Friday. If you do, I'll give you a piece of blog candy. But, you have to be able to tell me what assignment is due on Friday!
On Thursday, please tell me that you saw this post and that you read the last post about what is due on Friday. If you do, I'll give you a piece of blog candy. But, you have to be able to tell me what assignment is due on Friday!
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