#17: Show What You Know

Today's Post is open ended. However, you are expected to use all the grammar and writing help that you have learned so far. I will be looking for correct spelling, proper grammar, and correct punctuation. You should easily write at least 3 structured paragraphs. Don't forget your fellow classmates and their LOVE of your comments (be helpful and supportive - no "that's cool" or similar, please!).

It is always exciting when you add photos or videos to your blog posts...

Have fun!

#16: Parts of Speech

Is is INCREDIBLY important for you to understand the roles of all EIGHT parts of speech.

1. Noun: a part of speech inflected for case, signifying a concrete or abstract entity
2. Verb: a part of speech without case inflection, but inflected for tense, person and number, signifying an activity or process performed or undergone
3. Participle: a part of speech sharing the features of the verb and the noun
4. Interjection: a part of speech expressing emotion alone
5. Pronoun: a part of speech substitutable for a noun and marked for a person
6. Preposition: a part of speech placed before other words in composition and in syntax
7. Adverb: a part of speech without inflection, in modification of or in addition to a verb, adjective, clause, sentence, or other adverb
8. Conjunction: a part of speech binding together the discourse and filling gaps in its interpretation

Some help:

Nouns: School House Rock

Verbs: School House Rock

Required Post:

• Discuss and Define ALL 8 parts of speech in your OWN words - it may be easiest to use examples
• Comment on AT LEAST THREE other people's blogs
• Be creative and have fun - even though you are writing about grammar, you should be able to make this exciting and interesting to read.

#15: School House Rock!!

You asked for it... and here it is...

Working on our grammar skills the "Old School" way:

Conjunctions: In grammar, a conjunction is a part of speech that connects two words, sentences, phrases or clauses together.

Adjectives: The part of speech that modifies a noun or other substantive by limiting, qualifying, or specifying and distinguished in English morphologically by one of several suffixes, such as -able, -ous, -er, and -est, or syntactically by position directly preceding a noun or nominal phrase.

Your REQUIRED POST:

• Topic: YOUR CHOICE! 
• 2 or more structured paragraphs!
• ALL adjectives need to be in BOLD type! 
• choose 3 or more conjunctions in your post and put them in italics, meaning they need to be slanted and therefore, easily recognized in your post
• COMMENT on at least 3 other blogs! 

#14: POTUS!

What a week!! We have reelected Barack Obama as the 44th POTUS (President of the United States)!

If you were asked step in front of the United States as the leader - how would you act? What would you say? How would you make our country feel safe and secure that you KNOW what you're doing?

Today's Required Post: 

• You may choose a topic of your own, OR you may respond to the question above (I'd love to know your thoughts!). 
• You MUST include 2 structured paragraphs
• topic sentence
• 3-4 detailed sentences
• closing sentence
• You MUST include 2 semicolons! Go back to the last post if you need help!
• You MUST comment on 3 other students' blogs

As you are writing today - I will be showing our newest (and current) POTUS' acceptance speech. Enjoy.

#13: The FEARED semicolon!

What is the POINT of a semicolon?

Well... there are so many reasons to know how to properly use a semicolon. Explore the video and websites to help understand how to use a semicolon.

My favorite grammar site is The Oatmeal.

Here are two videos... not the best, but you'll get the point :)

Grammar Vids for Kids:

 Here are some semicolon sentence examples:

• I watched the Grammy Awards last night; I was pleased that Amy Winehouse won and thought it was a great show this year.
• I love music; however, I haven’t played my own guitar in several years.
• I have lived in several different cities: San Francisco, California; Haiku, Hawaii; and Santa Barbara, California.
• When I was in fourth grade, I won the spelling bee for my entire school and went to the district championships. I practiced every night, memorized all the words on the list, and felt confident that I had a shot at winning; I got nervous on stage and misspelled one of the words even though I knew the proper spelling.
• I’m fascinated by names and their meanings; Melissa means honey bee.
• There’s nothing like the gentle drum of water hitting against the window pane; I love the rain.

Your required post:

• The topic is your choice! However... you have guidelines!
• You will be incorporating the last two lessons today. 
• AT LEAST two structured paragraphs! Don't forget to include a topic sentence, detail sentences, and a closing sentence!
• AT LEAST THREE semicolons throughout your post! 
• YOU MUST comment on AT LEAST 3 other blogs - TWO of which you have NOT commented on before! If you've commented on everyone's blogs, please choose to comment on someone's blog who you have not read recently. 

Post #12: Paragraphs and YOUR Blog

Feliz Dia de los Muertos!

Today you are required to write 3 structured paragraphs... the topic is your choice! You may describe your Halloween, write about your blog topic, or choose something else. I suggest adding photos or videos to enhance the interest level (and you can describe the photos if you are struggling with how to write 3 paragraphs! 

Don't forget to add labels and to comment on your classmates' blogs!