Transcript Session four Grammarx

SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION IN
WRITTEN EXPRESSION: THE
CHALLENGES OF LEARNING
TO WRITE
Robert W. Frantum-Allen
December 21, 2012
Objectives
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Grammar: Writing
Next Meta Analysis
Grammar: Visual
Language
Grammar: Alternative
approaches to
Grammar
Grammar: Building
Sentences
Writing Next Meta Analysis
Grammar
Key Elements of Effective Adolescent
Writing Instruction
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Writing Strategies, which involves teaching
students strategies for planning, revising, and
editing their compositions
Effect Size 0.82
Teaching how to plan, revise, and edit
(Flower and Hayes’ steps)
Writing Next
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Summarization, which involves explicitly and systematically
teaching students how to summarize texts ES 0.82
Collaborative Writing, which uses instructional arrangements
in which adolescents work together to plan, draft, revise, and
edit their compositions ES 0.75
Specific Product Goals, which assigns students specific,
reachable goals for the writing they are to complete
ES 0.70
Word Processing, which uses computers and word processors
as instructional supports for writing assignments ES 0.55
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Prewriting, which engages students in activities designed to
help them generate or organize ideas for their composition ES
0.32
Inquiry Activities, which engages students in analyzing
immediate, concrete data to help them develop ideas and
content for a particular writing task ES 0.32
Process Writing Approach, which interweaves a number of
writing instructional activities in a workshop environment that
stresses extended writing opportunities, writing for authentic
audiences, personalized instruction, and cycles of writing ES
0.32
Study of Models, which provides students with opportunities to
read, analyze, and emulate models of good writing ES 0.25
Writing for Content Learning, which uses writing as a tool for
learning content material ES 0.23
And the issue of GRAMMAR…
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Traditional grammar lessons are not likely to
improve the quality of students’ writing ability.
Teaching students to focus on the function and
practical application of grammar within the context
of writing produces strong, positive effects!!!
Sentence-Combining ES 0.50
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Sentence-combining is an alternative approach to
more traditional grammar instruction. Sentencecombining instruction involves teaching students to
construct more complex and sophisticated sentences
through exercises in which two or more basic
sentences are combined into a single sentence.
Sentence-Combining
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In one approach, students at higher and lower writing levels
are paired to receive six lessons that teach
(a) combining smaller related sentences into a compound
sentence using the connectors and, but, and because;
(b) embedding an adjective or adverb from one sentence into
another;
(c) creating complex sentences by embedding an adverbial
and adjectival clause from one sentence into another; and
(d) making multiple embeddings involving adjectives, adverbs,
adverbial clauses, and adjectival clauses. The instructor
provides support and modeling and the student pairs work
collaboratively to apply the skills taught.
Traditional Grammar Studies
Traditional Grammar
Traditional Grammar
Grammar in context
Parts of speech instruction: Visual
Language
Grammar Instruction
To teach grammar in context they still need to know
basic grammar concepts
-parts of speech
-subject – predicate
relationships
-Sentence Types
The noun
The Noun is represented by a
black triangle. The triangle
stands for the pyramid, one of
the first human structures, and
black is for carbon, believed to
be the first mineral discovered
by humans.
Noun lesson
Small objects and paper
Name the objects and label on paper
Explain the noun – name people, places, things and ideas
Place the black triangle over the slips of paper
Explain that the triangle represents the pyramids of Giza a
very important place (show pictures)
The adjective, article and pronoun
The Adjective (small dark blue triangle),
Article (smaller light blue triangle), and
Pronoun (large purple triangle) are part of
The Noun Family and so use the triangular
shape with different colors.
Article Lesson
Small objects (one, two, three and four) and paper with the
words a, an and the
When there is one object use “the”
When there are more than one object and you want to single
out one of them and the noun starts with a consonant use “a’
When there are more than one object and you want to single
out one of them and the noun starts with a vowel use ‘an’
“the” is definitive and ‘a’ and ‘an’ are indefinite
Use the light blue triangle to label the articles.
Label simple noun phrases
Adjective Lesson
Multiple of a number of the same object but different colors
Have the child retrieve an object but don’t specify the color.
If the child gives you an object say “no not that one… I want
the red one”
Explain that adjectives describe nouns
“Use the dark blue triangle to label the articles.
Label simple noun phrases
The Verb
The Verb is a circle, to represent the shape
of the sun which gives life. The red color
also symbolizes life (blood). The verb gives
life to the sentence.
Verb Lesson
-give the students a red ball
-ask them to lift, show, push, kick,
etc the ball
-write those words on a paper
-explain that these are actions
-put a red circle above the verbs
Label simple noun phrase plus verb
The adverb
The Adverb is a smaller circle and is often
pictured orbiting the verb like a planet; it
depends on the verb for existence.
Adverb lesson
-give the students a command like
“Walk”
-have them walk “quickly” “slowly”
‘proudly” “tiredly”
-label these words on paper with
the word walk
-give them a small orange ball
Label simple noun phrase plus verb
The conjunction
The Conjunction is a small pink bar which
represents a link in a chain
Label simple noun phrase plus verb
and adverb
The preposition
the Preposition is a green crescent to
symbolize a bridge.
Preposition
The interjection
The Interjection is a gold triangle with a
circle on top; it combines the symbols of
the noun and the verb together.
Interjections function as both noun and
verb in a sentence; it may have been the
first word spoken by humans (ow!). It is
gold because they are the “king of all
words”.
Interjection!
Instruction for phrases and clauses
What’s the Difference?
Phrases
Any group of words that are
part of a sentence and work
together.
noun phrase — the old lady
verb phrase — spoke softly
prepositional phrase — to her care-giver
Phrases do not include both a subject and a
predicate
Clauses
Dependent:
A group of words that
contains a subject and a
predicate but does not
express a complete thought.
Independent: A group of words
that contains a subject and a
predicate that does express
a complete thought.
p. 39
Examples of Phrases and Clauses
Phrases
Dependent Clauses
in the atmosphere
through the haze
the red car
galloped quickly
between the two
slices of bread
on the peninsula
inside the fire station
after the children left the
room
unless the boat docks on
time
whenever the two meet
if we get there in time
while she was preoccupied
Independent Clauses
Most teenagers have a
curfew.
Slowly the balloon
descended.
Jim studied for hours.
It was challenging to
meet the deadline.
p. 38
Sorting Phrases and Clauses
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Sort into three columns:
Phrases
Dependent Clauses
Independent Clauses
• We will check our answers on the following slides.
Sorting Phrases and Clauses
after we finish
lunch
underneath the
front seat
as we parked in
the driveway
beside the couch
when Mark ran
into the room
before the
principal appeared
throughout the
day
whenever it snows
across the
amusement park
under the stairs
while you are
away
because he had
work to do
though I love
visiting the
museum
if I have time
today
between the rows
of corn
unless you can be
here at 9:00 a.m.
Sorting Phrases and Clauses
since she had a
relapse
yet there was
hesitation
regardless of the
time
in order for the
package to arrive
next the dancers
appeared
however you
approach it
so that we are all
in agreement
as long as needed
against all odds
by the banks of
the sound
without any fear
as soon as the
sun sets
until the traffic
clears
throughout his life
whenever he
agrees
in all situations
Sorting Phrases and Clauses
Phrases
After we finish lunch
Underneath the front seat
Beside the couch
Throughout the day
Across the amusement park
Under the stairs
Between the rows of corn
Regardless of the time
In order for the package to arrive
As long as needed
Against all odds
By the banks of the sound
Without any fear
Throughout his life
In all situations
p.
Sorting Phrases and Clauses
Dependent Clauses
As we parked in the driveway
When Mark ran into the room
Before the principal appeared
Whenever it snows
While you are away
Because he had work to do
Though I love visiting the museum
If I have time today
Unless you can be here at 9:00
a.m.
Since she had a relapse
However you approach it
So that we are all in agreement
As soon as the sun sets
Until the traffic clears
Whenever he agrees
p.
Sorting Phrases and Clauses
Independent Clauses
Yet, there was hesitation.
Next the dancers appeared.
p.
Instruction for Teaching Sentences
Simple Sentence
… one single, independent clause with a subject and predicate.
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Examples with single subjects and predicates:
 The
girl loved her lizard.
 Wolves howl at the moon.
 Dogs are descended from wolves.
p. 40
Simple, Compound, and Complex
Sentence Structures
Examples with compound (more than one) subjects, objects, and
predicates:
SIMPLE SENTENCES
Compound subject
Our hero and his friends trudged on.
Compound predicate
Jerry hung up his coat, strode down the hall, and
marched boldly into the room.
Compound object
There he found some ink, a pen, some paper,
and directions for filling out the form.
Elaborated subject
Our bold, intrepid hero trudged on.
Elaborated predicate
Jerry strode down the hall, into the room, and up
to the platform where he began to give his
speech.
Appositive
Stuart, a shy character, spoke quietly.
p. 40
Compound Sentence
… two or more independent clauses linked by a
coordinating conjunction.
Conjunction Causation
and
because,
of, or,
in order
that, so
Reversal or
Contradiction
Time
Sequence
but, or, although,
then, now,
however,
next, finally,
nevertheless,
as soon as,
even though, yet, before, since,
regardless of
until,
whenever,
while, when
Conditionality
either–or
if–then
unless
since
p. 41
Compound Sentences
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Easier compound sentence:
Michaela wrote a strong college application essay and many
institutions offered her scholarships.
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More difficult compound sentence:
Either the show will be produced by the cast or the community
must provide financial support.
p. 39
Simple, Compound, and Complex
Sentence Structures
… dependent clause(s) is attached to an independent clause.
COMPLEX SENTENCES
Subordinate clause
When I was home alone, I locked
all the doors to the house.
Participial phrase
Knowing that he was right all
along, the candidate stuck to his
position.
Relative clause
The residents who welcomed new
neighbors were friendly.
Infinitive phrase
To feel as if one cannot keep up
produces anxiety.
Adjectives or participles
Exhausted and bleeding, the
soldier pleaded for help.
p. 40
Question Words
How words express meaning
What questions can be asked
person, place, thing (noun)
what or who
substitutes for a noun (pronoun)
what or who
action word (verb)
is doing what
describing word (adjective)
what kind, how many
how an action is done (adverb)
in what way
relationship of a substantive word to a
verb, adjective, or noun (preposition)
How, when, where
joins dependent and independent
clauses (conjunction)
why, wherefore
p. 42
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Take three index cards on your table.
 Label
one Simple
 Label one Compound
 Label one Complex
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Hold up the appropriate card for the type of sentence I
read to you from the following slide.
Types of Sentences
Each morning, cows are released into the field.
Simple
They know it’s important to rest because tomorrow will be another day.
Compound
As she rode her bicycle down the street, Mrs. Brown was chased by a terrier.
Complex
Hippos can close their mouths and hold their breath for about ten minutes.
Simple
In deep water, they like to sink to the bottom.
Simple
That way, a hippo can still breathe, see, and hear when most of its head is
hidden under the water.
Complex
Sentence Completion
Who or What
Subject
Is/Was Doing?
Predicate
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Burt, the giant troll, _________________.
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Δ ____________________
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The mountain climber, arms outstretched, ________.
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Δ _____________ flew over the hayfields.
buried the worms.
Code the Sentences
Example:
The first restaurant served big fat rich crab cakes.
(Find the complete subject and underline it once.)
The first restaurant served big fat rich crab cakes.
(Box the subject.)
The first restaurant served big fat rich crab cakes.
(Find the predicate and underline it twice.)
The first restaurant served big fat rich crab cakes.
(Put a wavy line under the main verb.)
The first restaurant served big fat rich crab cakes.
p. 44
Code the Sentences
 We
enjoyed a leisurely meal by the waterfront dock.
 After
we drove home, my husband asked for a fizzy
antacid drink.
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We will check our work on the following slide.
Code the Sentences
Answers:
We enjoyed a leisurely meal by the waterfront dock.
After we drove home, my husband asked for a fizzy antacid
drink.
p.
Sentence Anagrams
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What sentence can you make from these words?
odds
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win
I
spite
will
all
of in
In spite of all odds, I will win.
I will win in spite of all odds.
I will, in spite of all odds, win.
p. 44
Sentence Anagrams
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Create a secret sentence.
Put each word from your sentence on a separate piece of selfstick note paper.
Scramble the words at your table.
With a partner, move around the room and solve as many
scrambled sentences as you can.
Sentence Anagrams
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Answer the following questions:
 Which
sentences are most difficult to sequence?
 Why
might this type of practice cause reading
comprehension to improve?
p. 44
Sentence Anagrams for Your
Classroom
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Create a sentence anagram that is appropriate for your
students. Consider choosing a sentence from your text.
Put each word on a piece of self-stick note paper.
File this example in your teacher’s edition wherever you plan to
use it in the future.
Punctuation Matters!
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How do these two sentences differ?
 I’ve
finally decided to cheer up, everybody!
 I’ve finally decided to cheer up everybody!
or
 Slow, children crossing.
 Slow children crossing.
Systematic Sentence
Elaboration
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Elaborate a kernel
sentence, step-by-step.
“Masterpiece Sentences”
technique from the LANGUAGE! ®
curriculum
(Greene, 2000)
Begin with the kernel subject
and predicate.
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Paint the predicate.
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Move clauses.
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Paint the subject.
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Substitute words.
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Polish the sentence.
Systematic Sentence
Elaboration
STEPS
1. Kernel sentence.
2. Paint the predicate.
3. Move the predicate
painters.
4. Paint the subject.
5. Substitute words and
add detail.
EXAMPLES
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The monkey spat.
• The monkey spat with enthusiasm
during his meal at the visitors.
• The monkey spat at the visitors
with enthusiasm during his meal.
• During his meal, the lone,
grumpy, red-haired monkey spat
at the visitors with enthusiasm.
• During his dinner, the solitary,
grumpy, rusty-haired orangutan
spat at his visitors with vigor.
Sentence Deconstruction and
Paraphrase
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation,
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
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I promise loyalty to the United States.
I also pledge loyalty to the Republic that the flag stands
for.
The Republic, the United States, is one country that cannot
be divided into several countries.
Sentence Deconstruction and
Paraphrase
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Find a complex, lengthy sentence in your student textbook.

Deconstruct it into its major parts on strips of paper.
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How might you explain the meaning of this sentence to your
students?
Sentence Combining
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How might you combine these ideas?
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Small fish provide an essential service.
They are specialized for cleaning others.
They feed on parasites.
They clean the gills and fins of larger fish.
Can this work?
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Small fish that are specialized for cleaning others feed
on parasites that live in the gills and fins of larger fish
and thereby provide an essential ocean-cleaning
service.
SUTW Mastering Sentences
What does it take to write a
good sentence?
Explicit, systematic,
direct instruction in
how to write a
sentence!
Spiral pg 100
Spiral pg 91
68
Spiral pg 91
In order to master sentences
children must be able to…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Tell the difference between a complete sentence
and a fragmented sentence.
Identify the different types of sentences.
Identify the parts of speech, sentence diagrams,
and rules of grammar.
Play with language.
Write for different audiences and purposes.
69
Section One:
Learning Sentence Writing
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Fragments vs. Sentences
Parts of a sentence
70
Students practice
identifying the
difference between a
complete sentence
and a fragmented
sentence.
71
Learning the Parts of a Sentence
72
Advanced
Learning the Parts of a Sentence
73
Section Two:
Practicing Sentence Writing
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Students practice
improving their simple
sentences.
Take one of the
sentences you wrote
and see if you can
make it “better”!
74
Different Kinds of Sentences
75
Combining Concepts
76
Section Three:
Mastering Sentence Writing
77
Diagramming Sentences
78
Playing with Language
79
Analyzing Sentences in Context
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Please use the sentence grid while I do your
dictation.
Who, what, where, when, action, how
80