I am at a loss. I am in need of a beginning grammar lesson! I was trying to understand the examples in "Breaking the Rules" but, well, me and i- I mean my and me- I mean. I am confused. My head doesn't understand the "right" answers. I exaggerate a bit, but sadly not a lot. I am enjoying reading this. I honestly want to understand. I wish I had knowledge of the tenses and what the terms mean, it would help me learn other languages. I feel like this should be a few weeks of readings and lesson examples!
Here are the rules I do remember (and still use):
I before e, except after c. Or when sounding like A in neighbor or weigh.
To find a prepositional phrase. Use the sentence: The squirrel went ________the tree. If it makes sense, it is a prepositional phrase. (To, from, up, in, out, around...) (This is a questionable one)
Conjunctions= FANBOYS
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet and So
I am really, really good at Mad Libs. So I have that going for me.
We should bring this style of teaching back:
6 comments:
I love the title of this post, as grammar often provokes the same reaction in me. Like you, I want to know and intricately understand the rules of our language and meaningfully transmit them to my students. Like the readings from this week emphasize, I think the bets way to do this is in a literary rich environment, but this seems MUCH easier said than done. Maybe I'll just show my students Schoolhouse Rock.
My 9th grade English teacher actually had us watch a ton of school house rock. Use them! They are funny and educational, and students love when you can make them laugh!
I was actually required to read The Elements of Style in its entirety in 10th grade. Though, don't take that as as much of a complaint as it sounds like; I ended up loving it, and I now have the fancy bonded leather 50th anniversary edition on my bookshelf...
Anyway though, it's a really great, actually read-through-able grammar guide if you feel like gettin' down with some pronouns.
Thank you for reuniting me with School House Rock!
Also, your title made me laugh and sometimes I totally feel the same way. I just don't understand the rules and why they are the way they are. I generally live by the rule: if it sounds right then it's good enough for me. Which is probably not healthy, but it's the honest truth.
I really loved this post! And I LOVED watching Schoolhouse Rock in school, so use the videos! I'm sure I will! I still remember the songs, therefore the information, I think they're really helpful!
Awesome post- both for the content and for the Schoolhouse rock videos.
My blog post is extremely similar and I completely agree. I need to find a way to convey grammar subtly. I think I will do "teach as it comes up" moments throughout the year
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