Study Guide Final

Rule 1: Keep calm and study on.

Don't sweat the final; as long as you review your grammar notes and pay close attention in class next week as we review, you'll be okay. :)

There will be three parts to your final:

Part I
You will be given a short story to read. After reading the story you will be asked to identify the literary elements.
- Theme (be prepared to explain your choice)
- Conflict (be prepared to explain your choice)
- Identifying Characters (protagonist, antagonist, static, dynamic)
- Setting
- Plot (summarize with our 5-point plot method)

Part II
You will be asked to identify certain parts of a sentence. Be ready to identify:
- Complete subjects
- Complete predicates
- Prepositions
- Pronouns
- Conjunctions
- Adjectives
- Adverbs
- Action verbs and direct objects (together)
- Helping and linking verbs
- Independent and dependent clauses

Part III
You will need to rewrite several sentences correctly. Some of the sentences will include capitalization mistakes. Others will be run-on sentences and you will need to show your knowledge of comma use. You will need to rewrite a few sentences using the singular or plural possessive forms, and you will be required for some sentences to fill-in-the-blank with a verb in the correct tense.

*The best way to study for your final is to review the past 3 Grammar quizzes you've had. The questions will be verrrrrry similar.*

As always, if you have any questions, please comment or send me an email.

Writing Prompt/Grammar Quiz

Hey everyone! First, let me just say that I was really impressed last night at our Spring program. You all did such an awesome job!

Your writing prompt for this week (due Monday):
Write a story in past tense. Somewhere in your story, you must incorporate the following:
1. A person named Jack
2. Cupcakes
3. Diamonds
* Please remember to keep your word count under 250. Check previous posts for formatting.
** Also, remember that this time, you won't be turning in a rough draft. What you hand in will be your one and only draft. Remember that it is a test grade and I'm looking for correct format, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.

Grammar quiz this Friday:
- Anything we've had on our previous quizzes is fair game
- Verb tenses (using the correct form of the verb for past, present, and future tenses)
- Subject - verb agreement
- Commas

Study for Grammar

What's on tomorrow's assessment?

- Anything from our first assessment is fair game (subject/predicate, prepositions, capitalization, run-on sentences, possessive nouns)

- Helping verbs

- Linking verbs

- Verb tenses

Linking Verbs + Portfolio Info

Sorry for the delay, everyone. As Kyle says... I have the memory of a goldfish.

Today's assignment:
Draw a line under the linking verb in each sentence.

1. The animal shows are my favorite exhibit.
2. The farmers seem friendly.
3. The animals look healthy.
4. The judges are experts.
5. One judge is a farmer.
6. He appears knowledgeable about the animals.
7. Sheila seems quite skilled.
8. Her sewing appears perfect.
9. The dress is a blue ribbon winner.
10. Hans and Jody are relaxed, too.

After we check our work, we'll be talking about... dun dun dunnnn... VERB TENSES!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!

So. Onto portfolios. Here's a list of what you should have in your portfolio (remember, portfolio check is tomorrow):
1. Fantasy story (1 draft)
2. Heater story (2 drafts)
3. Donkey story (2 drafts)
4. Crisis (president) story (2 drafts)
5. Island story (1 draft)

Finally, here's what I've been promising I'd post regarding the header format for your stories. You don't have to make an actual "header" - what I'd like you to do instead is:
1. Make sure your text is aligned to the LEFT.
2. First line - type your name.
3. Second line - type the class (Language Arts A or Language Arts B).
4. Third line - type the date.
5. Fourth line - CENTER your text alignment for the title.
6. After you've included your title, hit enter for the next line, re-align your text to the left, and begin your story.

I'll be showing you how to follow these steps in class today. I do expect the final draft of your Island story to follow this format. Here's a picture of what it will look like (click to enlarge the picture):

Homework 5/6

Main Verbs and Helping Verbs

Part I: Draw one line under the helping verb. Draw to lines under the main verb. 

1. We have met every day after school.

2. Other students are planning their acts.

3. Everybody is making fancy costumes.

4. Sandy has made a decision.

5. She shall enter the contest without a partner.

6. She is performing a solo act.

7. We can meet in the afternoon.

8. Justin and I could use more practice.

Part II: Copy the following list of common linking verbs in your grammar notes. We will discuss linking verbs tomorrow. 

am
is
are
was
were
will be
seem
appear
look
taste
smell
feel

Homework 3/5

Verbs with Direct Objects: At the Dog Show

Draw one line under the action verb and two lines under the direct object.

1. A beagle shows her hunting skills.

2. Each owner wants the best prize.

3. Elaine brings dog biscuits.

4. The pets love the treats.

5. They all wag their tails.

Complete each sentence with a direct object.

1. We enter the ___________________.

2. Elaine pats a frightened _______________________.

3. Susan brushes a _______________________.

4. The judge announces the _________________________.

5. A sheepdog wins the __________________________.