OK...You Asked for It....

I had to see that someone was using the site. Fine....I'll play along again. This week, we have completed projects in class, started a new book, taken a grammar test and a benchmark. Today, we learned about infinitives, and tonight, you are to diagram the following sentences. Oh...the SRI will be tomorrow as well.

MjB

1. Jim had to eat his lunch quickly.

2. To avoid trouble is difficult for some. (Yes, this sentence is terrible, but I needed the structure for a reason. Sorry...I should have recomposed to say "Avoiding trouble is difficult for some." However, that's not an infinitive!)

3. We had to leave to avoid to avoid trouble. (This is sneaky too.)

Busy Thursday

OK...so...we went off on a tangent about the Academies, but that's OK. It was good for you to know. It's not that I don't think all of you are "smart." I just refuse to let anyone believe that "being smart" makes you elite. It is a blessing that needs to be shared with the world; it's not something to shoved in the face of the less fortunate. I guess it's pretty obvious that I have strong feelings on that subject.

After this, we went over last night's homework and clarified again. Then, we began working on the massive review. Hint...I usually don't review material unless there is an assessment on the way. We also chose new books and met with our groups briefly. Tonight's homework was to complete 1-15 of the massive review.

I am on a field trip tomorrow, so I won't see you. However, I will see you Monday. Post questions...ha...ha...

MjB

We're Almost Halfway There...

Our grammatical knowledge has greatly improved, but we're not there by any means. However, it is drastically improving. It all boils down to your recognition of parts of speech, and that is still waning.

Regardless, today, we went over last night's homework. Then, we met in our groups. Next, we met in our groups to discuss the project. Then, we learned all about prepositions and prepositional phrases. This was followed by diagramming instruction and, of course, practice. That's the pattern for now. You have homework sentences to complete.

MjB

Today

We went over last night's homework. Then, we took a quiz on diagramming and parts of speech. After this, we met in our groups for a short amount of time to discuss individual requirements for the project.

Then, we learned all about the linking verb, including what it does as a helping verb. Then, we learned how to diagram sentences using a linking verb. After this, we began tonight's practice sentences. That's it. We're flying through grammar right now. Good job guys!

MjB

Yes, I'm Still Here....

OK....if I stop posting for one day, I'll never post again. Thus, someone needs to verify that they're reading this, or I'm going to invest my team elsewhere. If even one of you is using this, I will happily and gladly post nightly. That was parallel structure!

On Thursday, we began the task of earnestly learning the difference between grammatical FORM and FUNCTION. Then, I taught you the basics of diagramming a sentence. We then practiced. All of this was proceeded by writing a summary for the literary circles selection.

Today, we covered the homework sentences, and we made some clarifications. This was followed by the administration of the Literary Circles Project. If you have questions about this, let me know. Finally, we learned about Coordinating Conjunctions, and I taught you how to diagram them. After this, I provided you with homework sentences.

Again, let me know please....

MjB

Blogger was Down....Again....

Hmmm...once Google purchases you, it seems like the service diminishes. YouTube seems to be suffering from the same problem. Remember, the bigger the corporation, the worse the service. That's true of government too!

Well, in short, you took the PSAT today. I didn't ask you about it because I figured it would just delay us from working. Since we were short on time, I didn't want to do that. Thus....HOW WAS IT????

Next, we completed Literary Circles Day 4 and 5. Then, we went over the parts of speech from two nights ago, including MORE clarifications. We then defined "grammar", and finally, we discussed language and what's occurring to it.

Tonight, you are completing sentences 1-8 on the handout. Write the POS on top, and use the abbreviations I gave you! See you tomorrow.

MjB

Getting Better All the Time...

Well, tomorrow is the PSAT, and if I do say so, I feel like we're as prepared as we're going to be. Do you know what's on the test? Do you know how to approach the test? Do you know how to attack the test? Do you know how to pace yourself? Now, you need some vocabulary skills, but that, my friends, is a lifelong goal.

Today, we took a practice PSAT, and then, we began to unravel the mysteries of parts of speech. Thus, as we go FORWARD and TOWARD our goal, we'll do a better job. Double check your answers tonight, and read!!!

MjB