Gift Bag Grammar
Helping Students Understand Parts of Speech
Stage of Literacy Development:
Stage 2: Consolidation / FluencyStage 3: Literacy for Growth
Ages:
7-9
Grade Range:
2nd 3rdFood Groups:
Primary: Writing Conventions
Activity Description
Preparation:
Session 1:
1. Choose a book about one of the parts of speech
a. For example, A Mink, A Fink, A Skating Rink: What Is a Noun? by Brian P. Cleary
2. Gather chart paper and colored markers
3. Print the parts of speech words generated by students Session 1 onto cue cards, color-coding each part of speech
a. For example, all nouns are green
4. Assemble small gift bags for each group of students
a. Label each gift bag with one of the parts of speech you have chosen
5. Sort the word cards into the corresponding gift bags
6. Photocopy parts of speech practice worksheet
Implementation:
Session 1:
1. Read a book about parts of speech aloud to the class to get them engaged
2. Review the definitions of previously taught parts of speech
3. Invite students to brainstorm interesting examples of your chosen parts of speech
a. For example, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs
4. Record the students’ responses on chart paper
a. Divide the chart paper into sections and label each with a part of speech
b. Color-code the students’ responses, for example, nouns in green, adjectives in purple, verbs in blue
Session 2:
1. Facilitate a review of the lists generated in Session 1
2. Invite students to form groups
3. In their respective groups, have students choose 1 card from each of the gift bags
4. Have students print their words on the practice worksheet using the labeled lines
5. Support students as they create a sentence using their different parts of speech words
Adaptations For
English Language Learners/ESL:
- Encourage peer coaching with a student who speaks the same first language - Accept oral responses as the students choose nouns, adjectives, and verbs to formulate sentences - Permit picture and word examples for each part of speech
LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:
- Complete the first sentence together to model the process - Reduce the required number of sentence responses - Offer the option of a fill-in-the-blanks cloze exercise
Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:
- Encourage students to use personal examples that represent their own customs and traditions as they build sentences using different parts of speech
Differentiated Instruction:
- Provide flexibility for different work spaces - Offer choices for various learning styles, such as a sorting activity
Related References
Useful resource for developing parts-of-speech activities: http://www.k12reader.com/grammar-reference/
Evidence: Button, K., Johnson, M., & Ferguson, P. (1996). Interactive writing in a primary classroom. The Reading Teacher, 49, 446-454.
Activity Objective
The goal of Gift Bag Grammar: Helping Students Understand Parts of Speech is to help students identify various parts of speech, understand their individual functions, and write grammatically correct sentences.
What You Need
Prep Time:
30 minutes Session 1: - Choose a book Gather chart paper and markers Session 2: - Print parts of speech word cards (one time only) - Assemble the gift bags (one time only) - Photocopy the practice worksheet
Task Time:
2, 45-minute sessions Session 1: - Teacher reads a book aloud to the class - Teacher reviews definitions for the parts of speech - Students brainstorm examples of parts of speech Session 2: - Teacher facilitates a review of students' responses - Students complete the writing activity
Materials Required:
Teacher: - Read-aloud book - Chart paper - Markers - Small gift bags - Cue cards Student: - Writing utensil - Paper
What You Do
Teacher Role:
Direct Instruction: - during the instructional lessons Facilitator: - during the brainstorming session Consultant: - during the independent writing activity
Student Grouping:
Whole class: - during the lessons and brainstorming session Individual: - during the independent writing activity
Assessment Ideas:
- Use a parts of speech checklist with a rating scale (see downloadable document provided) a. For example, checklist: grammar worksheet, journal, reading responses, daily writing b. Rating scale: always, usually, sometimes, rarely - Conference with students during the editing process in the Writing Block - Use grammar worksheets and quizzes
Quick Tips
Activity Extensions:
- Sort Word Wall words into parts of speech a. Teacher removes the nouns, verbs, and adjectives from the Word Wall b. Students sort the Word Wall words under the appropriate parts of speech headings - Create a word chain for a specific part of speech a. Procedure: next word in the chain begins with the last letter of the previous word b. Noun word chain: bicycle → elephant → toy → yoyo → octopus - Write a descriptive paragraph about a concrete object using adjectives a. For example, give each of the students a donut and ask them to brainstorm adjectives and write a descriptive paragraph - Dramatize examples of verbs in a game of Parts of Speech Charades
Additional Comments:
- Most students learn grammar incidentally, through exposure, and do not benefit from an extensive focus on parts of speech. However, when parts of speech are taught in a fun and relevant way, this can help students (especially English language learners) improve their knowledge of how our language is structured. Anchoring discussion of parts of speech by making them practical can be helpful (for example, discussing adjectives as "descriptive words" and discussing the need to make these words interesting in writing). - Use teacher-generated or purchased posters to teach the definitions of the parts of speech. - Develop the chart listing different parts of speech over several lessons. - Repeat this activity on a regular basis for additional practice.
Other Adaptations/Modifications:
- Revise the lesson and worksheet to focus on only one part of speech at a time
