Language Arts Teaching Idea About Grammar

I was reading online last night and came across this article - http://m.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/08/imagined-lives-punctuation-marks/56023/

The author creates these made up stories of various punctuation marks. I thought it was pretty clever.

While reading the article, I thought of a possible teaching idea utilizing the framework of this article.

What if students created imaginary stories of various parts of speech, grammar, and punctuation?

As students use their creativity to hash out a story that combines the elements of the particular grammar item they would be constantly thinking about their writing skills, grammar, and effective parts of speech. Through revision and peer review the whole time students are always going to be engaged on some level with writing elements.

In middle school, who knows what type of stories they would come up.

That is all from the randomness of the bald guy!

Lego Challenge Design #2: Eye-ffel Tower

Here is the Tuesday creation.

Moving To Middle Lego Challenge #1: Eye Slide

Before school starts my middle school offers a one week crash course for the soon to be 6th graders. This class allows them to get comfortable with the building, lockers, classes, etc. before 1000+ kids come rushing the halls in about a week.

In my small group I give one student each day a pack of Lego pieces to take home. Their job is to create something cool. My only rule is that they have to use all the pieces. I don't care how they use the pieces as that is the only rule.

These kids are still embarrassed to stand out so working with them to challenge themselves and use their brains. They will continue to get better and I plan on doing this during the school year with any student that is interested.

Here is Lego Design #1: Eye Slide


Idea #2 coming soon. This is a great two minute idea for students to share their work to start class. I look forward to watching the models change and improve. As always, being a teacher I would love to have you share more great ideas that I can use with my students. I hope you enjoy this new project of mine.