Grammarifics Lesson 1, Fun with Nouns

Lesson 1: Fun with Nouns!

• Using Singular and Plural Nouns !

• Recognizing Common Nouns and Proper Nouns !

• Capitalizing Nouns

Objectives

1. to reinforce the ability to identify and use the plural forms of nouns

2. to increase the ability to recognize common and proper nouns, and to differentiate between them

3. to provide practice in capitalizing proper nouns: names, addresses, days of the week, months, holidays

Summary

The story of a girl named Frannie and the birthday party she is planning, supplies the background for this lesson. Frannie makes a list of the things (nouns) she will need for the party. Her mother suggests that Frannie make each noun plural, since she will need more than one of each item for the party. At this point, the narrator directs the student's attention to page 1 of the activity sheets where Frannie's list is found. Also printed on the page are five rules for making nouns plural. The student uses the rules to write the plural form of each noun. The student works with common and proper nouns on the second activity sheet. The narrator explains these terms, using the definitions provided on the page and the examples written on a drawing of Frannie's notepad. After the student underlines the common nouns found in the first group of sentences, he or she underlines the proper nouns found in the second group. The activities on page 3 are designed to extend understanding of proper nouns. In the first activity, the student writes the missing capital letter above each proper noun in the sentences. In the final activity, he or she circles the first letter of each proper noun in the party invitation found on the page.

INTRODUCTION

The Grammarifics program is a multimedia series of 12 lessons designed to supplement and individualize language instruction for students in grades 4 through 6, and for those at ages 12 to adult in need of remedial help. Each lesson in the program consists of audio media and three reproducible activity sheets. The audio combines expert instruction in grammar and usage with themes that are relevant to the interests of students in the intermediate grades. Central to the program is the development of the students' communication skills. This is accomplished through analysis of sentence structure, information of generalizations concerning English usage, and the application of those generalizations in exercises which stimulate students' interest. The program concentrates on nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives. Many important sub-skills related to these parts of speech are also presented. Each audio-directed lesson begins with a lively introduction focusing on a theme which should be familiar to most students. Special effects and dialogue are often used to heighten students' interest in the material to be learned. The narrators then guide the students through written exercises on the activity sheets. Found on many of the activity sheets is a block of content material. The narrator helps the students analyze the content material, draw valid conclusions, and apply the content to the exercises presented on the activity sheets.

Every effort has been made to make all elements of the program enjoyable and meaningful. All lessons are self-directing and self-correcting. This allows students to work through the lessons at an independent rate and to evaluate their performances privately. The narrators give complete instructions for doing the exercises on the activity sheets. Games, puzzles, secret messages, codes, newspaper ads, and lively illustrations are just a few of the techniques used to create interest in the lessons. Two lessons are devoted to each part of speech covered in the program. The parts of speech may be studied in any order, depending upon the preparation of the individual student. The audio, which deals with each part of speech, however, should be used in sequence. Lessons 11 and 12, "Putting It All Together—Parts I and II," contain a complete review of the concepts presented in the first 10 lessons of Grammarifics. These lessons should be used after the student has worked through the first 10 lessons of the program.

USING THE PROGRAM

The Audio

The audio lessons in Grammarifics employ a variety of motivational techniques which are designed to capture and hold the interest of students. Each audio begins with music, special audio effects, or a short vignette played out by characters. The students are then carefully guided through the entire lesson by professional narrators who use a friendly, positive approach to language instruction. Timed pauses are programmed into the audio to allow the students to complete brief responses on the activity sheets. However, when more than a few seconds are needed to complete a response or to read over specific material, an electronic tone built into the audio signals the students to stop the player. Students should be reminded that they may stop the audio whenever additional response time is needed, or replay any material they may wish to hear. The use of headsets is recommended to avoid distracting other students in the classroom and to reinforce the interaction between student and narrator. The running time of the audio averages approximately 20 minutes. The average working time of each lesson is about 30 minutes. It should be remembered that this time is only an approximation. Since the student stops and starts the audio several 'times during the course of each lesson to read material or to complete exercises, the actual time needed will depend on the student's working speed.

The Activity Sheets

Three illustrated activity sheets are used in each lesson of the program. All activities are completed by the student as the audio presentation progresses. The responses for these activities are checked and corrected by the student through answers given by the narrators. The activity sheets offer a variety of skill-building games and enjoyable written activities to increase the student's understanding of parts of speech. All exercises are closely correlated with the audio instructions.

The Teacher's Guide

This guide contains individual summaries of the 12 lessons in the program. Each summary lists the skills objectives of the lesson, a description of each written activity, and reproductions of all student activities with answers overprinted. Included in the final pages of this guide are several creative follow-up activities which may be used with small groups of students to reinforce the skills taught in the program.