Welcome to Boyet Jr. High!!
Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds. -Gordon B. Hinckley
How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of
the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of
these.
- George Washington Carver
All students are required to have a book of their choice to read in school
and at home. They will have two book reports each nine weeks.
Novel notes/story maps should be taken each day during active reading.
I have high expectations for my classes, and will strive to
bring out the best qualities and many talents in each and every child. Feel
free to call me anytime.
If you have any questions about your child's grades or behavior in class,
please feel free to call me at 643-3775 between 10:10 and 10:30. This is my
planning time and I will be happy to see you or speak to you on the phone.
Quick Reference:
Verbs:
An action verb is a word that expresses action. Some movies are filled with
nonstop action. The action in movies can be expressed by verbs. Verbs that
express what someone or something does are called action verbs. The main
word in the predicate of a sentence is a verb. Notice the action verbs in
the sentences below.
Ex: Amanda runs along the beach.
Her feet pound the damp sand.
Taffy and Jet, her dogs, race by her side.
Earlier that morning, Amanda swam for twenty minutes.
A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence with a predicate noun or
predicate adjective.
When you want to tell what someone or something is or is like, you often use
a linking verb. Linking verbs do not express actions.
Ex: Jamie is a young scientist.
Whales are his favorite animals.
Grammar Workbook pages 76-78
A linking verb connects the subject with a noun or an adjective in the
predicate. Linking verbs tell what the subject of a sentence is or is like.
A noun that follows a linking verb and tells more about the subject is called
a predicate noun. A predicate noun renames or identifies the subject.
Ex: Jamie is an expert on whales. (predicate noun)
An adjective that follows a linking verb is called a predicate adjective. A
predicate adjective describes the subject.
Ex: Most whales are enormous. (predicate adjective)
Grammar Workbook pages 82-84
Direct Objects
A direct object is a noun or pronoun in the predicate that receives the
action of the verb.
You know that the main word in the predicate of a sentence is a verb.
Sometimes the verb is the only word in the predicate.
Ex: Divers explore.
Often, however, someone or something named in the predicate receives the
action of the verb.
Ex: Divers explore the ocean floor.
The captain instructed the divers.
A word that receives the action of a verb is called a direct object. A
direct object is a noun or pronoun that answers the question whom? or what?
after an action verb. Some sentences have a compound direct object, that is,
more than one direct object.
Ex: A diver informed the captain and the crew.
A verb that has a direct object is called a transitive verb. A verb that
does not have a direct object is called an intransitive verb.
English book page 139 – Grammar Workbook pages 79-81
An indirect object is a noun or pronoun in the predicate that answers the
question to whom? for whom? to what? or for what? after an action verb.
Many sentences you use have a direct object. Some sentences have two kinds
of objects, a direct and an indirect object. An indirect object tells to
whom or to what an action is done.
Ex: Julie likes stories (direct object) about the sea.
Art gave Julie MacArthur (indirect object) a book (direct object) by
Homer.
Julie told the class (indirect object) some interesting facts (direct
object) about Greek myths.
All of the above material was discussed and practiced during the first nine
weeks and carried over into the second nine weeks.
Verb Phrases
Every verb has four basic forms called principal parts. All tenses of a verb
can be formed from these principal parts. They are called:
Present- talk
Present Participle- talking
Past- talked
Past Participle-talked
Often a principal part of a verb is combined with a helping verb to form a
verb phrase. In a verb phrase the word that names the main action is called
the main verb. A helping verb helps the main verb to show an action or make a
statement.
Ex: Dr. Evans can (helping verb) explain (main verb) much about marine life.
The class may (helping verb) ask (main verb) questions later.
The forms of the verbs be, do, and have can be used either as main verbs or
helping verbs.
Ex; Is that clear?
Joe is speaking.
Who did that?
We did remember.
Sometimes a verb phrase is interrupted by other words.
Ex: Does Dr. Evans study ocean currents?
She has recently studied the Pacific Ocean.
Haven’t you ever wondered about the tides?
English book page 147 – Grammar Workbook pages 85-88
The present progressive form of a verb expresses action that is continuing
now.
The past progressive form of a verb expresses action that continued for some
time in the past.
Progressive forms are made up of a form of be and the present participle.
English book page 149
The present perfect tense of a verb expresses an action that happened at an
indefinite time in the past or that started in the past and is still
happening in the present.
The past perfect tense expresses an action that was completed before another
past action.
The future perfect tense expresses an action that will be completed in the
future before some other future event.
English book practice 151
For regular verbs you add ed or d to form the past and the past participle.
The past and past participle of irregular verbs are formed in a variety of
ways. To learn the forms, you must memorize them.
Look at the examples on pages 152-154 in your English book.
Grammar Workbook pages 88-102
Subject-Verb Agreement
Verbs change form to show tense. Verbs can also change depending on whether
the subject is singular or plural.
A verb must always agree in number with its subject. If the subject is
singular, use the singular form of the verb. If the subject is plural, use
the plural form of the verb.
Ex: Singular A scientist studies oceans. Plural- Scientists study oceans.
She is an oceanographer. They are
oceanographers.
The ocean has mysteries. Oceans have
mysteries.
Sometimes a helping verb comes before the subject, or the verb is separated
from the subject. You must still be sure that the verb agrees with the
subject.
English book page 157
Grammar Workbook pages 163-165
Commas in Sentences
1. Use a comma before the conjunction that joins the two main clauses of a
compound sentence. Do not use a comma to separate parts of a compound
predicate.
Ex: Nurses used to be untrained, but now they must finish special training.
2. In a series of three or more items, use a comma after every item except
the last one.
Ex: Nurses care for the sick, injured, and disabled.
3. Use commas between two or more adjectives of equal rank that modify the
same noun. The adjectives are of equal rank if you can substitute the word
and for the comma.
Ex: Nurses are well-trained, caring individuals.
4. Use commas after an introductory word of phrase.
Ex: After European nursing schools opened, Americans opened similar schools.
5. Use commas to set off one or more words that interrupt the flow of
thought in a sentence.
Ex: Helping sick people, I believe, is a very worthy profession.
6. Use commas to set off nouns of direct address.
Ex: Robert, your mother and grandmother were both nurses.
7. Use commas to set off nonessential appositives. Appositives are
nonessential if the meaning of the sentence is clear without them.
Ex: One group, the American Nurses’ Association, admits only registered
nurses.
8. Use a comma whenever the reader might otherwise be confused.
Ex: Before the mid-1900s, nursing was considered by many to be an unsuitable
profession.
Grammar Workbook practice pages 193-198
Punctuating Quotations
A direct quotation is a report of a speaker’s exact words. Use quotation
marks at the beginning and at the end of a direct quotation.
Ex: “Movies about aliens are interesting,” Jeff said.
Use commas to set off the explanatory words used with a direct quotation, at
the beginning, middle, or end of the quotation.
Ex: Jeff said, “Movies about aliens are interesting.”
“Movies about aliens,” Jeff said, “are interesting.”
If the quotation itself is a question or exclamation, the question mark or
exclamation point falls inside the end quotation marks. Commas and periods
always go inside the end quotation marks.
Ex: “Wow!” Olivia exclaimed. “Did you read the new book about UFOs yet?”
If the quotation is part of a question or exclamation, the question mark or
exclamation point falls outside the end quotation marks.
Ex: Did the scientist say, “I believe aliens do exist”?
A divided quotation is a direct quotation that is divided into two parts by
explanatory words. Both parts are enclosed in quotation marks. The first
word in the second part is not capitalized unless it begins a sentence.
Review the above examples to see how to punctuate and capitalize a divided
quotation.
A dialogue is a conversation between two or more speakers. In writing a
dialogue, indicate a change in speaker by using a new paragraph and new set
of quotation marks.
Ex: “Dr. Turner,” the reporter asked, “do you believe in the existence of
alien life?”
“Yes, I believe it is possible intelligent life exists elsewhere,”
the scientist replied.
An indirect quotation is a restatement, in somewhat different words, of what
someone said. Do not use quotation marks to set off an indirect quotation.
Grammar Workbook pages 199-201
Pronouns
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of one or more nouns and the words
that go with the nouns. To avoid repeating words in your sentences, you can
sometimes replace nouns with pronouns. Personal pronouns are pronouns that
refer primarily to persons.
Ex: Rita likes books. She collects biographies.
Tim and Sue bought a new book. They read often.
Some personal pronouns are used as the subjects of sentences. These are
called subject pronouns.
Ex: Tim owns several dictionaries. He enjoys words.
Grammar Workbook practice pages 47-48
Other personal pronouns are used as objects of verbs or as the objects of
prepositions. These are called object pronouns.
Ex: Al has a book of poems. Lila gave it to him.
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or a
pronoun and another word in a sentence. To describe locations you often use
prepositions. Remember a preposition is a word that tells where a squirrel
can go. On a fence, over the fence, through the fence, above the fence,
around the fence, etc. Look at common prepositions on page 364 in your
English book.
Subject Pronouns
Singular- I Plural- we
you you
he, she, it they
Object Pronouns
Singular- me Plural- us
you you
him, her, it them
Grammar Workbook pages 49-54
Possessive Pronouns
Pronouns that show who or what has or owns something are called possessive
pronouns. A possessive pronoun can take the place of a possessive noun.
Ex: Possessive noun- Lincoln’s speech is famous. Possessive pronoun- His
speech is famous
The pen is
Ramona’s. This pen is hers.
Possessive Pronouns
Used before nouns- my, your, his, her, its our, your, their
Stand alone- mine, yours, his, hers, its ours yours
theirs
Grammar Workbook pages 55-57
Pronouns and Antecedents
Pronouns help you refer back to nouns in other sentences. The noun that a
pronoun refers to is called the antecedent of the pronoun. The antecedent
includes any words that go with the noun.
Ex: Antecedents- The book lists inventors. Pronouns- It is
fascinating.
A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender. A pronoun may
be singular or plural in number and masculine (male), feminine (female), or
neuter (referring to things) in gender.
Ex: Mrs. Walker is a librarian. She recommends books.
I like reading about inventors. They inspire me to think creatively.
Grammar Workbook pages 64-66
An indefinite pronoun does not refer to a specific person, place, thing, or
idea. Indefinite pronouns often do not have antecedents. Indefinite
pronouns can be singular, plural, or singular or plural.
Grammar workbook pages 67-69
Practice pronoun problems in Grammar Workbook pages 70-75
Grammar Basics: A quick reference
Start here if you aren't sure about the basic elements of grammar: the
different types of words and how they function, as well as the different ways
in which you can put words together.
NOUN
a person, place, or thing. Can be the subject or object of a sentence. Ex:
cat, horse, mother, Denmark
PRONOUN
a word that replaces or stands for ("pro" = for) a noun. Ex: he, she, it
VERB
an action word. Ex: sit, laugh
ADJECTIVE
a word that describes or modifies a noun. Answers the questions "how
many," "what kind," etc. Ex: happy, arrogant, red, dangerous
ADVERB
a word that describes or modifies a verb. Ex: carefully, quickly, wisely.
Also sometimes modifies an adjective. ("She was very tall." 'Very' is an
adverb modifying 'tall,' which in turn is an adjective modifying 'she'.)
Adverbs usually, but not always, end in "-ly". (However, not every word
ending in "ly" is an adverb: "friendly," for example, is an adjective.)
PREPOSITION
(literally "pre-position") a word that indicates the relationship of a noun
(or noun phrase) to another word. Examples of prepositions are to, at, with,
for, against, across. (Ending a sentence with a preposition)
Interjection
Conjunction
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
A phrase beginning with a preposition. Heh, heh. You could have figured that
out, right? Example:
I am sitting in the bushes.
"I am sitting" is a complete sentence unto itself; it contains a subject
("I") and a verb ("am sitting"). The phrase "in the bushes" is a
prepositional phrase ("in" being the preposition) that expands upon the basic
concept.
SENTENCE
the basic unit of writing. A sentence should have a subject and a predicate.
The subject is the noun to which the sentence's verb refers; the predicate is
the verb plus whatever other parts modify or elaborate on it. Example:
My mother sings.
"My" is a possessive pronoun; "mother" is the subject (noun); "sings" is the
verb.
There are several types of sentences. The major ones are:
DECLARATIVE
The majority of sentences are declarative. A declarative sentence makes a
statement. This sentence is declarative, as are the previous two.
INTERROGATORY
An interrogatory sentence asks a question. Do you understand that? Which of
these sentences is an example?
IMPERATIVE
An imperative sentence gives a command. Ex: "Shut up and kiss me." Note that
an imperative sentence does not require a subject; the pronoun "you" is
implied.
RUN-ON SENTENCE
A sentence that is too long and should be broken into two or more sentences.
One sentence should present one basic concept; if it presents more than that,
it may be a run-on. A large number of "and"s, "but"s, and similar joining
words is one warning sign of a run-on.
SENTENCE FRAGMENT
A phrase that is acting like a sentence but is incomplete. Examples:
My favorite color.
This is not a sentence because it contains no verb.
Walking very slowly.
This is not a sentence because it contains no noun.
On the table.
This is not a sentence because it contains neither a verb nor a subject.
Sentence fragments are acceptable as answers to direct questions:
"Where is my sword?" "In the bushes."
More about Verbs
PASSIVE vs. ACTIVE VERBS
A verb is active when the subject performs the verb. A verb is passive when
the subject is the recipient of the verb. In general, passive verb
construction is considered "wimpy" or nonspecific.
Xena was watched by the villagers.
Xena is the subject of the sentence, but the verb is "watch" and Xena is not
doing the watching; therefore the verb is passive and "the villagers" is the
object. This construction is not ideal.
The villagers watched Xena.
Now the villagers are the subject, Xena is the direct object, and the verb
is active. This is better than the previous example.
CONJUGATION
To conjugate a verb is to state the form the verb takes for each person. For
example, to conjugate the verb "to have" (in the present tense) you say "I
have, you have, he/she/it has, we have, y'all have, they have."
TENSES
I assume we all know what past, present and future are. Most verbs take
different forms depending on tense. For example, "I eat" is present, "I ate"
is past and "I will eat" is future.
In addition, every verb has a past participle (p.p.). Use a form of "to have"
plus the p.p. to indicate nonspecific past events.
Example: The p.p. of "to eat" is "eaten." For a specific event,
use "ate": "Yesterday I ate an apple for lunch." For something that happened
in the past at an unspecified time, or over a period of time, use "have" plus
the p.p.: "I have eaten many apples in my lifetime." For double-past (talking
about something that happened before something else in the past) use "had"
plus the p.p.: "Yesterday Xena offered me an apple for dinner, but I had
eaten one for lunch, so I had an orange instead."
Most (but certainly not all!) past participles end in -en, e.g. eaten,
spoken, ridden.
Miscellaneous
DIRECT vs. INDIRECT OBJECT
An object is a noun that is the recipient of the verb in the sentence. It's
easier to demonstrate than to explain:
Xena grabbed her sword.
Xena is the subject, because she performs the verb. "Grabbed" is the
verb; "her" is a possessive pronoun; the sword is the direct object because
the grabbing is performed upon it.
Xena put her sword on the table.
Xena is the subject; "put" is the verb; the sword is the direct object; the
table is the indirect object.
PERSON
Tells whom the speaker (or writer) is speaking (or writing) about. The
majority of stories are written in the third person singular: "Xena woke up.
She was hungry, so she started a fire and made pancakes."
Some stories (notably "If on a winter's night a traveler" by Italo Calvino;
also all those "Choose Your Adventure" books we loved when we were kids) are
written in the second person: "You look around and see Xena approaching. You
reach for your sword."
A good number of stories ("Catcher in the Rye," all the Sherlock Holmes
novels, etc.) is written in first person: "I woke up to find Xena had
abandoned me again. 'Gabrielle,' I said to myself, 'this is the last straw.'"
The plurals are: first person "we/us," second person "you" (or "y'all"),
third person "they/them."
PARSING
To parse a sentence means to take it apart and identify each element in the
sentence. In my mom's day, diagramming sentences (literally drawing a diagram
that shows how each word and clause functions in the sentence) was a standard
part of elementary education.