The grammar topic of the day was commonly confused words.
As someone who spends time reading self-published novels, I am way too familiar with the wrong word being used. Well, even just on the internet. Blogs. You know what I'm talking about, I'm sure.
So, I dove into the topic with gusto.
When it was it's/its turn, I explained when to know when to use the contraction. And one boy wondered about labor contractions...
Then, out of nowhere (well, not to his mind), someone else wondered why we have C. I agreed that it could probably be done away with. That he wasn't the first to question it. And that other letters had been dropped from the alphabet. (I mentioned ampersand and thorn.)
It was a weird sort of lesson. You'd think that going over the difference between loose and lose wouldn't generate such questions, but then again, it was Friday.
Capital/capitol brought out why we call them uppercase and lowercase letters.
Peace/piece brought out where the peace symbol comes from.
I spend way too much time reading random articles on the internet.
Love this post! And would have loved to have been part of this class! What a great way (in tangent form anyway) to get the kids to relate to what they are learning! And I've got to say, it's pretty awesome if you knew the answers to some of these questions. (Or did you use google?)
ReplyDeleteThat was all stuff I'd read online prior to this.
DeleteHey, at least they were engaged in something!
ReplyDeleteI'm not getting why one would drop the letter C?? Am I missing something?.
ReplyDeleteBecause you can pretty much replace it with s or k in most instances. Benjamin Franklin wanted to rid our alphabet of it.
DeleteC is kind of redundant, isn't it? We have K and S that could easily substitute for C, right?
ReplyDeleteThis would have been a fun one to teach I think :)
betty
That was the argument.
DeleteI needed to attend this class.
ReplyDeleteI linked to the articles where I first learned much of that info. So, you didn't miss anything.
DeleteI've been saying C is useless for years. This kid gets it. And I'm sure it was a very interesting class for them, so reading all those articles was a good use of time :)
ReplyDeleteGrammar is a challenge for that age: its, it's, their there they're...even adults screw it up. Hope that kid earns kudos.
ReplyDeleteI hope some of them got something out of it.
DeleteSounds like a very useful class. The ability to recognize homophones is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteVR Barkowski
Basic grammar doesn't change. But our writing style does and how we use...Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway is to Authors who did.
ReplyDeleteI know I could use a basic English (Grammar) and math class.
Yes, we so didn't get into writing styles. Their eyes glaze over when I start talking about writing...
DeleteThat would make me loose my mind.
ReplyDeleteI recently read a novel by an author I respect and was amazed at the number of times I thought a word was misused. Then I realized it was translated (the author is Spanish) and I suspect the translator made the mistake. It is interesting though.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that in some books, too. Lately it's been peaked/peeked/piqued and passed/past that get mixed up. At least, from what I've seen.
DeleteI've never thought about the letter c and how pointless it is. Sounds as though you had a good lesson with them.
ReplyDeleteIt was more interesting than how these things usually go.
DeleteSounds like interesting lessons! Gets them thinking at least :) I'm glad you help them learn the differences too, hopefully they retain it!
ReplyDeleteI was stoked to get this lesson in the plans. I do hope they remember. Maybe some of them will.
DeleteExcellent topic! I'm sure you've helped tremendously, even if they slip now and then (Don't we all!). Be well!
ReplyDeleteI doubt I've done much at all, but it's nice to slip some interesting bits in now and again.
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