Sentence Pattern Study: Pattern 3

Last week, we began our study of sentence patterns. Remember, if you recognize the pattern of a sentence’s core parts, the grammar of the sentence (or its word arrangement) will make more sense. Last time, we discussed Pattern 1 and Pattern 2.

Today, let’s start our study with a new Pattern 2 Sentence:

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How to Implement Team Writing: Establishing Guidelines

How to Implement Team Writing: Establishing Guidelines

The overall goal of team writing is to provide an opportunity for small groups of students to collaborate during each step of the writing process to produce a shared piece of writing.

If a team writing activity sounds like an implausible dream (considering your students’ diverse stages of writing development), take a deep breath and listen up! You might be surprised to learn that there are tremendous benefits in store! Some of the most notable student benefits include having the opportunity to…

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Sentence Pattern Study: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2

Sentence Pattern Study: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2

Learning English grammar can be tough, but, as the saying goes, a picture paints a thousand words. So, I am taking the high road on this series and making it visual—thereby sparing well over 980 words…and your sanity!

If you are up on your brain science, you know that our brains seek patterns to make sense of the world. In English, even our sentences fall into patterns. If you recognize the pattern of a sentence’s core parts, the grammar of the sentence (or its word arrangement) will make more sense. Look at this:

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Use To vs Used To: What's the difference?

Use To vs Used To: What's the difference?

Lately, I’ve noticed some confusion with the way people use the idiomused to in a sentence. Some write “use to and others write “used to?” Do you know which one is correct?

Use to and “used to cause confusion for a couple of good reasons. We unravel the mystery in this week’s Two-Minute Tip. Take a look…

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Discovery Time: Creating a Winter Wonderland Tour

Discovery Time: Creating a Winter Wonderland Tour

If I could travel the world, I would! I love the excitement of finding a new destination to experience. I love having the freedom to go wherever I want or can afford whether I have a detailed itinerary or not! For me, world travel is an adventure. But, what if you don’t have the time or money to travel? Shurley English can take you on a global adventure through Discovery Time!

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Early Reading: What is microcomprehension?

Early Reading: What is microcomprehension?

I read some information today about what’s missing in reading comprehension instruction, and the research that was provided jumped off of the page for me! I had to get used to some new terminology, but it all made perfect sense!

The article stated that the latest research in early literacy found that there is an extra step between decoding and comprehension that most of us don’t know about. They even had a name for the missing skill: microcomprehension.

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The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks

The Beginner's Mind: Learning to take risks

As a kid, do you remember the first time you took the training wheels off and tried to ride your first bicycle? In the beginner’s mind, it was the next step in being a big kid, and it meant being open to making mistakes and being willing to take a huge risk.

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Language Arts Success: The BEST of 2018

Language Arts Success: The BEST of 2018

As the calendar year comes to a close, a teacher’s journey is still moving at full speed. (It’s true!) We are not quite to the halfway mark of our year, and we still have much to do! As 2018 comes to a close and before you begin the second semester, I would encourage you to take a moment, stop, and reflect. It is good for the mind and soul to take note of one’s progress. What successes are you seeing in the classroom? Are you on the track you had planned? Do you need to make adjustments?

To help you do so, we've assembled a list of the 10 most significant language arts stories we discussed in 2018. From study skill tips to word analysis strategies to the grammar-writing connection, these articles examine ways to ignite learning while building a solid foundation for #ELAsuccess.

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How to Improve the Structure of Sentences

How to Improve the Structure of Sentences

Teaching students to vary the word order that they use in their sentences to add interest and variety is a skill that you can model as you support your students in their growth as budding writers. Of course, sentence fluency is one of the effective traits that good writers develop to improve their ability to communicate. Mover and Shaker lessons support

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How to Manage Stress During the Holiday Season

How to Manage Stress During the Holiday Season

There are only seven shopping days left before Christmas! (Let that sink in for just a minute!) I know that Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but right about now, I’m feeling a little less than wonderful! The very idea that I only have a handful of days left to select, purchase, and wrap gifts for my family stresses me out! I’ve never been this unprepared!

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