| How
To Use This Book The
objectives of this book mirror standard ideas for the study of language and its
guidelines:
- Review of important rules of grammar
- Reinforcement of the importance of standard
English for oral and written communication
- Demonstration of the relevance of grammar to
students’ academic lives and to their goals
- Assistance in making writing an easier task
with more satisfying results
- Development of confidence in personal skill
habits
The twenty separate sections of this
practice book support these objectives. Each section offers theory and practice that
promote further understanding of structure.
Theory pages not only review information but
also add detail to promote growth in language usage. Students in grades 610 may have
varying earlier instructional experiences.
Therefore, the review becomes somewhat
comprehensive. What may be new information flows forward easily on the base of what may be
assumed to have been studied previously.
The exercises strengthen the students’
knowledge of theory. Repetition becomes an important reinforcer for students in these
grades. As they move successfully through the practice sessions, they develop their
facility with language. This development in turn under-girds a new confidence in their
ability to use language more appropriately and effectively in either oral or written
communication.
Since some students are more visual learners
than others, the use of color to identify parts of speech can be productive for them. Red
for nouns and green for verbs, for example, are easy highlights for certain students.
Individuals who require attention in a developmental mode or have a learning disability
are among those who can benefit from color as a study tool. It is yet another strategy to
clarify the parts of speech.
An important identification of the sentence
is its division into the subject and the predicate. Several critical grammatical elements
are found in the predicate. To imprint the point of division, therefore, the main verb
that has a relationship to the subject of the sentence has been termed the predicate
verb in this book.
Teachers or parents can explain this issue
and continue to use the term predicate verb or use the term main verb. Overall,
understanding which word (or words) constitutes the verb that relates to the subject is
the most important point.
The Pre-Test and Post-Test serve as
evaluations for student and teacher or parent.
Results from the Pre-Test enable the student
to focus on any weakness and take pride in the strengths shown. Post-Test results
supporting growth in usage and understanding will add to self-confidence with evidence of
progress.
Using the Answer Key simplifies movement
from exercise to exercise and provides a sense of independence for students. This type of
freedom is pleasing to students in these grades. Opportunities can be offered to answer
questions should they arise. |
