LAE5336 Linguistic Mini-Lesson Series

Susan Kent

The Most Wanted List: The Top Crimes Against Grammar

The purpose of this five-day series of mini-lessons is to illustrate grammar conventions
and how they function to help us create shared meaning in writing. These lessons
acknowledge that students learn the conventions of grammar best by observing language
in context and by practicing the use of grammar for authentic purposes as Anderson
explains, "as tools to serve a writer in creating a text readers will understand" (2005, p.
5). As such, this collection of grammar mini-lessons will accompany a weeklong writers
workshop. These mini-lessons address common grammar errors seen in the students
writing samples taken the first week of class. Following each mini-lesson, students will
spend the remainder of the class period utilizing the grammar conventions presented by
editing and revising their papers in the class writers workshop.
Unit Objectives
Students will be able to do the following:
o

Explain the rules for comma usage.

Distinguish between correct and incorrect comma usage and be able to explain the
thinking behind these decisions.

Explain the rules for apostrophe use in contractions and possessive forms.

Distinguish between correct and incorrect apostrophe use and be able to explain the
thinking behind these decisions.

Identify common homophones and their correct usage.

Distinguish between correct and incorrect common homophone use and be able to
explain thinking the behind these decisions.

Identify examples of appositives and vague pronoun references in context.

Determine passive and active voice.

Edit his/her own writing to reflect this new knowledge.

Conclude how language clarity is important in a variety of academic, social,

technological, and other real-world circumstances.

Determine instances where the conventions of spoken and written language might differ.

Language Arts Florida Standards

LAFS.1112.L.1.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English
grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
LAFS.1112.L.1.1.a Apply the understanding that usage is a matter of convention, can
change over time, and is sometimes contested
LAFS.1112.L.1.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English
capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
LAFS.1112.L.2.3 Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in
different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend
more fully when reading or listening.
LAFS.1112.W.2.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development,
organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
LAFS.1112.W.4.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research,
reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a
range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
LAFS.1112.SL.1.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative
discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11
12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly and
persuasively.
LAFS.1112.RI.3.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in
different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to
address a question or solve a problem.

Procedures by Day
Day 1: Unit Anticipatory
Time
Procedure
Lesson Introduction: The Most Wanted List: The Top Crimes Against Grammar
4:00 Weird Al Word Crimes
http://youtu.be/8Gv0H-vPoDc
Using the lesson rationale, introduce this minilesson and the writing workshop for
the week. Also, we will discuss the importance of editing our writing by
exploring these overarching questions:
Why is a first draft important?
5:00
What does revise and edit mean?
Why are these important in the writing process?
How can we ensure our writing is clear?
Writing Felonies video illustrating subject/verb agreement:
4:00
http://youtu.be/nkoi6vQO-SM
Meme illustrating: a lot is two words
: 30
http://snarkecards.com/ecard/you-had-me-at-knowinga-lot-is-two-words/
1:30 Introduce Grammar Girl Editing Checklist.
Attachments
Grammar Girl Editing Checklist
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/static/GrammarGirlEditingChecklist_ForSite.pdf
Materials
Smart Board/Promethean Board/Projector
Draft of Students Paper
Assessment
There is no formal assessment for todays minilesson, as the class discussion will
enable me to assess student understanding of the grammar conventions reviewed.
Also, students will continue applying knowledge from this lesson and the editing
checklist to the paper they are revising and editing in the weeks writing
workshop, which is due at the end of this five-day mini-lesson series.
Homework
Students will begin revising and editing their draft papers in class and continue
working on them for homework utilizing knowledge gained in the lesson and the
editing checklist.
Any areas of the editing checklist that may need additional clarification should be
explored by utilizing the hyperlinks on the editing checklist, which will be posted
on the classs Edmodo site.
Students will explore the Internet and look for a blog or website that will help
with grammar problems that they experience with their writing. This site is to be
posted on the classroom Edmodo site on the daily blog post by the start of school
the next day. Students may not duplicate entries previously posted by peers.

Time
9:00

Day 2: I seen it and Homophone Introduction

Procedure
I seen it and other stupid mistakes http://youtu.be/ljKhIxcrhwk

Discussion of the video exploring questions:

How do these phrases become a part of our language?
2:30
How do these phrases then become part of our writing?
Is it appropriate to include these phrases in our writing?
30 Rock video explaining homophones:
1:00
http://youtu.be/ppzqGOelmsY?list=PLVDUbe-ErmwvrOzlu-syylOi3DPpoESEa
Monkeys & Bananas video when to use: Your & Youre
1:00
http://youtu.be/pjAJswDB14s
Discussion of homophones:
1:30
What is a homophone?
What are some examples of homophones?
Attachments
Grammar Girl Editing Checklist
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/static/GrammarGirlEditingChecklist_ForSite.pdf
Materials
Smart Board/Promethean Board/Projector
Draft of Student Paper
Blank 3 X 5 Index cards for each student
Assessment
Exit Ticket addressing the following questions:
1. My Aha moment from the first two grammar lessons was
2. Something that I could teach to someone else about grammar is
3. Something I am still unclear about grammar is
Homework
Students will continue incorporating knowledge they have gained in the first two
mini-lessons and the editing checklist by re-writing their first draft. This draft is
due in class tomorrow for a peer-review writing workshop.
Any areas of the Grammar Girl editing checklist that may need additional
clarification should be explored by utilizing the hyperlinks on the editing
checklist, which is posted on the classs Edmodo site.

Day 3: Homophones Continued

Time
Procedure
Brian McKnight video highlighting commonly confused homophones
2:00
http://youtu.be/l0VpP7VxtYg
1:30
1:00

Soldier video when to use: their, theyre, there http://youtu.be/F-G9Igd9Cwk

Police officer video when to use: whose or whos http://youtu.be/OSk7LL5nMgw

Learn by Lyrics video when to use: Too, to, or two
4:00
http://youtu.be/J5GWRL65Ky4
Cowboy video when to use: Then & Than
1:30
http://youtu.be/fRWsZRtNuGg
Discussion of homophones:
Why are homophones confusing in writing and not in speech?
Why must we be clear in our writing even though the reader may
understand our meaning because of context?
Attachments
Grammar Girl Editing Checklist
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/static/GrammarGirlEditingChecklist_ForSite.pdf
Materials
Smart Board/Promethean Board/Projector
Draft of Students Paper
Assessment
There is no formal assessment for todays minilesson, as the class discussion will
enable me to assess the students understanding of grammar conventions
reviewed.
Also, students will continue applying knowledge from these lessons and the
editing checklist to the drafts they are revising and editing in the weeks writing
workshop, which is due at the end of this five-day mini-lesson series.
Homework
Students will continue revising their draft papers in class and working on them for
homework incorporating knowledge from mini-lessons and editing checklist.
Students are also to incorporate edits from todays in-class peer edit workshop.
Any areas of the editing checklist that may need additional clarification should be
explored by utilizing the hyperlinks on the editing checklist.
Students will look through their draft papers and/or their writers notebook to find
examples of the grammar conventions discussed in Day 1, 2, and 3 of this
minilesson series. They will locate at least three examples of errors in their draft
paper or writers notebook from the mini-lessons from Day 1, 2, and 3. They will
then record the original, incorrect sentences and the revised sentences in their
writers notebook. These sentences will be graded for completion as a part of their
writers notebook assessment grade.

Day 4: Apostrophes & Commas

Time
Procedure
Video of Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority misspelling
1:00 http://www.wdrb.com/story/25705029/state-education-officials-have-egg-on-ourface-after-misspelling-of-kentucky?hpt=us_bn8
Photo of former Arizona State University quarterback Brock Osweilers tattoo,
1:00 which reads: Live life to its fullest
http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/31925086
Grammar Girls Podcast, Apostrophe Catastrophe
1:30 http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/apostrophe-catastrophepart-one?page=1
Cover of Tails magazine featuring Rachael Ray
2:00
http://blog.timesunion.com/danielnester/rachaelraycannibalcomma/1888/
Grammar Girls Podcast, Serial Comma
2:30
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/serial-comma
Stop clubbing, baby seals meme.
1:30
http://loldailyfun.com/10292/
Grammar Girls Podcast Portion Where do I use commas?
2:30
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/where-do-i-use-commas
Given what we have learned, we will revisit the questions:
Why is a first draft important?
3:00
Why is revising and editing our writing important?
Why is proper comma usage important?
Attachments
Grammar Girl Editing Checklist
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/static/GrammarGirlEditingChecklist_ForSite.pdf
Materials
Smart Board/Promethean Board/Projector
Blank 3 X 5 Index Cards for each student
Draft of Each Students Paper
Assessment
Exit Ticket addressing the following questions:
1. One thing I recognized in my own writing from the our grammar lessons so far
is
2. Something that I could teach to someone else about grammar is
3. One thing I am still having trouble with in grammar is
Homework
Students will continue revising their draft papers in class and working on them for
homework incorporating knowledge from mini-lessons and editing checklist.
Students will also incorporate edits from todays in-class peer edit workshop.
Any areas of the editing checklist that may need additional clarification should be
explored by utilizing the hyperlinks on the editing checklist.
Students will post an entry on the class blog Edmodo website answering the
following questions:
1. Give one area of grammar you find difficult in your writing.

2. Give at least one tip or idea to help others with this problem.
a) Students must respond to one other students blog post.

Day 5: Vague Pronoun Reference and Lesson Wrap-up

Time
Procedure
Apple juice/pee video illustrating Vague Pronoun Reference:
1:00
http://youtu.be/sKSnO6H6PY8
Writing Felonies video illustrating Vague Pronoun Reference:
3:00
http://youtu.be/YX_D-eAhWQw
How to check for Passive/Active Voice (by Zombies) video:
2:00
http://youtu.be/AxG0g140XfY
1:00 Doll video illustrating plural or possessive http://youtu.be/Fa3-ibgps-A
Switcheroo syndrome: when to use Affect/effect
1:30 http://youtu.be/1_EuyQinksA?list=PLPS8GkIUM8Ud7nenmHaqrYoo2Eg8U2bI
T
Grammar School with Snooki 3:30
3:30
http://youtu.be/xTwCCrMRTxE
Grammar Lesson Wrap-up and Discussion
How do you think your writing has changed this week?
3:00
What areas of grammar have you figured out this week in our lessons?
Why is clear writing so important?
Is clear speech just as important?
Attachments
Grammar Girl Editing Checklist
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/static/GrammarGirlEditingChecklist_ForSite.pdf
Materials
Smart Board/Promethean Board/Projector
First Draft of Students Paper
Assessment
There is no formal assessment for todays minilesson, as the class discussion will
enable me to assess the students understanding of grammar conventions
reviewed.
Also, students will continue applying knowledge from these lessons and the
editing checklist to the draft they are revising and editing in the weeks writing
workshop, which is due at the end of this five-day mini-lesson series.
Homework
Students final draft papers (typed, double-spaced) are due in my teacher dropbox by 10:00 pm Sunday evening.

Homework
The homework is listed for each day in the procedural charts. Additionally, students will
be applying the knowledge they gain in these mini-lessons by editing and revising their
papers.
Attachments
Grammar Girl Editing Checklist retrieved from
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/static/GrammarGirlEditingChecklist_ForSite.pdf
Accommodations/adaptations
I will follow the specifications of all student IEP and 504 plans. I will provide
differentiated instruction and scaffolding during the in-class writing workshop and any
additional differentiation as needed. I will print everything that will be posted on the
Smart Board for students with any visual disabilities. Also, all in-class examples will be
posted on the class Edmodo site for student reference.
Assessments/Further Study
The assessments are listed for each day in the procedural charts. While there are no
assessment grades for this mini-lesson series, there are grades for the following:
1. Homework Student posting on Edmodo site for grammar website or blog.
2. Homework Revised Draft paper to be used for in-class peer edit workshop.
3. Writers Notebook Three edited sentencesexamples from grammar lessons
4. Homework Student blog post on Edmodo three questions.
The students final draft paper will be due at the end of the writing workshop. All of the
grammar conventions learned in these mini-lessons will be revisited throughout the year
as the students continue to compose. Additionally, more complex grammar conventions
will be explored as the students writing progresses.
Daily Activities
Each daily outline will be followed in the daily procedure chart. The links for the videos
and photographs are given in the order they should be viewed. Also, the discussion
questions are given in the charts. After the mini-lessons have concluded, the students will
be revising and editing their papers. During this time, I will circulate the room, discussing
examples of grammar errors in each students work with individual students to ascertain
their level of understanding of the information presented each day.

References
Anderson, J. (2005). Mechanically inclined: Building grammar, usage, and style into
writers workshop. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.
Bureau of Standards and Instructional Support | Language Arts Florida Standards |
Language | Grade 1112. (2014, March). 2014 Language Arts Florida
Standards | Retrieved July 3, 2014, from
http://www.fldoe.org/bii/curriculum/sss/
Fogarty, M. (2006, December 22). Grammar Girl : Apostrophe catastrophe :: Quick and
Dirty Tips . Grammar Girl :: Quick and Dirty Tips . Retrieved May 30,
2014, from http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/apostrophecatastrophe-part-one?page=1
Fogarty, M. (2014, May 8). Grammar Girl: Editing checklist :: Quick and Dirty Tips.
Grammar Girl :: Quick and Dirty Tips. Retrieved July 20, 2014 from
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/static/GrammarGirlEditingChecklist_ForSi
te.pdf
Fogarty, M. (2010, December 30). Grammar Girl: Serial comma :: Quick and Dirty Tips.
Grammar Girl :: Quick and Dirty Tips. Retrieved May 30, 2014
from http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/serial-comma
Fogarty, M. (2013, February 13). Grammar Girl: Where do I use commas? :: Quick and
Dirty Tips. Grammar Girl :: Quick and Dirty Tips. Retrieved July 3, 2014
from http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/where-do-i-usecommas
Jacobi, A. (2011, September 12). Brock Osweiler's tattoo has unfortunate typo. Retrieved
June 1, 2014 from
http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/31925086
LOL Daily Fun blog. (2012, June 23). Retrieved May 31, 2014 from
http://loldailyfun.com/10292/
Nester, D. (2011, March 24). Rachael Ray cooks her family and her dog? Magazine
cover comma FAIL. Retrieved May 30, 2014 from
http://blog.timesunion.com/danielnester/rachaelraycannibalcomma/1888/
Snarke Cards. (2014) Retrieved July 20, 2013 from
http://snarkecards.com/ecard/you-had-me-at-knowinga-lot-is-two-words/
WDRB News, Louisville, KY. (2014, June 5) . Retrieved June 6, 2014 from
http://www.wdrb.com/story/25705029/state-education-officials-have-egg-on-ourface-after-misspelling-of-kentucky?hpt=us_bn8