8th Grade English/Language Arts

Demographic:
Herbert Millner (M)- ADHD
Paten Vander (F)- Speech impairment
Lya Gross (F)- Mild dyslexia
Oliver Fore (M)- Mild autism
Total students: 24

Learning to Hyphenate
*Based on a 15 Minute mini-lesson.
Rationale:
This is a mini-lesson that occurs at the end of the class period. The purpose of this lesson is to
teach a grammar concept using a mistake made in pop culture. Research shows that visual aids
can create an authentic atmosphere for students to learn concepts such as grammar (Macwan,
2015, p. 94). To connect grammar to mass media, we will be using a movie poster to talk about
the correct use of hyphens. The movie I chose is Grown Ups. The title is grammatically incorrect
because it is missing a hyphen. I chose this movie poster in part because the film is tailored to a
young adult audience. It is a couple of years old and is airing on television so there is a high
chance students have seen or heard about the movie. According to Macwan, pictures are very
effective and provide associations for students to learn concepts while also being appealing to
students by using popular culture which is why we are using the movie poster (2015, p. 95).
Earlier in the day we are talking about writing skills. We are doing this mini-lesson in
conjunction to writing because Ive noticed students have been using hyphens, or not using them

when needed, incorrectly in their writing. For homework, students will be tasked with finding a
grammar mistake in a song.
Standards:
LAFS.8.L.1.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and
usage when writing or speaking.
LAFS,.8.SL.1.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in
groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on
others ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Objectives:
Students will be able to define the use of a hyphen.
Students will be able to identify the seven hyphen rules to a movie poster.
Materials:
Computer with projector
Wall post-it note
Anticipatory Set:
Students will be seated in their assigned seats. The teacher will be setting up the computer and
putting a large post-it note on the board. The teacher will recommend students take out a sheet of
paper for notetaking.
Procedures:
Time
3 Minutes

What the students are doing

Students will view the image on
the board and respond to teacher
poll questions.

What the teacher is doing

The teacher will show students the
cover of the movie Grown Ups.
The teacher will take a poll with the
following questions:
-How many of you have heard of
this movie?
-How many of you have seen this

9 Minutes

Students will be taking notes and

responding to the teachers
questions.

1 Minute

Students will answer the teachers

question.

movie?
-For those of you who have seen it,
can anyone give me a 30 second
summary.
-Do you think theres anything
wrong with this movie poster? *
*Lead students to believe there is a
grammatical problem. If students
arent responding alter question to
is there something missing from
the title?
The teacher will ask students what
is a hyphen? Lead students to the
conclusion that a hyphen is a
punctuation mark used to join
compound words. Also inform
students that there are seven ways
to use hyphens. Ask students when
they have used hyphens and have
students provide an example. The
teacher will record the seven ways
to use hyphens and the students
example on the post-it note. See
attachments for the seven ways.
Referring back to the movie poster,
have students which hyphen rule is
needed in the movie title. The
answer is compound noun.

Closure (2 Minutes):
Students will fill out an exit ticket and answer the question: When do we use hyphens? Explain
one rule and provide an example. Students will turn this in before they begin packing up to
leave class.
Homework:
Find a grammar mistake in the lyrics of one of your favorite songs. Song must be school
appropriate meaning there is no bad language or vulgar phrases.

Assessment:
Formal: Students will receive a grade for their exit ticket. Each exit ticket is worth five points.
There are three parts to this grade: correctness of hyphen definition, worth one point; explanation
of rule, worth two points; and appropriateness of example, worth two points.
Informal: Informal assessment will occur when I ask students which hyphen is needed in the
movie title at the end of the lesson.
Accommodations:
Student with ADHD- This student will have preferential seating and act as my door greeter and
helper.
Student with Speech impairment- If student wishes to answer questions, then she is welcome to
do so. If she does chose to speak, it will be in a patient, understanding environment.
Student with Mild dyslexia- Student has access to a portable keyboard to take notes if she wishes
to use it. This student will also receive the hyphen rules in writing.
Student with Mild autism- This student will receive a schedule for the day's events and has
preferential seating. This student will also receive the hyphen rules in writing.
Appendix:
Seven uses of hyphens:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Compound numbers and fractions: twenty-one

Compound nouns: T-shirt
Coequal nouns: writer-illustrator
Compound modifiers: well-known writer
Phrases as modifiers: all-you-can-eat buffet
Prefixes and suffixes: mid-1990s
Avoid misreading: semi-independent

Plan B:
If this lesson runs long, the exit ticket will be the final question of the lesson. If we have extra
time to do this mini-lesson, then students will break into groups and create examples for each
hyphen rule.

Works Cited

Macwan, Hiral Joseph. (2015). Using visual aids as authentic material in ESL classrooms.
Research Journal of English Language and Literature, 3(1), 91-96.