Student Sentence Composing #53

Expert Sentence:
By the dawn, the house smelled of Sunday: chicken frying, bacon sizzling, and smoke sausages baking.


JChapps Sentence:
Upon the morrow, the classroom was ripe with the pungent aromas of the end-of-year holiday party: wafting sugary confections of all shapes and sizes, steaming popcorn drizzled with melted butter, and smoldering pepperoni pizza pungent with garlic seasoning.


Maeve's Sentence:
By the afternoon, the boy looked of a football player: fresh grass stains, new helmet, and a recently boiled mouthguard.


Janel’s Sentence:
By sunrise, we and our things must vanish: clean clothes, intact tools, and all of our money.


Zak’s Sentence:
During the evening, the neighborhood smelled like a BBQ: grilling hamburgers, blazing hot dogs, and fresh flaming rib eye.


Enzo’s Sentence:
By the evening, the store was crowded: TVs being taken, people running around, and huge lines forming.


Luke’s Sentence:
By the end of the game, the athlete was done: heart pumping rapidly, forehead sweating, and legs completely tired.


Michael's Sentence:
By the start of overtime, the stadium sounded as thunder: Cam Newton getting destroyed by Von Miller, refs arguing, and both coaches yelling.


Jonah’s Sentence
By the time one minute passed, the house smelled of smoke: fire roaring, people screaming, and all of their possessions burning.


Sarah’s Sentence:
By the stroke of midnight, the room was pitch black: sun down, no windows, all electronics off, and a no-moon outside.


Drake’s Sentence:
Just before the morning, the kitchen smelled of Saturday: pancakes steaming, sausages popping, and hot waffles cooking.    


Sam’s sentence:
At the end of the day, the city felt normal again: restaurants running, stores selling, and people shopping through the streets.


Ella’s Sentence:
By sunset, the tree house smelled of happiness: brownies baking, flowers blooming, and chocolate pancakes cooking.


Jack’s Sentence:
By the evening, the apartment smelled like Thanksgiving: turkey steaming, water boiling, and a pumpkin pie baking.


Joe’s Sentence:
In the room, the air smelled of Christmas spirit: a fraser fir, cookies baking, and egg nog.


Anthea’s Sentence:
By now, she dressed in black: black spikey jacket, black diamond-pattern choker, and wore a sad expression on her face.

Student Practice #52 - Dashes

Expert Sentence:
In Maycomb, grown men stood outside in the front yard for only two reasons:  death and politics.


JChapps’ Sentence:
In the Shire, halflings gathered around the front of their hobbit holes for only two reasons:  food and drink.


Lily’s Sentence:
At the podiums, Hillary and Donald got ready for just two reasons: debate and politics.


Eli’s Sentence-
In my family, we only celebrate in the house for two events: holidays and birthdays.                                                            

Alex’s Sentence:
In a warehouse, thirty men gathered outside of the door for two reasons: money and food.                                                

Sydney’s sentence
In New York, young girls went shopping in the city for two reasons: clothes and shoes.


Ethan’s Sentence
In Florida, surfers stood outside on the beach for two reasons: a tan and waves.


Erin’s Sentence:
In town, young girls walked alongside each other on the sidewalk only two times: in the morning and afternoon.


Mallory’s Sentence:
In Birmingham, stood a house with many leaves, and I was there for just one reason: to rake.


Nicholas’ Sentence:
In Birmingham, children overslept in their beds for only a couple of reasons: weekends and days off.


Charlotte’s Sentence
In Birmingham, many students joined together at Seaholm for one reason: to prepare for high school.


Sofia’s Sentence
In Birmingham, little children had recess in their classrooms because of two reasons: cold weather and snow.


Josh’s Sentence
In Birmingham, idiotic people only waited inside of the mall for two reasons: Black Friday and Chick-fil-A.


Jeremiah’s Sentence:
During the purge, they stayed in their homes for one reason: safety.


Katie’s Sentence:
At Forest Hills, young kids swam in the pool near the snack shack for only two reasons: joy and happiness.


Matt’s Sentence:
In Malibu, little kids ran inside in the large house with only two thoughts: fun and play.


Sana’s Sentence
In Mr. Chappell’s room, kids read and write inside his class with two only two reasons: education and grades.

Student Examples of Sentence Composing #51 Colons

Expert Sentence #51:
I gave her happy memories: a ride on a merry-go-round, a kitten to play with, a special toy.

JChapps' Sentence:
Obi-wan gave Luke Jedi instruction:  training with the lightsaber, philosophy on the ways of the Force, expert piloting skills.

Elisabeth’s Sentence:
I told them the harsh details: the war-ravaged village, the terrified children to comfort, the choking fog.

Alexander’s Sentence:
I gave my brother presents: a Marvel action figure, a Marvel comic book, a set of Pokemon cards.

Kylie’s Sentence:
I gave him the best day ever: a surprise-like birthday party, a huge birthday cake with twenty candles to blow out, a ton of balloons.

Ashley’s Sentence:
I offered her many gifts: a ride on a bike, a puppy to run with, a new friend.

Jack’s Sentence:
I gave him many gifts: a brand new Xbox, a GoPro to ski with, a little dog.

Hunter’s Sentence:
I received from his treasure chest: a golden coin, a special pearl to talk to, a creative bracelet.

Joe’s Sentence:
He gave her a lot of items: a gumball machine, a hot tub,  a Wi-Fi router.

Noah’s sentence:
I have practiced many professions: a school bus driver, a hit man, a tour guide.

Tom’s Sentence:
The coach gave the player directions: bunt for a base hit, steal second and third base, score the game-winning run on a ball put in play.

Marisa’s Sentence:
They gave him everything: a walk to the dog park, a chicken flavored bone for him to devour, a comfy bed for him to snooze on.

Alex’s Sentence:  
She gave him a delicious feast: a piece of turkey, a bowl of stuffing, a table filled with food.

Jaida’s Sentence:
I threw her an amazing birthday party: a delicious cake, a lot of balloons, a room filled with presents.

Sentence Composing Expert Models #41-50 (Dashes)

#041
I saw my seat – the only empty one in the room.

#042
Their faces either look grim or kind / depending on the husband's disposition.

#043
The dog was not much to look at – a mixture of Georgia redbone hound and bulldog.

#044
The apartment was on the top floor – a small living-room, a small dining-room, a small bedroom,  and a bath.


#045
Even Shuya Nanahara let off steam by listening to that illegally imported rock music – it never went beyond that though.

#046
You're so busy worrying about the Divergent – like my mom –  that you forget to worry about what the leaders are doing.

#047
When I passed the Radley Place for the fourth time that day – twice at a full gallop – my gloom had deepened to match the house.

#048
As for the terrors ahead – for Jess did not fool himself that they were all behind him – you just have to stand up to your fear and not let it squeeze you white.

#049
He beat the creature off with his hands – it was trying to poison him to keep him quiet, as small spiders do to flies – until he remembered his sword and drew it out.


#050
If every single person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than necessary -- the world really would be a better place.

Student Examples of Sentence #50

Expert Sentence:
If every single person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than necessary -- the world really would be a better place.


JChapps Sentence:
If every individual patron in that pizzeria made it a policy that whatever item they ordered, whatever the food, they would attempt to tip the waiter at least 15% -- the restaurant would be a happier venue.


Elisabeth’s Sentence:
If all of the humans in the realm make a strong effort that no matter where they are, who they are with, they’ll attempt to remove all traces of enchantments -- the realm may be rid of this filthy stain.


Maeve’s Sentence
If every single laptop in the cart was made so whoever you are, how ever you are, you will try to plug it in -- the mornings would be a lot easier.


Katie’s Sentence:
If every student in the classroom made it a habit that whatever subject, no matter how much you have, you will try your best to do your homework more than ever -- school will definitely be an easier place to be.


Tom’s Sentence:
If every single musician in the orchestra made a goal that every day, at any time, they would practice more than what is necessary -- so the talented ensemble could reach its full potential.  


Max’s Sentence
If both hobittses sleeping on this rock would make it to Mount Doom, whichever way, whatever ways, they will destroy our precious -- we will not allows that.

Mia’s Sentence:
If every person on our planet made an extra effort to always recycle their trash, when possible, and try to protect the environment a little more -- the world would be a much cleaner and better place.


Brooke’s Sentence
If every solitary child living in the neighborhood hung out whenever they could, wherever they could, in order to finish their toy boat – they would for sure win the town contest.


Sofia’s Sentence
If every single student in the school made it a rule that whatever assignment or test you have, whatever class it was in, you have to try you best -- the students would all have excellent grades. 

Student Examples of Sentences Composed with Dashes #049

Expert Sentence:
He beat the creature off with his hands – it was trying to poison him to keep him quiet, as small spiders do to flies – until he remembered his sword and drew it out.

- The Hobbit, J. R. R. Tolkien


JChapps' Sentence:
Eleven struck the Demogorgon with a telepathic blow – it was trying to pull Will Byers back into the Upside Down, as eels are wont to do –  until she became aware of her trickling nose and dabbed the red blood.


Eli’s Sentence:
He ran from the rabid dog  it was trying to bite him to slow him down, so he would be easier to snatch -- until he remembered the car parked down the street, jumped in, and hit the gas.


Elisabeth’s Sentence:
She fought the powerful winds with all of her strength -- they were attempting to take her sister to silence her permanently, like Death with a captured soul -- until she caught her breath and shouted wildly.


Sam’s Sentence:
He hit the ball carrier with his body -- he was trying to get around him to score, as he scores all the time -- until he remembered to use his shoulder.


Hannah’s Sentence:
She shrugged her sister off with her shoulder -- she was attempting to apologize to her to keep her from telling, as siblings always do -- until she remembered that she told on her last week so she brought it up.


Nolan’s Sentence:
Dr. Strange fought the goons off with mystic magic -- they were trying to kill him to prevent Dr. Strange from stopping them, as soldiers do to their enemies -- until he remembered his blazing whip and quickly drew it out.


Sydney’s Sentence
She threw the dog off with her hands -- it was trying to attack her to get the toy, as crazy people do on black Friday -- until she remembered the leash and pulled it out.


Jonah’s sentence
He dribbled the ball through the team -- they were trying to steal the ball and score, as a football defensive line does to quarterbacks -- then he remembered he was Kobe and shot it.


Olivia’s Sentence:
He drew his sword high in the air -- he was going to kill her, as soldiers would do on the battlefield -- until she remembered her mask and threw it off.

Sentence Composing - Dashes #041 - 405

Alternative Parent Teacher Conference Hours

Hello Parents!

I'm very much looking forward to seeing many of you on Monday 11/14/16 during the normal parent teacher conference hours.

However, on Tuesday evening on 11/15/16 I will not be available due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict.

To compensate for this missing time, I will make myself available on Wedensday 11/16/16 in my classroom (room 205) from 6 pm to 8pm.

If you can't attend the parent teacher conferences on Monday and feel that you would like to meet, please come meet with me then.

That, or if you email me ( jc14bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us ), I can either give you a call or arrange to meet on a weekday during my prep period between 9:15 AM and 10:11 AM.

It is truly a pleasure and an honor to teach our fine young people.  I look forward to meeting with you!

Best,
Jonathan L. Chappell, M.A. Ed.

GRAMMAR POST TEST STUDY GUIDE

200 Point Grammar Post-Test on Tuesday 11/15/16

GRAMMAR POST TEST STUDY GUIDE

Simple Subject:   is the single noun or pronoun that drives the action of the sentence or clause.

Simple Predicate:  is the main verb (and possibly linking verb) that shows what the subject of the sentence or clause does.



Simple Sentence: a sentence that contains only one subject and one predicate.

Example: The meat, dry-cured for the feeding of the dogs, hung in the smoke-house.

Compound Sentence: A compound sentence is a sentence that contains more than one subject or predicate.

Example:  The tiny dragon lost interest in Eragon and awkwardly explored the room.

Complex Sentence:  a sentence that contains at least one independent clause and at least one dependent (or subordinate) clause.

Example:  After the other children had disappeared, she remained at her desk, quiet and thoughtful.



Clause:  a group of words containing a subject and a predicate

Independent Clause: the group of words containing a subject and a predicate that expresses a complete thought.  It can stand alone as a sentence all by itself.

Dependent (or Subordinate) Clause:  the group of words containing a subject and a predicate but does not express a complete thought and could not stand alone as a sentence.  It “depends” upon an independent clause.  They always begin with a subordinating conjunction.



Coordinating Conjunctions Bank:  (F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.)  for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Subordinating Conjunctions Bank (used in front of subordinate/dependent clauses): after, although, as, before, because, but, how, if, since, that, though, until, what, when, where, which, while, who, whom, whose, or why.

Sentence Composing Quiz Sentences - Quotes

Quiz on Monday 11/7/16


31.  Eragon dropped his eyes, / abashed. / “I’m sorry.”

32. “A promise is a promise,” / Hermione reminded Harry / bossily.

33. “Don’t be,” / said Brom as he shifted his arm. / “It happens to everyone.”

34. “Colonel Graff,” / he said, / “I just want to go back / and swim in the lake.”

35.  “Here is the Mirror of Galadriel,” / she said. / “I have brought you here / so you may look in it, / if you will.”

36.  “I am going to transmit / the memory of snow,” / the old man said, / and placed his hands / on Jonas’s bare back.

37.  “How come you like fights, Darry?” / I asked, / looking up at him / as he stood behind me, / leaning in the kitchen doorway.

38.  “Blast it, Jonny,” / Dally growled / as we flew along / the red road, / “why didn’t you think / of turning yourself in five days ago?”

39.  Johnny had been quietly finishing his fifth barbecue sandwich, / but now he announced: /  “We’re goin’ back and turn ourselves in.”

40.  Peter let his hand tremble a little, / and he said, / “If you think I should stop, / I think I might be able to keep things under control this time. / I really do.”

Sentence Composing #039 - Student Examples

Expert Sentence
Johnny had been quietly finishing his fifth barbecue sandwich, but now he announced: “We’re goin’ back and turn ourselves in.”


JChapps’ Sentence
Emily has been nervously completing her fifth Harry Potter book, but now she blurted:  “Harry’s heading back to Hogwarts to challenge Voldemort!”


Maddie’s Sentence
Kylie had been slowly chewing her first caramel apple, when she announced: “We are going to need to go back to the orthodontist again.”


Maeve’s Sentence
Betty had been sadly trying to fix her first action figure, but now she yelled: “We are going back and getting me a new one!”


Finn’s Sentence:
Holst had been angrily writing his next flavor text, but now he bellowed: “We are going back and downloading Cisco NAC Agent for reasons!”


Anna’s Sentence:
Mary had previously been silently grading her twenty-five typed papers, but now she is stated: “We’re checking the papers and turning them back in.”


Elizabeth’s sentence
Sara was carefully creating her last chocolate cupcake, but now she shouted: “I’m going back and doing these all over again!”


Nicholas’ Sentence:
Rick had been noisily throwing darts at the board, then he yelled: “that's my third one in a row!”


Caleb’s Sentence:
Jimmy had been throwing wild pitches the entire game, until his coach yelled: “Alex come in and finish off this inning.”


Katie’s Sentence
Abbie had been peacefully watching her favorite TV show, although she was thinking: “Do I have any homework tonight?”


Carter’s Sentence
George had been peacefully studying his math homework, although he’s been thinking: “I also need to study my science review.”


Marley’s Sentence
Kate was trying to frantically write down all of the history notes, but she let out a huge sigh and spoke: “I am too stressed out and I need a break.”


Sana’s Sentence
Mark had just cheated on his science test for the fifth time, but his friends announced: “We’re telling on him this is not okay.”


Evan’s Sentence
Jaden was silently playing flappy golf, but he screamed:  “Let's go first place and beat the other players!”


Jeremiah’s Sentence
Josh had quickly devoured his second granola bar, but now he shouted: “We're going to kill all zombies and turn back to town.”  


Grace’s Sentence
Jackson had been looking at his seventh Harry Potter book, but finally he decided: “I have to finish this book so I can say I have read all the books.”

Student Composed Sentences #038

Expert Sentence:
“Blast it, Jonny,” Dally growled as we flew along the red road, “why didn’t you think of turning yourself in five days ago?”


Lily’s Sentence:
“Quiet down, students,” the teacher demanded as the class worked through their tests, “how come you think you can continue talking throughout the whole assessment?”


Kellie’s Sentence:
“Be quiet, everyone,” the librarian whispered while we walked the other way, “why did you come to the library if you were going to talk?”


Will’s Sentence
“What the heck, kid?” I barked as I chased after a small child, “why don’t you go mess up someone else’s work?”


Maddie’s sentence
 “Shoot it, Olivia,” Kylie roared, as she ran up the muddy field, “why didn’t you take the shot before the other team got the ball?”


Catherine’s Sentence:
“Stop it, Emma,” Danny announced as we walked further down the dark street, “why do you always have to scare me everytime we come down this road?”


Sydney’s sentence
“Run faster, Ashley,” Sydney screamed as we flew down the long hallway, “why didn’t you think of locking up the dog this morning?”


Kieran's Sentence:
“Leave it, dog,”  Scrabbleberry Winkysten barked as the dog ate the toe fungus among the grey carpet,”why do you eat my toe fungus but not your own dog food every day?”


Nicholas’ Sentence
“Shoot it, John,” Jack yelled as the game progressed into the fourth quarter, “would we be in the lead if we had made more shots earlier?”


Jonny’s sentence:
“Darn it, Will,” the quarterback shouted as we walked over to the sideline, “how come you didn’t catch that ball for the winning touchdown?”


Elizabeth’s Sentence:
“Oh gosh, Sally,” Veronica gasped as she sped along the long corridor, “why didn’t we think of doing this before?”


Nyla’s Sentence
“Eat my dust, stupid,” Caden spat as we sprinted toward the finish line, “why would you ever think you could win against me in a race?”


Angela’s Sentence
“It’s very beautiful, Charlotte,” she said as she scanned the extravagant mural, “why would people with such talent use this much effort to hide it?”


Suzanne’s Sentence
“Help me, wanderer,” the weary man squawked while he wallowed amidst the rubble, “please… is there anyway you might be of assistance in finding my absent daughter?”


Brooke’s Sentence
“How are you, Father?” she whispered while walking quietly into the infected bedroom. “Do you think you could possibly have a cold, or maybe the flu?”


Jaida’s sentence
“Kick it, Jessica,” Jasmine yelled as they sled across the soccer field, “why didn't you make a goal when you had the chance?”


Marisa’s Sentence
“Come on, Max?” Nudge pleaded as they soared across the sky. “Can we please do one more airshow, just one more?”

Sentence Composing - Student Examples #037

Expert Sentence:
“How come you like fights, Darry?” I asked, looking up at him as he stood behind me, leaning in the kitchen doorway.


JChapps’ Sentence:
“How come we’re out of Fig Newtons, Mom?” he asked, gazing down at his undertall maternal unit, stooping in the living room archway.


Lily’s Sentence:
“How come you don’t like math class, Sarah?” the teacher questioned, looking over at her as she sat at her desk, scribbling all over her worksheet.


Kellie’s Sentence:
“Why don’t you like movies, Mia?” I asked, turning away from her as she started laughing, wondering why she didn’t enjoy them.


Katya’s Sentence:
“How come you don’t like my cooking, Jen?” I asked, looking up at her as she sat next to me, eating at the kitchen table.


Zack’s Sentence
 “Why might you not like airplane, Charleze?” I screeched! looking over at him while he was sitting in his seat? clutching knee during takeoffs.


Andrew’s sentence
“How come you stink at basketball, Curry?” I said, looking down at him as Lebron blocked him from behind, falling to the court.


Brendan’s sentence:
“How come you hate cats, sir?’’ I asked, looking across at him as he sat in front of me, gazing out the bay window. :)


Cole Karmanos’s sentence
“How come you’re on the ground, Lebron?” Curry asked, showcasing his talent causing Lebron to drop, shaking the ground like an earthquake.


Carter’s Sentence
“Why do you like fishing, Gerald?” I asked, looking down at his net as he sat down in front of me, laying his feet on top of a small table.


Annika’s Sentence
“What flavor of ice cream would you like, Dan?” she asked, bending over the ice cream freezer as she stood behind the counter, holding the scoop.


Miles’ Sentence:
“Why do you like pandas, Mary?” he asked, looking next to him as he stared down, leaning on the metal railing.


Tino’s Sentence
“Why did you lie to me, Timmy?” the principal asked, looking down at Timmy as he sat in silence, staring at the ground.