Grammar Lesson 1.2
To be used with Writing Lesson 1.2
Question Mark
M-
Review the concept of a sentence beginning with a capital letter and ending with a period. Then add in the fact that a question always ends with a question mark. Demonstrate how to make a question mark and give the child a chance to practice it. Have the child write the question mark several times across a line or two of paper.
T-
Review beginning a sentence with a capital letter. Ask if the child remembers what two things a sentence might end with. If the child can’t come up with the answers, provide them to him. Try the following worksheet: Punctuation. Read the sentence aloud to your child and ask the child if the sentence is a question or not. Have the child fill in the proper ending to the sentence.
If your child seems to be simply guessing randomly, then he might still not understand the difference between a question and a statement. Gently prompt the child by giving a sentence and, instead of asking if it is a question, ask if you are wanting to know something. If the sentence is asking for an answer, then it is a question. The next couple of days will also be focused on helping a child figure out if a sentence is a question or not.
W-
Ask your child what a sentence begins with (a capital letter). Ask what a sentence can end with (period or question mark). Practice figuring out if a sentence is a question or not by having the child cover their mouth with a hand. Then verbally give the following sentences. If the sentence is a question, then the child will have to uncover their mouth to respond (have him say ‘question mark!’ and then re-cover his mouth rather than answer the question). If it is a statement and they aren’t required to respond, then his mouth stays covered.
1) Is your shirt red?
2) I ate a good breakfast.
3) What is your favorite movie?
4) When is lunch?
5) I need to buy soap.
6) Do you like your feet?
7) You should sit down.
8) How many wheels does the car have?
Feel free to continue making up sentences for as long as your child remains interested in the game.
Th-
Ask your child what a sentence begins with (a capital letter). Ask what a sentence can end with (period or question mark).
Read a short story that contains questions (for example: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?, or Are you my mother?, etc.) The parent reading the story will pause at every period or question mark. The child can clap for a period and bang spoons together for a question mark, or simply state "period" and "question mark".
F-
Ask your child what a sentence begins with (a capital letter). Ask what a sentence can end with (period or question mark).
Introduce the concept that names are always capitalized. Have the child write out his/her name (I assume the child already has this skill, from preschool). Have the child write out his mother's full name (say the full name, then dictate the letters to the child as he writes. Correct the child on proper capitalization as he progresses rather than at the end). Have the child do the same thing with all the other members of his family. If you need more people, include friends the child recognizes.
I recommend that the child put his first and last name on all papers from this point on.
To be used with Writing Lesson 1.2
Question Mark
M-
Review the concept of a sentence beginning with a capital letter and ending with a period. Then add in the fact that a question always ends with a question mark. Demonstrate how to make a question mark and give the child a chance to practice it. Have the child write the question mark several times across a line or two of paper.
T-
Review beginning a sentence with a capital letter. Ask if the child remembers what two things a sentence might end with. If the child can’t come up with the answers, provide them to him. Try the following worksheet: Punctuation. Read the sentence aloud to your child and ask the child if the sentence is a question or not. Have the child fill in the proper ending to the sentence.
If your child seems to be simply guessing randomly, then he might still not understand the difference between a question and a statement. Gently prompt the child by giving a sentence and, instead of asking if it is a question, ask if you are wanting to know something. If the sentence is asking for an answer, then it is a question. The next couple of days will also be focused on helping a child figure out if a sentence is a question or not.
W-
Ask your child what a sentence begins with (a capital letter). Ask what a sentence can end with (period or question mark). Practice figuring out if a sentence is a question or not by having the child cover their mouth with a hand. Then verbally give the following sentences. If the sentence is a question, then the child will have to uncover their mouth to respond (have him say ‘question mark!’ and then re-cover his mouth rather than answer the question). If it is a statement and they aren’t required to respond, then his mouth stays covered.
1) Is your shirt red?
2) I ate a good breakfast.
3) What is your favorite movie?
4) When is lunch?
5) I need to buy soap.
6) Do you like your feet?
7) You should sit down.
8) How many wheels does the car have?
Feel free to continue making up sentences for as long as your child remains interested in the game.
Th-
Ask your child what a sentence begins with (a capital letter). Ask what a sentence can end with (period or question mark).
Read a short story that contains questions (for example: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?, or Are you my mother?, etc.) The parent reading the story will pause at every period or question mark. The child can clap for a period and bang spoons together for a question mark, or simply state "period" and "question mark".
F-
Ask your child what a sentence begins with (a capital letter). Ask what a sentence can end with (period or question mark).
Introduce the concept that names are always capitalized. Have the child write out his/her name (I assume the child already has this skill, from preschool). Have the child write out his mother's full name (say the full name, then dictate the letters to the child as he writes. Correct the child on proper capitalization as he progresses rather than at the end). Have the child do the same thing with all the other members of his family. If you need more people, include friends the child recognizes.
I recommend that the child put his first and last name on all papers from this point on.