Pennington Publishing Blog

Single Possessives with Apostrophes

Apostrophes with Singular Possessive Nouns       

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

Common Core Language Standard 2

The apostrophe is the punctuation mark that plays the most roles. It acts in contractions to signal deletions, such as in can’t to mean “get rid of the “o.” The apostrophe also acts as a single ending quotation mark with a quotation inside of a quotation, such as in “Their service is not ‘the best you can get’ as they say.” Lastly, the apostrophe serves as a possessive.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on using apostrophes with singular possessives.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

A possessive noun shows ownership. To form a singular possessive noun, add on an apostrophe then an s (’s) to the end of the noun. For nouns ending in s, it is not necessary to add on another s after the apostrophe. Examples: Tim’s wallet, Doris’ purse

A singular possessive noun can also modify a gerund (a verb form ending in “ing” that serves as a noun). Example: Len’s training

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: Emma’s grilling and Charle’s hospitality made the barbecue a success.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: Emma’s grilling and Charles’ hospitality made the barbecue a success.

Now let’s apply what we have learned.

Writing Application: Write your own sentences using a singular possessive noun and a singular possessive gerund.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing apostrophes, Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions Lessons, singular possessives, writing openers

Subject Case Pronouns                                                 

Common Core Language Standard 1

To make sense out of communicating our language, we have to be able to bring together the functions of words with their functions within the structure of a sentence. In other words we have to understand the role a word plays as a part of speech and also its role in the sentence. Of course we have to understand the meaning of the word first of all.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on subject case pronouns. Remember that a pronoun takes the place of a noun. Using subject case pronouns avoids repetitious nouns, especially in dialogue.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Writers use pronouns to take the place of nouns. One type of pronoun is called a subject case pronoun because it acts as the subject of a sentence. The subject is the “do-er” of the sentence.  These are the subject case pronouns:

Singular—I, you, he, she, it, who        Plural—we, you, they, who

Example: They brought a basket of flowers.

Also use subject case pronouns following “to be” verbs (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) to identify or refer to the subject as predicate nominatives. Example: It is I.

Place the first person singular pronoun (I) last in compound subjects. Example: Paul and I left. If unsure whether a pronoun should be in the subject case, rephrase the sentence with the pronoun at the start of the sentence. Example: The winner was me. Rephrase: I was the winner.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: Pedro and I just want to know if the burglar really was him or his friend.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: Pedro and I just want to know if the burglar really was he or his friend.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using singular and plural subject case pronouns.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions Lessons, pronouns, subject case, subject pronouns, writing openers

Semicolons with Phrases

Semicolons with Phrases       

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

Common Core Language Standard 2

Remember that the semicolon can be used to replace a comma-conjunction and join two related independent clauses. So instead of saying “Take out the trash, because it is starting to smell,” you might say “Take out the trash; it is starting to smell.”

Today’s mechanics lesson is on using semicolons to separate phrases. Remember that a phrase is a group of related words without a noun and connected verb.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

A semicolon can be used to join a string of long phrases. Examples: Ohio, Iowa, and Illinois in the Midwest; Idaho, Oregon, and California in the West; and Tennessee and Alabama in the South all have long rivers.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: Ty, Luis, and I on the left; Lewette and Bob in the center, and Bo and Lu on the right of the stage stood to applaud.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: Ty, Luis, and I on the left; Lewette and Bob in the center; and Bo and Lu on the right of the stage stood to applaud.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using a semicolon to join a string of long phrases.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions Lessons, semicolons, writing openers

Verb Tenses

Verb Tense     

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

Common Core Language Standard 1

Verb tense is all about time: past, present, and future. Although English has more specific forms such as the progressive and present, these basic tenses provide the building blocks for creating action and state of being.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on verb tenses.  Remember that verbs can mentally act, as in think; physically act, as in run; or link to something else as a state of being, as in the “to be” verbs.

Now let’s read the grammar and usage lesson and study the examples.

English uses three simple verb tenses to show time: the present, past, and future.

• Regular past tense verbs add “_ed” onto the base form of the verb to match both singular and plural nouns or pronouns. Examples: jump-Mike jumped; They jumped
• Present tense verbs add an s onto the base form of the verb to match singular nouns or pronouns, but do not add an s to match plural nouns. Examples: Al jumps; We jump.
• Future tense verbs add will onto the base form of the verb to match both singular and plural nouns or pronouns. Examples: Tom will jump. Tom and she will jump.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: I pick my daughter up after school, and I will drop her off after we shop.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: I picked my daughter up after school, and I will drop her off after we shop.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write three of your own sentences using each of the verb tenses.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing English verb tense, Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions Lessons, writing openers

Alphanumeric Outlines                                                       

Common Core Language Standard 2

When we take notes from a lecture or a textbook, we create summaries of key information. To understand the relationship of facts, we order them in a hierarchy. In note-taking a hierarchy ranks the facts into main ideas, major ideas which “talk about” the main ideas, and minor ideas which “talk about” the major ideas. Usually we use symbols to create an order which makes sense of the facts, but we can also use sections of our notebook paper, as with Cornell Notes, to show these relationship.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on using periods in alphanumeric outlines to indicate levels of ideas.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Alphanumeric Outlines use numbers, letters, and periods to organize information. The first letter of the word, group of words, or sentence that follows each symbol is capitalized.

• Main ideas are listed as Roman numerals on the left margin and are followed by periods.Examples: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X.
• Major details are listed as Arabic numerals and are indented on the lines below the main ideas. Major details modify the main ideas. Modify means to describe, change, or limit. The Arabic numerals are capitalized and are followed by periods. Examples: A., B., C.
• The first minor detail modifies the major detail and is double indented on the next line. It begins with the Arabic numeral 1 followed by a period.
• The second minor detail is double indented on the next line and listed as 2.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Use periods to abbreviate the Latin expressions we use to indicate before noon and after noon. Antemeridian is the time from midnight until noon and is abbreviated as “a.m.” Postmeridian is the time from noon until midnight and is abbreviated as “p.m.” Examples: 7:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: The sixth main idea is IV; the fourth major detail is d; and the third minor detail is 3.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: The sixth main idea is VI; the fourth major detail is D; and the third minor detail is 3.

Now let’s apply what we’ve learned.

Writing Application: Write your own alphanumeric outline to describe your ideal birthday dinner.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing formal notes, Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions Lessons, notetaking, outlines, writing openers

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Types of Verbs         

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

Common Core Language Standard 1

People and their actions make up most all of what we read and talk about. So that means that nouns and verbs are the most important parts of speech. Most professional writers agree that good verbs are the keys to good writing.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on the three different types of verbs.

Now let’s read the grammar and usage lesson and study the examples.

English has three types of verbs:

A verb can mentally act. Examples: think, like, wonder

A verb can physically act. Examples: run, talk, eat

A verb can also link a noun or pronoun to something else as a state of being. Examples: is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to grammar and usage lesson.

Practice: Order the types of verbs as mental action, physical action, state of being:  I hate waiting. I am excited. We talk a lot.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: Order the types of verbs as mental action, physical action, state of being: I hate waiting. We talk a lot. I am excited.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentences using each of the three types of verbs.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions Lessons, writing openers

Indirect Questions and Intentional Fragments

Indirect Questions and Intentional Fragments

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.                                            

Common Core Language Standard 2

The prefix “in” can mean both in or into and not. In the case of the word indirect, the prefix means not. Let’s look at this sentence: “Mark chose an indirect path to the restroom.” This would mean that Mark did not go directly to the restroom, but wandered around a bit.” So indirect means not direct.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on using periods to end indirect questions and intentional fragments. Remember that periods are used to end declarative statements and imperative commands.  Both statements and commands are usually expressed as complete thoughts.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples. 

Indirect questions do not end with a question mark but with a period. Like direct questions they ask for a response, but they are written as declarative or imperative sentences with ending periods. Example: Everyone asks if you are new.

Intentional fragments also end with periods. An intentional fragment is part of a sentence that is treated as a complete thought for literary effect. Example: How crazy.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: How surprising. Everyone wants to know how I am?

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: How surprising. Everyone wants to know how I am.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write two of your own sentences using an indirect question and an intentional fragment.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Literacy Centers, Writing Grammar Lessons, indirect questions, intentional fragments, Language Conventions Lessons, writing openers

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abbreviations and Acronyms Writing Opener    

Common Core Language Standard 2                                       

Teacher Talk: Abbreviations and acronyms are short-cuts to language. Although generally considered improper for formal writing, such as in an essay, these short-cuts are helpful ways to say and write commonly used language. Think about it. Without abbreviations and acronyms we would have to text “United States of America” and “Laugh Out Loud.”

Today’s mechanics lesson is on when and when not to use periods in abbreviations and acronyms. Remember to use periods after abbreviated words and after beginning and ending titles of proper nouns, such as “Mr.” and “Sr.” Display the lesson here: Abbreviations and Acronyms

Read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Use periods following the first letter of each key word in an abbreviated title or expression, and pronounce each of these letters when saying the abbreviation. Examples: U.S.A., a.m., p.m.

But, don’t use periods or pronounce the letters in an acronym. Acronyms are special abbreviated titles or expressions that are pronounced as words. Most all acronyms are capitalized. Example: NATO

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: David has worked outside of the U.S. in many foreign countries, but he now works for N.A.S.A.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: David has worked outside of the U.S. in many foreign countries, but he now works for NASA.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using an abbreviated title and an acronym.

This Abbreviations and Acronyms writing opener is part of a comprehensive language conventions lesson from Pennington Publishing’s Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics programs.

*****

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Each Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 full-year program includes lessons, independent practice, and unit tests in printable PDFs, Google slides, forms, and sheets. Students will love the secret agent theme in the Google slides with drag and drop activities, type-in-the-box practice, audio files, and problem-solving (secret codes and such). The theme is fun, but the learning tasks are rigorous.

Also available from Pennington Publishing: High school, interactive notebook, and literacy center grammar programs. Enter discount code 3716 at check-out for the lowest price on Pennington Publishing programs.

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments with Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing abbreviations, acronyms, Grammar Lessons, grammar openers, grammar programs, Language Conventions Lessons, pennington publishing, writing openers