Pennington Publishing Blog

Commas with Dates

Commas with Dates             

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

Common Core Language Standard 2

The comma rules withe dates are pretty straightforward. The only challenge is dates appear in the middle of a sentence or as the objects of a prepositional phrase. Come to think of it, maybe they’re tougher than I thought.

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

When a date has two or more numerical parts, use a comma to separate those parts. Use a comma after the last date or number unless it is placed at the end of the sentence. Example: She said the date was May 14, 2015, and then she left.

If the parts of the date serve as the object of a prepositional phrase, no comma is needed. Example: On May 15 she quit her job.

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

Practice: Tonya is scheduled to graduate from high school on Friday May 29, 2015.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: Tonya is scheduled to graduate from high school on Friday,May 29, 2015.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using today’s complete date in the middle of sentence.

*****

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 comma rules, Grammar Lessons, writing openers

Adverbs

Adverbs                 

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

Common Core Language Standard 1

Adverbs are the most difficult part of speech for people to identify, define, and use properly. Quite a few professional writers refuse to use them. Some authors say that using adverbs are a crutch to prop up weak verbs. So if they’re so tough to figure out and so many writers don’t like them, why do we have to learn them at all? Good question, but most English-language arts teachers would still say that adverbs have their place, when used sparingly and appropriately.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on adverbs. Remember that words that end in “_ly” are often adverbs.

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

An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb and answers What degree? How? Where? When? Examples: carefully, later, there, less

Adverbs are very flexible in English. The adverb may be found before or after the words they modify to make verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs more specific. Examples: Slowly, the man climbed the stairs. The man slowly climbed the stairs.

When using more than one adverb in a sentence, adverbs are usually placed in this order: What degree? How? Where? or When? Examples: She dresses morewarmlyherenow.

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

Practice: Walk there slowly, but more cautious.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: Walk there slowly, but more cautiously.

Now let’s apply what we have learned.

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using two types of adverbs.

*****

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 adverbs, Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions Lessons, writing openers

When Not to Use Commas

When Not to Use Commas       

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

Common Core Language Standard 2

Commas are the most over-used punctuation. Placing a comma incorrectly is certainly more noticeable than leaving one out. So, would the best advice be “When in doubt, leave it out”? Maybe. However, it certainly is best to know both rules for proper and improper comma usage.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on when not to use commas. Remember that knowing when or where not to use punctuation is just as important as knowing when or where to use punctuation. Most writers overuse commas. Commas used in the wrong places can create confusion for the reader.

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

Don’t use a comma to separate a subject from its verb. Example: Pete in Colorado, is a friend of mine. Now X-out the comma.

Also, don’t use a comma to separate a compound subjects, compound objects, or compound predicates. Examples: Pete in Iowa, and Jim in Ohio went to see Tom, and Ben. I sent a check, and mailed a card to Pete. Now X-out the commas.

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

Practice: Toby with his quick reflexes, and Bryan with his quick, powerful kick gave their smart fullbacks and talented, goal-keeper quite a match.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: Toby with his quick reflexes and Bryan with his quick, powerful kick gave their smart fullbacks and talented goal-keeper quite a match.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using a compound subject, compound predicate, and compound object.

*****

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 comma rules, Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions Lessons, writing openers

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs 

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

Common Core Language Standard 1

With verb forms the writer has two basic options: the writer can connect the verb to an object or not. That’s where transitive and intransitive verbs come into play.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on verbs. Remember that verbs must match their nouns. Remember that a verb can be singular or plural and must match the noun or pronoun it acts upon or modifies. Also remember that a verb shows past, present, or future action or state of being.

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

A verb shows a physical or mental action or it links to something else as a state of being. Examples: He ran, He thinks, He will be

A transitive verbis a mental or physical action that acts upon a direct object. The direct object answers Whom? or What? from the verb. Example: Teachers give homework.

An intransitive verb acts without an object. Linking verbs are all intransitive verbs. Linking verbs include the “to be” verbs: is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been, and others such as become, seem, look, feel, smell, and appear. Examples: They know me.

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

Practice: It certainly appear that Matt hurt his mother’s feelings.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: It certainly appears that Matt hurt his mother’s feelings.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentences using a transitive and intransitive verb.

*****

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, intransitive verbs, Language Conventions Lessons, transitive verbs, writing openers

Apostrophes in Contractions

Apostrophes in Contractions           

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

Common Core Language Standard 2

Everyone likes to shorten their writing. Take texting for example: pls send info ’bout men’s restroom probs asap. thx communicates much more quickly than typing each letter and word. Contractions use apostrophes to shorten words. Most people are even dropping these in informal writing. 

Today’s mechanics lesson is on apostrophes in contractions. Remember that the apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter or letters in a contraction. A contraction is a shortened form of a word or words.

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

These words are most frequently contracted with apostrophes in the middle of words: not, will, would, have, had, and the forms of the “to be” verb (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) Examples: isn’t (for is not), she’ll (for she will), he’d (for he had or he would), should’ve (for should have), she’d (for she had or she would), they’re (for they are), o’clock (for of the clock) Also, never use of in place of have Example: Use would have, not would of.

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

Practice: I should of gone to her party, but she’ll have to plan better. Inviting guests at three oclock for a dinner party… ‘tis a bit late notice, don’t you think?

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: I should have gone to her party, but she’ll have to plan better. Inviting guests at three o’clock for a dinner party… ‘tis a bit late notice, don’t you think?

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using at least two contractions.

*****

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, contractions, Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions Lessons, writing openers

Adjectives

Adjectives           

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

Common Core Language Standard 1

All adjectives are not alike. They are formed in many ways and can appear in all parts of the sentence. The most important tip to remember with adjectives is that they don’t stand on their own. They have to “talk about” a noun or a pronoun.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on adjectives. Remember that an adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun.

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

An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun and answers Which one? How many? or What kind? When using more than one adjective to modify the same noun or pronoun in a sentence, follow this order of adjectival functions: Which One-How Many-What Kind. Examples: these (Which one?) two How many? handsome (What kind?) men

Place adjectives before nouns, even when they are compound adjectives. A compound adjective joins two or more adjectives with a hyphen (-) to modify a single noun or pronoun. Don’t use a hyphen if you can use the word and between the two adjectives.Examples:world-famous hot dogs; warm, comfortable coat (warm and comfortable)

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

Practice: Just three students went to horrible and boring the party weekend last.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: Just three students went to the horrible and boring party last weekend.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using a Which One adjective and a What Kind compound adjective.

*****

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 adjectives, Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions Lessons, predicate adjectives, writing openers

Apostrophes with Compound Subjects and Objects

Apostrophes with Compound Possessives     

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

Common Core Language Standard 2

When we use apostrophes with compound subjects and objects, several punctuation rules have to be learned. These rules apply to both nouns and pronouns used as compound subjects and objects.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on apostrophes with compound subject or object possessives. A compound subject consists of two or more nouns and any connected words that serve as the do-ers of the predicate. A compound object consists of two or more nouns and any connected words that receive the action of the verb. A possessive shows ownership.

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

With compound subjects or objects, if each of the nouns possesses the same item, use an apostrophe then an s at the end of each noun. Example: Eric’s and Victor’s backpacks.

If both or all of the nouns share ownership of the item, place an apostrophe then an s at the end of the last noun listed. Example: Kayla and Emma’s pizza

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

Practice: We discussed the plan at Ethan’s and Mary’s apartment. Ethan’s and Mary’s reactions to the business proposal were quite different.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: We discussed the plan at Ethan and Mary’s apartment. Ethan’s and Mary’s reactions to the business proposal were quite different.

Now let’s apply what we have learned.

Writing Application: Write your own sentences using both a compound subject and a compound object possessive.

*****

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, compound possessives, Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions Lessons, writing openers

Possessive Pronouns                                                      

Common Core Language Standard 1

Both singular and plural possessive pronouns basically follow the same rules regarding placement of apostrophes as with possessive nouns. However, the indefinite pronouns, such as anyone, present challenges when forming possessives.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on possessive pronouns. Remember that a pronoun takes the place of a noun. A pronoun may also modify a noun. Just as with possessive nouns, possessive pronouns can be singular or plural.

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

Possessive pronouns show ownership and may be used before a noun or without a noun.

Before a noun—my, your, his, her, its, our, your, their

When a possessive pronoun is used before a noun, it modifies the noun. The verb matches the noun, not the pronoun. Example:Our house seems small.

Without a noun—mine, yours, his, hers, ours, yours, theirs

When a possessive pronoun is used without a noun, the verb must match the noun which the pronoun represents. Example: Mary said that my jacket is nice, but hers is nicer.

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

Practice: We took our donations to the shelter. Their clothes were brand new, but my were used.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: We took our donations to the shelter. Their clothes were brand new, but mine were used.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentences using a possessive pronoun before a noun and a possessive pronoun without a noun.

*****

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, possessive pronouns, possessives, pronouns, writing openers