Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Change in schedule
I have decided to continue with essay writing. The novel study will start as soon as I feel that most of you are comfortable with writng an essay. We have learned techniques to help with writing a good nitroduction and a good conclusion. We will finish writing these essays and then we will start writing in a timed evvironment. Please come and see me if you are struggling or have any questions.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Issues with email
I am having a problem with sending out the marks via email. I will try and have this fixed ASAP. If I am unable to get it fixed by tomorrow, I will have no choice but to wait until next week to send the reports. If it is still not fixed by Tuesday, I will print the marks and send them home with you to have signed and returned to me on Wednesday. Sorry for the delay. Have a Fun and Safe Weekend!!!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Progress Reports
Progress reports will be emailed tomorrow. If you have not provided me with an email, please have your parent/guardian sign and return it on Tuesday, Oct 13th. Please email me if you have any questions or concerns. laura.kendall@nbed.nb.ca
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Comma
Use a comma to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two.
Example: My favorite uses of the Internet are sending e-mail, surfing the Web, and using chat rooms.
You may have learned that this comma is not necessary. Sometimes, however, the last two items in your series will glom into one if you don’t use the so-called serial comma.
Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses.
Example: The public seems eager for some kind of gun control legislation, but the congress is obviously too timid to enact any truly effective measures.
If the two independent clauses are brief and nicely balanced, this comma may be omitted, but the comma is always correct.
Use a comma to set off introductory elements.
Example: Anxious about the upcoming winter, settlers began to bicker among themselves about supplies.
If the introductory element is brief and the sentence can be read easily without the comma, it can be omitted.
Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.
Example: Coaches grew weary of running practices in the drafty, dreary, dilapidated gymnasium.
If you could put a but or an and between the adjectives, you should put a comma between them.
Use a comma to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence.
Example: They were looking for something practical, not luxurious.
Use a comma to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc.
Example: Their wedding date was set for August 5, 2000, in the college chapel in Newton, Massachusetts.
Use a comma to set off quoted language.
Example: “We can’t see into the future,” said the President, “but we have to prepare for it nonetheless.”
Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements. This is the most difficult rule in comma usage. A parenthetical element is “added information,” something that can be removed from a sentence without changing the essential meaning of that sentence. Deciding what is “added information” and what is essential is sometimes difficult.
Example: Robert Frost, perhaps America’s most beloved poet, died when he was 88.
One last rule: Don’t over-use commas! When a comma is needed, use it; otherwise, do without.
Example: My favorite uses of the Internet are sending e-mail, surfing the Web, and using chat rooms.
You may have learned that this comma is not necessary. Sometimes, however, the last two items in your series will glom into one if you don’t use the so-called serial comma.
Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses.
Example: The public seems eager for some kind of gun control legislation, but the congress is obviously too timid to enact any truly effective measures.
If the two independent clauses are brief and nicely balanced, this comma may be omitted, but the comma is always correct.
Use a comma to set off introductory elements.
Example: Anxious about the upcoming winter, settlers began to bicker among themselves about supplies.
If the introductory element is brief and the sentence can be read easily without the comma, it can be omitted.
Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.
Example: Coaches grew weary of running practices in the drafty, dreary, dilapidated gymnasium.
If you could put a but or an and between the adjectives, you should put a comma between them.
Use a comma to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence.
Example: They were looking for something practical, not luxurious.
Use a comma to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc.
Example: Their wedding date was set for August 5, 2000, in the college chapel in Newton, Massachusetts.
Use a comma to set off quoted language.
Example: “We can’t see into the future,” said the President, “but we have to prepare for it nonetheless.”
Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements. This is the most difficult rule in comma usage. A parenthetical element is “added information,” something that can be removed from a sentence without changing the essential meaning of that sentence. Deciding what is “added information” and what is essential is sometimes difficult.
Example: Robert Frost, perhaps America’s most beloved poet, died when he was 88.
One last rule: Don’t over-use commas! When a comma is needed, use it; otherwise, do without.
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Capital Idea! - The Uses and Rules of Capital Letters
Capitalize the first word of every sentence — unless that sentence is in parentheses incorporated within another sentence.
Example: Glacial till or debris (some geologists call this material “garbage”) is often deposited in formations called morains.
Capitalize the personal pronoun I.
Capitalize the names of family relations when they are used as substitutes for names.
Example: Grandma and Grandpa live with Dad and Mom now.
but...
I went with my mom and dad to visit my aunt and uncle.
*Notice the role of the modifying pronoun here.
In titles, capitalize the first, last, and all important words. Usually, we don’t capitalize articles, prepositions, and coordinating conjunctions.
Example:War and Peace
Capitalize names of specific persons, places, and geographical locations.
Example: My brother Charlie, who used to live in the Middle East and write books about the Old West, now lives in Hartford, Connecticut.
but...
Don't capitalize directions.
Example: They moved up north, to the southern shore of Lake Erie.
Capitalize names of days of the week, months, and holidays.
Example: Valentines Day, which is always on February 14, falls on Tuesday this year.
but...
Don't capitalize the names of seasons
Example: Next fall, before the winter storms begin, we’re heading south.
Capitalize the names of historical events.
Example: The Battle of the Bulge was an important event in World War II.
Capitalize the names of religions and religious terms.
Example: God, Christ, Allah, Buddha, Christianity, Christians, Judaism, Jews, Islam, Muslims.
Capitalize the names of nations, nationalities, languages, and words based on such words.
Example: Somalia, Swedish, English muffin, Irish stew, Japanese maple, Jew’s harp, French horn
Capitalize the names of academic courses when they’re used as titles.
Example: He took Carpentry 101, but he did much better in his economics and English literature courses.
Capitalize brand names.
Example: Ford and Kleenex
Capitalize titles when they precede names.
Example: Dean Arrington introduced President Carter to Secretary Bogglesworth.
but...
usually not after a name
Example: Joe Chuckles, who was chairman of the board of directors in 1995, has since retired.
The best advice on capitalization: Consult a dictionary!
Example: Glacial till or debris (some geologists call this material “garbage”) is often deposited in formations called morains.
Capitalize the personal pronoun I.
Capitalize the names of family relations when they are used as substitutes for names.
Example: Grandma and Grandpa live with Dad and Mom now.
but...
I went with my mom and dad to visit my aunt and uncle.
*Notice the role of the modifying pronoun here.
In titles, capitalize the first, last, and all important words. Usually, we don’t capitalize articles, prepositions, and coordinating conjunctions.
Example:War and Peace
Capitalize names of specific persons, places, and geographical locations.
Example: My brother Charlie, who used to live in the Middle East and write books about the Old West, now lives in Hartford, Connecticut.
but...
Don't capitalize directions.
Example: They moved up north, to the southern shore of Lake Erie.
Capitalize names of days of the week, months, and holidays.
Example: Valentines Day, which is always on February 14, falls on Tuesday this year.
but...
Don't capitalize the names of seasons
Example: Next fall, before the winter storms begin, we’re heading south.
Capitalize the names of historical events.
Example: The Battle of the Bulge was an important event in World War II.
Capitalize the names of religions and religious terms.
Example: God, Christ, Allah, Buddha, Christianity, Christians, Judaism, Jews, Islam, Muslims.
Capitalize the names of nations, nationalities, languages, and words based on such words.
Example: Somalia, Swedish, English muffin, Irish stew, Japanese maple, Jew’s harp, French horn
Capitalize the names of academic courses when they’re used as titles.
Example: He took Carpentry 101, but he did much better in his economics and English literature courses.
Capitalize brand names.
Example: Ford and Kleenex
Capitalize titles when they precede names.
Example: Dean Arrington introduced President Carter to Secretary Bogglesworth.
but...
usually not after a name
Example: Joe Chuckles, who was chairman of the board of directors in 1995, has since retired.
The best advice on capitalization: Consult a dictionary!
Friday, October 2, 2009
The Mighty Apostrophe!
The apostrophe has only a handful of uses, but these uses are very important. A misplaced apostrophe can be annoying.
The apostrophe is used to :
1. to create possessives
2. to show contractions
3. to create some plural forms
The apostrophe is used to create possessive forms for singular and plural nouns, especially nouns referring to people.
Examples: the mayor’s car, my father’s moustache
When a noun already ends in “s,” you can decide whether or not to use another “s” after the apostrophe.
Example: Charles’s car OR Charles’ car
With multisyllabic words, don’t add another “s” after the apostrophe.
Example: Dumas’ second novel, Jesus’ birth,
Socrates’ ideas, Illinois’ legislature
To form the possessive of an inanimate object, we’re usually better off using an “of phrase,” but the apostrophe possessive is not impossible, especially with expressions of time and in personifications.
Example: the smell of the crowd
To form the possessive of a plural noun, we pluralize first and then add the apostrophe.
Example: The Kennedys’ house
Notice that with an irregular plural, the apostrophe will come before the “s.”
Example: The children’s playhouse
A contraction allows us to blend sounds by omitting letters from a verb construction. The apostrophe shows where something is left out.
Example: I am a student here = I’m a student here.
REMINDER: It’s is a contraction for “it is”; the possessive of it = its (no apostrophe).
The apostrophe is also used to form the plural of digits and letters and to indicate omission of a number in a date
The mighty apostrophe doesn’t mind being used, but it wants to be used wisely.
Use it well and it will be there whenever you need it!
The apostrophe is used to :
1. to create possessives
2. to show contractions
3. to create some plural forms
The apostrophe is used to create possessive forms for singular and plural nouns, especially nouns referring to people.
Examples: the mayor’s car, my father’s moustache
When a noun already ends in “s,” you can decide whether or not to use another “s” after the apostrophe.
Example: Charles’s car OR Charles’ car
With multisyllabic words, don’t add another “s” after the apostrophe.
Example: Dumas’ second novel, Jesus’ birth,
Socrates’ ideas, Illinois’ legislature
To form the possessive of an inanimate object, we’re usually better off using an “of phrase,” but the apostrophe possessive is not impossible, especially with expressions of time and in personifications.
Example: the smell of the crowd
To form the possessive of a plural noun, we pluralize first and then add the apostrophe.
Example: The Kennedys’ house
Notice that with an irregular plural, the apostrophe will come before the “s.”
Example: The children’s playhouse
A contraction allows us to blend sounds by omitting letters from a verb construction. The apostrophe shows where something is left out.
Example: I am a student here = I’m a student here.
REMINDER: It’s is a contraction for “it is”; the possessive of it = its (no apostrophe).
The apostrophe is also used to form the plural of digits and letters and to indicate omission of a number in a date
The mighty apostrophe doesn’t mind being used, but it wants to be used wisely.
Use it well and it will be there whenever you need it!
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