|
|
Comprehension |
SPI's
& Reporting Categories (based on Tennessee Curriculum
Standards) | Internet
Resources |
Formulate
appropriate questions during the reading of the text. 8.1.1 MG |
- Asking
Questions - the types of questions depend on the answer to that first important
question: Why am I reading this? Once you establish a purpose for yourself,
you can then ask which questions will help you achieve that goal. This page asks
students to rank a set of questions on a scale of one to five.
- Questioning
Toolkit - seventeen types of questions from the educational journal, FNO
|
Choose the correct
meaning/usage of a multi-meaning word by replacing the word in context with an
appropriate synonym or antonym. 8.1.2 V |
- Antonyms
- find antonym of words

- Synonym & Antonym Word Encounters
- Level 1 words |
Level 2 words | Level
3 words
 - Synonym.com
- type a word in the box and find a synonym, or antonym, of the word.
 - Words
with multiple meanings - students fill in the blanks from a word list
 - Context
is the Key - students use context clues to determine the meaning of a word
 - Using
Multiple Meanings - students decide which sentences use a word correctly
- Say
it Another Way - Fill in the blank with a synonym for the missing word.
 - The
Thesaurus - a reference book that lists words and their synonyms - Drag and
drop the words to the right thesaurus entry.
 |
Locate information
using available text features (e.g., maps, charts, graphics, indexes, glossaries,
table of contents, and appendices). 8.1.3 T |
- Captions
Help Tell the Story - students look at three pictures and try to determine
which caption fits best

-
Looking
for the Fine Print - students read advertisements to practice reading critically
 - News
Stories with Comprehension Quizzes [from the BBC]
- (1) White
loafers and passport control, (2) Hungry
ferrett causes rail scare, (3) Dyslexic
boy's site wins top award, (4) Otters
head for towns and cities, (5) Demolition
fears after city blaze.
News
Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC - Choose carefully, not all
of these would be appropriate for 8th grade students. Also, take a look at a section
of stories which include math in the news and the quiz  - Using
Graph and Charts
- Interpreting
a Data Chart - students practice by answering questions about what can be
found in a grid chart
 - Interpreting
Column Graphs - students practice by answering ten questions about the graph
 - Interpreting
Circle (Pie) Graphs - students practice by answering eight questions about
the graph
 -
Read
All About It! - Newspapers are divided into standard sections. Students use
sections to predict where types of stories would be found
 -
Reading
Headlines - students read eight headlines and try to determine what the article
is about

- Reading
Headlines - Match the newspaper headlines on the left to the
newspaper section on the right.
 - What’s
On a Map? - eight questions about using various parts of a map
 |
Identify on a
graphic organizer the points at which various plot elements occur. 8.1.4
C | -
Concept Maps Explained
- Concept maps and story webs are visual ways to structure ideas. (sample included
- Five
main types of organizers - links showing examples of many types
- Short
Story Elements - online quiz
 |
Identify an appropriate
title to reinforce the main idea of a passage or paragraph. 8.1.5
MG | - Finding
the Main Idea
 - Locating
the Main Ideas of Paragraphs with Main-Idea Maps
- Main
Idea - The main idea of a passage or reading is the central thought or message.
- Main Idea
- Building Blocks of Comprehension
- Main
Idea - The main idea of a paragraph is what all the sentences are about. Read
the paragraph and ask, “What’s your point?”

- Massachusetts
Tests for Educator Licensure - Challenge your students by letting them practice
using a reading comprehension test designed for prospective teachers. (This
site recommends that you use a printed copy of the page)
 - Reading
Comprehension - free reading comprehension worksheets for teachers and parents
- includes original stories, poems, essays, and articles
- Summarize
as You Read - When you summarize, eliminate unnecessary details. Focus on
the main idea of the whole passage.
- What's
the Big Idea? Exercise 1 - Write the common subject for each group of words,
or "write a good title for each list." - a worksheet to print, not interactive
 - What's
the Big Idea? Exercise 2 - Write the common subject for each group of words,
or "write a good title for each list." - a worksheet to print, not interactive
 - What's
the Big Idea? Exercise 3 - a bit harder than 1 & 2 - Write the common
subject for each group of words, or "write a good title for each list."
Then add another example that could be included in that group. Be as specific
as you can. - a worksheet to print, not interactive
 |
Determine cause
and effect relationships in context. 8.1.6 MG
| - Making
The Relationship Explicit Between Your Ideas - from UniLearning - Academic
Writing
- Cause
and Effect Diagrams - Lesson showing how to think through causes of a problem
- Cause
and Effect Graphic Organizer - Use this to help determine relationships.
Cause and Effect Lesson -
explore some cause and effect situations using graphic organizers Cause-and-Effect
Writing Challenges Students - The cause-and-effect relationship is both a
way of thinking and a format for writing. Teachers who emphasize cause-and-effect
writing say that they are helping students learn to think critically as well as
write cogently. Read what three experienced teachers have to say about this teaching
approach, which can be used with students of all ages. This is an article from
Education World magazine . |
Determine
inferences from selected passages. 8.1.7 MG
| - Drawing
Inferences - how to be a critical reader
 -
How
are They Selling It? - students read three advertisements and evaluate the
type of persuasive writing being employed
 - Inference
Notes - Use this diagram to help interpret inferences.
- Making
Inferences and Drawing Conclusions - descriptions of the various ways to aid
you in reaching a conclusion
Rules of Inference - Lesson discussing the rules of inference.-
Teaching
Students to Make Inferences |
Recognize a reasonable prediction of future
events of a passage. 8.1.8 MG |
- Guess
What Comes Next - students read a passage and predict what would happen next
 -
The World's Greatest Contralto by Babette Albin - As you read the story, write
your questions and ideas about it on another sheet of paper. Then complete the
next page.
- Prediction
Guide - Guided questions help students in making, grounding and revisiting
their predictions.

|
Select
information using keywords and headings. 8.1.9 T |
- Looking
for the Fine Print - students read advertisements to practice reading critically
 |
Recognize
and use grade appropriate and/or content specific vocabulary. 8.1.10
V | - Complete
sentence using correct vocabulary word - select easy, medium or hard

- Match
the Definition Exercises: - Level
1 | Level 2 | Level
3 (These activities are not interactive, but the answers are at the bottom
of this page)
 - Rootonym
- Level 1 | Level
2 | Level 3 - studying
the roots/cells: cess/ced, cept/cip and cur.
- Vocabulary
University - acquire and retain vocabulary.
- Rooty's
Weekly Root - Three Rootonym® puzzles per week with 4 words per puzzle
|
Determine an
author’s purpose for writing or a student’s purpose for reading.
8.1.11 C |
- Reading
for a Purpose - Nine activities to check understanding about the purposes
of different sorts of text
 - Different
Types of Text - Do you understand the purpose of different text types and
the main differences between them? Online quizzes
 - The
writer's purpose and voice - from a site on preparing for the GRE
- Finding
the purpose of each paragraph - from a site on preparing for the GRE
- Writing
to Persuade - Persuasion means making someone with a different point of view
from your own change their mind to your way of thinking.
- Sample
assignment - Invent an X-ray satellite, name it, draw a picture of it. Write
a one- to two-page persuasion letter addressed to your Congressperson or
essay for your local newspaper in order to obtain funding for your X-ray astronomy
mission.

- Writing
to Persuade Rubric - Perhaps your students can understand writing to persuade
better by seeing this rubric.

|
Identify
an implied theme from a selection or related selections. 8.1.12
C | - Walk
Two Moons: An Integrated Unit - integrated study combining setting, theme,
point of view, character, and plot with geography and geometry
|
Use text features
(e.g., sidebars, footnotes, and endnotes) to determine meaning. 8.1.13
T | |
Distinguish
among different genres (e.g., poetry, drama, letters, ads, historical fiction,
biographies, autobiographies, and essays) and their distinguishing characteristics.
8.1.14 C |
-
An
Overview of Poetry - a comprehensive show on the topic of
rhythm and rhyme
- Poetry Terms - [this link opens on a new page] Quia
quiz; tools a poet uses to convey a message
|
Identify
examples within context of similes, metaphors, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification,
and hyperbole. 8.1.15 T
| - A
one-page handout giving examples of each poetic device
 -
A
concept map to use when you work with your students on these topics
 -
A
Fun Way to Teach Similes - a lesson idea from Bruce Lansky
- Alliteration
or Simile - Choose whether each statement is an alliterative phrase,
simile or neither.

-
Bud, Not Buddy
- [these links open on new pages] quizzes on similes
& metaphors Matching
| Flashcards
| Concentration
- Chasing
Metaphors - students explore the figurative language of metaphors by turning
a series of objects, concepts, events, or characters into metaphors, first in
written form and then by creating a video with images, text, and sound [Quick
Time required]
- Do
you know your metaphors? - drag words to make a metaphor
- Do
you know your similes? - drag the nouns to complete a Simile (Refresh the
page to get a new set.)
 - Figurative
Language - terms, definitions, and an example
- Figurative
Language Quiz - [this link opens on a new page]
alliteration, similes and metaphors, personification, connotation and imagery
- Literary
Devices Quizzes - [these links open on new pages]
similes, metaphors, personification, slang/dialect and allusions - Matching
| Concentration
| Flashcards
Metaphor
Lists - a selection of metaphors by category, complete with sample usage and
interpretation- Metaphor
Battleship Quiz - [this link opens on a new page]
Quia quiz using the Battleship game format
- Metaphor
Quiz - [this link opens on a new page] a five-question
quiz at Quia
- Mataphor
Quiz - [this link opens on a new page] a ten-question
quiz at Quia
- Metaphor Quiz to print
 -
Poetic
Devices - a classroom sign about the forms of poetic devices
 - Poetry
writing practice web
. -
Practicing onomatopoeia, alliteration, rhyme, simile and metaphor
 - Word Play
1 | Word Play
2 | Word Play
3 | Word Play
4 | Word Play
5 | Word Play
6
- Simile
lesson with a printable quiz
- Simile Quiz to print
- Similes
and Metaphors - Identify the comparison in each sentence as a simile or a
metaphor [ignore the email address blank].
|
Choose
a logical word or phrase to complete an analogy, using scrambled words and homophones
in addition to previously learned analogies. 8.1.16 V
|
- Fact Monster Analogy
of the Day

- Analogy Quiz which
requires students to type the word to complete the analogy

- Analogy Lesson from Diana
Dell
- Analogy quiz 1 [this link opens on a new page] at
Quia posted by Diana Dell

- Analogy quiz 2
[this link opens on a new page] at Quia posted by Diana Dell

- Awesome Analogies [this link opens on a new page] for
one or two players - posted at Quia

- Discovery School Analogy Quizzes
- AnalogyQuiz8
- AnalogyQuiz9
- AnalogyQuiz10
- Puzz.com has a quiz
with 152 analogies - pick one or two a day and practice this valuable
skill
-
 Analogy
PowerPoint Show template - you make modifications to use
with your students
|
Recognize
and identify the techniques of propaganda (i.e., bandwagon, loaded words, and
testimonials). 8.1.17 T |
- Text
Types- Online game helping learn about the different text types such as persuasion,
informative, descriptive, or instructive.
 - Analyzing
Political Ads - Students will view current political ads and learn how they
make use of various commercial ad appeals. Students will also develop familiarity
with basic videography terms.
- Affluenza:
A PBS Program - Lessons such as "Be an Adbuster!" and "What
are Advertisers Selling?" are based on Affluenza, a one-hour television special
that explores the high social and environmental costs of materialism and over
consumption. The lessons can be used without the video.
|
Recognize the author’s
point of view (i.e., first person, third person, limited, or omniscient).
8.1.18 C |
- Point
of View - Exploring Point of View
- Point
of View - Definition of Point of view
- Point
of View and Why it is important - Ian Bone; PDF format
- Point
of View Exercise - Can use this as a class activity
- Point
of View - Two Heads Aren't Always Better Than One - suggestions regarding
choosing a point of view for your writing
- Point
of View - Beginning Writer's Craft ( free webhost; could be blocked by some
school filters)
- Characters
and Point of View - " The point of view -- how you choose to tell your
story -- determines the voice of your writing."
|
Determine how a story
changes if the point of view is changed. 8.1.19 C |
- Point
of View; Third Person - lesson plan
|
Recognize commonly
used foreign phrases (e.g., e pluribus unum, c’est la vie, bon jour, hasta
la vista, bon voyage, mi casa es su casa). 8.1.20 V |
- Foreign Words and
Phrases - The English meanings given are not necessarily literal translations.
- Common
foreign phrases - Select a language and find familiar phrases.
- Common
Foreign Words and Phrases - How many foreign phrases do you know? Can you
guess the translation?
|
Identify
examples of sound devices within context (e.g., rhyme, alliteration, assonance,
slant thyme, repetition, and internal rhyme). 8.1.21 T |
-
A
concept map to use when you work with your students on these topics
 -
Poetic
Devices - a classroom sign about the forms of poetic devices
 - Shakespearean
alliteration insults - have fun while reinforcing the concept of alliteration
|
Recognize and
identify words within context that reveal particular time periods and cultures.
8.1.22 C | |
Determine the
influence of culture and ethnicity on the themes and issues of literary texts.
8.1.23 MG |
- Proverbs
Around the World- Analyze information and assess meaning from prior
knowledge - Print this sheet and have group discussions on meanings.
 |
Identify how
the author reveals character (e.g., physical characteristics, dialog, what others
say about him, and what he does). 8.1.24 C |
- Writing
Dialogue - "Personally, I think dialogue can make or break a story. Here
are some tips I’ve discovered that may help you with yours," said Elizabeth
Rose.
- Writing
Dialogue - This is a dialogue sheet which can be used to teach students to
include the basic characteristics of good dialogue in their own writing. The form
may be modified to include whatever characteristics the instructor desires.
 - 12
Exercises for Improving Dialogue from the Writer's Resource Center
- Narrative
and Dialogue - A Contrast In Writing Styles
|
Recognize
literacy elements that shape meaning within context (e.g., symbolism, foreshadowing,
flashback, irony, mood, and tone). 8.1.25 C |
- Using
Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart to illustrate verbal and situational
irony
 - Critical
Concepts - Verbal Irony
- Critical
Concepts - Dramatic Irony
|
Identify
instances of bias and stereotyping in print and non print contexts. 8.1.26
T | - Using
Picture Books to Explore Identity, Stereotyping, and Discrimination - Lesson
plan with handouts.

- Censorship
in the Classroom - Lesson plan with handouts

- Native
Americans - EdSITEment Lesson plan
 - Holiday
Stereotyping - Lesson Plan with handouts
 |
Recognize the
effect of stressed and unstressed syllables to aid in identifying the meaning
of multiple meaning words. 8.1.27 V |
- Stressed and
unstressed syllables - Use these rules to help with base words.
- Word
emphasis - change meaning of sentence by the stress put on words.
|
Read a passage and answer questions
to show comprehension. | - Brainchild
Test - (This quiz opens in a new page. Close the page when finished
to return to this list.) 12 questions - Students should use the summary page
after finishing this test to practice their areas of weakness.
 - Eighth
Grade Reading - Read the introduction and the passage that follows. Then read
each question and mark the circle next to the correct answer.

-
How
are They Selling It - students read three advertisements and evaluate the
type of persuasive writing being employed

- Inflation
in Russia - read and answer questions
 -
Looking
for the Fine Print - students read advertisements to practice reading critically
 - News
Stories with Comprehension Quizzes [from the BBC]
- (1) White
loafers and passport control, (2) Hungry
ferrett causes rail scare, (3) Dyslexic
boy's site wins top award, (4) Otters
head for towns and cities, (5) Demolition
fears after city blaze.
News
Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC - Choose carefully, not all
of these would be appropriate for 8th grade students. Also, take a look at a section
of stories which include math in the news and the quiz  - Read
a Contract - and answer questions

- Reading
Comprehension Quiz - Online quiz

- Reading
Comprehension stories - Interactive quizzes online for 5 stories - Each text
is followed by a grammar exercise and summary writing exercise.
 - Reading
Exercises - Comprehension, Fill in and Sequencing
 -
What
are They Selling - students critically evaluate six advertisements
 |
Identify individual written selections
as technical, narrative, persuasive, and/or descriptive in mode. T
| - Persuasive
Writing
- The
Five Paragraph Essay Wizard - Persuasive Essay and prompts (Note:
this free site will occasionally exceed its allocated data transfer)
- The
Power of Persuasive Writing is a three week communication skills and interdisciplinary
middle school Internet project. (a WebQuest)
- Which
Writing? (6-8) [this link opens on a new page] Students choose an appropriate format
for writing. (Author - Carol Rine)

|
|
|
|
Identify
within context a variety of appropriate sentence-combining techniques (e.g., comma
+ coordinating conjunction, use of semi-colon, and introductory phrases or clauses).
WP | - The
Colon - an explanation from The
Guide to Grammar and Writing
- Commas
vs. Semicolons in Compound Sentences - Brought to you by the Purdue University
Online Writing Lab
- Semicolons
in Compound Sentences - Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses in
a compound sentence.
- Semicolon
and Colon Quiz - this quiz is interactive and self checking
- Grammar
and Style: Semicolons - from the Writer's Handbook
- Using
Colons Effectively - Click on "The sentence, please!" and a sentence
to edit will appear in the top text-area.
 - Using
Commas - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
- Proofreading
for Commas - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
- Review:
The Comma - Using a separate sheet of paper, rewrite each sentence to correct
the comma usage. (answers provided)
- A
Brief, No-Nonsense Guide to Comma Usage (plus a great cartoon)
|
Complete a graphic
organizer (clustering, listing, mapping, and webbing) with information from notes
for writing a writing selection. 8.2.1 WP |
- Bibliographic
Blunders (6-8) [this link opens on a new page] use note cards to collect information. (Author
- Carolyn Garner)

-
Take
Notes - students evaluate what items should be included in the opening paragraph
of a news story
 |
Select appropriate
transitional devices or time order words to enhance the flow of the writing.
8.2.2 WO |
- Transitions indicate
relations, whether from sentence to sentence, or from paragraph
to paragraph. This is a list of "relationships" that supporting
ideas may have, followed by a list of "transitional" words
and phrases that can connect those ideas:
- Using
Transitions - Transitional words and phrases can create powerful
links between ideas in your paper and can help your reader understand
the logic of your paper
- Writing
Research Papers: Transition Words and Phrases
- Writing
Academic Essays - transition words
- A
chart of the transitional devices - also called conjunctive adverbs
or adverbial conjunctions
- Transitional
Devices (Connecting Words) - Brought to you by the Purdue University
Online Writing Lab
- Transitional
Devices - transitional guides are connectives (symbols,words, phrases;
sometimes whole sentences and paragraphs) that make possible a smooth
"passing over" from one idea to the next.
|
Identify
the purpose for writing (e.g., to inform, describe, explain, and persuade).
8.2.3 WP |
- A Handbook of Rhetorical
Devices - definitions and examples of more than sixty traditional rhetorical
devices, all of which can still be useful today to improve the effectiveness,
clarity, and enjoyment of your writing
- Creating
an Argument - This exercise will guide you through the prewriting, organizing
and writing stages of producing a philosophy.
- Critical
Reasoning Warm-ups - (Scroll down, it's there!) These are warm-ups
for people who are somewhat familiar with critical reasoning questions. These
questions are a good way to start your brain thinking before you answer the real
questions.
- Take
Notes - students evaluate what items should be included in the opening paragraph
of a news story
 |
Identify the
targeted audience for a selected passage. 8.2.4 WP | |
Rearrange multi-paragraphed
work in a logical and coherent order. 8.2.5 WO |
- Class Exercise:
Paragraph Coherence - Practice creating paragraphs that treat one
main topic in a common-sense order
- Cohesion:
using repetition and reference words to emphasize key ideas in your writing
- Paragraph
Coherence - a paragraph to read followed by questions to answer
-
Paragraph Coherence Exercise
- identify a potential topic sentence for the paragraph, identify what information
presented in the paragraph is irrelevant, and then arrange what relevant information
is left into a more coherent, well-structured paragraph
- Paragraph
Development - Coherence
- Paragraph
Coherence - Coherence in a paragraph is the technique of making words, phrases,
and sentences move smoothly and logically from one to the other
- Paragraph
Structure Exercise - number sentences in an appropriate order to form a well-structured
paragraph
|
Identify
sentences irrelevant to a paragraph’s theme or flow. 8.2.6
WP | - Information
Elimination (6-8) [this link opens on a new page] model, instruct, and practice narrowing a topic
for expository writing. (Author - Julie Thompson)
 - Irrelevance
Quiz - Click on the sentences that are irrelevant.
- Paragraph
Unity Worksheet - Cross out the irrelevant sentences and put the numbers of
those
in the spaces provided. - Straying
off the point - Identify which sentences are not connected to the main focus
of the paragraph.
|
Integrate
all steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and
publishing. 8.2.10 WA |
- Prewriting
Tactics (6-8) [this link opens on a new page] organize and group related ideas. (Author
- Laurie Ayers)

- Step-by-step
Guide to Brainstorming - an effective way to generate lots of ideas and then
determine which idea(s) best solves the problem
- Prewriting
Techniques from Friends University Writing Center
 - Prewriting
Techniques from Mason, Kentucky
 |
Identify levels
of reliability among resources (e.g., eyewitness account, newspaper account, supermarket
tabloid account, and internet source). 8.2.11 T | - Critically
Analyzing Information Sources -evaluating a physical information source
- Evaluating
Web Pages - Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask
- Quality
Information Checklist - Here are eight ways of checking information on web
sites.
- TV
News Magazines and the Credibility Issue: The Scope of the Problem - article
about reliability.
|
Select
an appropriate thesis statement for a writing selection. 8.2.13
WO | - Compose
a Thesis Statement - Now that you have decided, at least tentatively, what
information you plan to present in your essay, you are ready to write your thesis
statement.
- How
To Write a Thesis Statement
- Tips
and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements – from the OWL at Purdue
|
Select
the most appropriate title for a passage. 8.2.14 WO | |
Select illustrations,
explanations, anecdotes, descriptions, and/or facts to support key ideas.
8.2.15 WO |
- Anecdotes - 30 inspiring
anecdotes
|
Choose the supporting
sentence that best fits the context and flow of ideas in a paragraph. 8.2.16
WP | - Great
Sentences for Great Paragraphs - Write a t in front of the topic sentence
and an s in front of the supporting sentence
|
Revise
and edit writing for elements of language. 8.2.19 WA |
- Power
Proofreading - Choose your level of skill and your areas of concepts to practice
with an interactive activity (choose grade 8) There are over two dozen different
passages to choose from.
 |
Use precise
language including active verbs, vivid words, colorful modifiers, figurative language,
imagery, and experiment with incorporating allusion. 8.2.20 WA |
- Figurative Language
- terms, definitions, and an example
- Literature-Figurative
Language-Part 1 - Read these lines from poems. Identify the meaning you think
fits best.
 |
Select vivid
words to strengthen a description (adjective or adverb) within a writing sample
or passage. 8.2.21 WP |
- Adjective
or Adverb Exercise 1
 - Adjective
or Adverb Exercise 2
 |
Compose clear and correctly punctuated
complex sentences to vary sentence structure. 8.2.21 WA |
- Quiz
on Using Quotation Marks - from the Guide to Grammar and Writing, sponsored
by the Capital Community College Foundation, Hartford, CT

- Quotation
Marks and Colons - online quiz
 - Quotation
Marks: Exercise to be printed and completed by students at their desk | answer
to the exercise
 - Quotation
Marks - Place commas and periods inside, not outside, quotation marks. Place
all other punctuation outside quotation marks unless it was contained in the original
source.
- The Gallery Of "Misused"
Quotation Marks
- Quotation
Marks - In the United States, periods and commas go inside quotation marks
regardless of logic.
- Single
Quotation Marks - Use single quotation marks for a quotation or title using
quotation marks inside another quotation or title which uses quotation marks.
- Worksheet
- fifteen sentences to edit [quotation marks]
- Worksheet
from Georgia Southern University - three passages to edit [quotation marks]
|
Demonstrate
facility in the use of language. WA |
-
Building
the Literature Classroom - generic envisionment-building lesson
that can be adapted to and used with any literary text
|
Support thesis with elaboration,
using supporting details, supporting examples, and/or anecdotes. WA
| - Developing
Paragraphs - ideas and activities on how to elaborate paragraphs.
- Guide
toWriting Academic Essays - Guide to help support one's thesis.
- Outline
- Outline of how to create a thesis.
- Thesis
Paper help - ideas on giving the specifics, the precise details that will
help your reader feel the full weight of your thought
|
Write engaging introductory paragraphs
and strong and clinching concluding paragraphs. WA |
- Take
Notes - students evaluate what items should be included in the opening paragraph
of a news story
 -
Trailblazing
Introductions (6-8) [this link opens on a new page] Students develop a sense of beginning by using strong
leads. (Author - Laurie Ayers)

-
Trailblazing
Conclusions (6-8) [this link opens on a new page] Students develop a sense of ending by using closure and
thought-provoking statements. (Author - Laurie Ayers)

|
|
Write
well-developed, organized, and coherent essays in response to expository prompts.
8.2.8 WA
| - Expository
prompts - prompts that have personal connections between the writer and their
ideas.
- The Expository
Essay - Sample essays to study.
- Expository
Essay Collection - Prompts and examples.
- Writing
Expository Introductions and Conclusions - Do's and don'ts of introductions
and conclusions.
|
Identify
individual written selections as technical, narrative, persuasive, and/or descriptive
in mode. 8.2.12 T
| - Quiz
- identify the following types of paragraphs: expository, narrative, persuasive,
and descriptive.
- Quiz
- match a prompt to narrative, expository, persuasive, or descriptive writing.
|
|
|
Identify
the correct use of the following: 8.3.3
| 8.3.5 |
Identify
the correct placement of prepositions and prepositional phrases within context.
8.3.3 G | - Power
Proofreading - Choose 8th grade then select; Teen Time, or
any one of the mixed practice exercises.
 - Recognizing
Prepositions - The following paragraph is taken from Ernest Hemingway's short
story "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber." Click on the prepositions
in the order in which they appear and they will appear in the text-area below
the paragraph.
- Quiz
on Prepositions - For each question, choose the single best answer.
- Prepositions
at the Crossword I - Type the correct letter in each box. Use the tab key
to move from box to box or use your mouse-button to place the letter in each box.
 - Prepositions
at the Crossword II - Type the correct letter in each box. Use the tab key
to move from box to box or use your mouse-button to place the letter in each box.
 - Prepositions
at the Crossword III - Type the correct letter in each box. Use the tab key
to move from box to box or use your mouse-button to place the letter in each box.
 - Recognizing
the Function of Phrases - When you click on "Start this test," you
will be presented with a sentence.
- Verb and Preposition
Combinations I - a quiz from the English-Zone
 - Verb
and Preposition Combinations II - a quiz from the English-Zone
 - Verb
and Preposition Combinations III - a quiz from the English-Zone
 |
... nouns (e.g.,
common/proper, singular/plural, possessives, direct/indirect objects, and predicate
nouns) 8.3.5 G
| - Apostrophes
with Possessive Nouns - a grammar quiz [ignore the part
about email address]
 - Catastrophes
of Apostrophic Proportions - a quiz on apostrophes
 - Exercises
in Plurals and Possessives - place a C by correct items and an I by incorrect
items
 - Grammar
Blast - Choose your grade level and practice grammar skills
 - Interactive
Grammar Quizzes - many topics covered
 - Online
Grammar Quizzes - many categories to select from
 - Parts
of Speech - Noun, Verb, Preposition, etc. Interactive quizzes
 - Parts
of Speech Quiz -Select correct part of speech
 -
Plural
and Possessive Nouns - By clicking on a bubble, identify whether the highlighted
word is a plural or possessive noun and then click on the "Submit Answer"
button.
- Possessives
and Irregular Plurals - 25 items in the quiz
 - Possessive
Noun Practice - a six question quiz
 - Possessive
Noun Quiz - a five question quiz [when asked to enter
your name, enter X]
 - Possessive
Pronouns and Contractions - a ten question quiz [when
asked to enter your name, enter X]
 - Possessive
Pronouns Used as Adjectives - a ten question quiz [when
asked to enter your name, enter X]
 - Power
Proofreading - Choose 8th grade then select; Memo to Employees, Dimes
for Rhymes, Views from our Viewers, or any one of the mixed practice
exercises.
 |
... verbs (e.g., subject-verb agreement,
transitive/intransitive, linking/action, tense consistency, perfect tenses, regular/irregular,
voice, and verb phrases) 8.3.5 G
| - Controlling
Shifts in Verb Tense - General guideline: Do not shift from one tense to another
if the time frame for each action or state is the same.
- Power
Proofreading - Choose 8th grade then select; E-mail to HME-TV Staff,
Sour Sid on Sports, You Solve it, Weather or Not, Animal Alarm, or any
one of the mixed practice exercises.
 - Parts
of Speech - Noun, Verb, Preposition, etc. Interactive quizzes
 - Subject/verb
agreement - Basic Principle: Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural
subjects need plural verbs. Other SV agreement quizzes Quiz
2 | Quiz
3
 - Subject
and Verb Agreement from LEO: Literacy Education Online
- Subject
Verb Agreement Quiz
 - There
is or there are?
 - Tag
Questions 1 - Present Tense/To Be Verb/Affirmative
 - The
CopyCat Game 1 from English-Zone
 - Making
Subjects and Verbs Agree - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online
Writing Lab
- Subject-Verb
Agreement - from The Writer's Handbook
- Subject
Verb Agreement from Big Dog's Grammar
- Identifying
transitive verbs - definition and examples
- Transitive
verb quiz - quiz for classroom practice
- Transitive
/ Intransitive Verb - Lesson and follow up quiz; second
set of lessons and followup quiz
- Transitive
and Intransitive verbs - definition and examples
- Transitive/Intransitive
Quiz - interactive quiz

- Transitive/
Intrasitive Quia quiz - [this link opens on a new page]

- Transitive
/ Intrasitive - [this link opens on a new page] another Quia quiz
- Transitive/
Intrasitive online quiz - interactive quiz
 - Transitive
Lesson - Lesson and activity
- Verb
Classification Quiz - online quiz
- The
grammar outlaw - Disagreeing Subject and Verb, AKA The Disagreeable Sentence
- Practicing
past, present & future tenses - Tense
Activity 1 | Tense
Activity 2 | Tense
Activity 3
 - Practicing
adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs - Word
Skills 1 | Word
Skills 2 | Word
Skills 3
 |
... pronouns (e.g., pronoun-antecedent
agreement, reflexive, interrogative, demonstrative, pronoun case, and conjunctive
adverbs) 8.3.5 G
| - Power
Proofreading - Choose 8th grade then select; Word Workout, Eat Your
Heart Out, Teen Time, or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
 - Pronoun-Antecedent
Agreement - LEO: Literacy Education Online
- Agreement:
pronoun antecedent from Big Dog's Grammar. After reviewing this material take
an interactive quiz.
 - Pronoun-Antecedent
Agreement - This tutorial will help you accomplish the following learning
objectives: define and understand pronoun agreement, choose pronouns that agree
with their antecedents in number, person, and gender and check and apply your
skills.
- Pronoun
Case - The case of some pronouns depends on their function in sentences or
clauses. This lesson is followed by an interactive quiz.
 - Pronoun
Case - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
- Practicing
adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs - Word
Skills 1 | Word
Skills 2 | Word
Skills 3
 |
... adjectives (e.g., comparative/superlative,
phrases and clauses, predicate adjectives, and common/proper) 8.3.5
G | - Adjective
or Adverb Exercise 1
 - Adjective
or Adverb Exercise 2
 - Power
Proofreading - Choose 8th grade then select; Eye It - Buy It, Kids'
Quiz, The Young and the Clueless, or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
 - Comparative
& Superlative Quiz - Click the answer buttons to see the answers.
- Practicing adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs
- Word Skills
1 | Word
Skills 2 | Word
Skills 3
 |
... adverbs (e.g., comparative/superlative,
phrases and clauses, and conjunctive adverbs) 8.3.5
G | - Adjective
or Adverb Exercise 1
 - Adjective
or Adverb Exercise 2
 - Power
Proofreading - Choose 8th grade then select; Interviews with Ingrid,
or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
 - Practicing
adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs - Word
Skills 1 | Word
Skills 2 | Word
Skills 3

|
... conjunctions
(e.g., coordinating, correlative, subordinating to combine sentences and elements)
8.3.5 G |
- Conjunctions -
Conjunctions are words used as joiners. Different kinds of conjunctions join different
kinds of grammatical structures.
- Repairing
Run-On Sentences
 - Avoiding
Comma Splices, Fused Sentences, and Run-On's from LEO: Literacy Education
Online
- Combining
Sentences for Variety and Clarity - several methods and examples are given,
however this page only combines two sentences.
- The
Need to Combine Sentences - Sentences have to be combined to avoid the monotony
that would surely result if all sentences were brief and of equal length. This
lesson is followed by three quizzes.
 |
... interjections 8.3.5
G | - Definition
of interjections - explanation
- Interjections
- list and meanings
- Interjection
Lesson -
- Interjection
Worksheet - Worksheet and lesson plan
- Interjection
Quiz - checks your answers
 - Interjection
Test - Use as class lesson for understanding
 - Interjection
Quiz - identify the interjection
 |
Select the correct pronoun/antecedent
agreement for personal pronouns within context. 8.3.5 G
|
- Pronoun-Antecedent
Agreement - Explanation
- Making
the pronoun and its antecendent agree - explanation
- Pronoun
Agreement - 5 interactive quizzes; can also print quizzes

- Pronoun
Agreement - tips to help make it easy
- Pronoun
Agreement Quiz - interactive
- Pronoun- Antecedent
Quiz - answers checked
- Sample
Quiz - can be used for class discussion
|
|
Identify
the correct use of commas (e.g., compound sentences, coordinating conjunctions,
introductory words, appositives and interrupters) within context. 8.3.1
G | - Compound
sentences - online quiz
 - Commas
and Colons - online quiz
 - Quiz
on Comma Usage
 - Using
Commas: Exercise
1 || Exercise
2 || Exercise
3 || Exercise
4 || Exercise
5
 - Power
Proofreading - Choose 8th grade then select; Tacky Travel, RoboChef,
or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
 - Conjunctions
- Click on the buttons to find the correct answer
 - Conjunctions
Quiz I - Click the answer buttons to see the answers.
 - Conjunctions
Quiz II - Combine the sentences using the conjunction given in parentheses.
 - Conjunction-itis
Popup - Find the correct conjunction form to combine two short sentences together
into one! (a Quia quiz)
 |
... subject/verb
agreement 8.3.2 G
| - Quiz
on Subject-Verb Agreement - Select one answer from the choices provided after
each sentence. The word you choose should fit the blank in the sentence.
 -
A Second Quiz on Subject-Verb Agreement - After each sentence select the verb
form that will best fit in the blank. The explanation will describe the process
of arriving at the correct choice for that sentence.
 - Third
Quiz on Subject-Verb Agreement - Select the appropriate verbs from the drop-down
menus to complete each sentence correctly. There are thirty-three "opportunities
for error" in these paragraphs.
 -
Making
Subjects and Verbs Agree: Exercises - a worksheet to print, not interactive - Let's
see whether you understand subject-verb agreement. - Read each sentence, enter
your response in the space provided, and then press "Submit" to check
your answer.
 - Subject-Verb
Agreement Quiz - Select the correct verb form to agree with the subject.
 -
Subject-Verb
Agreement: The Sore Thumb of Grammar - Subject/Verb
Agreement - Click the answer button to see the answer.
 - ESL
Subject Verb Agreement Quiz 1 - In the quiz questions , choose the correct
verb so that subject and verb agree.
 - ESL
Subject Verb Agreement Quiz 2 - Take this quiz after mastering the quiz questions
and their rules in the first
 |
... pronoun case 8.3.2
G |
- Pronoun Case
Quiz - Fill in the blank; answers are checked

- Pronoun
Case Quiz One- drop-down option menus where you must select the
appropriate pronoun form; answers are checked

- Pronoun
Case Quiz Two - drop-down option menus where you must select the
appropriate pronoun form; answers are checked

- Pronoun
Case Practice - Print this out or use as whole class activity.
- Pronoun
Case Practice - interactive quiz

- Pronoun
Case Quiz - interactive
|
... double negatives 8.3.2
G | - Double
Negatives - three progressively hard quizzes.
- Double
Negatives Worksheets - print these off for your class.
- Double
Negatives - a quiz

|
... comparative/superlative forms
8.3.2 G |
- Comparative/Superlative
Quiz - interactive quiz, scores quiz and checks answers
 - Comparative/
Superlative Quiz - choose answer, then select "see the answer" button.
- Comparative
and Superlative Practice - lesson then practice
|
...
troublesome word groups (were/where, which/that/who, who/whom) 8.3.2
G | - Quiz
on Forms of Who - Select the correct form of the word who or whoever from
the choices provided after each sentence.
 - Sit
or Set Quiz - Complete the sentences using the proper form of "sit"
or "set."
 - Past
Tenses of Sit/Set and Lay/Lie - What is the correct verb form in each sentence?
 - Raise
or Rise? - Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it
with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

- Rise/Raise Practice
Quiz - [this link opens on a new page] from Quia

- Confusing
Verbs: Raise / Rise
 -
The Notorious Confusables - Quiz
1 | Quiz
2 | Quiz
3 | Quiz
4 | Quiz
5
 |
Select the most
appropriate method to correct a run-on sentence (e.g., conjunctions, semi-colons,
and periods to join or separate elements) within context. 8.3.4
G | - The
sentence, please! - A sentence containing a comma splice will appear in a
text-area. Repair the sentence.
 - Avoiding
Comma Splices II - A sentence containing a comma splice will appear in a text-area.
Repair the sentence.

- Correct
run-on sentences - online quiz - separating the independent clauses
- Correct
run-on sentences - online quiz - adding a comma and a conjunction
- Ccorrect
run-on sentences - online quiz - embed one clause in each sentence
- Correct
run-on sentences - online quiz - hanging the word or words in bold to a verbal
or a verbal phrase
- Repairing
Run-On Sentences - After each run-on sentence select the remedy that would
best repair that sentence
 -
Fragments and Run-On's - After each sentence, select the option which best
describes that sentence.
 - Avoiding
Comma Splices, Fused Sentences, and Run-On's - Interesting visual effects
are used to make the point.
- Identify
run on sentences - online quiz
- A
test of the Emergency Grammar System - It is only a test. Actually, it isn't
even a test ... and it contains more than grammar. Oh, never mind.... give it
a try
 |
Identify and
use appositives and appositive phrases and infinitives and infinitive phrases.
8.3.7 G |
- Appositive
worksheet - combine sentences using appostives

-
Infinitives - Lesson and quiz
- Infinitive
or Gerund - online quiz
- Introduction
to appositives - lesson and exercise
- Jeopardy
style game on appositives - online interactive game.
- Power
Proofreading - Choose 8th grade then select; Local News Report,
or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
 - Present:
Infinitive and 3rd person singular - online quiz
- Quiz
- online quiz on appositives.
|
Select
the appropriate use of underlining/italicizing with titles, specific words, numbers,
letters, and figures. 8.3.8 G | - Using
Italics and underlining in APA style - brief explanation of appropriate usage.
|
Recognize the
appropriate use of gerund and participial phrases. 8.3.10 G
| - Phrase
Practice Exercise - Print out this exercise for student practice. Answers
online.
- Power
Proofreading - Choose 8th grade then select; Pains in the Neck,
or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
 |
Select the correct
pronoun/antecedent agreement for personal pronouns within context. 8.3.11
G | - Agreement
of pronouns and antecedents - online quiz
- Exercise
on Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Errors -
Answer
page - Quiz
on Pronoun Usage - fill in the blank in the sentence
- Quiz
on Pronoun Forms - fill in the blank in the sentence
- Quiz
on Sentence Body Parts - Sentences illustrate problems; students choose correct
what the problem represents.
|