Week #10: The Finale

This is your last opportunity to start the year with an A++. Since summer vacation is almost over, I thought this week, we would do something more creative and open ended. How many words of at least 3 letters can you make using the letters in "summer vacation"? Points will be awarded based on how many words you come up with and spell correctly. Please submit your entire list at once.

Thank you to all those who participated in the summer blog, especially those who stuck with it week after week. I am looking forward to starting a whole new school year this Wednesday, August 18th.

Week #9 Answers

Everyone did fairly well on this past week's activity. Being able to spot unfinished sentences appears to be pretty easy for most of you. Here are the answers. Thanks to the 18 participants.

1. fragment
2. fragment

3. sentence

4. sentence

5. sentence

6. fragment

7. sentence

8. fragment

9. sentence

10. sentence

11. sentence

12. sentence

13. fragment

14. fragment

Week #9: SENTENCE OR FRAGMENT

This week we're looking at sentences verses fragments. A sentence has both a subject and a predicate (verb). A fragment may have either a subject or a predicate or neither, but it doesn't have both. Read the following sentences and decide which ones are sentences and which ones are fragments. Each is worth .25 X 14 = 3.5.

1. Janelle, the girl with the red hair.

2. Is a great talent

3. Adelle took a peek at the bird's nest.

4. A quadrilateral is a four-sided shape.

5. Pamela likes to draw.

6. A dollar or more.

7. Goodness, that room is messy.

8. Have a pet frog.

9. You can order a book.

10. Larry handed in his assignment.

11. Sam walks.

12. Please fix the faucet.

13. The tiny little bird with the broken wing.

14. Fell asleep on the couch.

Week #8 Answers

First I want to apologize for a miscalculation. This activity was worth 3.75 points and not the original 3 points posted last week. All the points calculated via e-mail were done with the 3.75 total. Here are the answers:

1. adjective
2. adverb

3. adjective

4. adverb

5. adjective

6. adjective

7. adjective

8. adverb

9. adjective

10. adverb

11. adjective

12. adjective

13. adverb

14. adjective

15. adverb

Week #8: Adjective or Adverb?

Adjectives are words that modify nouns and pronouns. They are describers, answering which one, what kind, or how many.

Adverbs are words that modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs. They are explainers, answering when, where, how, and to what extent.

Can you identify the underlined word in each sentence as an adjective or adverb? Each is worth .2 X 15 = 3 points.

1. That eerie sound in the basement creeped me out.
2. His very colorful shirt caused my eyes to hurt.

3. The chilly wind made me shiver with cold.

4. In order to get a license, you have to drive carefully.

5. She was so excited when she moved into her new, huge house.

6. Her hands were dirty from digging in the sandbox.

7. After walking around the amusement park all day, they were sweaty and tired.

8. I would say he is an extremely fast reader, since he finished that five hundred page book in one day.

9. The baby's droopy eyes showed he was tired.

10. When the music became too loud, the cops arrived at the party.

11. That movie was so fantastic, I want to see it a second time.

12. His lazy dog sprawled out on the floor.

13. We waited patiently in line to buy the tickets for the concert.

14. Since the ice cream was melty, it was sticky yet delicious.

15. They were so angry with each other, they hardly spoke a word.

Week #7 Answers

This must have been a tough one or many of you are busy with summer fun. We only had 13 participants. Thanks to those who took the challenge. Here are the answers.

1. C- stop

2. B - poem

3. D - premonition

4. C - Adorn

5. B - Active

6. A - Rough

7. B - Eliminate

8. D - Bridge

9. C - Respectful

10. B - Ocean

Week #7: Analogies

An analogy shows the similarities between two items. They can be synonyms, antonyms, homophones, location, examples, objects/functions, and doer/action. Can you complete these analogies? Each is worth .2, making this activity worth 2 points.

1. towel is to dry as brake is to __________

A. wash B.break C. stop D. pull

2. ballad is to song as sonnet is to _________

A. cheer B. poem C. haiku D. scene

3. apparel is to clothing as warning is to ________

A. whisper B. ending C. cape D. premonition

4. letter is to communicate as necklace is to ________

A. bracelet B. message C. adorn D. neck wear

5. sociable is to antagonistic as dormant is to ________

A. doorway B. active C. charming D. sleepy

6. knew is to new as ruff is to ________

A. rough B. old C. uneven D. puff

7. explorer is to search as exterminator is to ________

A. external B. eliminate C. locate D. collect

8. pilot is to cockpit as captain is to ________

A. engine B. uniform C. anchor D. bridge

9. shorten is to prolong as contemptuous is to ________

A. precious B. lengthen C. respectful D. disdainful

10. moon is to sky as coral is to ________

A. pink B. ocean C. cloud D. forest

Week #6 Answers

Thank you to the twenty participants last week. You did a great job with subordinate clauses. Fourteen of you got a perfect score. Here are the answers.

1. because she skinned her knee
2. even though it was hot

3. before you go

4. since the storm was coming

5. so that you won't be tired for the trip

6. while on the tour

7. whenever you pass someone in the hall

8. that when you smile

9. as long as you have a few minutes

10. after we play Monopoly

11. if you don't want to be late

12. now that he is eighteen

Week #6: Subordinating Conjunctions

Many of you had difficulty last week distinguishing the main clause (basic sentence) from the subordinating clause. A subordinating clause gives added information to the sentence, but it cannot stand alone (it sounds like a fragment when you read it aloud). These clauses are USUALLY set off by commas. If it is at the beginning of a sentence, the comma comes after the clause. If it is at the end of a sentence, the comma comes before the clause. Finally, if it is in the middle of a sentence, it has commas on both sides. Can you identify the subordinating clauses? There are 12 sentences. Each is worth .25, equalling 3 points total.

EXAMPLE: Unless you get them all right, you will lose the competition.

The subordinate clause is "unless you get them all right."

1. Because she skinned her knee, she couldn't go swimming for the day.

2. He ran the mile even though it was hot.

3. Jill, before you go, please do your homework.

4. Since the storm was coming, we cancelled our plans.

5. You should probably go to sleep early, so that you won't be tired for the trip.

6. The group, while on the tour, learned many facts about the location.

7. You should say hello whenever you pass someone in the hall.

8. It is said, that when you smile, it can make you feel better.

9. As long as you have a few minutes, we can talk over coffee.

10. We can watch the movie, after we play Monopoly.

11. If you don't want to be late, you'll need to leave now.

12. Henry will have more responsibilities, now that he is eighteen.

Week #5 Answers

Linking verbs didn't seem to be too difficult for the eighteen participants. The one to give most of you a challenge was #5. Everyone thought the verb was "is" when it is part of a clause and cannot be the main verb. The linking verb in that sentence was "smells." Congratulations goes to Lily who was the only one to get it correct.

1. is

2. was

3. were

4. will be

5. smells

6. became

7. are

8. is

9. looked

10. were

11. tasted

12. will become

13. is

14. felt

15. is

Week #5: Linking Verbs

After a week of subjects, I think it is time to work with predicates. Many times the predicate is an action verb, like run, walk, skate, swim, etc. Other times, the predicate can be non action or linking. A linking verb is a verb that connects the subject to an object or adjective later in the sentence. They express no action. Many linking verbs are "be" verbs, like is, are, was, were, be, been, etc. Although most of your answers will be just one word, remember that "will" and "would" can act as helpers in future tense sentences. Can you spot the linking verbs in these sentences? This week's activity is worth .2 X 15 =3 total points.


1. Her hair is green from all of the chlorine.
2. The sunset was beautiful last night.
3. After the game, the players were exhausted and sweaty.
4. When the school year begins, he will be the class president.
5. Although the bottle is pretty, that perfume smells awful.
6. During the storm, the dog became scared.
7. At the zoo, there are many fascinating animals to watch.
8. Your music is too loud for my ears.
9. After riding the spinning ride at the fair, Gloria looked sick to her stomach.
10. The birds were angry when their house blew out of the tree.
11. The cookie dough tasted so good that barely any got baked.
12. Her mother will become worried if she doesn't get home soon.
13. Toy Story 3 is his new favorite movie.
14. Peter felt overheated from mowing the lawn.
15. This is the last sentence for this week's activity.

Week #4 Answers

This was a tough one. Thanks to the 16 who gave it a try.
1. roof
2. car
3. Hannah
4. Barbara
5. I
6. airplane
7. you - understood
8. it
9. you
10. she
11 you - understood
12. flowers
13. movie
14. they
15. you - understood

WEEK #4: SIMPLE SUBJECTS

First, I apologize for not posting by Tuesday. I was having some technical difficulties, but it is in the process of being fixed. Thank goodness! This week's activity involves simple subjects. This is the noun on which the sentence focuses. An example would be the following: The boy ran for a touchdown. The simple subject is "boy." He is the focus of the action "ran." Remember that most of the time the simple subject comes before the verb but sometimes, as in a question, it comes after the verb or a part of the verb. Don't forget that some imperative sentences don't have a simple subject written in the sentence but it is understood to be "you" since the order is given to "you." Now give these a try. Each is worth .2 X 15 = 3 points.

1. My roof is being fixed from the storm.
2. That car broke down on the side of the road.
3. Hannah sang beautifully at her recital.
4. Did Barbara tell you about the party on Saturday?
5. I hope that you win the lottery someday.
6. Her airplane was delayed an hour.
7. Go to bed now!
8. Because I listened to that song so many times, it is in my head all day.
9. If you take an umbrella, you will be safe from the rain.
10. She borrowed my favorite outfit for her vacation.
11. Please stop talking and listen.
12. Those flowers in your garden are blooming so beautifully.
13. What time does the movie start?
14. After dinner, they decided to go shopping.
15. Please watch your little brother while I'm gone.

WEEK 3 ANSWERS

Thank you to the 22 of you that participated this past week. It is our biggest yet.

1. blew

2. bit

3. brought

4. eaten

5. cost

6. broken

7. came

8. become

9. chose

10. fallen

11. drawn

12. did

13. burst

14. bought

15. built

Week 3 Irregular Verbs

Verbs can change in awkward ways when going from the present to the past. We wish they could all add "ed," but the English language is too complicated for such a simple answer. Read each sentence and choose the correct verb to complete each. Each is worth .2 X 15= 3 bonus points

1. The strong wind from the thunderstorm (blew / blown ) the power lines down.

2. That annoying spider (bited / bit) my leg in two spots.

3. We (brought / bringed) our own snacks for the trip.

4. Something I had (ate / eaten) made my stomach hurt.

5. I think those shoes (costed / cost) more than you thought.

6. Have you ever (broken / broke) any bones?

7. In the morning, the mailman (come / came) with our long awaited package.

8. While watching the movie, I have (become / became) very sleepy.

9. Did you see the boy (chose / chosed) the winning number?

10. Has something (fell / fallen) out of your purse?

11. Ciara had (drawn / drew) the cutest picture for her mother.

12. When it came to the project, Janet (done / did) more than anyone else in her group.

13. As I went over that pothole, I think I (bursted / burst) the tire.

14. Before I leave for the trip, I will have (buyed / bought) new tennis shoes for all of the walking.

15. Some of the buildings he has (built / build) are tall and others are one level.

Week 2 Answers

Homophones worth 3 points .15 each


Thank you to the 17 participants in this week's bonus blog. The answers are as follows.
1. meet and meat
2. witch and which
3. bear and bare
4. red and read
5. be and bee
6. seen and scene


7. their and there
8. buy and by
9. its and it's but I accepted their and they're
10. vary and very

Homophones

Homophones are words that are pronounced the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Often they are confused and misused. This week's challenge is to fill in the blanks with two homophones for each sentence. Yes, spelling does count! Each word is worth .15 making this week's activity worth 3 points.

1. I decided to _____________ my friend at the restaurant at 7:00P.M. She had a salad because she is a vegetarian and does not eat ___________.

2. In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy met a good _____________ named Glenda who helped her decide ______________ road to follow.

3. At the zoo, the _____________ looked sad since his fur was _____________ in spots on his body.

4. Her eyes were ____________ because she ____________ the book cover to cover for over twelve hours.

5. She will ___________ in a lot of trouble if that ___________ stings her, since she is allergic.

6. She has __________ that _____________ in the movie over forty times, because she has a huge crush on Taylor Lautner.

7. _____________ house is a mansion, and I can't wait to go ____________ for the birthday party.

8. How will you ______________ anything if you don't have any money? You could drive _________ the bank before you go shopping.

9. ___________ leaves are droopy. I think ___________ going to need some water.

10. You will have to _____________ your routine, or it will get __________ boring.

Week #1 Answers

Thanks to the 17 of you who took the first weekly challenge of comparatives and superlatives. You should have received an e-mail from me indicating how many points you earned. The first week was worth 3 points. Each one was worth .1. Spelling did and does count. Here are the answers.

1. quiet, quieter, quietest

2. loud, louder, loudest

3. tall, taller, tallest

4. short, shorter, shortest

5. dreamy, dreamier, dreamiest

6. good, better, best

7. little, littler/less, littlest/least

8. hungry, hungrier, hungriest

9. some, more, most

10. bad, worse, worst

11. soft, softer, softest

12. much, more, most

13. lazy, lazier, laziest

14. many, more, most

15. tired, more tired, most tired

WEEK #1: Comparative and Superlative

Did you know that adjectives can be comparative or superlative?

Comparative adjectives are used to compare two items and superlatives compare three or more items. Comparatives usually end in "er" and superlatives usually end in "est." The following are basic adjectives that you need to transform into comparative and superlative. Some will not change regularly. Some may need more or most added to them, while others will be completely different words. Spelling does count. Remember that all answers must be e-mailed to me before next Tuesday.

EXAMPLE: rich richer richest

1. quiet

2. loud

3. tall

4. short

5. dreamy

6. good

7. little

8. hungry

9. some

10. bad

11. soft

12. much

13. lazy

14. many

15. tired