A SONG ABOUT ADVERBS

An adverb is a part of speech. It modifies a verb or another adverb.

It can also modify an adjective.

It answers three questions: how, when or where? It answers three questions: how, when or where?

SINGING FOR REVIEW

One of the things I do at the beginning of language arts is I have grammar songs that we sing together, grades three through six. And we sing— we learn—all the songs together. And as we learn the songs, I review questions and comprehension questions across the grade levels. And so I might start with reviewing with my oldest student, and eventually I can work on that concept in my youngest students even before they need to know it.

SINGING FOR MEMORIZATION

And the other good thing about singing is it’s very helpful in memorization. And I find sometimes with grammar the reason students can struggle is simply because they can’t remember all the terms. And I’ve found that students can begin to dislike grammar because it’s so many terms to memorize, and why do I have to memorize them? Whereas if you learn fun, playful songs, they learn the terms without even trying it, especially the youngest students.

SINGING DEVELOPS EXCITEMENT

And I also try to include in my classes (or with those singing sessions) is, “Wow, you’re in third grade, and you’re already learning a sixth grade term, and you sort of understand it!” And I do as much as I can to build on that excitement and challenge and moving forward. And I find that over time, students can really become alive and excited with what they’re learning.

A SONG ABOUT VERBS

Spencer: A verb is a part of speech.

Students: A verb is a part of speech.

Spencer: A verb shows action or a state of being.

Students: A verb shows action or a state of being.

Spencer: A verb is a part of speech.

Students: A verb is a part of speech.

Spencer: A verb shows action or a state of being.

Students: A verb shows action or a state of being. [together]

All: A helping verb helps another verb to express its meaning. A helping verb stands near the verb.

It is called an auxiliary.

Am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been.

Has, have, had, do, does, did, may, might, must, should, could would

Spencer: (could, should, could, would)

All: Shall, will, and can. A helping verb stands near the verb,

and it is called an auxiliary.

A helping verb stands near the verb. It is called an auxiliary.

EMPHASIZING THE MEANING OF SONGS

Students can very easily memorize words strung together and not access the meaning of them. And so that is something I do try to do, is include an understanding of what we’re saying.

A SONG ABOUT ADJECTIVES

An adjective is a part of speech, used to describe or define

the meaning of a noun or pronoun.

It answers the question, Spencer: How many?

Students: How many?

Spencer: Whose? Students: Whose?

Spencer: Which one? Students: Which one?

Spencer: Or what kind? Students: What kind?

All: It modifies a noun or a pronoun. It modifies a noun or a pronoun.

A SONG ABOUT DIRECT OBJECTS

D.O., D.O.

A direct object

is an objective element that tells what the subject is acting on.

D.O., D.O.. It’s a noun or a pronoun after a transitive verb.

D.O., D.O. It answers the

question what? or whom? after the verb.

D.O. And its label, D.O..