Instructional Multimedia Project Grammatically Speaking Mary Lanham-Bates

Executive Summary

Tenth graders are expected to be able to identify the most common grammatical errors. Grammatically Speaking will be an instructional multimedia project designed to serve as a tutorial and a supplement to classroom instruction for the purpose of defining and identifying common grammatical errors.

Goals and Objectives for the Instruction 1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Use parallel structure. b. Use various types of phrases (noun, verb, adjectival, adverbial, participial, prepositional, absolute) and clauses (independent, dependent; noun, relative, adverbial) to convey specific meanings and add variety and interest to writing or presentations. 1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Apply the understanding that usage is a matter of convention, can change over time, and is sometimes contested. b. Resolve issues of complex or contested usage, consulting references (e.g., Merriam-Websters Dictionary of English Usage, Garners Modern American Usage) as needed. 2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization,

punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Use a semicolon (and perhaps a conjunctive adverb) to link two or more closely related independent clauses. b. Use a colon to introduce a list or quotation. c. Spell correctly. 2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Observe hyphenation conventions. b. Spell correctly.

Target Audience

Target Audience The target audience is tenth graders in preparation for the HSAP. Rationale and Instructional Content

Developing a vast pool of knowledge in reference to grammar is a life-long skill that is very pertinent to future high school graduates. These grammatical errors often cause Students to avoid writing because they feel their words are incorrect and will be judged, so they tend not to write. This Instructional Multimedia Project is being developed about common grammatical errors because the tenth grade teachers at Saluda High School in Saluda, SC must grasp these concepts in order to build stronger writing pieces and be successful on the SAT. By creating tutorials, students will gain a better understanding of the most common grammatical errors.

The project will be designed to supplement and extend classroom instruction. It will include tutorials with definitions, examples, practice with feedback, a quiz, and resources for each grammatical term (run-on, fragment, parallelism, misplaced modifier, verb tense shift, pronoun-antecedent agreement, and vague pronoun reference.) Students will have the opportunity to explore common grammatical errors using the Internet, identify written and illustrated examples, and participate in class games and simulations. Individual tutorials for each grammatical term are expected and will function as a positive catalyst to teachers. It is my hope that the project will be a suitable learning tool as well as provide a valuable learning experience.

Resources

Common Grammatical Error. Retrieved February 1, 2014 http://www.mytutor.com/students/resource-room/testing-tips/writing

National Standards Language Arts English Grades K-12. Retrieved February 2, 2014 fromhttp://www.educationworld.com/standards/national/lang_arts/english/k_12.s html.

South Carolinas ELA Curriculum Standards. Retrieved February 1, 2014 http://www.ed.sc.gov/agency/programsservices/190/documents/CCSSI_ELAStandards.pdf

The Writers Handbook. Retrieved February 1, 2014 from http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/CommonErrors.html