Grammar Mascots

In my classroom I choose a mascot for each of the parts of speech. Most of these mascots come from a picture book, and I use the book to teach the part of speech. For adjectives I use the Big Green Monster from the book Go Away Big Green Monster. First, I read the picture book.

Check out this free video version.

Then we make our own adjective monsters.  I give the students index cards, mini containers of play dough, pipe cleaners, and goggle eyes.  They have to give their monster a name and use adjectives to describe it. I hang a the picture of the  mascot on the wall and  refer to it all year long to help them get each part of speech anchored in their mind. I blow up the picture from the book, trace, and color it. I have some former students, now eighth graders, that tell me they remember the parts of speech because of the mascots. I've created a simple printable that can be used in place of the index card. If you would like a copy click HERE.

You can take this idea even further by participating in the Monster Exchange Project.
Students create and write a description for their monster. Then they exchange descriptions with another class via the internet. This is completely free and a great way to meet the new Common Core Standards. I'm looking forward to participating with my class this year.

Teaching Tip of the Week

Are you as addicted to Pinterest as I am? Well then let me introduce you to my little friend Jing. Jing is a free download that will allow you take take pictures of your computer screen. I like to take pictures of the really great stuff and save them on my flash-drive in the appropriate subject folder. Next week's tip will be all about  flash-drive organization. I adore Jing and it saves me so much hunting and searching.

Anchor Chart of the Week

Let's face it, teaching students their multiplication facts is hard work. I like to teach my students the 9's trick and make an anchor chart with it. Tip: Have them trace the same hand twice and flip one because they have trouble tracing with anything besides their dominate hand. I also like to show them a video clip to introduce the trick.

Question of the Week

What is your favorite blog style? What would you like to see me add or take away from this blog?