Grammar Boot Camp

Description

Students may enroll in this course for the full year or by semester.

This live online class is for middle schoolers and will give them a strong foundation in grammar before they enter high school. After completing this course, the student will be ready to tackle any high school compositions that come their way without worrying about grammar! We will work on one concept at a time to focus and master it utilizing games, partner practice, group practice, online manipulatives, and more. Grammar can be fun!

During Semester 1, students will:

• • • • identify prepositions and prepositional phrases
      • identify nouns and the different ways they function in a sentence (subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, object of the preposition, predicate noun)
      • identify verbs, regular and irregular verbs, verb types, and verb tense
      • identify subjects and predicates, predicate nominative, predicate adjective
      • identify appositives, gerunds, infinitives
      • know the types of sentences, and understand the difference between a sentence, fragment, and run-on

During Semester 2, students will:

• • • • identify adjectives (limiting, functions, descriptive vs. proper, predicate adjectives)
      • understand the difference between a phrase and a clause (independent and dependent)
      • identify adverbs and be able to distinguish between when it’s an adverb or a preposition
      • understand the different types of pronouns (reflexive, demonstrative, interrogative, indefinite)
      • identify personal pronouns
      • understand the usage of punctuation ( apostrophe, comma, semi-colon, colon, end punctuation, quotation marks)
      • understand capitalization rules (quotes, proper nouns, and adjectives, outlines, initials, etc.)

Course Structure

We will work through a concept or two each week. Class time will be spent with instruction followed by application. Practice time will be provided by the teacher in class. Practice in class will take the forms of games with classmates, practice aloud, group work, etc.

Homework will be 1-2 hours a week.

Who should enroll?

This class is open to all 6th-8th graders who would like to strengthen their understanding and application of grammar before hitting high school. It can be used as a refresher course for those that have the basics already.

Technology Requirements

• • • • High speed, broadband Internet
      • Headset and microphone (for live sessions)
      • Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
      • A Canva account is required (we will provide each student with an AAO email address to log into our Canva for Education account)
      • Google Account is highly recommended.

Evaluation and Feedback 

Students will receive feedback via Canvas on their assignments. I am available any time through email and am always willing to meet on Zoom if a student has questions over an assignment.

Communication

Parents are welcome to contact me via email with questions before registering, but it is not necessary before enrolling a student. I try to respond to emails on the same day if it is a week day. Weekend emails will receive a reply usually within 24 hours but possibly not same day.