Standard EnglishStandard English ‘‘Standard English’ is basically the English we are taught at school; the Standard English’ is basically the English we are taught at school; the

form of English Language that uses all the correct grammar, spelling, form of English Language that uses all the correct grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation.vocabulary and punctuation.

The following phrases are not Standard English because the verb/subject don’t The following phrases are not Standard English because the verb/subject don’t agree:agree:

We was….We was…. She don’t….She don’t…. I were…I were… He live…He live… I likes…I likes…Try to write them correctly.Try to write them correctly. Now, what’s wrong with this?! “Me and me mates was walking down the Now, what’s wrong with this?! “Me and me mates was walking down the

street. We sees this man coming towards us and he was looking right angry street. We sees this man coming towards us and he was looking right angry like I were a murderer or something. He don’t saying nothing but we was like I were a murderer or something. He don’t saying nothing but we was proper scared like…”proper scared like…”

Try to re-write it in Standard English.Try to re-write it in Standard English.

Standard English (Formality)Standard English (Formality)

Think of Think of ten synonymsten synonyms (different words with (different words with similar meaning) for the word ‘good’similar meaning) for the word ‘good’

In the margin In the margin raterate each word on a scale of 1- each word on a scale of 1-10 for how formal you think it is10 for how formal you think it is

Now, write down the most Now, write down the most formalformal synonym synonym for the word ‘bad’ you can think of, and the for the word ‘bad’ you can think of, and the most most informalinformal??

Modern LanguageModern Language Write down 5 words which are used today but which wouldn’t Write down 5 words which are used today but which wouldn’t

have been used 150 years agohave been used 150 years ago Think about different reasons for the introduction of these new Think about different reasons for the introduction of these new

words (new technology, foreign influences etc). words (new technology, foreign influences etc). You You don’tdon’t need to write these ideas down.need to write these ideas down.

Write two definitions for each of the below words (one using Write two definitions for each of the below words (one using the word in its more traditional sense and one in its more the word in its more traditional sense and one in its more modern form):modern form):

- Gay- Gay- Boss- Boss- Buzzing- Buzzing Now, make a list of the reasons why you think language Now, make a list of the reasons why you think language

changes over timechanges over time

Full Stop!Full Stop! Think about what full stops are used for.Think about what full stops are used for. Work out where full stops should be placed in the passage Work out where full stops should be placed in the passage

below (don’t write it, just do it in your head):below (don’t write it, just do it in your head):My favourite subject at school is English I really like it My favourite subject at school is English I really like it because I get to write stories and read interesting books all of because I get to write stories and read interesting books all of my friends like English too I suppose you could say it’s my friends like English too I suppose you could say it’s everybody’s favourite!everybody’s favourite!

Now, re-write the below placing the full stops in the correct Now, re-write the below placing the full stops in the correct places:places:Sarah loved. dancing and everybody said that. she was good Sarah loved. dancing and everybody said that. she was good at it she went three times a week and. Spent all her spare time at it she went three times a week and. Spent all her spare time practisingpractising

Try to write a definition for ‘full stop’.Try to write a definition for ‘full stop’.

CommasCommas Commas can be used in two ways: to list things instead of saying and/or Commas can be used in two ways: to list things instead of saying and/or

(listing commas) OR to separate additional information in a sentence (listing commas) OR to separate additional information in a sentence instead of a bracket (bracket commas)instead of a bracket (bracket commas)

Place the commas in the correct place in these sentences and note Place the commas in the correct place in these sentences and note down what type of comma each sentence uses (list or bracket) :down what type of comma each sentence uses (list or bracket) :

Saturday morning TV is great. I especially like SMTV CDUK The Saturday Saturday morning TV is great. I especially like SMTV CDUK The Saturday Show and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.Show and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

Chris Tarrant who presents “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” used to present Chris Tarrant who presents “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” used to present the Saturday morning TV show “Tiswas”.the Saturday morning TV show “Tiswas”.

Now, try to write a sentence about school which uses ‘listing commas’ Now, try to write a sentence about school which uses ‘listing commas’ and then a different sentence about school which uses ‘bracket and then a different sentence about school which uses ‘bracket commas’commas’

If you can, try to write a sentence that uses BOTH types of commaIf you can, try to write a sentence that uses BOTH types of comma

Apostrophes - omissionApostrophes - omission

An omission apostrophe is the one you use An omission apostrophe is the one you use when a letter is missing e.g. it’s (the letter when a letter is missing e.g. it’s (the letter missing is ‘i’ because it should be it is)missing is ‘i’ because it should be it is)

Write 5 sentences featuring five different Write 5 sentences featuring five different examples of omission apostrophesexamples of omission apostrophes

Apostrophes - possessionApostrophes - possession The apostrophe we looked at last time (omission) was used to replace letters, this The apostrophe we looked at last time (omission) was used to replace letters, this

time it is the apostrophe that tells us something belongs to something else time it is the apostrophe that tells us something belongs to something else (possession). For this, we use an apostrophe (‘) followed by an ‘s’(possession). For this, we use an apostrophe (‘) followed by an ‘s’e.g. Year 8’s favourite lesson is English – the apostrophe + ‘s’ is used because the e.g. Year 8’s favourite lesson is English – the apostrophe + ‘s’ is used because the favourite lesson ‘belongs’ to year 8; it is THEIR favourite lesson…favourite lesson ‘belongs’ to year 8; it is THEIR favourite lesson…

Make the following sentences shorter by using a possessive apostrophe:Make the following sentences shorter by using a possessive apostrophe:The shoes belong to Sarah.The shoes belong to Sarah.The ball belonging to the dog rolled away.The ball belonging to the dog rolled away.The pattern on the wallpaper is horrible.The pattern on the wallpaper is horrible. BUT, what happens when the original word ends in an ‘s’ already? You ONLY BUT, what happens when the original word ends in an ‘s’ already? You ONLY

need to put the apostrophe sign (‘) – no extra ‘s’need to put the apostrophe sign (‘) – no extra ‘s’e.g. Miss Watts’ classroome.g. Miss Watts’ classroom

Think of five more examples when this type of possessive apostrophe would be Think of five more examples when this type of possessive apostrophe would be usedused

Now, write a sentence featuring both an example of omission and possessive Now, write a sentence featuring both an example of omission and possessive apostrophesapostrophes

ColonColon A Colon has 3 uses:A Colon has 3 uses:The skills Sarah has are: running, jumping, fighting, and sewing.The skills Sarah has are: running, jumping, fighting, and sewing.(colon used to introduce list of items)(colon used to introduce list of items)Xena is a warrior: she spends a lot of her time fightingXena is a warrior: she spends a lot of her time fighting

battles.battles.(colon used to restate what has already been said)(colon used to restate what has already been said)Gabrielle was in pain: she had just sprained her ankle.Gabrielle was in pain: she had just sprained her ankle.(colon used to elaborate on previous clause)(colon used to elaborate on previous clause)NB. what goes before the colon MUST be a sentence on its ownNB. what goes before the colon MUST be a sentence on its own Write an example of your own for each one.Write an example of your own for each one.

Speech MarksSpeech Marks Note how punctuation is used in these sentences with speech:Note how punctuation is used in these sentences with speech:““I’d love to come to the party,” said Sheila “I think it’ll be great!”I’d love to come to the party,” said Sheila “I think it’ll be great!”““Will you be wearing that dress you wore last week?” asked her friend.Will you be wearing that dress you wore last week?” asked her friend.

Add the appropriate punctuation to these sentences:Add the appropriate punctuation to these sentences:Matt said I’m sorry, I can’t remember.  Matt said I’m sorry, I can’t remember.  Go to sleep now, Abbie whispered. But I’m not tired replied her sister.  Go to sleep now, Abbie whispered. But I’m not tired replied her sister.  The man stood up. We don’t want a new road he shouted.The man stood up. We don’t want a new road he shouted.

Which of these would require speech marks?Which of these would require speech marks?I had asked if we could have crisps but my mum said that we couldn’t.I had asked if we could have crisps but my mum said that we couldn’t.Can I have some crisps, Mum? I asked but she replied noCan I have some crisps, Mum? I asked but she replied no

Now, note down a conversation you have had today, using speech Now, note down a conversation you have had today, using speech marks.marks.

Plural SpellingPlural Spelling Turn the below words into plurals – think carefully about how they should Turn the below words into plurals – think carefully about how they should

be spelt!be spelt!HorseHorse casecaseHissHiss trytryFlyFly daydayMatchMatch bookbookCalfCalf cloudcloudFoxFox pathpathBoyBoy scarfscarfCityCity lielieBusBus deskdeskChurchChurch elfelfLadyLady objectobjectCathedralCathedral candlecandleTheifTheif bullybully

SyllablesSyllables

Syllable = one part of a word; a bit like a beatSyllable = one part of a word; a bit like a beate.g. ‘Goal’ has one syllable, football has two, ‘penalty’ e.g. ‘Goal’ has one syllable, football has two, ‘penalty’

has three…has three… Make a list of popstars where each artist/groups’ Make a list of popstars where each artist/groups’

name contains one more syllable than the one beforename contains one more syllable than the one beforee.g. Cher, Will Young, Darius etc.e.g. Cher, Will Young, Darius etc. Now, with the person next to you, have a Now, with the person next to you, have a

conversation in which each response has one more conversation in which each response has one more syllable than the previous one syllable than the previous one

e.g. ‘Hi’… ‘Hello’… ‘How are you?’ etc.e.g. ‘Hi’… ‘Hello’… ‘How are you?’ etc.

““GHT”GHT”

List as many words as you can which include List as many words as you can which include the letter string “ght” eg. might, oughtthe letter string “ght” eg. might, ought

These words can be difficult to spell, come up These words can be difficult to spell, come up with a rhyme to help you remember the “ght” with a rhyme to help you remember the “ght” letter string e.g. Giants Hate Trolls (!)letter string e.g. Giants Hate Trolls (!)

Speaking and ListeningSpeaking and Listening

List the qualities of a good speakerList the qualities of a good speaker Pick one skill from the list that you would like Pick one skill from the list that you would like

to actively try and improve (I will be asking to actively try and improve (I will be asking for feedback on how well you’ve done with for feedback on how well you’ve done with this next lesson and will expect specific this next lesson and will expect specific examples)examples)

Speaking and ListeningSpeaking and Listening

Last lesson you picked out an area of your Last lesson you picked out an area of your speaking skills you need to work on. How speaking skills you need to work on. How have you done this? Write down some have you done this? Write down some examples. examples.

If you have not done this, write some ideas for If you have not done this, write some ideas for how you can try and work on this area.how you can try and work on this area.

Prepare to feedback to the class.Prepare to feedback to the class.

Speaking and ListeningSpeaking and Listening

People often say “She’s a good listener”…what People often say “She’s a good listener”…what exactly do we mean by this?exactly do we mean by this?

List as many different types of listening as you can List as many different types of listening as you can think ofthink of

e.g. listening to your teacher, listening to the radio…e.g. listening to your teacher, listening to the radio… We have to act very differently for each type of We have to act very differently for each type of

listening. Think about how.listening. Think about how. Now, write down how you can prove that you’re a Now, write down how you can prove that you’re a

good listener.good listener.

SpeakingSpeaking

Think about when part of a text is being read Think about when part of a text is being read aloud in class; some students are enjoyable to aloud in class; some students are enjoyable to listen to, whereas others can be a little painful!listen to, whereas others can be a little painful!

Complete this sentence: “A bad reader does Complete this sentence: “A bad reader does the following…”the following…”

Now, list as many techniques that you can Now, list as many techniques that you can think of that can be used to improve delivery think of that can be used to improve delivery of the reading of a passage.of the reading of a passage.

CommentaryCommentary

In your life, when might you hear a In your life, when might you hear a commentary of some kind?commentary of some kind?

What are the features of a commentary? i.e. What are the features of a commentary? i.e. how do you know when you are listening to how do you know when you are listening to one?one?

How would a commentator try to make it How would a commentator try to make it exciting for listeners?exciting for listeners?

Prepare to have a go at commentating with the Prepare to have a go at commentating with the class…class…

PresentingPresenting

Think of the WORST presentation you have ever Think of the WORST presentation you have ever seen (e.g. an assembly, on a trip, a lesson, at an extra-seen (e.g. an assembly, on a trip, a lesson, at an extra-curricular club, on TV etc.)curricular club, on TV etc.)

List the qualities that made it so badList the qualities that made it so bad So, what SHOULD you do when giving a So, what SHOULD you do when giving a

presentation? (e.g. speak to the audience, present with presentation? (e.g. speak to the audience, present with high energy etc.)high energy etc.)

Now, choose what you think is THE most important Now, choose what you think is THE most important thing to remember when delivering a formal thing to remember when delivering a formal presentationpresentation and explain why and explain why

SimilesSimiles

Similes are when you compare something to be ‘like’ Similes are when you compare something to be ‘like’ or ‘as’ something else.or ‘as’ something else.

Read the below similes and try to figure out what Read the below similes and try to figure out what they are describing.they are describing.I’m as tall as a tree and as skinny as a matchstick. I’m as tall as a tree and as skinny as a matchstick. I’m as bright as a star but only when it’s as dark as I’m as bright as a star but only when it’s as dark as the deepest black.the deepest black.

Now, choose an object of your choice and write your Now, choose an object of your choice and write your own riddle of similes like this. The class will try to own riddle of similes like this. The class will try to guess what your object is so make the similes good!guess what your object is so make the similes good!

SimilesSimiles

Think of a person in your family and write a Think of a person in your family and write a list of similes that could be used to describe list of similes that could be used to describe them. Make sure you include similes that them. Make sure you include similes that describe their physical appearance as well as describe their physical appearance as well as ones that describe their personality.ones that describe their personality.

e.g. My dad whistles like a bird in the morning.e.g. My dad whistles like a bird in the morning.

My dad My dad thinksthinks he’s as funny as a comedian! he’s as funny as a comedian!

SimilesSimiles

Think of a beach on a hot sunny day and write a list Think of a beach on a hot sunny day and write a list of similes which could be used to describe it. You of similes which could be used to describe it. You should try to come up with at least five similes – should try to come up with at least five similes – covering each of the senses;covering each of the senses;

- SeeSee- HearHear- TouchTouch- SmellSmell- TasteTaste

MetaphorMetaphor A metaphor = when you compare something to A metaphor = when you compare something to

something else by describing it as that other thing something else by describing it as that other thing e.g. the teacher is a demon, the boxer was a lion e.g. the teacher is a demon, the boxer was a lion waiting to pounce, the candy floss puffs in the sky waiting to pounce, the candy floss puffs in the sky drifted slowly in the breezedrifted slowly in the breeze

Write three reasons for why we might use metaphors Write three reasons for why we might use metaphors in writingin writing

Re-write the below passage, putting in a number of Re-write the below passage, putting in a number of metaphors (you may continue it if you wish)metaphors (you may continue it if you wish)It was a dark night and the sky was black and dark. It was a dark night and the sky was black and dark. The wind could be heard in the trees and the houses The wind could be heard in the trees and the houses looked big and tall in the distance….looked big and tall in the distance….

MetaphorsMetaphors

Think about why we might use metaphors Think about why we might use metaphors instead of similes to describe a character. instead of similes to describe a character. Write down 3 ideas.Write down 3 ideas.

Now come up with some examples of Now come up with some examples of metaphors you could use to describe a metaphors you could use to describe a person/character in your life (you could write person/character in your life (you could write about a person who you are in love with – e.g. about a person who you are in love with – e.g. “She is the light of my life”)“She is the light of my life”)

MetaphorsMetaphors

Look around the room and choose an Look around the room and choose an object/item. Then think of a number of object/item. Then think of a number of metaphors that could be used to describe it metaphors that could be used to describe it

E.g. metaphors for a cactus plant could be…an E.g. metaphors for a cactus plant could be…an exploding firework, a bad hair day etc.exploding firework, a bad hair day etc.

PersonificationPersonification

List the ways in which a tree is similar to a List the ways in which a tree is similar to a person (e.g. branches are like arms)person (e.g. branches are like arms)

Now, write a description of the tree as if it is a Now, write a description of the tree as if it is a person (e.g. His arms wave to friends person (e.g. His arms wave to friends closeby…) closeby…)

Plural SpellingsPlural Spellings

Look at the below passage, spot the spelling Look at the below passage, spot the spelling mistakes and re-write it using the correct mistakes and re-write it using the correct spelling for each plural spelt incorrectly.spelling for each plural spelt incorrectly.

I love big citys like London. I like the red I love big citys like London. I like the red busses that you see and the sightes that you busses that you see and the sightes that you can visit. There are lots of big church’s and can visit. There are lots of big church’s and cathedral’s to see. You just have to be careful cathedral’s to see. You just have to be careful that theifs don’t steal your belonginggs.that theifs don’t steal your belonginggs.

PluralsPlurals

Create two columns; one labelled ‘singular’ Create two columns; one labelled ‘singular’ and one labelled ‘plural’.and one labelled ‘plural’.

In the ‘singular’ column, write all the words In the ‘singular’ column, write all the words below.below.

Then, in the ‘plural’ column, write the plural Then, in the ‘plural’ column, write the plural form of each word (e.g. glasses)form of each word (e.g. glasses)

Mistakes!Mistakes!

Re-write the below passage placing full stops and Re-write the below passage placing full stops and capital letters in the right places. Also, if you notice capital letters in the right places. Also, if you notice any spelling mistakes, change them!any spelling mistakes, change them!

(HINT: there are (HINT: there are 1313 mistakes!) mistakes!)

wen i got home my mum told me I must practise my wen i got home my mum told me I must practise my violin becouse I had been lazy resently she sed I violin becouse I had been lazy resently she sed I would never be in any conserts if I didn’t start putting would never be in any conserts if I didn’t start putting more efort in i was so tired and had lots of homework more efort in i was so tired and had lots of homework to do so I stomped upstares to my room in a rageto do so I stomped upstares to my room in a rage

EXTENSION: Can you spot anywhere in this passage where it would be good to insert a comma as well?

Possessive ApostrophesPossessive Apostrophes

Re-write Re-write these these sentences sentences adding in the adding in the missing missing possessive possessive apostrophes.apostrophes.