write 'kernal' sentences, use prepositions, try Rosie's Walk

Mrs. J’s Musings

Part 2

April 23, 2013

Try adding prepositional phrases to your own three word ‘kernal’ sentences.

Here are some prepositions to get you started:

As ,at , but, by, down, for, from , in , into, like, near, next, of, off, on, out, over, past plus, minus, since, than, to , up with, about, above, after, around, before, beside, during, through, under, until ……………………

The picture book, Rosie’s Walk, provides a perfect form for writing prepositional phrases. We tried it in one of our classes; here are some results.

Cole- Smoky, the cat, had a nap in the past, by a library, on a bed, under a car, next to the saddle dome, over the bridge, past a volcano, among some clouds, with some kittens, and woke up in time to play with me. !!

Sean- Lenny, the rooster, had a nap, by the fence, under the sun, next to the henhouse, over the brown grass, past the spruce tree, among the Rhode Island Red hens, with some red Sussex cross hens and woke up in time to eat.

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Here is a delicious sentence from Tane, after another exercise where learners were provided a noun, a verb and an object and expected to put words to form and create a relationship with meaning: enjoy?

“The town has been hanging in a tree since the beginning of time.” !!

Wow! I am impressed, it sounds like the opening sentence of a fantasy!!

kernal sentences, prepositional phrases, FORM first, infinite variety of content

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Mrs. J’s Musings

April 23, 2013

Reflections from the most excellent book:

How to Write a Sentence and How to Read One

By Professor Stanley Fish

Words need syntax (forms) to give them the ability to relate to each other in a sequence that carries meaning.

Forms (relationships) are limited: noun-verb-object ( X does Y to Z …to which may be added descriptive phrases and clauses…) but the examples (possible contents) are infinite.

We practiced the three word sentence form for many weeks at the beginning of our classes to which I added specific lessons on prepositional phrases.

As a concluding activity, we turned our ‘best sentences’ (adding personal content) into illustrated ‘little’ books.

Here are those sentences, for your enjoyment.

Matthew- I like playing with my cat, after dinner, before bedtime, behind the couch, in the shadows, next to the fireplace.

Caydee- I like playing baseball with my family, at my house, in our backyard, during family home evening, before popsicle treats.

Daniel- I like playing on my I-pod, with my sister, at my house, in my room, every day, before my dad kicks me off.

Brinley- I like playing in my squirrel house, with my sissy, near the TV, on the fuzzy blankets, after a yummy breakfast of croutons that we pretend are nuts.

Natalie- I love playing with my kittens, on the patio, in the backyard, next to the cat house, by the hot tub.

Cole- I like playing piano with my sister, at my house, in the basement, during a rain storm, before spelling, beneath the kitchen, beside the TV, next to the self, along a wall, for memorization.

Sean-I like eating scones at the table in my house, with powder sugar plus maple syrup, that my dad makes at the stove, with water and sugar,  before breakfast.

Caleb-I like playing, with our dog, Ebony, in our yard, before and after school.

Peter- I like jamming on my guitar, in my room, on the highest volume, by plugging it into my amp, except for on Sunday, because my siblings get annoyed, in their room beside mine.