Playing With Words 1: Language Arts Grade 3 (Flex Class)

Learning language arts doesn't have to be boring.  In this flex class, students learn the rules of grammar, language mechanics, and spelling by interacting with language.  When learning about adjectives, students construct colorful sentences using as many adjectives as they can think of.  Or they might try to come up with 20 other ways to say the verb "walk."  We write stories using only questions, make silly words with spelling patterns, and draw pictures to represent absurd sentences with and without correctly placed commas.  For Spelling, I use a word study approach from the book "180 Days of Spelling and Word Study."

This class is for 3rd & 4th grade students (or for anyone working around this grade level).  As an ongoing class, students can enroll and drop at any time.  The material covers a 2-year cycle, meaning students may stay subscribed for up to 2 years without repeating topics.  

*************************
CLASS STRUCTURE
*************************
LESSON VIDEOS:  I will post new lesson videos on Mondays.  Students may watch these videos at their convenience.  They are about 15 minutes in length and go over the new grammar or mechanic lesson.  They will also cover any notes about the spelling list for the week.  For example, if the words cover long 'e', the video will explain the many different vowel blends that can make long e.  

LANGUAGE ARTS PRACTICE:  Assignments for the week will also be posted on Mondays.  This will include work from the Language Arts Grade 4 workbook and a Playing with Words challenge.  The Playing with Words challenge is an opportunity for students to use the grammar they learned in a fun, engaging way.  Examples of challenges include:
- Choose a prompt and write 3 sentences WITHOUT using any articles
- Change my sentences by replacing "dead" nouns with more interesting ones
- Write a 3-5 sentence conversation you might have with your pet using quotation marks

SPELLING PRACTICE:  Each week students will have new words from the book "180 Days of Spelling and Word Study" book.  There are 5 days of practice, which includes important lessons in vocabulary as well as spelling.  To practice spelling, students will need to use the "write and check" method.  I will also include a spelling packet that includes more traditional activities for practicing spelling words, including:  writing in color, alphabetical order, write each word in a sentence, etc.  Students may choose EITHER method of learning their words.  

EXTRA HELP: Students are encouraged to watch the video and start the language arts homework early in the week.  If they have any specific questions they can post them in the Classroom and I will respond either with a written or video response.  Students who post questions on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday will receive a response the following week.  

FRIDAY REVIEW:  On Fridays, I will post the answers to the homework, as well as a video spelling test.  

CLASSROOM RESPONSES:  Each week students are invited to post their responses to several assignments.  These may be written, picture, or video posts.  Parents may need to help students with posting their responses.  Assignments that may require responses include:
-Playing With Words Challenge
-Write-your-own sentences from the language arts workbook activities
-Specific questions the student has about the weekly lesson

****************
WINTER 2023 
****************
WEEK of JAN 16: Direct Objects
WEEK of JAN 23: Review Parts of Speech
WEEK of JAN 30: Sentence Fragments
WEEK of FEB 6: Compound Sentences
WEEK of FEB 13: Run-On Sentences
WEEK of FEB 20: Review Types of Sentences
WEEK of FEB 27: Combining Subject & Direct Object
WEEK of MAR 6: Combining Verbs
WEEK of MAR 13: Combining Adjectives