Positively Powerful Possessives

Subject Area: Language Arts

Grade Level(s): 7-8

Duration of Activity: Two 55-minute class periods

Description of Activity:

Following a review of the rules for using the apostrophe to make nouns show possession, the students will work in groups to create clip art posters of rhyming words showing both singular and plural possessive forms of nouns. The students will also work textbook and worksheet activities.

Objectives:

• The students will review and correctly apply the rules for using the apostrophe to show possession.
• The students will work cooperatively in small groups of two to create a product.

Materials/Equipment:

• Language Arts textbooks
• Computers with access to Microsoft Word or another word-processing software
• Access to clip art library
• Printer (if hard copy of clip art poster is desired)
• Handout 1: Practice with the Apostrophe Worksheet
• Handout 2: Instructions for the Creating Apostrophe Clip Art Poster Project
• Handout 3: Apostrophe Clip Art Poster Example A.
• Handout 4: Apostrophe Clip Art Poster Example B
• Handout 5: Apostrophe Clip Art Poster Rubric

Prerequisites (skills or background needed):

• The students should have a basic understanding of word-processing skills using Microsoft Word or another word-processing program.
• The students should know how to insert clip art into a document.

Procedure

Teacher Component:

1. The teacher will use a language arts text to review the rules for forming singular and plural possessive forms with students.
2. The teacher will give the students Handout 1: Practice with the Apostrophe Worksheet for review of acquired skills.
3. The teacher will divide the class into groups of two.
4. The teacher will review basic word-processing skills using Microsoft Word or another word-processing software.
5. The teacher will provide instructions for and examples of the apostrophe clip art poster project using Handout 2: Instructions for Creating the Apostrophe Clip Art Poster and Handouts 3 and 4: Apostrophe Clip Art Posters Examples A and B.
6. The teacher will assist students during the project design.
7. The teacher will evaluate student progress on both an apostrophe worksheet and the clip art poster project using Handout 5: Apostrophe Clip Art Poster Rubric.
8. The teacher will display student poster projects.

Student Activities:

1. The students will review rules for using the apostrophe to form singular and plural possessives and work practice activities provided in a textbook.
2. The students will demonstrate understanding of possessives on a worksheet, using Handout 1: Practice with the Apostrophe Worksheet.
3. The students will follow instructions outlined in Handout 2: Instructions for Creating the Apostrophe Clip Art Poster Project. They will work in groups of two to design clip art posters with rhyming words in both the singular and plural possessive forms. Examples of posters found in Handouts 3 and 4 may be used for further clarification.

Accommodations:

• Group students according to technology experience levels.
• If students cannot complete the clip art project within the class period, time may be allowed before or after school for completion.
• Peer tutors may be used to help students who experience difficulty with the assignment.
• Although a group poster is required, if time allows, students in the group may design posters individually.
• If an adequate number of practice activities are provided in the textbook, the worksheet may be given as a homework assignment.

Extension Activities:

• Students may compile posters into a booklet for classroom reference.
• Students may work interactive possessive activities using the World Wide Web. (See the URLs component of the lesson plan.)
• Students may use photographs to determine real life misuse of the apostrophe on signs, marquees, or advertisements around their town or city. If these examples are not available locally, Web sites may be used to locate pictures for classroom discussion. (See the URLs component of the lesson plan.)

Integration:

• Language Arts
• Technology

Assessments:

1. Teacher observations and questioning will be used throughout the lesson.
2. Responses to the possessive worksheet may be graded by the teacher using Handout 5: Apostrophe Clip Art Poster Rubric.
3. The clip art project may be evaluated according to creativity and correctness.

URLs:

• Interactive Grammar Quizzes
  http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quiz_list.htm
• Apostrophe
  http://www.onthenet.com.au/~townsend/apostrophe.html
• OWL at Purdue University: Apostrophes:Exercise 1 (Look for 2nd exercise from this page.)
  http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/interact/g_apostEX1.html

Curriculum Frameworks

Mississippi:

Seventh Grade & Eighth Grade

3. Complete projects and tasks in an organized and coherent manner. (R, W, S, L, V)
3. Follow logical sequence/multi-step directions to complete a product.
6. Participate cooperatively while engaging in small group activities to analyze and interpret information, to make decisions, to solve problems, and to produce a given product. (R, W, S, L, V)
2. Develop strategies for listening and speaking that respect the rights and contributions of others.
3. Analyze, evaluate, and compromise to arrive at a consensus.
5. Work collaboratively to develop a complete product with increasing independence.
8. Read and use print and non-print media to experience the rhythm, energy, and pictorial qualities of language. (R, W, S, L, V)
3. Recognize characteristics of literature such a rhyme, rhythm, repetition, alliteration, and figurative language, and incorporate them into written and oral forms.
11. Demonstrate continuous progress toward control of penmanship, grammar, mechanics, sentence structure, and usage of Standard English in the context of writing and speaking. (R, W, S, L, V)
1. Demonstrate knowledge of grammar and usage, including, but not limited to, parts of speech, all punctuation marks, capitalization, verb tense, subject-verb agreement, subordination, pronoun reference, and basic sentence elements.

National Educational Technology Standards (NETS):

5. Apply productivity/multimedia tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, group collaboration, and learning throughout the curriculum. (3, 6)
6. Design, develop, publish, and present products (e.g., Web pages, videotapes) using technology resources that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts to audiences inside and outside the classroom. (4, 5, 6)

TerraNova:

35 Word Meaning (Level 11-21/22)
Demonstrate an understanding of word meanings and relationships.

39 Writing Conventions (Level 12-21/22)
Identify the appropriate use of capitalization and punctuation with proper nouns, titles, contractions, possessive nouns, and pronouns.

Link and Feedback to Author(s):

Wanda Epting, Coleman Middle School, Greenville, MS
wepting1417@yahoo.com