Robert Frost said, "All the fun's in how you say a thing," and in this spirit, we begin our Grade 4 studies in English. Greek & Latin Roots, Magic 3, poetry, anagrams, and something called "Balderdash," round out our literary inquiry for the next two weeks. We welcome you to join in with your child in playful practice as we explore the delights of the English language.
Roots
Latin prefixes: sub/below and trans/across
Greek prefixes: gen/origin
Sufix: ous/like or characterized by ( example: perilous)
Magic 3
A method of elaboration using three examples in a series used to create a poetic rhythm or at least provide support for a point, especially when the three items have their own modifiers.
Example: I love playing hide-and-seek with my friends in our woods, jumping rope on the school playground, and swinging on the old tire at Grandma's.
Poetry
We are experimenting with a method termed "Call of words" where a poem is read and words that speak to the reader are noted and then used to create an original poem.
Anagrams
An anagram is a word or phrase that uses the exact same letters to produce another word, for example, the letters in the name Mary can be rearranged to make the word army. Anagrams can be used in parody as well. Here's an example: William Shakespeare/ I am a weakish speller.
Balderdash
Using a variety of reference materials, students determine if a statement is correct, impossible, possible, or probable. Students then explain their reasoning in complete sentences, documenting sources in their answers.
Examples: 1. Laura Ingalls Wilder bought a television set. 2. The small douroucouli climbed on the elephant's back.
Roots
Latin prefixes: sub/below and trans/across
Greek prefixes: gen/origin
Sufix: ous/like or characterized by ( example: perilous)
Magic 3
A method of elaboration using three examples in a series used to create a poetic rhythm or at least provide support for a point, especially when the three items have their own modifiers.
Example: I love playing hide-and-seek with my friends in our woods, jumping rope on the school playground, and swinging on the old tire at Grandma's.
Poetry
We are experimenting with a method termed "Call of words" where a poem is read and words that speak to the reader are noted and then used to create an original poem.
Anagrams
An anagram is a word or phrase that uses the exact same letters to produce another word, for example, the letters in the name Mary can be rearranged to make the word army. Anagrams can be used in parody as well. Here's an example: William Shakespeare/ I am a weakish speller.
Balderdash
Using a variety of reference materials, students determine if a statement is correct, impossible, possible, or probable. Students then explain their reasoning in complete sentences, documenting sources in their answers.
Examples: 1. Laura Ingalls Wilder bought a television set. 2. The small douroucouli climbed on the elephant's back.