Lesson 6: For Sale
Activities
Activity 1: Prepositional and Appositive Phrases
Materials: colored pencils
Prepositional phrases are sets of words that begin with a preposition (such as on, toward, for), end with a noun or pronoun, and include any modifiers (articles, adjectives, or adverbs) found in between. I put the picture beside the dark blue lamp. Prepositional phrases provide information such as location or direction (under the table), time (at sunset), or ownership (of the team).
The whole phrase can act as one of the following parts of speech in a sentence:
The whole phrase can act as one of the following parts of speech in a sentence:
- Adjective: The phrase answers the question, "Which one?" The man in the blue hat is my soccer coach. The phrase modifies the noun by telling which man you're talking about.
- Adverb: The phrase answers the questions, "Where?," "When?," or "How?" The cat ran across the room. The phrase modifies the verb by telling where the cat ran.
You typically need special punctuation for prepositional phrases only when they begin a sentence: After the award presentation, we went home. If a sentence begins with a series of prepositional phrases, insert the comma at the end of the last phrase: Before lunchtime at the camp by the lake, the campers sing songs.
Note: When a sentence begins with a very short prepositional phrase, some authors choose to omit the comma. Here's an example from The Pearl: "In the pearl he saw how they were dressed..."
An appositive phrase is a set of words that renames or further identifies the noun that comes right before or after it. Mr. Cho, my neighbor, owns two poodles. Appositive phrases function as nouns in a sentence. Most appositive phrases provide extra information in the sentence, so they are set off from the rest of the sentence using commas. Here are some examples:
Note: When a sentence begins with a very short prepositional phrase, some authors choose to omit the comma. Here's an example from The Pearl: "In the pearl he saw how they were dressed..."
An appositive phrase is a set of words that renames or further identifies the noun that comes right before or after it. Mr. Cho, my neighbor, owns two poodles. Appositive phrases function as nouns in a sentence. Most appositive phrases provide extra information in the sentence, so they are set off from the rest of the sentence using commas. Here are some examples:
- A popular tourist destination, Hawaii has some incredible beaches.
- Hawaii, a popular tourist destination, has some incredible beaches.
- They want to visit Hawaii, a popular tourist destination.
Ask a parent which option to complete for this activity.
This lesson covers prepositional and appositive phrases and how they function in sentences. There are two options for this activity: Option 1 involves less writing, while Option 2 is more difficult and requires more writing.
Option 1
Use the "Prepositional and Appositive Phrases" (Option 1) pages to practice recognizing phrases and labeling how they function in sentences. You will also write some of your own. Remember to test prepositional phrases to see how they function in the sentence — adjectives answer the question, "Which one?," and adverbs answer the questions, "Where?," "When?," or "How?"
Student Activity Page
Student Activity Page
Answer Key:
Part I: Your child should underline appositive phrases (AP) in black and prepositional phrases (PP) in green. Prepositional phrases should be labeled as adjectives (blue triangle) or adverbs (orange circle). She does not have to label the appositive phrases since they always function as nouns.
Part I: Your child should underline appositive phrases (AP) in black and prepositional phrases (PP) in green. Prepositional phrases should be labeled as adjectives (blue triangle) or adverbs (orange circle). She does not have to label the appositive phrases since they always function as nouns.
- Outside the door [PP, adv] he squatted down and gathered the blanket ends about his knees [PP, adv].
- The brush houses of the fishing people [PP, adj] were back from the beach [PP, adv] on the right-hand side [PP, adv] of the town [PP, adj].
- In Kino's mind [PP, adv] a new song, the Song of Evil [AP; also "of Evil" is PP, adj], had come.
- But the music of the pearl [PP, adj] was shrilling with triumph [PP, adv] in Kino [PP, adv].
- The priest said that Kino had the name of a great man [PP, adj], a Father of the Church [AP; also "of the Church" is PP, adj].
Part II: Check your child's sentences to make sure they follow the guidelines. Here are samples for each one.
- During the half-time show, my favorite band performed. [If your child wrote a very short phrase, she may have chosen not to insert a comma.]
- Mr. Johnson, my piano teacher, owns four cats.
- The goal of the team was to place in the top ten.
Option 2
Follow the instructions on the "Prepositional and Appositive Phrases" (Option 2) page to practice labeling and writing your own phrases.
Student Activity Page
Student Activity Page
Answer Key:
Part I: Your child should underline appositive phrases (AP) in black and prepositional phrases (PP) in green. Prepositional phrases should be labeled as adjectives (blue triangle) or adverbs (orange circle). She does not have to label the appositive phrases, since they always function as nouns.
Part I: Your child should underline appositive phrases (AP) in black and prepositional phrases (PP) in green. Prepositional phrases should be labeled as adjectives (blue triangle) or adverbs (orange circle). She does not have to label the appositive phrases, since they always function as nouns.
- The dawn came quickly now, a wash, a glow, a lightness [AP; label as one big AP or three small APs], and then an explosion of fire [PP, adj]. (Your child may also have labeled "an explosion of fire" as an AP.)
- The brush houses of the fishing people [PP, adj] were back from the beach [PP, adv] on the right-hand side [PP, adv] of the town [PP, adj].
- In Kino's mind [PP, adv] a new song, the Song of Evil [AP; also "of Evil" is PP, adj], had come, and underneath, the Song of the Family [PP, adj] cried plaintively.
Part II: Check your child's sentences to make sure they follow the guidelines. Here are samples for each one.
- During the half-time show, my favorite band performed. [If your child wrote a very short phrase, she may have chosen not to insert a comma.]
- Mr. Johnson, my piano teacher, owns four cats.
- The goal of the team was to place in the top ten.
- The soprano sang with a clear voice.
- The toddler looked cute in her new dress.
Activity 2: The Pearl
The pearl is an important symbol in the story and represents many of the themes. The pearl has meaning beyond itself and stands for things broader than itself. As the story progresses, the symbolism of the pearl takes on many meanings, the mood of the story changes, and the characters change, too.
On the page, "The Pearl," you will find a web. On each spoke, list different ideas for what the pearl symbolizes in the story.
On the page, "The Pearl," you will find a web. On each spoke, list different ideas for what the pearl symbolizes in the story.
Student Activity Page
The pearl can be a symbol for a variety of broad ideas. Answers might include evil, delivery from circumstances, dreams of a better life, wealth, fear, greed, triumph, strife and discourse, power and money, freedom from ignorance, etc. Review your child's ideas and ask her to explain or expound on them.