Purpose
Grammar is a valuable tool. It helps us to reflect on how English language works, to use language effectively and to have a shared linguistic structure which enables us to create and communicate. While grammar needs to be taught systematically and explicitly, this strategy proposes a more physical way of learning that helps to engage students through creativity.
Teaching points
Each part of speech is allocated a colour, eg yellow = noun; green = verb. Remembering the designated colours can help students with their sentence construction. For example, the students have to remember that they require at least two colours (yellow and green) to make a simple sentence and a variety of colours (usually at least two green and two yellow, plus other colours) to form a complex sentence.
Activity
In this activity, students identify noun groups using the colour coding system, and identify proper nouns and pronouns with a face symbol.
Using a sample of text that includes various parts of speech, the students work in pairs (older with younger) to:
- Read and identify all the different nouns in the text, highlighting them with a yellow pen. Draw a face above or around the proper nouns and pronouns.
- Copy the words onto yellow card, or type them up and print out on yellow paper. Cut them up like flash cards.
Once they have made all their ‘noun’ cards, students can:
- Make headings/labels for each group of nouns: proper nouns, common nouns, pronouns, collective nouns, abstract nouns.
- Use the headings to sort the words into their groups.
- Write or paste the words, under their group headings, into workbooks.
- Discuss and correct as a class.
More information
PEN 152: O’Rourke, V, Hill, S & McGirr, B. Grammar games. e:lit - the Primary English Teaching Association, Newtown
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