More than a feeling! Lego + Grammar 2

Debra Myhill, Professor at the University of Exeter has extensively researched methods of teaching Grammar.   To paraphrase her work If children have fun when learning grammar then they will be better at it.
Profession Myhill states "Grammar can be taught in ways which go beyond simply knowing terms and categories, towards encouraging pupils to love playing with grammar and language.

"If teachers take this approach, the evidence suggests pupils' writing will improve."  Ultimately this is why we all teach pupils - in order for them to improve.

I like to take her suggestion of 'playing' literally and incorporate the use of LEGO into my teaching of grammar.  In aprevious blog I outlined how Lego could be used to teach prepositions. 

In this blog we are looking at mood phrases or adverbs of manner using the small heads of minifigures.

 

For this activity you will need a range of mini figure heads.  If these are unavailable then you can create some using yellow card.

1.  Ask children to choose a face/head
2. Discuss what the figure is feeling
3.  Put the feeling into a sentence.
4. Develop these sentences.  Perhaps adding in a connective such as because.
He is sad because he has lost his dog etc. 

5.  Once the children have created their sentences allow them to use a thesaurus to find more powerful alternatives for their feeling word.  If they are using the card versions you may want them to record them on the back of the card for future reference.

Demonstrate sentence constructions using the mood words or preposition of manner.
e.g. The man opened his present happily.
The man happily opened his present.
Happily, the man opened his present.

You could share an image (LEGO boxes or catalogues are perfect) with the pupils or allow them to create their own setting showing various lego men.  They can then write a short narrative detailing how the different characters are feeling.

For example: Slyly, the wizard cackled as he watched the Dragon steal the gold.
Determined, the knight tried to storm the tower.  Filled with anger and fury the knights unleashed their catapult.

As usual comments most welcome.

Rob