Homework Helper Lanaguage

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Homework Helper
Language Weekly

Name ___________________________ # ______

Keep this in the notebook that you bring to school daily.
Use this at home when you complete your homework.
Some class assignments may be made from this book.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 1
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Weekly Questions
1. Which word or words is a noun? 12. Which homophones are correct?
1. Which word or words is a verb?
1. Which word or words is a conjunction? 13. Is this an example of a personification, metaphor,
1. Which word or words is an adjective? simile, or hyperbole?
1. Which word or words is an adverb?
1. Which word or words is a pronoun? 14. Fill in the missing word to complete the analogy
1. Which word or words is a preposition?
1. Which word or words is an article? 15. Add proper punctuation: quotation marks

2. Underline the subject once 16. Write the title correctly
2. Underline the predicate twice
17. What does the idiom mean?
3. Is this word singular or plural?
3. Change the word to either singular or plural. 18. Which two sentences have the same meaning?

4. Write the verb correctly. 19. What is the main idea of the paragraph?
4. What tense is the sentence: past, present future?
20. Circle the sentence that does not belong.
5. Write the contraction or the two words.
21. Which sentence does not belong?
6. What is the root word?
6. What is the suffix? 22. Circle the sentence fragment.
6. What is the prefix?
23. Combine the sentences.
7. Write the possessive word.

8. Select the synonym for the word
8. Select the antonym for the word

9. Which words are the dictionary page guide words?

10. Is the statement a fact or an opinion?

11. Put the words in ABC order

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 2
Introduction

California sets standards for each grade level in language arts. At the end
of the year the state requires that students in our school system take the
“Standardized Testing and Reporting” (STAR) exam.
These questions are based on the California standards. Weekly review
will provide a stronger basis for student comprehension of these standards.
Part of the learning process is for students to correct their work.
Homework not done and turned in on the designated day makes it difficult for
students to achieve academic growth.
The homework is handed out on Tuesday and due the following
Tuesday.
This homework helper serves two purposes: to assist students at home
when they are completing the weekly assignment and provides additional
assignments to enforce these 24 concepts.
Homework Helper for Language Weekly is a teacher designed tool. I am
soliciting your assistance in making this user friendly and of value to students
and their parents. Please feel free to make suggestions and any editing
corrections needed.
The last section of the book is a set of mini-lessons. These lessons will be
done throughout the year as needed.
This book will be used both at home and at school.

Peggy Bishop
VESD
Brentwood Elementary School
MMVII/revised MMIX
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Table of Contents
Question # 1 Parts of Speech page 5
Noun page 6
Verb page 7
Conjunction page 8
Adjective page 9
Adverb page 10
Pronoun page 11
Preposition page 12
Article page 13
Question # 2 Subject and Predicate page 14
Question # 3 Singular or Plural page 15
Question # 4 Subject Verb Agreement & Verb Tense page 17
Question # 5 Contractions page 19
Question # 6 Prefixes and Suffixes page 20
Question # 7 Possessive page 21
Question # 8 Synonyms and Antonyms page 22
Question # 9 Guide Words page 23
Question # 10 Fact or Opinion page 24
Question # 11 Alphabetical Order page 25
Question # 12 Homophones page 27
Question # 13 Personification, Metaphor, Simile, Hyperbole page 28
Question # 14 Analogy page 30
Question # 15 Quotations page 31
Question # 16 Titles page 32
Question # 17 Idioms page 33
Question # 18 Multiple Meanings page 34
Question # 19 Main Idea page 35
Question # 20 Main Idea Sentence that does not belong page 36
Question # 21 Which sentence should come next? page 37
Question # 22 Sentence Fragment page 38
Question # 23 Combining Sentences page 39
Mini-Lessons page 40

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 4
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Parts of Speech
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Sentence for #1

1. Which word or words is a noun? _________________
1. Which word or words is a verb? _________________
1. Which word or words is a conjunction? _________________
1. Which word or words is an adjective? _________________
1. Which word or words is an adverb? _________________
1. Which word or words is a pronoun? _________________
1. Which word or words is a preposition? _________________
1. Which word or words is an article? _________________

Directions
• List each word under one category: noun, verb, conjunction, adjective,
adverb, adverb, adverb, pronoun, preposition or article.
• Refer to the page number listed next to each part of speech for help.

Example

Sentence for #1 Her older brother and sister ran quickly to the school.

1. Which word or words is a noun? brother, sister, school
1. Which word or words is a verb? ran
1. Which word or words is a conjunction? and
1. Which word or words is an adjective? older
1. Which word or words is an adverb? quickly
1. Which word or words is a pronoun? her
1. Which word or words is a preposition? to
1. Which word or words is an article? the

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 5
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Parts of Speech
Noun
person, place, thing

The word noun comes from the Latin word nomen. Nomen means name.
This is a good description because nouns are used to name persons, places or
things.
When action takes place, requiring a verb, the action is done by a noun.
The two main parts of a sentence are the noun and the verb.

The WHO or WHAT of a sentence is the NOUN

There are different types of nouns:
• Common nouns, such as girl or country
• Proper nouns, such as Dorothy or the Land of Oz
• Plural nouns, such as wizards or moats

Reminder: Proper nouns are always capitalized

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 6
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Parts of Speech
Verb
provides action or a state of being
The verb is the heart of each sentence; it explains what it going on.
The WHAT’S HAPPENING of a sentence is the VERB.
There are different types of verbs
• Action verbs explain what is happening (dance, jump)
• Linking verbs do not express action. Linking verbs connect the subject to
what it is equal to. (Sara is a genius. The roads were a slushy mess)
• Helping verbs are used with another verb to tell more of the action (The
picnic will be cancelled because of the rain.)

Helping with helping verbs, the tale of Mr. Do
Once upon a time there was a wealthy merchant named Mr. Do. Mr. Do
was very old and very rich. His many relatives were dreaming of the day the old
man would die. They wondered which one of them would inherit his money.
Finally, one day Mr. Do did die. All the relatives searched his house for a will.
They didn't find one. They searched his house three times. They still did not find
a will. The relatives did not get one dime of Mr. Do's fortune.
The moral: Maybe Do should have a will.

Helping Verbs

May be do should have Will
might being does could had can
been
must did would has shall
am
are
is
was
were

Just remember this sentence and you will know how to set up a chart of the 23 helping verbs.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 7
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Parts of Speech
Conjunction

join together

Conjunctions join words or phrases together. A conjunction can be used
to combine two different sentences.
Example # 1
Jack went up the hill. Jill went up the hill.
Using a conjunction Jack and Jill went up the hill.

Example #2
Language is due on Tuesday. Math is due on Wednesday.
Using a conjunction Language is due Tuesday, but math is due Wednesday.

Example # 3
Language is not due on Friday. Math is not due on Friday.
Using conjunctions Neither language nor math are due on Friday.

There are three different types of conjunctions.
• Coordinating conjunctions join together words or phrases. There
are only 7 coordinating conjunctions. See examples #1 and #2

F A N B O Y S
for and nor but or yet So

• Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that join parts of a
sentence (phrases). See example # 3

The 5 sets or correlative conjunctions are
both/and either/or neither/nor not only/but also whether/or

• Subordinating conjunctions begin a clause, some of them include;
after, although, as, because, before, if, since, so, though, unless,
until, where, when, wherever, while

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 8
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Parts of Speech
adjective

add to a noun, pronoun

Adjectives make writing come alive. They add color (red, blue), size
(miniscule or humongous), and detail (energetic, scrumptious). They modify
nouns or pronouns by providing more detail. (the enormous green dragon).

Adjectives answer the questions
What Kind? How Many? and Which One?

There are different types of adjectives
• Common adjectives such as cheerful or red
• Proper adjectives, which are formed from proper nouns. Examples
are Italian and Victorian.
• Compound adjectives, which are formed by putting two words
together, such as warm-blooded or old-fashioned.
• Comparative or superlative adjectives, such as good, better, best.
Good is a common adjective. (Peyton is a good quarterback.) Better
is comparative adjective, comparing two things (Peyton is a better
quarterback than his brother.). Best is a superlative adjective,
comparing more than two things (Peyton is the best quarterback in
his entire family).

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 9
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Parts of Speech
Adverb

adds to a verb

Adverbs modify or explain verbs. Adverbs can also modify adjectives or
other adverbs.
Most, but not all, adverbs end in -ly.

Adverbs tell
When
Where
How
How Often
or to What Extent
something happened

The queen will see you soon.
Soon Tells you when the queen will see you

The queen sits back on her throne.
Back Tells you where the queen sits.

The queen sits regally on her throne.
Regally Tells you how the queen sits.

Cinderella ran home very quickly.
Very Modifies adverb quickly
Tells you to what extent she ran quickly.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 10
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Parts of Speech
Pronoun

takes the place of a noun

Pronouns take the place of nouns. They make it possible to write more
clearly. Some common pronouns are he, she, them, you and us.
Jenny is Jenny’s name. Jenny is the one carrying the blue backpack that
belongs to Jenny’s sister.

Can be changed to

Her name is Jenny. She is the one carrying the blue backpack that belongs
to her sister.

Two rules to remember when using pronouns

1. Use a feminine pronoun, such as she or her, for a girl; and a masculine
pronoun, such as he, him or his for a boy.

2. Make sure the pronouns agree in number.
Jenny is popular. She is popular.
Jenny and Lynn are popular. They are popular.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 11
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Parts of Speech
Preposition

relates a noun to other words in the sentence

To begin, think of a preposition as anywhere that a squirrel can be in
relationship to a log
A squirrel can be on, under, above against, near or around a log.

Prepositions are usually used before nouns, articles or a phrase that ends
with a noun. (to school, for the class, beyond the sea, after the storm)

A preposition can show

Where something is located
Or When something happened

Here is a list of common prepositions

Aboard, about, above, across
Against, along, around
Amid, among, after, at
Except, for, during, down

Behind, below, beneath, beside
Between, before, beyond,
By, in, from, off, on, over, of
Until, unto, upon

Under, underneath, since, up
Like, near, past, throughout, through
With, within, without, instead
Toward, inside, into, to

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 12
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Parts of Speech
Article

This is a small part of the parts.

There are only 3 articles:

A
An
The

It is used to introduce a noun.

NOTE:
• A more common 8th part of speech is the Interjection.
• An interjection is a word that expresses emotion or surprise.
• Ouch! Zap! Ha! Pop! are examples of interjections.
• Interjections are usually a one word sentence, followed by an exclamation
point.
• Interjections are not included in Language Weekly homework.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 13
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Subject and Predicate
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
2. Underline the subject once
2. Underline the predicate twice

Directions
• Use the sentence from question number one
• Draw a single line under the subject
• Draw two parallel lines under the predicate

Example
Her older brother and sister ran quickly to the school.
__________________

The subject tells who or what is doing something. It contains at least one
noun or pronoun and words that describe the noun or pronoun.

The predicate tells what is happening. It contains the verb and words that
describe the verb. It can also include a prepositional phrase.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 14
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Singular or Plural
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet

3. Is this word singular or plural? ______________
3. Change the word to either singular or plural. ______________

Directions
• Determine if the word is singular or plural
• If the word is singular, rewrite it as a plural word. If the word is plural,
rewrite is as a singular word.

Example

Half 3. Is this word singular or plural? singular
3. Change the word to either singular or plural. halves

Singular means one
Plural means more than one

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 15
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Singular and Plural

To make the plural form of most noun Add s to the end of the noun

If the noun ends with a consonant and then y Change the y to i and then add es
Examples:
baby ---> babies
city ---> cities

If the noun ends with a vowel and then y Add s to the end of the noun
Examples:
boy ---> boys
day ---> days

If the noun ends with fe or f Change the f to v and then add s
Examples:
wife ---> wives
wolf ---> wolves

If the noun ends with sh, ch, ss, or x Add es to the end of the noun
Examples:
wish ---> wishes
match ---> matches
glass ---> glasses
box ---> boxes

If the noun ends with a consonant o Adding es
Examples:
tomato ---> tomatoes
potato ---> potatoes

If the noun ends in a vowel and then o Add s
Examples:
zoo ---> zoos
radio ---> radios

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 16
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Subject Verb Agreement & Verb Tense
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet

Sentence for # 4

4. Write the verb correctly. ______________
4. What tense is the sentence: past, present future? ______________

Directions
• Copy sentence 4 for the week from the poster on the wall.
• Copy the single verb that is written on the poster. Copy it in the margin
of your Language Weekly homework sheet, next to the answer space for
question # 4 (there are two questions).
• Read the sentence. Is the subject singular or plural? Is the verb singular
or plural?
• Change the verb so they are in agreement.
• Determine if the sentence is in the past, present or future tense.
• Use page 33 if you need additional help with subject verb agreement.
• Use page 35 if you need additional help with verb tense.

Example
Sentence for # 4
Panda Bears eats honey.

4. Write the verb correctly. eat
4. What tense is the sentence: past, present future? Present

NOTE:
Use an –s only once, either with the subject or the verb:
When you have a singular subject, use a plural verb: The boy plays.
When you have a plural subject, use a singular verb: The boys play.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 17
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Verb Tense
There are three simple verb tenses:
If it happened today it is present tense.

If it happened yesterday it is past tense.

If it will happen tomorrow it is future tense.

Simple Present Examples:
Happening now I go to school
At the time you are The dog ran to the door.
speaking I like music.

Simple Past Examples:
It happened yesterday I went to school on
Before you are speaking Monday.
The dog was running in
the park.
Future Example:
It will happen tomorrow Tomorrow I will not go
After you speak. to school.
The dog will run in the
park.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 18
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Contractions

Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet

5. Write the contraction or the two words. ______________

Directions
• If the word is a contraction, change it to two words
• If there are two words, change it to a contraction

Example
aren’t 5. Write the contraction or the two words. Are not

• Contractions are two words which have been joined and shortened.
• This is done by leaving out letters.
• An apostrophe replaces any missing letters.

For example:
can + not = can't
are + not = aren't

The reverse would be
doesn’t = does + not
we’ll = we + will

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 19
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Prefixes and Suffixes

Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
6. What is the root word? ______________
6. What is the suffix? ______________
6. What is the prefix? ______________

Directions
• There are three questions for this word.
• Divide the word into its prefix, root word and suffix.
• Place the answers on the appropriate lines.

Example

disorganized 6. What is the root word? organize
6. What is the suffix? -ed
6. What is the prefix? dis-

A root word contains the basic meaning of the word
A suffix is an added ending to the word

A prefix is an added beginning to the word

Root Suffix Prefix
biweekly week -ly bi-
disconnected connect -ed dis-
unhappily happy -ly un-
miscounted count -ed mis-
misspelled spell -ed mis-
disassembling assemble -ing dis-

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 20
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Possessive
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
7. Write the possessive word. ______________

Directions
• Who or what owns the object? (a)
• Is there one owner or more than one? (b)
• What is owned (c)

Example
shoes of the fisherman 7. Write the possessive word fisherman’s

(a) The fisherman owns the object
(b) Fisherman is singular, there is only one owner
(c) The shoes are the object that is owned

Apostrophes show possession or ownership.

For singular nouns add ‘s
For plural nouns add s’
Exception: for plural nouns not ending in s add s’

Example
Cinderella’s slipper
Three little pigs’ houses
Children’s toys

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 21
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Synonyms and Antonyms
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet

Word for # 8 _____________ Word bank _________________________________

8. Select the synonym for the word ______________
8. Select the antonym for the word ______________

Directions
• Refer to the first word; select one of the word bank words that is a
synonym for the first word.
• Refer to the first word; select one of the word bank words that is an
antonym for the first word.

Example
Word for # 13 funny Word bank hilarious, comfortable, miserable, sad

13. Select the synonym for the word hilarious
13. Select the antonym for the word sad

Synonym the word has the same meaning

Antonym the word has the opposite meaning
the anti meaning

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 22
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Guide Words
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Word for # 9 ____________ Guide words

9. Which words are the dictionary page guide words?_____________

Directions
• Refer to the first word; select the pair of guide words that it would come
between alphabetically

Example
Word for # 9 dance Guide words dish – ditch dense - denture
damage – danger dancing - Dane

9. Which words are the dictionary page guide words? damage – danger

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 23
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Fact or Opinion?

Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Statement for # 10 ___________________________________________________

10. Is the statement a fact or an opinion? ______________

Directions
• If the statement is a fact, write “Fact”; if the statement is an opinion, write
“Opinion”.

Example
Statement for # 10 Pepperoni is the best pizza.

10. Is the statement a fact or an opinion? opinion

A statement of fact expresses what actually happened or what can be
proven by data.

A statement of opinion expresses an attitude or feeling toward
something. It is not proven true or false.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 24
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Alphabetical Order

Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Words for # 11

11. Put the words in ABC order _______ _______ _______ _______

Directions
• Rewrite the words in alphabetical order

Example
Words for # 11
extra extreme examine external

11. Put the words in ABC order examine external extra extreme

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 25
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Alphabetical Order

Put these words in alphabetical order
Who What Want Tell

1. Alphabetize by the first letter w-w-w-t
There are two different letter that begin the words: w-t
“T” comes first when you say the alphabet
There is one word that begins with “t”, it is “tell
“Tell” is your first word tell

2. The remaining words are
Who What Want
They all begin with “w”
Look at the second letter.
The second letters are h-h-a
“A” comes first when you say the alphabet.
There is one word that has ‘”a” as the second letter, it is “want”.
“Want” is your second word tell, want

3. The remaining words are
Who What
We are still looking at the remaining second letters h-h
Look at the third letter.
The third letters are o-a
“A” comes first when you say the alphabet.
There is one remaining word that has “a” as the third letter, it is “what”.
“What” is your third word. tell, want, what

4. The last word is
Who

“Who” is your fourth word. tell, want, what, who

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 26
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Homophones

Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Sentence for #12 __________________________________________________

12. Which homophone is correct? ______________

Directions
• Select the correct homophone
• Answer each set of homonyms

Example
Sentence for #12 (They’re, There, Their) my favorite team.

12. Which homophone is correct? They’re

Homophones are words that sound the same
but have different meanings

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 27
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Personification, Metaphor, Simile and Hyperbole

Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Sentence for #13 _____________________________________________________

13. Is this an example of a personification, metaphor, simile, or
hyperbole? ______________

Directions
• Decide if the sentence is an example of personification, metaphor, simile
or hyperbole.

Example
Sentence for #13 The sun peeked shyly through the trees.

13. Is this an example of a personification, metaphor, simile, or
hyperbole?
personification

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 28
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Personification is a figure of speech that gives human traits to a
non-human.
Example: The car engine coughed when it started.
A person can cough. Coughing is a human trait.

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using the words,
like or as.
Example My love is like a red, red rose.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that says two different things are the

same.
Example It is raining cats and dogs.

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that exaggerates a situation.
Example It was so funny, I nearly died laughing
Analogy

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 29
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Analogies
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Sentence for #14 _______________ is to _______________ as
_______________ is to
14. Fill in the missing word to complete the analogy ______________

Directions
• Determine the relationship in the first analogy
• Fill in the missing word for the second analogy

Example
Sentence for #14 driver is to car as
pilot is to ________

14. Fill in the missing word to complete the analog airplane

An analogy is a comparison of 2 pairs

that have the same relationship

The key is to determine the relationship between the first pair so you can
complete the second analogy. (part to whole OR whole to part)

Example
IF (part to whole) driver is to car THEN pilot to airplane

IF (whole to part) car is to driver THEN airplane to pilot

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 30
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Quotations

Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Sentence for #15

15. Add proper punctuation __________________________________

Directions
• Rewrite the sentence
• Fill in the missing punctuation

Example
Sentence for #15 I can fly said Wilbur Wright.

15. Add proper punctuation
“I can fly!” said Wilbur Wright.

One of the uses for quotation marks is to form a bracket around the exact
words that someone said. There are a few rules.

1. When a quotation is introduced, the comma goes outside the quotation marks.
The Gingerbread Man said, “You can’t catch me.”
2. To end a quotation the comma goes inside.
“You can’t catch me, “ said the Gingerbread Man.
3. These rules do not apply when a quotation is split in two.
“Run as fast as you can, “ said the Gingerbread Man, “but
you can’t catch me.”
4. I f they are part of the quotation, question marks and exclamation points go
inside.
“You can’t catch me!” said the Gingerbread Man.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 31
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Titles

Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
16. Write the title correctly ___________________________

Directions
• Capitalize all words except prepositions and articles that need to be
capital letters
• Use proper punctuation to indicate what type of title it is

Example
Gone With The Wind 16. Write the title correctly Gone with the Wind

With titles it is the big and little trick.
Big things that can stand on their own, like books,

are underlined or use italics.

Little things that are part of a group like a poem or chapter
use quotation marks

The same rule applies to capitalizing titles, the first word and
major words are capitalized

smaller words are lower case

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 32
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Idioms

Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Sentence for #17 __________________________________________________

17. What does the idiom mean? ______________________________

Directions
• Write the actual meaning of the idiom

Example
Sentence for #17 Head in the clouds

17. What does the idiom mean? Absent minded, day dreaming

• Idioms can be confusing.
• The meaning of all of the words in an idiom together has very little or
nothing to do with the words taken one by one.
• Make your best guess.
• If you want to research the meaning yourself: I have a Dictionary of
Idioms in the classroom or you can use the Internet.
• Idioms are included because in order to understand a language you must
know what the idioms in the language mean.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 33
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Multiple Meanings
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Sentences for # 18 a __________________________________________________
b __________________________________________________
c __________________________________________________
d __________________________________________________
18. Which two sentences have the same meaning? ______________

Directions
• Find the word that is the same in all four sentences
• Select two sentences in which that word is used the same way
• Write down the letters (a,b,c, or d) of the two sentences you selected

Example
Sentences for # 18 a Brett gripped the bat as he waited for a pitch.
b There is a bat hanging upside down in the tree.
c He swung the bat and missed the ball.
d I saw the cat bat at the butterfly.

18. Which two sentences have the same meaning? a and c

Multiple meaning words are words with several different meanings.
The meaning depends on how they are used in a sentence.
Try replacing the word with a synonym.
Will the same synonym work in more than one of the sentences?

(a) Brett gripped the wooden object as he waited for the pitch.
(b) There is a wooden object hanging upside down in a tree.
(c) He swung the wooden object and missed the ball.
(d) I saw the cat wooden object at the butterfly.
Substituting wooden object works in sentences a and c.

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 34
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Main Idea
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Paragraph for # 19 & 20
19. What is the main idea of the paragraph?
______________________________

Directions
• Read the paragraph
• What is the paragraph about?
• That is the main idea
• The main idea can be in your own words or a sentence form the
paragraph

Example
Paragraph for # 19 and # 20
Did you know that just a small part of all of the salt in the
world is put into food to make the food taste better? There are
hundreds of other uses for salt, though. Pepper is a spice too.
In the United States more salt is used for melting snow and ice
on the roads than for any other purpose.

19. What is the main idea of the paragraph?
Uses of salt__________________

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Main Idea: Sentence that Doesn’t Belong
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Paragraph for # 19 & 20
20. Circle the sentence that does not belong
______________________________

Directions
• Read the paragraph
• What is the paragraph about?
• Check your main idea from question # 19
• Is there a sentence that does not give information about the main idea?
• That is the sentence that does not belong
• Circle the sentence that should not be in the paragraph

20. Circle the sentence that does not belong

The paragraph is about uses of salt.
The third sentence is “Pepper is a spice too.”
The third sentence is not about salt.
Circle the third sentence

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Which Sentence Should Come Next?
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Paragraph for # 21 & 22
21. Which sentence should come next?
a.
b.
c.

Directions
• Read the paragraph
• What is the paragraph about?
• Read the three choices
• Which choice; a, b, or c could come next?
• Circle the answer

Example
Paragraph for # 21 & # 22
Ambidextrous means you can use both your left and right
hands to write. Greg Harris is the only modern day pitcher who
has pitched both right-handed and left handed. In the same
game. Leonardo da Vinci could write with one hand while
drawing with the other. Finally, James Garfield could write
Latin with one hand while writing Greek with the other.

21. Which sentence could come next?
a. James Garfield was a president.
b. These are three examples of ambidextrous people.
c. They did not live at the same time.

The paragraph is about ambidextrous people.
Answer (a) is about one person who is ambidextrous, James Garfield
Answer (b) summarizes the paragraph
Answer (c) explains when the three people lived

Answer b is the best answer because it supports the main idea of the
paragraph

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Sentence Fragments
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Paragraph for # 21 & 22
22. Circle the sentence fragments

Directions
• Read each sentence carefully
• Find the sentence that does not have both a subject & a verb
• That is the sentence fragment
• Circle the fragment

22. Circle the sentence fragment

The third sentence is
In the same game.

The sentence begins with a preposition, and there is not a verb
This is a prepositional phrase, it is not a sentence
This is the sentence fragment
Circle sentence # 3 in the paragraph

A sentence needs only two words
(1) One must be the subject; the subject can be a noun or a
pronoun.
(2) The other word must be a verb

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Combining Sentences
Sample from Language Weekly homework sheet
Paragraph for # 23
23. How could you combine the sentences to make one sentence?
a.
b.
c.

Directions
• Read each sentence
• Read the three choices
• Select the one that sounds best and contains all of the information

Example

The dolphin is a gentle mammal. It can be
Sentences for # 23
taught to jump through a hoop.
23. How could you combine the sentences to make one sentence?

a. It can be taught to jump through a hoop, the gentle animal, the
dolphin.
b. A gentle dolphin can be taught to jump through a hoop.
c. The dolphin, a gentle animal, can be taught to jump through a hoop.

The first sentence is about a dolphin and gentle mammal
The second sentence says that the dolphin can be taught to jump
through a hoop

Choice c is
The dolphin, a gentle animal, can be taught to jump through a hoop

It has all of the information and sounds good
Choice c is the answer

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Mini Lessons
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Comic Face Book
MATERIALS: five sheets of blank paper comic strips Glue Scissors

Select one comic that will be the theme of your book. Open the book, for each set of facing pages:
Fold white paper in half. Cut out one comic frame, glue to page
Draw the face of the main character from the comic. Underline an example of a part of speech
Make certain that the face is on the folded edge of the paper. Write the name of the part of speech
Write the definition for the part of speech

Fold the remaining four sheets of paper in half.
Insert paper into the sheet with the face. Repeat for the remaining parts of speech
Cut all five sheets. (you will have ten layers) noun, verb, pronoun (example above),
DO NOT CUT ALONG THE FOLDED EDGE adjective, adverb, preposition,
Staple the book together conjunction and article

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Subject/Predicate
A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. The subject tells who or what did something, the
predicate tells what happened. The subject is a noun or pronoun. The predicate is a verb. In each sentence there is a pair
of words that is the same, EXCEPT, the word is used two different ways, once as a noun and second time as the verb.
PART 1 Find the set of words. Underline the noun once and the verb twice.

1. I’ll show you how to display your food at the show.
2. I’ll design a cup with a cool design on it.
3. This puzzle might puzzle you.
4. The fishing permit will permit you to fish in the lake.
5. The dance would be more successful if everyone would dance.

PART 2 Figure out which each subject is by solving the picture puzzle; then match it to the predicate below.

6. ________means an unsafe surface for skating. 10. ________bloom in the spring.
7. ________was thick creamy and delicious. 11. ________warns of heavy winds and rain.
8. ________will take place in the stadium tonight. 12. ________is a drink made with ice cream.
9. ________creates all sorts of problems for authors. 13. ________has four stop signs

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Verbally Insane
We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
but the plural of ox became oxen not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I spoke of my foot and show you my feet,
and I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,
yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
and the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
but though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
but imagine the feminine, she, shis and shim.

Let's face it - English is a crazy language.

Work with a partner come up with your own pair of “Verbally Insane” words.

_______________________________________

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Verb
A verb is a word that shows action or state of being. An action verb tells what the subject is doing. State-of-being verbs
can be the main verb or link the subject to the predicate. There are only eight state of being verbs.

Once upon a time there was a nice boy named Stately. He was very prim and proper. Stately was an A student. One day
at school, there was going to be a big test on verbs. Stately knew all the action verbs but he didn't want to forget the
eight state-of-being verbs. He needed a way to remember them so he could get an A on the big test. As he sat there
thinking of ideas, he found himself humming a rhythm, "Da, da, da-da, da, da, da, da. All of a sudden he jumped up and
shouted, "That is it! That is the rhythm I need to remember the state-of-being verbs: Is, am, were, was, are, be,
being, been." Stately got his A.

Find the action verbs in the word search. When you are done select one verb and write three sentences. One sentence
should be present tense (happening now), the second sentence should be past tense (happened yesterday) and the third
sentence should be future tense (will happen tomorrow).
Present __________________________________________________________________________
Past __________________________________________________________________________
Future __________________________________________________________________________

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Apostrophes: Where Do They Go?

Apostrophes belong in just three places. That's it! To make it even easier, we are only going to study two:
• Contractions Apostrophes mark missing letters
• Possessive Nouns Apostrophes show possession or ownership of nouns
Contractions are two or more words squished together.
When you squish words together, letters tend to drop out.
The apostrophe shows some letters are missing.
Rewrite the words using apostrophes to replace letters, be careful, some are irregular
Could have __________ Will not __________ You are __________
They are __________ it is __________ did not __________
I will __________ were not __________ would not __________
What's Wrong With This Picture? _________________________________________

Image courtesy of duncan on Flickr through a Creative Commons license.

Circle the contraction: aren’t were wheneve

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

What makes it a contraction? ___________________________________________

Read the paragraph below, circle the four contractions. Write the two words that make the contraction to the right of the
paragraph.

Over the years people have gotten lazy. They don’t take the time to speak 1. ___________________
clearly. Instead, they’re prone to combine words. If you’re one of these 2. ___________________
people, it’s up to you to use contractions correctly. 3. ___________________
4. ___________________

Possessive Nouns
Noun: "A noun is a person, place, or thing.
"Possession means ownership, so a possessive noun is a noun that owns another noun.
Add 's to the end of a noun to show that it is the owner.
REMEMBER the apostrophe shows who owns what
Example:
the dog's nose ___________has a ___________
John's car ___________has a ___________
Sue’s kitten ___________has a ___________
boy's t-shirts ___________has a ___________

What about words that already end in s? In that case, just add the apostrophe s’
More than one dog is ___________ so it is __________noses
More than one boy is ____________so it is __________t-shirts
Massachusetts ends in s so it becomes ____________________governor
Write these words adding an apostrophe to show possession:
school is singular or plural (circle one) so it is schools playground
children is singular or plural (circle one) so it is childrens toys
bird is singular so it is birds cage
birds is plural so it is birds cage
What’s wrong with these pictures?

P. Bishop/revised 6/2009 46
Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Images courtesy of duncan on Flickr through a Creative Commons license

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Root Words/Prefixes/Suffixes
1. Would you rather be lucky or unlucky? Why? Underline the root word Circle Suffix/Prefix

2. Use these words: Like Disliked Dislike
Underline the root word Circle Suffix/Prefix
Which word describes something you care about? ________ as in I _____presents.
Which word describes something that isn’t liked? ________ as in Bad odors are _____
Which word describes something you do not care about? ________ as in I _____spoiled milk.
What does –dis mean? _____________________________________________________________

3. Television Vision Visionary
What is the root word in all three of these words? ________________
How are all three of these words related? ____________________________________________

4. Impossible Possible
What is the difference in impossible and possible? ______________________________________
What does the prefix mean? ________________
What is the root word? ________________

5. Discover Rediscover Rediscovering Underline the root word in all three words.
Which word has a prefix and a suffix? ________________
Which words would you use if you find something again? ___________ __________
What does the re- mean? _____________________________________________________

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Root Words/Prefixes/Suffixes

6. Driver Mover Teacher Underline the root word in all three words.
What does a driver do? __________
What does a mover do? __________
What does a teacher do? __________
How does adding –er change the meaning? _______________________________________

7. Under her guidance we learned to ski. Underline the root word
What does the root word in guidance mean?
(a) to be interested (b) to work quickly (c) to give direction (d) to try again

8. The root word, terra, in subterranean means “earth”.
What is the prefix? __________
Something that is subterranean must be
(a) made out of dirt (b) planted in the ground (c) under the earth (d) on a beach
What does the prefix mean? ____________________________________________________

9. The construction of the house will be complete next month. Circle the suffix
The Latin root “struct” in the word construction means
(a) measure (b) build (c) study (d) shape
Mom inspected my room after I cleaned it. Circle the suffix
The Latin root “spect” in the word inspected means
(a) use (b) look (c) take (d) need

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonym = Same Antonym = Anti or Opposite
Crack the code; unscramble the letter to make a word. Use the letters that have a number to form a new word. Then select
the antonym for the new word from your list of unscrambled words.

CEAEP ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ LUEB ___ ___ ___ ___
2 6 3
ONW ___ ___ ___ RASHT ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
1 1 2 4 5
OLOCR ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ DER ___ ___ ___
3 7 8
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Antonym ___________________ Antonym ________________________

OPEH ___ ___ ___ ___ MUB ___ ___ ___
1 1 8
YLPA ___ ___ ___ ___ FI ___ ___
3 5 6 7
DAS ___ ___ ___ YLUG ___ ___ ___ ___
2 4 9
NPLA ___ ___ ___ ___ META ___ ___ ___ ___
4 5 2 3
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Antonym _____________________ Antonym __________________

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Synonyms and Antonyms
Crossword word bank: antonym, beautiful, happy, homonym, large, peace, picture, skinny, synonym, treasure

Across
2 Antonym for sad 8 Synonym for big Down
4 Antonym for war 9 word that has same 1 Antonym for trash 6 Word that means the same
5 Synonym for photograph spelling & pronunciation 3 Antonym for ugly 7 Word that means opposite
6 Synonym for thin but different meaning

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Dictionary Guide Words & Word History
Use the American Heritage Children’s Dictionary
Write the Guide Words for the page each word is located on

Magnet __________ __________

Dirigible __________ __________

Integrity __________ __________

Sheaf __________ __________

Chauffeur __________ __________

Opossum __________ __________

Square dance __________ __________

Thermometer __________ __________
Word History
From which civilization did we get the word diploma? __________ Meaning? ____________________________

From which civilization did we get the word cricket? __________ Meaning? ____________________________

From which civilization did we get the word boom? __________ Meaning? ____________________________

From which civilization did we get the word stunt? __________ Meaning? ____________________________

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Homophones
Words with same pronunciation but different spellings & meanings Unscramble the words & answer the question.

IHWHC is a picture of a HCTIW from “Wizard of Oz”? Circle the picture that shows a RIAP of ERPAS.

HYETRE placing HIRET gifts over HEERT in the RUTKN.

I am a person. People _______________
Place this here. Location _______________
Subject & Verb Contraction _______________
TREIW the numbers of the pictures that show an animal in
a HTRIG hand. ________

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Homophones Crossword

Across
1 You can go to the store
(to/too/two)
4 The (pair/pear) was ripe
and ready to eat.
5 There are (to/too/two)
answers to the question.
7 Go (to/too/two) the store.
8 It was
(their/there/they’re) turn.
10 (Their/there/they’re)
going to the movie.
11 (Which/witch) way is it to
the office?
Down
1 Put your books over
(their/there/they’re).
2 Raise your (right/write)
hand.
3 The (weather/whether) is
quite cold.
6 (Right/write) your name
on the top of the paper.
9 Do you (know/no) the
answer?
10 The dog wagged his
(tail/tale).

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Alliteration, Hyperbole, Metaphor, Onomatopoeia, Personification and Simile
Cut out the labels and example sentences in the 3rd and 4th columns. Match them up

Definitions Labels Example Sentences Example Sentences
Alliteration Simile The sky was a blanket of My cereal went snap,
Repeat the beginning sound blue satin. crackle, pop when I
in a series of words.
added the milk.
Hyperbole Metaphor After the marathon, I The students raced
A statement that is an was hungry enough to around the playground
exaggeration.
eat a horse. like a pack of wild dogs.
Metaphor Personification Angelic aardvarks ate The trees bowed to the
Two things are compared: ants annually. flowers in the wind.
they are almost equal or
one thing is the other.
Onomatopoeia Hyperbole Polly planted plenty of The clouds are cotton
Words that make the pretty pansies. balls in the sky.
sound of objects or
actions they refer to.
Personification Onomatopoeia A pesky mosquito I was so thirsty I could
A non-human object buzzed around my head. have drunk the entire
does something a human
lake.
could do.
Simile Alliteration The surface of the water The sun played
Two things are compared: looked as smooth as peek-a-boo with the
they are similar and use
glass. clouds.
the word “like” or “as”.

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Quotation Marks
DIRECTIONS: Place green quotation marks when someone begins speaking “
Place red quotation marks when someone stops speaking ”
Use an orange punctuation mark to pause , . ? !
Circle the first word that is spoken in blue

(1) I will run to the store and get some ice cream said Jane

(2) My favorite subject is reading answered Samantha

(3) Stop talking said the teacher and listen to me

(4) Speak loudly and carry a big stick said Teddy Roosevelt

(5) The coach answered No single player is better than the team

(6) The correct answer is B said the student

(7) The policeman said Turn right at the corner

(8) What is done to the first word that is spoken? _________________

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Quotation Marks
DIRECTIONS: Place quotation marks around the lines you will be speaking.
Mother ________Katie __________Clerk 1 _________Clerk 2 ________ Clerk 3 _________Clerk 4 _______
Clerk 5 ________Clerk 6 _________Clerk 7 _________Clerk 8 ________Clerk 9 _________ ALL _______

Which Shoes Do You Choose?
MOTHER: Katie what is the matter? CLERK 4: We have tied shoes,
KATIE: I am tired of wearing the same old shoes. CLERK 5: and wide shoes,
MOTHER: What are you going to do? CLERK 6: and carnival-ride shoes.
KATIE: I am going to the store to buy new ones. CLERK 7: We have trail shoes,
ALL CLERKS: Which shoes do you choose? CLERK 8: and snail shoes,
KATIE: I want shoes that are braggy, not baggy. CLERK 9: and wind-in-your-sail shoes.
ALL CLERKS: Hmmm. Let me see. ALL CLERKS: Which shoes do you choose?
CLERK 1: We have small shoes, KATIE: I want shoes that are spiffy, not iffy.
CLERK 2: and tall shoes, ALL CLERKS: Hmmm. Let me see.
CLERK 3: and walk-on-the-wall shoes. CLERK 1: We have black shoes,
CLERK 4: We have red shoes, CLERK 2: and snack shoes,
CLERK 5: and head shoes, CLERK 3: and ride-on-a-track shoes.
CLERK 6: and down-the-hill-sled shoes. CLERK 4: We have wet shoes,
CLERK 7: We have blue shoes, CLERK 5: and pet shoes,
CLERK 8: and BOO shoes, CLERK 6: and super-speed-jet shoes.
CLERK 9: and paddle-canoe shoes. CLERK 7: We have moon shoes,
ALL CLERKS: Which shoes do you choose? CLERK 8: and goon shoes,
KATIE: I want shoes that are slicky, not sticky. CLERK 9: and hot-air-balloon shoes.
ALL CLERKS: Hmmm. Let me see. ALL CLERKS: Which shoes do you choose?
CLERK 1: We have jog shoes, KATIE: I choose all these shoes.
CLERK 2: and log shoes, ALL CLERKS: Oh my! Now we have no more shoes to
CLERK 3: and hop-like-a-frog shoes. choose!

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Idioms

There’s a frog in my throat. “Would you give me a hand?” An idiom is an expression that may not make good sense
Do these phrases have meanings you don’t understand? When you take the phrases literally, but don’t take offense.
We won’t “go overboard” with a long explanation, these expressions don’t exactly mean what they propose to say;
but idioms are often sprinkled into our conservation. they express common sayings in a different way

When you say, “face the music”, you don’t stand in place “Playing music by ear” doesn’t mean your ears play.
In front of a band that plays right in your face. It means playing from memory without notes in the way.
“Face the music” is an idiom meaning that you accept “I’m all ears” doesn’t mean that you have many ears on your head
The results of your actions, yet your honor you’ve kept It means you’re listening. You want to hear what’s being said

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Idioms

“Beating around the bush” isn’t beating a bush that’s near;
“I am all thumbs” doesn’t mean you have thumbs everywhere It means that you are talking but not making things clear.
It means you think you’re crazy, so slow down and take care “Getting your ducks in a row” doesn’t mean ducks in a line.
“Ants in your pants” means you’re excited and can’t keep still. It means that if you get organized, things will turn out fine.
It doesn’t mean that you’ve been sitting on an anthill.

Idioms are common phrases that many people use
in polite conversation. They’re not said to confuse. So if you hear an idiom like “playing second fiddle,” you should
know it’s an idiom and not a riddle. Idioms are common phrases
Idioms are a “piece of cake,” which means that they’re easy.
that can be “cool” or a “real breeze.” So “go bananas” when
Even though sometimes idioms can be a bit cheesy
using idioms. You can use idioms with ease.

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Idioms
Choose your own idiom and illustrate it literally (the way it sounds) and then give the real meaning.

Suggested Idioms Your Picture
Circle the one you chose
Tongue-in-Cheek
Jump Down Someone’s Throat
Smell a Rat
Scratch Someone’s Back
Shoot Off One’s Mouth
Get in Someone’s hair
Pull Someone’s Leg
Not Have a Leg to Stand On
Horse Around
Wet Blanket
Up one’s sleeve
Feel Like a Million Dollars
Lose One’s shirt
Straight From the Horse’s Mouth
For the birds
Knock Someone’s Socks Off
Out of the Woods
Make Ends Meet
Spill the Beans
Let the cat out of the Bag
Money talks Real meaning_________________________________________
The Early Bird Catches the Worm
Take the Bull by the Horns
Pay Through the Nose
Stick Out One’s Neck
Drive Someone Up a Wall

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Multiple Meaning Words
Two definitions are given for the same word. Guess the word that is being described.
These are word puzzles, but when you read the same situation arises.
Words can have different meaning depending on how they are used.
A bed covering or a single piece of paper __________

Goes away or parts of a tree that fall down __________

A quacking animal or move down to avoid something. __________

Opposite of bottom of type of spinning toy __________

Toy that bounces or Cinderella’s dance __________

Building where money is kept or sides of a river __________

Opposite of float or place where you wash your hands __________

Something you must pay or a dollar __________

Type of insect or to move through the air __________

Opposite of heavy or opposite of dark __________

Dog sound or the outside of a tree __________

Vacation or to stumble and fall __________

Part of your body or twelve inches __________

Type of flower or went up higher __________

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Punctuation

As you read stop for punctuation.

Punctuation helps you make sense of what’s written.
Take a deep breath and read this paragraph. There is no punctuation so do not stop.

Without punctuation writing would be more difficult to read we would never know when to pause take a breath or
what phrases go with what words the entire meaning of our writing could be unclear when you don’t have commas periods
exclamation points question marks and the like to tell us how to read something

Now read it with proper punctuation

Without punctuation writing would be more difficult to read. We would never know when to pause, take a breath,
or what phrases go with what words. The entire meaning of our writing could be unclear: when you don’t have commas,
periods, exclamation points, question marks, and the like, to tell us how to read something.

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Commas

When eating, hot dogs bark

When eating hot dogs, bark

Which picture goes with which statement?

Here is another example of how commas can change the meaning, from Eats, Shoots, and Leaves
A panda walks into a cafeteria. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air and
begins to leave the cafeteria.
"Why? Why are you behaving in this strange, un-panda-like fashion?" asks the confused proctor.
The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder. "I'm a panda," he says, at
the door. "Look it up."

The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation. "Panda is a large black-and-white
bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots, and leaves

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Homework Helper for Language Weekly

Commas

A comma is a punctuation mark that separates Use a comma in a date.
words within a sentence. When reading a sentence, The Declaration of Independence was signed on
July 4, 1776.

you should pause at a comma.
Use comma after the greeting of a letter.
Use commas to separate 3 or more words in a Dear Grandma,
series.
For lunch I ate grapes, bananas and apples.

From,
Use a comma in direct address.
Sam
Mary, you should wear your sneakers to school.
Use a comma after the closing of a letter.
Use a comma between a city and state.
The Boston Tea Party was in Boston, Massachusetts.

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File
Keep corrected homework in this section for
reference

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